Cynthia Norrgran
Lecturer

BS [Physics] - University of Minnesota
MD – University of Nevada, Reno
Surgical Internship, Neurosurgical Residency – University of Cincinnati
MS [Astronomy] – James Cook University
Current Doctoral Candidate in Astrophysics – James Cook University

Biology, Biophysics, Neurosurgery, Astronomy

Research Description
Dr. Norrgran teaches within the BELS curriculum. She obtained her B.S. in physics from the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis. She then worked in biology research on regenerating limbs and biochemical research on brain enzymes for several years before entering medical school at the University of Nevada, Reno. After graduating with her M.D., she went to University of Cincinnati for her surgical internship and neurosurgery residency. Her research there consisted of the mechanical stress designs for cervical wiring techniques and also skull base surgical applications for carotid cavernous sinus fistulas. Dr. Norrgran worked in private practice as a neurosurgeon in the Denver area for many years. When she retired from her medical practice, she earned her M.S. in astronomy by processing data in search of extra solar planets. She started teaching biology and biophysics at CSM in 2004.

Dr. Norrgran is currently working on a research project in conjunction with Dr. Lincoln Carr from the physics department. The project involves monitoring bacterial growth using spectrophotometric techniques. This has implications for testing stored and reclaimed water supplies, for protecting the water source for such diverse operations as ships and the international space station. The initial steps in this project look promising and it is moving into a secondary phase of experimentation. Dr. Norrgran is also doing private research on the recovery and restoration processes for dinosaur fossils.

Contact Information
Cynthia Norrgran
Chemical Engineering Department, BELS
Colorado School of Mines
Golden, CO 80401
Office: (303) 273-3414
FAX: (303) 273-3730
cnorrgra@mines.edu