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Dr. David Rojas-Rueda

David Rojas-Rueda MD, MPH, PhD, Assistant Professor and Environmental Epidemiologist

Dr. David Rojas-Rueda is a leader in health equity and sustainability. He has been an assistant professor in environmental epidemiology at Colorado State University and has been working on mitigating the harmful effects of climate change for fourteen years. His work has been published in various medical journals, and he is an active member of CSU’s Partnership of Air Quality, Climate, and Health (PACH). When it comes to adaption of climate change and prevention efforts, he notes, “Although we have a general understanding of how health is shaped and key risk factors (e.g., diet, physical activity, air pollution, or poverty), we are still in the process of discovering new risk factors (e.g., noise, plastics) and how important they are for public health . . . we need to advance in how we communicate and translate evidence to community members and decision makers to take quick and effective actions to improve the health of everyone . . .”

John Volckens MS, Ph.D. Professor and Director for the Center for Energy Development and Health

Dr. John Volckens is a professor of mechanical engineering and the Director of the Center for Energy Development and Health at Colorado State University. In regards to physical health, his research primarily centers around air pollution related disease. His initial inspiration for working in his field came from growing up with asthma and struggling with his condition. He mentions that “I want to help create a world where everyone can breathe clean air, regardless of where they live, work, or play.” In terms of his current research and development, his commitment to clean air is hopeful and pragmatic. “My group seeks to develop simple, affordable, and reliable technologies to measure air quality. I hope our work will help empower individuals to understand more about the air they breathe, and to help them take steps to protect themselves from poor air quality (be it from traffic pollution, wildfires, infectious pathogens, or other harmful sources).”

Blanche Hughes

Blanche Hughes, M.Ed., Ph.D. Vice President for Student Affairs

Dr. Blanche Hughes has served as vice president for Student Affairs at Colorado State University for nearly fifteen years. Her leadership experience and commitment to health has helped maintain CSU’S supportive atmosphere and integral fight for health equity. In her role, she collaborates within her division and with other groups across campus to ensure students can prioritize health in all areas of their lives. Within her division, she and others work with community partners to offer health and well-being programs pertaining to stress management, mindfulness, mental health, and sustainable living. Her role also ensures that critical organizations, like the CSU Health Network, Rams Against Hunger, and The Rec Center, are accessible to students. “I see health as essential to our entire community,” Hughes says. “Students learn and succeed when they are physically and mentally well, employees thrive when their well-being is prioritized, and CSU supports the local community when we provide health education, well-being programs, and basic needs services.”

Dr. Jen Currin-McCulloch

Jennifer Currin-McCulloch, Ph.D. Assistant Professor in the School of Social Work and Lab Director of the Serious End-of-Life Narratives Research Lab.

Dr. Jen Currin-McCulloch is an assistant professor in the School of Social Work and serves as the director of the Serious Illness and End-of-Life Narratives Lab at CSU. She has been working in the healthcare field for twenty years, beginning her career as an oncologist and palliative care social worker. Over the years, her passion lies in supporting those who are working to adapt to grief and loss from terminal illnesses. Her work centers on understanding meaning and purpose for her patients. “I hope to continue working with those who have life-limiting illnesses and building support around those who choose to utilize Medical Aid in Dying and their caregivers,” she says. “Ideally, I would love to see better education on how to access these medications under the state’s laws and build psychosocial support for those who are terminally ill and their caregivers leading up to ingestion of these assisted dying medications.”

Dr. Lori Kogan

Lori Kogan, Ph.D. Professor of Clinical Sciences for the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences

Dr. Lori Kogan works as a professor in the Clinical Sciences Department in the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. She also serves as the chair of the Human-Animal Interaction section of the American Psychological Association. Her research and work over the past twenty-five years deals with bonds between humans and animals and how they intersect. “My passion was (and still is) to better understand the relationship and bond between people and other animals to facilitate the health and well-being for all involved.” Recently, Dr. Kogan has partnered with Dr. Jen Currin-McCulloch at CSU to research the bond between breast cancer survivors and their pets. The study is the first of its kind. “The future of HAI [Human-Animal Interaction] is wide open; we are just starting to tap the surface of this diverse and interdisciplinary field as we learn new ways to communicate with other animals and interact in mutually beneficial ways,” Kogan says. “I am thrilled to be part of the effort to explore how to better understand other species and, as a result, make the world a better, healthier place for both people and other animals.”

Robert J. "Bob" Fetsch, Ph.D. Professor and Extension Specialist Emeritus in the Department of Human Development & Family Studies and Co-Project Director of the Colorado AgrAbility Project

Dr. Fetsch serves as Co-Project Director of the Colorado AgrAbility Project. His knowledge and expertise in agriculture has spanned over four decades, and his empathy and understanding for fellow farmers— and their physical, emotional, and mental health—remains steadfast. “From my beginning as the first of five children on a small dairy farm in North Texas, I learned the value of being close to the land, working hard, succeeding in farming, and giving back to others. I know firsthand how psychologically stressful life often is for ranch and farm families and have known for a long time that I want to help those families through my career.” The Colorado AgrAbility Project offers educational resources, in-person visits, referrals, and adaptive equipment recommendations for farmers and ranchers who have disabilities, illnesses or other conditions. Dr. Fetsch is thrilled to see the organization advance with a recent team expansion from six to eleven professionals “to provide more behavioral health programs in all corners of the state.”

Rebecca Hill, Ph.D.Extension Professor, Agricultural and Resource Economics State Specialist and Co-Project Director of the Colorado AgrAbility Project

Dr. Rebecca Hill recently joined the AgrAbility team and serves alongside Dr. Fetsch as Co-Project Director. Starting as a research scientist, her transition into an Extension professor has greatly benefited the agricultural community of Colorado. “I am humbled and honored to be a part of the Colorado AgrAbility Project . . . I have always had a passion for rural community and economic development, and have found progress in these realms is difficult when community health needs are not met.” Hill is excited about the increased awareness in behavioral health and subsequent knowledge and resources the farming communities and underserved populations are receiving from the Project.

Francesca Reynaert, UCHealth Behavioral Health Clinical Co-Responder at CSUPD

Francesca Reynaert, along with her role as a UCHealth behavioral health clinician, serves as a CSU co-responder for a new initiative that was launched last year called the Community Support Program. In partnership with CSU’s police department, Reynaert responds to calls with CSUPD that may have a challenging mental or emotional health component. In her role, she offers support to students to connect them with valuable resources, like therapy or medication. With over four years in a background of social work in both inpatient and outpatient settings, and along with being trilingual, her desire to make a difference is strong. “My passion to help others initially inspired me to choose a career in health. I believe this field gives me tremendous opportunity to positively impact others.” As CSU is one of the first colleges to implement this program, Reynaert is hopeful for its success. “I believe that implementing co-responder programs within university settings creates increased opportunities for students to receive and to be connected with the appropriate support and resources.”