STEM - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Researcher
- Researcher at Oregon State University 's STEM Center
Ben Archibeque is a Researcher at Oregon State University's STEM Center. He has predominantly researched physics-specific contexts, but has also included STEM contexts. He has worked on making physics and STEM more equitable and looking at different ways physics and STEM can be redefined and reformed to be interesting, exciting, and valuable to students from all backgrounds.
Ben earned his Ph.D. in Physics from Florida International University in the Spring of 2023 with a focus in physics education research (same place where he obtained his Master's in Physics). He received his Bachelor's of Science in Physics and Bachelor's of Science in Psychology from Kansas State University in 2018.
Ben is interested in work that involves equity, inclusion, and diversity-particularly, working with individuals from groups who have been historically marginalized groups in STEM and academia. Doing this work with new frameworks, perspectives, and from a variety of data sources is something he considers beneficial and beautiful.
Job Titles:
- Senior Researcher
- Senior Researcher at the STEM Research Center
Dr. Heather A. Fischer is a senior researcher at the STEM Research Center. Before coming to the center in July 2018, Heather completed a Ph.D. in Geography at Arizona State University in the School of Geographical Sciences and Urban Planning. Currently Heather is working on multiple NASA, NSF, and USDA-funded projects and is partnering with researchers internal to OSU (including the Oregon Bee Atlas) and external (including with NASA and SciStarter).
Heather's research interests include data quality of volunteer-collected data, developing citizen science and informal learning programs with diverse groups of participants, evaluating the use of citizen science data for scientific research, and open access to volunteer collected data. Heather is also working on projects related to workforce development through experiential learning, focused on STEM education programs that teach essential skills. Heather has particular expertise in geographic information science, volunteered geographic information, and social science and program evaluation methodologies.
Job Titles:
- Director
- Department of Office for Research Advancement
- Director of the NSF Polar STEAM
Dr. Julie Risien is the Director of the NSF Polar STEAM programs which are housed at the Center and conducted in collaboration with the Patricia Valian Reser Center for the Creative Arts, Precollege Programs, and the College of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences (CEOAS). She serves as Principal on the ARC-Learn undergraduate research program, also in partnership with CEOAS, and participates in several national science and society initiatives as research partner or adviser. Julie served as the Associate Director for the Center from 2012 until 2022 when she became the Director of Transdisciplinary Research in the Office for Research Advancement under the Vice President for Research. She is a Co-PI on the NSF-funded resource center Advancing Research Impacts in Society (ARIS), serves on the graduate faculty for CEOAS and the OSU Environmental Sciences Program. Her research and practice focuses on scientist professional development and inter-institutional partnerships to enhance "Broader Impacts", the transformative power of learning networks, organizational structures, and partnerships to improve connection at the interface of science and society.
Job Titles:
- Director of Unizulu Science Centre
After graduating, Derek taught in a high school as a Science and Mathematics teacher for three years. Since then he has been running Unizulu Science Centre in Richards Bay, South Africa, for over 30 years. Derek's passion is presenting Science and Mathematics to children in a way that encourages curiosity and inspires them to study further. He has presented science shows all over the world and attended all eight of the Science Centre World Congresses, on every continent. He has represented Africa on the International Programme Committee for these Congresses and serves on the Global Committee of ASTC (The Association of Science and Technology Centres). He is a Council member, founder and former President of the Southern African Association of Science and Technology Centres (SAASTEC). He is active in the South African Institute of Physics (SAIP) and has guided their outreach program to schools for the past few years. In 2016 he completed his doctorate in Physics Education with a study based in his science centre. In response to the COVID crisis, he has pioneered a unique set of offline physics videos for matrics. Derek has won many awards for his contributions to science, including the 1999 National Science and Technology Forum (NSTF) Award for the best individual contribution to Science in South Africa. He was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship in 2021 to work with the Institute of Learning Innovation and Oregon State University in Corvallis, OR, in 2023. He is married to Karen, who will accompany him on his Fulbright Exchange, and they have two grown-up daughters.
Job Titles:
- Researcher
- Program Coordinator for the HHMI
- Researcher at the STEM Research Center
Holly Cho is a Researcher at the STEM Research Center. Her interests lie at the intersection of STEM education and social justice - motivated by the belief that inclusion is a fundamental right, and that equity and justice should be intrinsic to good pedagogical practice. She is particularly interested in creating institutional change in the higher education space, and is committed to helping college and university educators translate research into practice.
In addition to her research and evaluation portfolio, Holly serves as the Program Coordinator for the HHMI-funded InclusiveExcellence@OSU, a fellowship program for STEM faculty who seek to integrate inclusion and equity into their teaching practice.
Holly received her M.S. degrees in Cell and Molecular Biology and Life Sciences Communication from the University of Madison-Wisconsin.
