Family and Consumer Sciences
Graduate Students (Current)

Child and Family Studies
            Human Nutrition and Food
            Textiles and Merchandising

Textiles and Merchandising

ANN WASSERBERGER – biographical sketch

I am a native of Lusk, WY. I received an Associate's Degree in Business Management from Casper College in 2005. Continuing my education at the University of Wyoming I earned a BS in Family & Consumer Sciences in the Textiles and Merchandising option with a minor in Apparel Design in 2007. 

After two years of continuously being inspired by the amazing wearable art of the faculty in the department I decided to pursue a Master's Degree (Textiles and Merchandising option). My thesis work is studying what influences fiber artists’ inspiration. I am also actively working on creative scholarship. I have submitted designs to the American Quilter’s Society/Hobbs Bonded Fibers Fashion Show and Competition, Make it Yourself with Wool, International Textile and Apparel Association (ITAA), and American Association of Family and Consumer Science (AAFCS) competitions. In 2007, my "A Garden Walk" was accepted to the international American Quilter’s Society/Hobbs Bonded Fiber competition. My three piece wool outfit, "Wholee Semester," placed second at the Wyoming State Make it Yourself with Wool competition in 2007.  In June 2008, my “Cherries Gone Wild” design won Best Apparel Design at the National AAFCS Conference in Milwaukee, WI.  My “Peacock Fantasy” design was accepted to travel with the 2008 Hoffman Challenge. 

I recently submitted my portfolio to IQA for consideration to upcoming Bernina fashion shows.  I am currently working on a piece for the 2009 AAFCS competition and a quilt for the Young Designers American Quilters’ Society competition.  My quilt design “Tour Eiffel” was accepted for display at the 2007 Young Designers American Quilters’ Society competition.

I have seen a new light for my career while attending the University of Wyoming. My new goal is to continue my education, earn a Doctoral degree and ultimately become a faculty member in a fashion/design program. 

CARRIE HARGRAVE - biographical sketch

I am a native of Wheat Ridge, CO, but moved away in 1994 to pursue my college education. I received an Associate's Degree in Wildlife Biology from North Dakota State University- Bottineau in 1996. I then moved to Fargo, North Dakota to attend NDSU and finished my BS in Range Management in 1999. Continuing my education, I then moved to Laramie to attend the University of Wyoming where I earned a second BS in Wildlife Biology in 2002. While in the process of working on my masters in the Renewable Resources Department, I started taking textile classes as a diversion and then I took over management of my family’s business in Denver, a quilt shop in 2005 to keep our store from closing. This completely changed my goals and focus for my masters.

My grandmother and mom started our quilt shop in 1981, and it has been a major influence in my life. After discovering that I had a real passion for the business it was an easy decision to change my major and get my masters in Textiles and Merchandising. My thesis work is focused on studying the physical properties of quilting thread, like strength, durability and longevity of threads once they are sewn into a quilt. This research is important because there has been no scientific research done on how thread, especially thread manufactured specifically for quilting, performs in the finished product, a quilt. Most quilters make quilts to give to family and friends with the hope that the quilt will become a family heirloom and I would like to help educate quilters about the differences between all the thread options that are available to them so that they can make the best quilt possible so that it can last long enough to be given to future generations. I love all things related to fabric, and in addition to the classes we have always taught in the art of quilt making our store, I have started teaching classes relating to the many things I learned in my textile classes like fabric manipulation and basic garment construction, and am truly thankful for the education and skills I gained from our department of great professors.

I am currently living back in Wheat Ridge, running our store and working hard to finish my thesis. Having ready access to my intended audience has shaped not only my study, by finding out what they as quilters want to know about thread but has shaped what I intend to do with all the information and knowledge I have gained by working on my masters project.

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 Human Nutrition and Food

ALEKSANDRA KUZMANOV – biographical sketch

I graduated from the School of Medicine at the University of Belgrade, Serbia in 2004. After two years' experience as a general practitioner I was convinced that a good physician must insist on prevention. Thus my career goal changed and I enrolled in the College of Agriculture with the intention of receiving an MS in Human Nutrition.

During my Med. school studies, I was awarded several different scholarships and took part in international conference presentations. In addition to my academic background and extensive internship, I gained valuable experience through my constant contact with patients, covering a wide range of diseases and afflictions. My responsibilities included examining patients on a daily basis, taking their histories, ordering laboratory tests and other diagnostic procedures, prescribing and administering medications, as well as providing emergency care. However, despite my enthusiasm, I realized I needed to dedicate more time and resources to prevention. As a graduate assistant at the University of Wyoming, I appreciate the opportunity to be involved in scientific research and promote nutrition as a critical part of prevention and disease treatment.

My current interest focuses on the ovulatory problem of PCOS in women, a common cause of female infertility. My MS research under the guidance of Dr. K. Shane Broughton will focus on the influence of a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids on establishment of normal ovulation in women with PCOS and the potential for fertility improvement.

JOSEPH OTIENO OKOMBO - Biographical sketch.

I am a Kenyan national from the Luo community on the western side of the country. I always intended to pursue further education after my first degree (BSc. Food Science and Technology, University of Nairobi, Kenya 2002). This came true when I was offered a chance to join the University of Wyoming for a Master’s degree for which I am very grateful. It is quite an experience to study in a foreign land in a place where people are so welcoming like Wyoming.

BRIEF WORK HISTORY:

Before joining the University of Wyoming, I worked with a vegetable processing company, Frigoken Company, which dealt in green and yellow French beans for export market. Once harvested, they were transported to the factory in company refrigerated trucks, packaged and finally retorted (thermal processed) in preparation for the shipment to the European markets as shelf-stable, ready-to-eat vegetables.

