Pogona Peak was founded by Cassie Kotter. Pogona is the scientific name for "bearded dragon", and is inspired by Cassie's pet, Simon. Peak refers to the mountains of our home in Colorado.

Hi! My name is Cassie and I am a biologist that  works for the Division of Infectious Diseases at the Anschutz Medical Campus in Colorado. I have been studying biology for over 20 years and never cease to be fascinated by how incredible our world is.

When I am not in the lab studying microbes or hanging out with my bearded dragon, Simon, I provide hands-on scientific demonstrations for schools, clubs, and parties. Please look at the science program page for more details. 

My true passion is sharing science with others. This world we live in is so extraordinary, and the more you understand it, the more amazing it becomes. In 2002, I helped found a program at the University of Colorado Denver called  RISE (Resources for Interactive Science Education) which brought hands-on education to under-served schools in the Denver area. After graduating from the university, I continued teaching others about science and love to help people discover their inner scientist! I have brought 'Cassie's Cart' of wonder-filled experiments to schools around the Denver-metro area.

I have used biology to perform work in government, industry, academic research, and education. My particular focus has been on the powerful genetics of microbes. In the past, I studied how bacteria in sewage sludge can be used to decontaminate chemical weapons and prevent them from leaking into waterways. I've also used bacteria to generate natural gas that we use for energy. Currently, I study how bacteria living in our bodies (the human microbiome) contribute to various diseases like diabetes, obesity, cancer, Crohn's disease, and more.

More about my research can be viewed on my linked-in page. Or, you can see a list of publications I contributed to on the publication page.

We are sad to announce that Simon passed away in May 2026 from an aneurysm. We are heartbroken but still plan to continue writing and publishing the Simon the Scientist books.