Richards research group

Prof. Ryan Richards | rrichard@mines.edu

Ryan Richards is a Professor of Chemistry at the Colorado School of Mines with a joint appointment at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory both in Golden, Colorado USA. Prof. Richards received his BS from Michigan State University, MS Central Michigan University and PhD from Kansas State University. During his PhD studies he was a visiting scientist at the Boreskov Institute of Catalysis in Novosibirsk, Russia.  From 2000-2002 he was Max Planck Fellow at the MPI in Muelheim, Germany. In 2002 Ryan joined Jacobs University Bremen where he was promoted to associate professor before moving to Mines in 2007. The Richards group has made a broad range of contributions to the field of inorganic nanoscience in the areas of nanoparticle preparations (metal and metal oxides), in situ spectroscopy, and catalysis. Prof. Richards has published more than 150 papers, 7 patents and has served as editor/co-editor of 3 nanoscience books. He has been elected by his peers for numerous awards throughout his career including being selected as a Fellow of the American Chemical Society and 2016 ACS Colorado Section Research Award.

GRADUATE STUDENTS

Silas Cascio  | silas_cascio@mines.edu

Silas grew up in the small town of Berlin on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. He earned an ACS Certified B.A. Degree in Chemistry and Biochemistry with a minor in Environmental Studies from Oberlin College in 2025. During his time at Oberlin, Silas participated in hybrid materials research, attended an REU at The George Washington University where he studied the stability of lithium-oxygen battery cathodes, and worked as an operator for Oberlin’s ecological wastewater treatment system. Silas began his PhD in Applied Chemistry and joined the Richards Group in the Fall of 2025 with the objective of exploring sustainable chemical processes for the extraction and recycling of critical materials from spent electronic waste. Outside of the lab, Silas enjoys hiking, mountain biking, cooking, traveling, and surfing (or more recently, snowboarding).

Sienna Gonzalez  | sgonzalez@mines.edu

Sienna is a Materials Science graduate student and Coorstek Fellow at the Colorado School of Mines, co-advised by Prof. Ryan Richards and Prof. Ryan O’Hayre. She obtained her undergraduate degree in Chemistry from this institution, as well. Currently, Sienna is working on the adaptation of solgel methods for the synthesis of high entropy perovskites, useful in Solid Oxide Fuel Cells. She hopes to one day become a teaching professor, serving as a role model for Hispanic students and other underrepresented groups in the STEM field. In her free time, Sienna enjoys hiking, crocheting, and listening to Kpop (TXT!!).

Crystal Mendoza | crystal_mendoza@mines.edu

Crystal was born and raised in Inglewood, California and attended Kalamazoo College in Kalamazoo, Michigan. She earned an ACS Certified B.A Degree in Chemistry Spring of 2023. During her time at K College, she participated in various research programs including an REU at the University of Southern California in the Marinescu Group and a RISE Germany internship at Karlsruhe Institute for Technology in the Bizzarri group. Crystal moved to Golden in the Fall of 2023 to start a PhD in the Applied Chemistry program with Richard’s Group. Crystal’s past and present research primarily focuses on photoelectrochemical systems for carbon dioxide conversion. Outside of the lab, she enjoys climbing, hiking, and taking in as much sun as possible.

Logan Myers | logan_myers@mines.edu

Logan obtained his Bachelor of Science degree from the department of Chemistry at Colorado Mesa University in May of 2022. Directly after obtaining his undergraduate degree, he joined the LigSAF team at NREL for a post-baccalaureate internship until the summer of 2023. While working with the LigSAF team, he assisted in research on the valorization of lignin from different sources of biomass into sustainable aviation fuels. Now, he is pursuing his Ph.D. in Applied Chemistry working in the Richards group and at NREL to investigate catalyst development for hydrodeoxygenation pathways from biomass derived ketones into fuels. When he is not in lab, you can find him snowboarding, hiking, or playing pool!

Ryker Rofshus | ryker_rofshus@mines.edu

Ryker grew up in Albert Lea Minnesota and received his B.S. in Materials Science and Engineering as well as a minor in Sustainability from the University of Minnesota in 2024. At the U of M Ryker assisted in research under Professor Russell Holmes, synthesizing organic semiconductor devices. Upon completing his undergraduate degree Ryker began pursuing his masters in Materials Science at Mines, in the Richards Group. At Mines, Ryker’s work involves synthesizing heterogeneous catalysts for PFAS degradation via reductive routes. When Ryker isn’t in the lab you can find him enjoying a good book, spending time outside with friends, or climbing things!

Zachary (Zach) Thompson | zethompson@mines.edu

Zachary Thompson was raised in Gainesville Florida where he spent two years studying at the University of Florida as a dual enrollment student. He moved to Golden Colorado in the fall of 2022 for his undergraduate degree. Currently he is a senior undergraduate in Chemical Engineering on the process track here at Mines. He started volunteering with the Richard’s group in the fall of 2024 assisting with catalyst development for hydrodeoxygenation pathways for the conversion of biomass into usable fuels. After graduation he hopes to attain his PhD in material science. Outside of academic pursuits he enjoys snowboarding, mountain biking, swimming, and playing bass guitar.

underGRADUATE STUDENTS

Brock Bethea | bbethea@mines.edu

Brock Bethea was raised mostly in Texas with a few stops in foreign countries along the way. They are a junior undergraduate Chemistry student at the Colorado School of Mines. Brock is newer to research and thus is currently volunteering in the Richard’s lab helping Sienna Gonzalez with her research on high entropy perovskites. They have ambitions to lead their own research projects independently with further hopes to obtain a Ph.D. in the future. Outside of the academic space, Brock enjoys playing volleyball, listening to J metal, and taking photos of cats and birds.

Tegan Daughters | tegan_daughters@mines.edu

Tegan Daughters is a Metallurgical and Materials Engineering undergraduate student at Mines. He has experience in environmental consulting and robotics, as well as leadership roles as a volunteer coach and track club founder. Tegan is also a member of the Mines Varsity Track and Field team at Mines.

FORMER Members