RESEARCH POSITION:

I am a graduate student in Food Science and Human Nutrition where my adviser is Prof. Michael Liebman. My lab research area involves the study of dietary and urinary oxalates. Oxalates are found in various foods with the levels depending on food type. Hyperoxaluria, excretion of ≥45mg/day in urine, is a predictor of complications associated with kidney stones and other metabolic disorders. So far I have completed oxalate analysis of various food samples. I am helping in a study where volunteers are given supplements of citrate (calcium citrate) and observed for the amount of oxalate excreted in urine. Calcium citrate is known to reduce the amount of insoluble calcium oxalate in the body. My research will focus on the effects of probiotics on oxaluria. This involves the use of GRAS (generally recommended as safe) bacterial cultures to degrade oxalates. We will be testing the efficiency of these cultures to degrade oxalate in vitro and in human volunteers.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: 

Fun and other activities - Watching live games when opportunity and time allow, watching action movies at home, listening to all kinds of music with a particular liking to ‘ohangla’ (luo traditional music) and other contemporary luo music. I read a vast collection of novels, with a particular interest in history and international relations.

Child and Family Studies

TAYLOR BENNETT – biographical sketch

My name is Taylor Bennett and I moved to Laramie from rural eastern Kentucky.  I graduated from Morehead State University in 2007 with a degree in University Studies.  The majority of my academic work involved disability studies, women’s studies, and philosophy.  I was attending graduate school in the counseling program at MSU when my husband was accepted to graduate school in Philosophy at UWYO.  I found the Master’s in Family Consumer Sciences/Child and Family Studies program attractive because I believe the foundation of healthy development begins with the family.  My research interests include the roles of the family in adolescent substance abuse, identity, and moral development.  Substance abuse became an important issue for me as I watched, like so many of us have, my own community struggle to deal with the rapid spread of opiate and meth addictions.   I’ve been working as a graduate assistant under Dr. Christine Wade and am looking forward to focusing my interests on my thesis work.

In my free time I enjoy vegan cooking and baking (which has been complicated at 7200 ft!), going to concerts, hiking, gardening, and of course, spending time with my family and friends.

GINA CASPER – biographical sketch

I was raised in Casper, Wyoming. After graduating from Natrona County High School, I traveled around the United States for a few years and had many interesting experiences. I began my college studies in Astoria, Oregon and continued them back home at Casper College. I graduated with honors in May 2003 and was awarded my Associate of Science degree in Pre-Pharmacy. I attended the University of Wyoming’s School of Pharmacy for two years until changing my major to Family and Consumer Sciences. I graduated cum laude in August 2008 with my Bachelor of Science degree, focusing in Family and Community Service. I began the Master’s Program in Family and Community Service at the University of Wyoming in August 2008, and am excited to be gaining experience with research and writing for publication.

I enjoy community service and volunteer work, and have helped out Meals on Wheels, the Laramie High School chapter of Amnesty International, Snowy Range Academy's Spring Into Action, the Wyoming State Archaeologist's Office at Seminoe's Fort, and had a wonderful time interning with Interfaith-Good Samaritan as an undergraduate.

I love living in Laramie; my two school-aged children and I enjoy and appreciate all that this “small-in-size but big-in-heart” community has to offer.

AMANDA HEARNE – Biographical Sketch

I was raised on a small farm/ranch in southeastern Idaho and moved to Laramie to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Animal Science with a Production Option, graduating from UW in 2004.  I met and married a Laramie native in 2006.  We continue to feel that Laramie is close to home because of the proximity to my extended family, his family, and is still within driving distance to my family.

Currently, I work as a coordinator in the University Disability Support Services office on campus.  I find this to be a very rewarding position because it allows me to work closely with students and help them succeed academically.  I also enjoy the challenge of not knowing exactly what will happen from day to day! Disability Supports is a field I did not anticipate working in, but feel that it found me.  I have worked with people with disabilities for the last three years and have enjoyed the opportunities presented to me.

After a long road of trying to define my specific area of interest, I have decided to pursue Consumer Studies and hope to study materialistic values and how they are acquired by children.  It is hard to watch the news or read a newspaper without realizing that there has been a dramatic shift in consumer attitudes in the last few years to the point of economic instability. It is my hopes that not only will I be able to understand consumer actions and decisions better, but that my work may lead to further understanding of the need to teach our youth consumer skills to allow them to become smart consumers.

CORINNA SEELEY – Biographical Sketch

My name is Corinna Seeley.  My family roots are in northeast Nebraska, but I grew up mostly in South Dakota.  I married a Wyoming native in 2006 and now consider “The Equality State” to be my home.  I graduated with a degree in teaching from the University of South Dakota because I wanted “to make a difference in the world.”  Now, I am pursing a master’s degree in Family and Consumer Sciences with a concentration in Child and Family Studies because I see a need to make a difference in the lives of families, the place where I believe foundational elements of all human relations intersect.  The UW FCSC Department is helping me realize this dream and to meet that need. 

My interests have led me to women’s access to healthcare and the impact this has on the family system.  I recently worked with the Wyoming Health Council (2006-2007) where I was afforded the opportunity to help facilitate a qualitative research study, which concerned itself with the health experiences of rural/frontier women in Wyoming, a collaborative study with the UW School of Nursing, Dr. Susan McCabe, principal investigator.  The results of this study were presented at the “Wyoming Women’s & Girls’ Health Summit” in Cheyenne (June 2007) and at the “National Rural Women’s Health Conference” in Washington, DC (August 2007).  I hope to further this study in my thesis work as I am drawn to qualitative research and its rich data.  The stories one hears are compelling and powerful, and certainly it is intriguing to see how these stories fill in the gaps where quantitative data simply cannot speak.