Alumni and Friends

Tracy Ellwein

Engineering and Mathematics

Tracy Ellwein, a professional engineer, has built a distinguished career in transportation and civil infrastructure across Idaho and the western U.S. An Idaho State University alumna with a B.S. in Engineering and an MBA from George Fox University, she currently serves as Senior Vice President and Area Operations Manager at HDR Engineering, overseeing 250 professionals in Oregon and Southwest Washington.

Tracy has held leadership roles with ACEC Idaho and WTS, promoting engineering excellence and advancing women in transportation. Named one of Idaho Business Review’s Top 50 Women of the Year, she is also dedicated to community service, championing initiatives like All Kids Bikes through the HDR Foundation. Tracy credits ISU for laying the foundation for her successful career.

Rena Carlson-Lammers, DVM

Physical and Life Sciences

Dr. Rena Carlson, a respected veterinarian and leader, grew up in Blackfoot, Idaho, and earned a B.S. in Zoology from Idaho State University before completing her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at Washington State University. She co-owned and expanded Alpine Animal Hospital in Pocatello while also serving as ISU’s attending veterinarian for 28 years. Her contributions to veterinary medicine earned her the ISU Distinguished Alumni Award and Idaho Veterinarian of the Year.

Dr. Carlson has held leadership roles in the Idaho Veterinary Medical Association and the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), serving as AVMA President from 2023 to 2024. She now mentors new veterinary graduates across multiple states. She and her husband, Brad, enjoy time with their sons and grandchildren, Parker and Hollis.

Xavier Christy

Honors B.S. Biology

Xavier is earning an Honors degree in Biology with a concentration in biomedical sciences, achieving a 4.0 GPA. He is deeply engaged in research, exploring respiratory-related neural circuitry and showcasing his findings through his Honors Senior Thesis. On campus, he serves a peer mentor for the University Honors Program and worked as an undergraduate teaching assistant, supporting academic success and student development. Beyond academics, he demonstrates his commitment to the community by volunteering as a medical assistant at the Pocatello Free Clinic, providing compassionate care to underserved populations. Xavier exemplifies academic excellence, a passion for healthcare, a dedication to research, and a strong commitment to service.

Jaden Palmer

Honors B.S. Nuclear & Mechanical Engineering

Jaden Palmer is dual majoring in Nuclear and Mechanical Engineering. Motivated by living in multiple rural areas, Jaden is committed to making clean energy accessible to all. Jaden is a reactor twin analytics intern at Idaho National Laboratory, where he assists in developing advanced nuclear proliferation detection methods by using reactor physics and machine learning simulations. Additionally, he holds two research positions at Idaho State University, one directed at utilizing augmented reality for prosthesis rehabilitation and the other aimed at creating a novel radiation detection method. During the summer of 2024, Jaden participated in the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Summer Research Program, where he contributed to a virtual reality scene to dynamically display Earth Observation data. These experiences culminate in Jaden’s ultimate goal of tackling issues in climate change, nuclear safety, and energy accessibility.