Current WCIRM Students

Lani Bower

Background: I was raised in Casper, Wyoming and moved to Woodbury, Connecticut when I was 16. I received a Bachelors of Science in Biology from Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts. Most of my time at Northeastern was spent working at the Center for Vertebrate Studies. At the center, we collected information from specimens for taxonomy and population studies, and we worked closely with the Massachusetts Division of Fish and Wildlife to collect specimens and conduct research. After obtaining my bachelors degree, I worked as a small animal veterinary technician in Connecticut. I hope to attend veterinary school after the IRM program and continue into the field of wildlife management.

Micheal Daskam

Background:

Home:  Holly, Colorado 

Employer:  USDA – Natural Resource Conservation Service

Title:  District Conservationist

Family:  Wife Tami, 3 children (Pearl 5, Royce 3, and Evelyn 1).

I have worked as a ranch foreman, an excavating foreman, and now I've had three years with the NRCS.  Along the way, I have gained many skills and have gained a deeper appreciation for our natural resources.  I look forward to learning how to better consolidate a broad range of ideas, philosophy, and interests into a working plan to best manage resources.  My goal is to be an effective manager ensuring production, profitability, and enhancement of resources so that agricultural operations will be viable and healthy long into the future.

Angelina Fuoco-Eddy

Background: I grew up on the Western Slope of Colorado.  I have a B.A. in Animal Sciences from Colorado State University.  My family farm is in Loma, Colorado where we have a small cattle operation.  Currently, I work as a retail coordinator for U.S. Smokeless Tobacco.  My goal is to build our small cattle operation into a strong business that can increase the amount of land we manage.

Jonathan Gittlein

Background: I was raised in Western Nebraska on a farm/ranch.  I received my B.S. in Animal Science from the University of Arizona in Fall 2000.  I have managed several feedlots and worked on several ranches/farms since my graduation.  The reason I am attending WCIRM is to increase my knowledge in all areas.  Being in the cattle industry you’re faced with a new problem every day no matter how prepared you are.  So I’m hoping this program will help with my future problems.

Jennifer Hartman

Background: Born and raised in Blackhawk, Colorado (yes, people do live there!), I have had an interest in the sustainability of the agriculture and natural resources of my home county my whole life. Between my bachelors in Animal Science and Ag Business the IRM program, I will hopefully play a part in the industry in my hometown.  I bleed green and gold and believe that life is far too short to spend all your time studying.  I love staying active in 4-H, College of Ag events, and CSU Shotgun Sports for the people, fun, & adventures.  Go Rams!

Jenny Karcsinski

Background: My goal is to master time efficiently and play.  I plan on taking my D.V.M. and applying it practically for use on small farm and range cattle aspects of veterinary medicine.

Lisa Kish

Background: I am a licensed vet tech in Nevada and hope to go to vet school here at CSU.  I lived in Las Vega, Nevada all my life.  I have been a tech for over eight years.  I have 3 dogs and 2 cats. I am interested in wildlife and large animals.  I am a phlebotomist for humans.  I have an associate’s degree in veterinary technology and a bachelor’s in Biology.  I have volunteered for keepers of the wild and RAVS and studied wolves in Minnesota.

Lucas Line

Background: I was born in California, but grew up on Padlock Ranch near Sheridan, WY.  I received my Bachelor’s Degree in Range Management from the University of Wyoming in 2007.  I have worked for several large ranches around the country.

Ellen Nelson

Background: I originally earned degrees in Animal Science, worked for the Forest Service, USDA, Cooperative Extension and on horse and cattle operations, before becoming involved in reproductive physiology and molecular biology research. My research positions led to using the computer for data analysis, which led to an interest in software development.  I went back to school for a masters in Computer Science and after a career as a software developer, I find myself returning to animal science, but with a renewed interest in how grazing animals impact the land and the plants they graze on.  This interest has grown out of managing my own very small acreage, raising steers and poultry, struggling with years of drought, encroaching weeds and trying to maximize the productivity of our land.  I see the benefit of grazing in managing rangeland, and hope to be able to use this knowledge in improving community managed lands in the future.

Stacey Plummer

Background: I was born and raised just outside of East Los Angeles and received a BS in Agronomy with an option in Crop Production and an emphasis in Sustainable Agriculture from Cal Poly Pomona in 2006. After graduating, I continued working at a Plant Genomics research lab on campus, which I enjoyed immensely and really gave me an opportunity to learn and grow in many ways. Although I loved my time at Cal Poly, my home away from home for six years, I felt that it was time to move on. After quite a few adventures and a stint in Utah, I came to Fort Collins and the IRM Program. Working for the NRCS would be my ideal job. and I think that I would also enjoy teaching at the university level

MacKensey Priest

Background: I grew up in Southern Idaho, in a small town of 300 people.  My parents, Scott & Wendy Priest, own and operate a small trucking business, a custom hay operation, and 50 head of commercial cattle.  I was active in 4-H, FFA, school sports and high school rodeo.  I graduated from Declo High School, and then went on to attend Loveland Jr. College in Mattoon, Illinois for two years and transferred to Colorado State University to finish my Bachelors Degree in Animal Science.  Currently, I work as the sheep unit manager at ARDEC and plan to pursue a Master's degree in Agriculture, which will help me with my future endeavors.  Go Rams!

Luke Wagner

Background: I am a Colorado native, and I graduated from CSU in 2003 with a BS in computer science.  I currently work for the USDA performing various IT duties.  The whole time I have seen veterinarians/epi’s etc working directly with disease programs, and I have become jealous.  I want out from behind my computer and more exposure to the land and animals.  Hopefully, I can use what I know about IT combined with what I learn in IRM to do something more meaningful to me.