Officers 2024-2025
Co-President: Vigor Lam
About: Vigor (he/him) is a 4th year Ph.D. candidate in Higher Education Leadership. Born in the South and raised in Columbus, Ohio, Vigor holds a B.S. in Landscape Architecture from The Ohio State University and a M.Ed. in Postsecondary Administration and Student Affairs (PASA) from University of Southern California. His research interests include the study of decolonized, equitable, and universal physical campus spaces and intersect with his passions in architecture, design, construction, and higher education. He is a distance student and is based in the Bay Area/San Francisco where he works full-time as a construction manager for Jacobs. When he has free time, he enjoys cooking, reading, being outdoors (cycling, hiking, snowboarding), and traveling.
Email: [email protected]
Officer Job Description: GSC-President
Co-President: Cassandra Puletapuai
About: Cassandra (she/her) heads into her fourth year as a multicultural Pacific Indigenous doctoral candidate in Education, Equity, and Transformation. She emerges from the endearing and honorable “military brat” subculture, which grants a nomadic lifestyle, exposing her to various cultures, communities, and regions across the country. At a young age, Cassandra’s interest in STEM education influenced her pursuit of a B.S. in Geosciences with a minor in Spanish, an M.S. in Technology with an emphasis in Construction Management, and attending a trade school for certification focusing on Construction Technology and Residential Construction. Cassandra’s scholarship centers on the fusion of science, art, and culture through transformative learning and teaching practices, Indigenization, allyship in educational partnerships, innovative and holistic/well-being curriculum designs, emotionally intelligent and positive leadership, and effective faculty development. Following her North Star Dr. Daniel Birmingham in STEM Education, Cassandra hopes to elevate hyper-invisible voices and redefine science spaces to increase accessibility in STEM participation. Cassandra dances in tap, modern, and cultural genres, along with enjoying carpentry/upholstery, writing poetry, exploring the outdoors, barbequing, and traveling. Cassandra wishes to express gratitude to her committee (Dr. Sue Doe, Dr. Diana Chen, Dr. James Folkestad), family, friends, allies, mentors, community members, colleagues, various CSU staff and educators for supporting her to dream unapologetically.
Email: [email protected]
Officer Job Description: GSC-President
Vice President of Advocacy: Nurudeen Oketade
About: Nurudeen (he/him) is fourth year PhD Student in the Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology. He holds a Bachelor of Pharmacy from The University of Lagos in Nigeria. He has worked for several years as a Clinical Pharmacist and a Researcher in the field of HIV and Tuberculosis prior to graduate school. He has also held the position of President of the African Graduate Students Association (AGSA) for 2 years prior to taking up the role of VP of Advocacy. His research interest lies in better understanding the physiology of Mycobacterium tuberculosis for the development of better vaccines and therapeutics. His hobbies include cooking, playing basketball and soccer, watching sports.
Email: [email protected]
Officer Job Description: GSC VP Advocacy
Vice President of Engagement: Melody Hayman
About: Melody (she/her) is a second year PhD student in cell and molecular biology. My hobbies include crocheting, food (eating and making), painting, and anything animal related.
Email: [email protected]
Officer Job Description: GSC-VP-Engagement
Vice President of Finance: Prakash Shyam Karuppiah
About: Prakash Shyam (he/him) is a second year PhD Student in the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. Hailing from Tamil Nadu, India he graduated with a Bachelor’s in Biochemistry from The American College, Madurai Kamaraj University, and furthered his studies with a Master of Science in Biochemistry from Bharathidasan University and a Master of Technology in Biotechnology from Anna University, Tamil Nadu India. Passionate about his field, Prakash Shyam aims to pursue a career in research, focusing on the genetic instability, metabolism, and disease progression. Beyond his academic pursuits, he enjoys music, playing shuttle badminton, and exploring nature through biking, hiking, and camping.
Email: [email protected]
Officer Job Description: GSC-VP-Finance
Vice President of Grants: Skylar Yu
About: Skylar (she/her) is a 3rd year international PhD student in Health Psychology and Behavioral Medicine. She was born and raised in China, completed her undergraduate degree in Psychology at Carleton College, MN, and then came to CSU as a graduate student. Her research interests including physical activity promotion and sedentary reduction, as well as promoting healthy eating with the use of menu labels. When Skylar is not working, she enjoys exploring local coffee shops and traveling around the world.
Email: [email protected]
Officer Job Description: GSC-VP-Grant
Vice President of Information: Gamze Badakul
About: Gamze (she/her) is a third-year Ph.D. student in Radiological Health Science. Her research interests finding alternative cancer and diabetes mellitus type II therapy methods. My hobbies are cooking, reading, being outdoors with friends, learning about different cultures, hiking, cycling, and traveling.
Email: gamze.badakul@colostate.edu or [email protected]
Officer Job Description: GSC-VP-Information