Hello, I’m Riel! I am a senior majoring in geophysical engineering. I grew up in rural Colorado, but for now I have settled in the Lakewood area. Besides working through school and with oSTEM, I spend my time as a part time research assistant, mentoring/advocating in my hometown for STEM and LGBT+ mental health, and catching up on Netflix (or more likely, emails). I love tea/coffee, Marvel, anime/manga, rocks, and music. I hope to get to know those who are reading this and would love to talk about anything over a good cuppa. So please feel free to contact me!

Email: gtolan@mymail.mines.edu

Olivia Bird is a junior in chemistry. She identifies as a transwoman, a lesbian, queer, and probably a whole slew of other things.  She is passionate about science, advocacy, and cats. She’s just here hoping to make this campus and this world a less sucky place.  

Email: bird@mymail.mines.edu

Niko is an Engineering Physics student in his senior year. Before being elected to VP of Campus Events, he was oSTEM’s social chair and FIJI’s brotherhood chair. When he’s not wrangling clubs, he works in the physics department machine shop and maker space. He also likes singing, writing, and painting.

Email: dhadacek@mymail.mines.edu

Howdy, y’all! I’m Lanie and I’m from Colorado Springs. I am a sophomore majoring in Metallurgical and Materials Engineering with a humanitarian engineering minor in Community Development. I like dogs and watching snowfall and gushing over my wonderful girlfriend up in CSU and many more things but I’d need more space to write them all. I work in a couple of research groups and intend to join Peace Corps out of college. I love to chat so say hi if you see me around!

Email: breckenridge@mymail.mines.edu

I’m a third year Computer Science bachelor’s student at the Colorado School of Mines. I grew up in Las Vegas, Nevada and moved to Golden, Colorado for school. My interests include video games, memes, baking, art, and the desert. My passion for oSTEM comes from my desire to make our organization a safe place were LGBT+ individuals can come together and feel safe, have fun, and meet some awesome people!

Email: gkarachepone@mymail.mines.edu

Hi! I’m Charlie. I love ugly button-up shirts, am a professional chef, and have a cat named Chicken. I am fluently bilingual and love philosophy. I am a junior in Mechanical Engineering (ASI in Biomechanical Engineering), and this year’s Secretary! I have a history of experience of being a peer counselor, so feel free to be as deep or superficial as you want with me. Ask me anything!

Email: mgarza@mymail.mines.edu

Hello! I’m Connor and I’m a second year Computer Science undergrad student. I grew up in the northwest suburbs of Chicago, Illinois. Aside from being the media chair of oSTEM, I am also on the Mines club volleyball team. I love video games, cats, anime, music, and getting to know new people! Feel free to say hi if you see me on campus!

Email: cgraflund@mymail.mines.edu

I was born and raised in Golden, CO and after spending time in the Midwest earning my MA in Higher Education Administration (University of Iowa) and working in higher education for 10 years at Washington University in St. Louis, I finally made my way back to Golden to work here at Mines! I have been at Mines since 2014 and love my role as the Director of Residence Life and Housing. I also love that my role allows me to take the time to be one of the advisors to oSTEM. As an advisor to this group of amazing students, I learn every day what it means for students to truly support and care for one another and each day I am challenged to be the best ally that I can be to our LGBTQ+ community here on campus and outside of our community as well. I have the honor of co-facilitating our Safe Zone training program with some of our talented leadership and helping to educate our students, staff and faculty on how they can be the best allies they can be. Advising oSTEM is the most rewarding, humbling and fun things I get to do here at Mines and I am grateful every day to be involved in this organization. Email: mfelliot@mines.edu

I’m an associate teaching professor in the department of Chemical and Biological Engineering and I am interested in improving undergraduate biology education with research interests in synthetic biology and genetic engineering. I grew up in New Mexico and obtained my PhD in Molecular Biology at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, where I also explored DNA replication and cell-cycle regulation as a post-doc. I also have a background in industry where I worked as a scientist at OPX Biotechnologies, focused on the genetic engineering of E.coli to produce a precursor to acrylic acid. It is important to me to be a proud and visible member of the LGBTQ+ community at Mines. As an advisor with oSTEM, I am continuously inspired by young queer scientists and engineers as we work together to foster an environment of inclusivity at Mines. Outside the classroom, I love hiking in the mountains of Colorado and traveling with Justin, my wonderful husband of 5 years. I also have a wonderful golden-doodle that looks like a muppet named Chloe. Email: cjramey@mines.edu