Job Titles:
- Department of Science Education
- Professor of Science Education at California State University Long Beach
Dr. Kisiel is a Professor of Science Education at California State University Long Beach and over the past 15 years, he has engaged both undergraduate and graduate students in their study of science teaching, the nature of science and learning in informal environments. He also developed and currently oversees the informal education option of the MS in Science Education offered by the Science Education department at CSULB. He received his Ph.D. in Education from the University of Southern California, following an M.S. in Chemistry from UCLA. Prior to his appointment at CSULB, he worked as an Education Program Coordinator at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, and prior to that, taught high school chemistry and physics at an inner city Archdiocesan high school, also in Los Angeles.
Dr. Kisiel's research and evaluation work spans a variety of areas of science education, including family learning experience in informal settings and public/visitor understanding of challenging topics such as evolution and environmental issues. Much of his effort has focused on understanding the interface between formal and informal science learning settings, including field trip experiences, and exploring the challenges of and opportunities for collaboration between these two sectors.
He currently serves on the Editorial Board of the journal Visitor Studies and has recently been appointed Editor for the ‘Science Learning in Everyday Life' Section of the journal Science Education.
Job Titles:
- President & CEO, Aquarium of the Pacific
Job Titles:
- Public Information Assistant
- the Public Information Assistant
Jessica Sawyer is the Public Information Assistant for the Center. She leads all media production, communications and attends to the administrative needs of the Center. Prior to joining the Center, Jessica completed her B.S. in Psychology at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo and worked in advertising where she gained experience in marketing. She is passionate about using her media and communication skills to tell the story of the Center.
Job Titles:
- JKS Consulting ( Corvallis, or )
- Principal Researcher of JKS Consulting
Jill Stein is Principal Researcher of JKS Consulting, based in Corvallis, OR, and brings more than 15 years of experience in audience research and evaluation in informal learning contexts. She has worked with a broad range of institutions, including science museums and centers, cultural heritage and history museums, tribal museums, historic sites, art museums, and children's museums. Her focus areas include the role that culture plays in learning, evaluation practices that attend to diversity and equity, and cross-cultural partnerships.
Jill has been the lead evaluator on numerous projects funded by NSF, NASA and IMLS around bringing together Indigenous knowledge and western science in informal learning settings and engaging Native youth in STEM through their cultural knowledge systems. A key example is Native Universe: Indigenous Voice in Science Museums, in which she served as one of the lead evaluators for formative and summative evaluation focused on understanding how institutional change can be supported around the inclusion of Indigenous voices and perspectives in science museums. She is currently partnering with Oregon State University's STEM Research Center on a comprehensive evaluation of "Transforming American Indian and Alaska Native STEM Learning via Indigenous Knowledge Translation, Education, and the Environment" (NSF-DRL # NSF DRL #1812543), which seeks to build a Community of Practice around environmental education grounded in Indigenous ways of knowing among Coastal Salish tribes.
Jill has a Master's degree in Folklore and Anthropology with an emphasis on Museum Studies from Indiana University, and is currently pursuing a PhD in Applied Anthropology at Oregon State University.
Job Titles:
- Co - Director Institute of Learning Innovation
- Founding Director of the STEM Research Center
Dr. Falk is the founding Director of the STEM Research Center. His research focuses on the study of learning in free-choice learning settings (with particular focus on museums and eco-tourism venues); understanding the role of situated-identity in leisure/tourist decision-making and learning, and investigating how the public utilizes free-choice educational institutions to support their long-term science learning.
Job Titles:
- Associate Director
- Research Center in 2016 As a Senior Researcher
Dr. O'Connell joined the Oregon State University STEM Research Center in 2016 as a Senior Researcher. She also holds affiliate faculty appointments in the College of Education, and the Environmental Arts and Humanities Program at OSU. Before coming to the STEM Research Center, she worked in the College of Forestry at OSU in multiple capacities, first as a Postdoctoral Research Associate studying long-term forest carbon dynamics, next as Director of the H.J. Andrews Experimental Forest where she coordinated the research and education programs, and then with a staff position in Forestry and Natural Resources Extension which focused on professional development for middle and high school teachers. Kari's research interests include equity, access, and inclusion in undergraduate field education, collaborative STEM education networks, public engagement in science, ecological data literacy of K-12 teachers and students, and art-science collaborations to science engagement.
Kari has a Ph.D. in Forestry with a minor in soils from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a B.A. degree in Biology from Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, MN.
Job Titles:
- Researcher
- Researcher at Oregon State University 's STEM Research Center
Kelly Hoke is a Researcher at Oregon State University's STEM Research Center. She completed her Master of Science in Human Development and Family Studies at Oregon State University, where her thesis work explored preschool play environments and their association with physical activity. Kelly's background prior to graduate school includes over ten years in natural resource management, along with programming and professional development within the fields of science and environmental education. She earned her B.S. in Biology from Lenoir-Rhyne University.
