About
Our Mission
URSSO’s mission is to create a community of research scholars through empowering, facilitating, and serving undergraduates involved or interested in getting involved in research. URSSO works closely with the Office of Undergrade Research to leverage campus wide relationships for outreach, social events, and professional development endeavors. Additionally, the organization places a strong emphasis on providing an environment where researchers can come together to discuss their success and struggles within research. For more information, please join our mailing list
Meet Our Officers
Ryan McGinnis
President
Ryan is a second-year student studying Metallurgical and Materials Engineering at the Colorado School of Mines (Mines). Ryan is the president of the Undergraduate Research Organization, an outreach chair for the Mines Materials Advantage Chapter, a peer mentor, and a researcher. His research focuses on the fabrication, implementation, and recovery of materials for energy storage and transmission applications. He has previously worked on the development and characterization of aluminum feedstocks and electrochemical deposition for sustainable electromagnet fabrication. Ryan is also the team lead for the Materials Engineering and Data Science Intern Group at ASM International. Ryan spends his free time making stuff (blacksmithing, woodworking, sewing, etc.), skiing at Arapahoe Basin, and reading Edward Abbey books.
Jack Shepherd
Vice-President
Jack is a third-year student at Colorado School of Mines working towards a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering and a master’s degree in engineering and technology management. He is the Vice President of URSSO, Vice President of Tier Structure for the Board of Student Organizations, EVOLVE member, and researcher. Jack works on a project at the Colorado Fuel Cell Center focused on quantifying degradation rates in proton conducting ceramic fuel cells and electrolyzer stacks. The project will answer why ceramic fuel cells degrade to help scientists develop more robust ceramic fuel cells for large scale applications. Outside of academics Jack enjoys all physical activities including stand up paddle board yoga, boogie boarding, skiing and mountain biking.
Dishita Sharma
Treasurer
Dishita is a second year Computer Science major at Mines focusing on AI and Robotics. She is the Treasurer of the URSSO, a Vanguard scholar, a FIRST scholar, a Computer Science TA, and a researcher. Dishita worked on a research project focusing on developing a scalable machine learning algorithm to automatically detect and diagnose Breast Cancer. This project leveraged tissue samples from a local hospital and image registration techniques to achieve its goal. Previously, she has worked on a project where she researched and designed an assistive technology solution for an individual with Cerebral Palsy. She is very passionate about helping her community by using the skills she has learned to problem solve. Outside of school, Dishita loves traveling to new places, swimming, hiking, and sketching.
Max Shepherd
Lead Representative
Bio here
Elizabeth Letch
First-year Representative
Elizabeth is a second year student at Colorado School of Mines majoring in Quantitative Biosciences and Engineering. She is the FIRST Representative of the URSSO as well as a FIRST scholar, a researcher, a member of the Society of Women Engineers, and a member of the Vanguard Community of Scholars. Elizabeth has worked on a research team in the Chemical and Biological Engineering department at Mines whose research is focused on developing nanosensors that are selective for certain materials or molecules to monitor patient health in a biomedical application. Her project focuses specifically on developing persistent luminescent nanosensors that will overcome problems of autofluorescence in biological systems. Outside of academics, though, she is a member of the Mines Ballroom Dance Club and enjoys baking, reading, travel, and hiking.
Dr. Lakshmi Krishna
Advisor
Bio here