Fall 2025 Undergraduate Research Scholars COHORT
Dishita Sharma
B.S. in Computer Science
Dishita Sharma graduated from Colorado School of Mines with a B.S. in Computer Science. She did research across Computer Science and Applied Mathematics and Statistics. In addition, she was a Vanguard scholar, Salesforce C-MAPP scholar, and 3rd place oral presentation winner at the Mines 2025 Spring Undergraduate Research Symposium. Her most recent research focused on camera-based detection and quantification of operational emissions on an oil and gas compressor station. Her work was also presented at the 2025 American Geophysical Union conference. After graduation, she will finish her M.S. in Computer Science with a focus in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning.
Elizabeth Letch
B.S. in Quantitative Biosciences and Engineering
Elizabeth Letch graduated from Colorado School of Mines with a B.S. in Quantitative Biosciences and Engineering. She began research with Dr. Kevin Cash’s lab group in the Chemical and Biological Engineering department through the FIRST fellowship, resulting in a publication in June 2024 for her work on a project involving the synthesis of persistent-luminescent nanoparticles to overcome autofluorescence in biological systems. She is now the leader of a project involving the creation of reversible oxygen-sensitive fluorescent nanosensors using hemoglobin protein. Elizabeth plans to pursue a job in Pharmaceutical Drug Research and Development work after she graduates.
Emma Bateman
B.S. Design Engineering
Emma Bateman graduated from the Colorado School of Mines with a B.S. in Design Engineering, specializing in biotechnologies. She conducted research in the Chemical and Biological Engineering department, where she developed a hydrogel-based combination device for women’s health and earned first place at the Mines Undergraduate Research Symposium. Her work focused on creating a combination device for localized drug delivery. Emma plans to continue identifying gaps in healthcare technology and pursue a career in medical device innovation.
Kate Gaiser
B.S. in Chemical Engineering, with a Biological Engineering Track
Kate Gaiser graduated from the Colorado School of Mines with a B.S. in Chemical and Biological Engineering. She conducted research in the Department of Chemistry, where she investigated nitrile hydratase catalysis and active-site maturation to advance sustainable amide production. During her undergraduate studies, she was awarded the Mines President’s Scholarship, the Mines Undergraduate Research Fellowship, and the ACS Women Chemists Committee Travel Award. Her work was presented at both the Mines Undergraduate Research Symposium and the American Chemical Society Fall Meeting. She will pursue a Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering at Clemson University this spring, with research in arthropod inspired materials and surfaces.
Kiersten Wilson
B.S. in Environmental Engineering
Kiersten Wilson graduated from Colorado School of Mines with a B.S. in Environmental Engineering. During her time at Mines, she conducted environmental engineering research under the guidance of Dr. Timothy Strathmann, studying the application of Hydrothermal Alkaline Treatment (HALT) processes for the destruction of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), commonly referred to as ‘Forever Chemicals’. Over five semesters of undergraduate research activities, Kiersten was awarded scholarships by the ARCS Colorado Chapter, Colorado Environmental Management Society, and Environmental Engineering and Science Foundation. After graduation, she will be continuing her studies at Mines in pursuit of a master’s degree in civil and environmental engineering, with the ultimate goal of becoming a remediation engineer in the consulting industry.
Olivia Diedrich
B.S. in Quantitative Bioscience Engineering
Olivia Diedrich is a Colorado School of Mines graduate with her B.S. in Quantitative Bioscience Engineering. Her research took place in the Engineering, Design, and Society Department under Dr. Jessica Smith, supported by Vivian Underhill. She is a Colorado Scholar and Presidential Mines Scholar for all 3.5 years of her attendance at Mines. Her research looks at the broader impacts that energy justice and energy burden has on communities, specifically focused in Southern Colorado. In the future, Olivia would like to pursue an energy analyst position to further her understanding of how energy contributes to an evolving world.
Ryan McGinnis
B.S. in Metallurgical and Materials Engineering
Ryan McGinnis graduated from the Colorado School of Mines with a B.S. in Metallurgical and Materials Engineering (MME). While at Mines, he performed research in the Reimanis Group in the MME department. Ryan’s research focused on gas permeation and fracture mechanics of bisque-fired kaolinite membranes for hydrogen gas production and separation. He was awarded an ARCS scholarship, was a FIRST scholar, and placed third at the 2025 MS&T Conference student poster competition. After graduation, he plans to continue research on ceramics for energy applications by pursuing a Ph.D. in materials science.
Trevor Tong
B.S. in Quantitative Biosciences and Engineering with a Minor in Biomedical Engineering
Trevor Tong graduated from Colorado School of Mines with a B.S. in Quantitative Biosciences and Engineering and a focus in Biomedical Engineering. Working under the mentorship of Dr. David Marr in the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering for two and a half years, he explored the use of computational techniques to study and model the complex assembly of superparamagnetic colloidal particles. Through his research, Trevor investigated the application of micro-robotic devices for treating internal wounds and hemorrhage. As a community-oriented scientist, he also co-founded the BioBuilders student organization, served as president of the QBE student advisory board, and was an executive officer for USG. He aspires to pursue a career of lifelong learning, contributing to the discovery of novel tools to improve patient care as a future physician.