Scholars in the Schools
Science Face to Face
Throughout the school year, the Pinhead Institute brings internationally renowned scientists into our regional schools. These acclaimed scientists present their work and educational pathways, often leading experiments, workshops, and sometimes field expeditions for students in grade school through high school. This program enables students from rural communities throughout the region to have the opportunity to interact with PhD scientists from around the world specializing in everything from nanoscience, to biochemistry, to field biology, to astrophysics, and much more.
And in our Communities
It could be a quick trip down Main Street to our terrific local Telluride school, or further afield to Colorado’s corn capital of Olathe, the thriving metropolis of Montrose, or the smaller towns of Nucla, Norwood, Ridgway, Ouray, Dolores, or the almost-city of Cortez in the Four Corners where many students commute from the nearby Navajo and Ute reservations. Sometimes it’s a classroom of eight enthralled students, other times it’s “Pizza with Professionals” over lunch with dozens of high schoolers in a school library, and occasionally it’s a school-wide assembly with 100 or more students.
2024-2025 Scholars
Alex Shelley
San Miguel Power Association
Bill Weber
Pilot, Aviation and Education Foundation
Dmitry Vorobiev, PhD
Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics, CU Boulder
Brian Fleming, PhD
Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics, CU Boulder
Briana Indahl, PhD
Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics, CU Boulder
Vicki Abeles
Filmmaker, ‘Counted Out’ Math Documentary
Glenn Rodriguez
Math Nerd and Deputy Director, Center for Community Alternatives
John Bockrath
District Chief, Norwood Fire Department
Dr J. Judson Wynne
Assistant Research Professor/Department of Biological Sciences
Merriam-Powell Center for Environmental Research/Northern Arizona University
Garrett Weygandt
Helicopter Pilot, Check Pilot and Instructor for PHI Americas
Michael D’Anna
Gold Seal Certified Flight Instructor, Gregg’s Flying Service, Durango
Jaden Mankins
Certified Flight Instructor, Gregg’s Flying Service, Durango
Suz Remec
Computer Scientist, Telluride
Bob Rader
Mining Engineer, Rico Mine
Glade Hadden
Retired Archaologist, BLM
2022-2023 Scholars
Margarita Isabel Bernal
Uruchurtu, PhD
Chemist, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos
Gigi El Bayoumi, MD
Rodham Institute, Public Health
Pacifica Sommers, PhD
Metagenomics Data Scientist, Bayer Crop Sciences
Research Affiliate, University of Colorado Boulder
Erika Nesvold, PhD
Astrophysics Engineer
Emily Freed, PhD
Colorado School of Mines
Brewster Shaw
Astronaut
Charlie Kane
Entrepreneur and Local Business Owner
Camille Price
Former Environmental Protection Specialist, Idarado Mining Company
2023-2024 Scholars
Seychelle Vos, Ph.D.
Vos Lab, Department of Biology, MIT
Nicola Neretti, PhD
Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Brown University
Adrian Bergere
San Miguel Watershed Coalition
Joe Tanner
Astronaut
Jason Cook, Ph.D.
Astronomer/Astrophysicist
Pacifica Sommers, PhD
Metagenomics Data Scientist, Bayer Crop Sciences
Daan Stevenson PhD
Engineer and Entrepreneur, Iona Tech
Camille Price
Former Environmental Protection Specialist, Idarado Mining Company
Dr J. Judson Wynne
Assistant Research Professor/Department of Biological Sciences
Merriam-Powell Center for Environmental Research/Northern Arizona University
Dan Bosch
Fisheries Biologist, Alaska Department of Fish and Game
Owen Dubeck
Filmaker, Farmlink
Jane Ferguson
Journalist
2021-2022 Scholars
Brewster Shaw
Astronaut
Charlie Kane
Entrepreneur and Local Business Owner
Bruce Wright
Architect
Pedro Kos
Film Director
Camille Price
Former Environmental Protection Specialist, Idarado Mining Company
Stan Kiersztyn
Wastewater Engineer
Rachael McCrary
NCAR Climate Scientist
Joyce Huang
Telluride Town Engineer
Joe Tanner
Astronaut
Daan Stevenson PhD
Engineer and Entrepreneur, Iona Tech
Heidi Steltzer, PhD
Professor of Environment, Sustainability and Biology and the Coordinator for the Environmental Science Degree Program at Fort Lewis College
Emily Freed, PhD
Geneticist and Researcher at CU Boulder. Member of 500 Women Scientists.
Glade Hadden
Paleontologist
Rene Pumayalli
Hydrogeologist and Water Management Consultant