2026 Women in Science Symposium
April 15, 2026
Lory Student Center
Colorado State University
Join the CSU Women in Science Network for the 2026 symposium “Learning from the Earth and Giving Back”, as we hear from Earth system expert, Dr. Kimberley Miner. Her talk of her work and journey in science will be followed by a moderated panel of CSU Earth science experts that will expand upon the conversation and lunch.
9 a.m. Introduction & Land Grant Acknowledgement
Jen Barfield, Assistant Professor, Department of Biomedical Sciences
Gregg Dean, Professor, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology
9:15 a.m. Opening Remarks
9:30 a.m. Keynote Speaker
Dr. Kimberley R. Miner is a scientist, professor, author, and motivational speaker whose field expeditions in mountains across the Northern Hemisphere, above the Arctic Circle, on Mt. Everest, and in Antarctica chart how the planet is changing.
Her work has reached audiences globally through BBC News, The New York Times, GQ, The Today Show, and a Guinness World Record. She is a National Institutes of Health and AAAS Fellow and works at NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
Kimberley’s book, Considering Climate Change, aims to empower younger generations to plan for climate change. Kimberley is a Black belt and wilderness Firefighter who spends her free time hiking and sailing.
11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Moderated Earth Science Panel
Moderated by Erica Suchman, Professor Emerita, Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology
Expertise: Using active learning techniques to foster critical thinking skills while teaching science in large lecture halls.
Sue Bober
STEM Teacher, Poudre Community Academy
Expertise: Preparing the next generation of STEM innovators.
Wendy DeYoung
Associate Professor, Department of Health and Exercise Sciences
Expertise: Biophilia-Human connection – the innate, genetically determined human tendency to seek connections with nature and living systems.
Cass Mosley
Vice President for Research – Colorado State University
Expertise: Wildfire and climate resilience, rural communities and national forest policy.
Josey Plaut
Associate Director, Institute of the Built Environment
Expertise: Driven by the belief that positive change is possible when we focus on evolving relationships with each other and the places where we live and work.
Lexi Sherman
PhD Candidate, Department of Atmospheric Sciences
Expertise: Uses high-resolution models to look at how specific storm characteristics and hazards will change in the future.
Katurah Zahler
PhD Candidate, Department of Atmospheric Sciences/Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere
Expertise: Preparation for a new set of weather satellites scheduled to start launching in 2032.
12:30 – 1:30 p.m. Lunch [included]
1:15-1:45 p.m. Book Signing
The CSU Bookstore will have Dr. Miner’s new book, Considering Climate Change, available for purchase and she will be signing copies.