Tuesday, March 10, 2026 Research Day Keynote Speaker - Aimee Pugh Bernard, Ph.D.
From Data to Dialogue: Research Communication for the Real World
Aimee Pugh Bernard, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor in the Department of Immunology and Microbiology and dedicated educator at the University of Colorado Anschutz medical campus. Aimee serves as the immunology content director for the CU School of Medicine (CUSOM) undergraduate medical curriculum and teaches immunology to students across the CU Anschutz campus, including medical, dental, physician assistant and graduate students. Aimee is a member of the CUSOM Curriculum Steering Committee and the American Association of Immunology (AAI) Teaching Interest Group and Public Communications Committee. In August of 2023 she was 1 of 3 faculty selected by the Class of 2026 first-year medical students to receive the ‘Students Thanking and Recognizing’ Faculty STAR teaching award. In May of 2024 she was awarded the Chancellor’s Teaching Recognition award at the CU School of Medicine commencement ceremony.
In the context of her role as a science communicator, Aimee is the Director of the CU Anschutz Basic Science Departments Science Communication Program and a Co-Director of the Colorado Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CCTSI) ‘Communicating Your Science to the Public’ Workshop series. If you’re on social media, you can find her on TikTok and Instagram as ‘funsizeimmuninja’- a black belt martial artist and immunologist in a small (yet fully grown adult) package!
Aimee is passionate about pro-science advocacy and regularly testifies at the Colorado state legislature in support of pro-science legislation that strengthens public health. Aimee is also an active member of Immunize Colorado and the Colorado Vaccine Equity Task Force.
In all her roles, Aimee strives to serve as a positive influence on education, public health policy, and science communication.
Tuesday, March 10, 2026 Faculty Lightning Talks
- Rodolfo Valdes Vasquez, associate professor, Department of Construction Management
- Paula Alaszkiewicz, assistant professor, Department of Design and Merchandising; curator, Avenir Museum of Design and Merchandising
- Sarah Stotz, assistant professor, Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition
- Ana Gutierrez-Colina, assistant professor, Department of Human Development and Family Studies
- Lyndsey Dubose, assistant professor, Department of Health and Exercise Science
- Janell Pisegna, assistant professor, Department of Occupational Therapy
- Susana Muñoz, associate professor, School of Education
- Brittanie Ash, assistant professor, School of Social Work
Tuesday, March 10, 2026 Dean's Fellows Lightning Talks
- Steffi Joslin, Department of Human Development and Family Studies
- Anjali Tiwari, Department of Health and Exercise Science