Kelly's research interests are at the nexus of human development and environmental influences, especially equitable access in children's play and family leisure in outdoor/nature-based environments. She is interested in how human relationships within and with these spaces shape the life course.
Job Titles:
- Senior Researcher
- Program Lead in Informal, K - 12 and Connected Learning
Kelly Riedinger is a senior researcher and program lead in Informal, K-12 and Connected learning. Kelly brings more than 20 years of experience working as a researcher, evaluator and practitioner in both K-12 and informal science education.
Kelly has been active in a number of professional organizations including the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, Visitor Studies Association, the Leadership Exchange in Arts and Disabilities, NARST, the National Marine Educators Association (NMEA), and the NSTA. She currently serves on the executive board of directors for the Visitors Studies Association, the editorial board for the Visitor Studies journal and is a member of the steering committee for the Social Science Research and Evaluation Scientific Advisory Group and a member of the Research and Technology Committee for the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
Kelly's research interests include promoting access and inclusion in informal science education settings for learners with disabilities, investigating youths' identities as learners of science, and connecting formal and informal science education.
Kelly has a Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction with a focus on science education from the University of Maryland, College Park; a M.S. degree in Oceanography from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia; and a B.A. degree in Biology from Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio.
Job Titles:
- Assistant Vice Chancellor, Digital Innovation and Enterprise Learning
Job Titles:
- Researcher
- Researcher at Oregon State University 's STEM Research Center
Kimberley Preston is a Researcher at Oregon State University's STEM Research Center. She is a science education researcher, with experience in both quantitative and qualitative methods. Her research and evaluation project portfolio spans across the formal and informal science learning spaces and includes topics as diverse as exploring the visitor experience at zoos and aquariums to progressing engineering workforce development.
Prior to her work at the STEM Research Center, Kimberley worked in a variety of fields such as aquaculture, makerspaces, and international immigration. She has experience as an informal science educator and in designing educational activities addressing ecological and natural history concepts for diverse audiences.
Kimberley completed her Master of Science in Environmental Sciences with a focus in Environmental Education, from Oregon State University where she explored nature-connectedness of students enrolled in outdoor recreation training programs. She received her B.S. in Fisheries & Wildlife Sciences and B.A. in International Studies from Oregon State University.
Kimberley's research interests include STEM learning ecosystems, deep learning and skills transfer, outdoor education, informal science learning, and the affective dimensions of learning.
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Job Titles:
- Operations Manager
- Operations Manager for the Center
Kristin Kinman is the Operations Manager for the Center. Kristin has a Master of Education and a Bachelor of Science. She has worked in administration for 23 years supporting human resources, financial management, grant proposals and awards, data collection and management, organizational processes, and other administrative procedures. Kristin's love for organization and skill for ensuring efficiency are a major asset to the Center. Providing full grant lifecycle support, analyzing Center operations, and working with internal and external funding partners, are some of the roles Kristin serves as our Operations Manager.
Job Titles:
- Chief Scientist, PARADIGMisr CEO, Black Canyon Woodworks
Lisa Graham, Ph.D., P.E., Chief Scientist at PARADIGM isr, is a licensed professional chemical engineer with nearly 18 years experience in a variety of technical fields, including specialty chemicals and biopharmaceuticals. Prior to joining PARADIGMisr, Lisa was part of Bend Research Inc. for 12 years and held SVP and COO executive positions. She is an author on 12 scientific papers and holds two patents.
Job Titles:
- Assistant Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education
Job Titles:
- Executive Director, Institute for the Future
Job Titles:
- Founder and CEO, Prrl Labs, LLC
I am a geologist by academic and professional training and for the last 20 years have focused my work in science education and research. Between 1998 and 2020 I was involved in teacher professional development and preparation at both the University of New Mexico and Oregon State University. In 2021 I moved to the STEM Research Center as a Senior Researcher and work in evaluation and research for three projects: NASA Earth Science Education Collaborative, Students to Launch and the Oregon Department of Education Well-Rounded Access Program (WRAP). I am also exploring projects connected to online science teacher preparation.
Job Titles:
- Outreach and Engagement Lead, Polar STEAM Initiative
Melissa is the Outreach and Engagement Lead for the Polar STEAM program at the STEM Research Center. She works to support and collaborate with scientists, teachers, artists and writers while engaging in polar science. As a former Director of Experiential Education and science teacher, Melissa managed a multifaceted program that involved training and supporting faculty to create innovative learning experiences for students. She also participated in several teacher-researcher programs, including working with scientists at Toolik Field Station in the Arctic.
Job Titles:
- Program Manager
- Polar STEAM Initiative, Program Manager
- Program Manager for the Polar STEAM Program at OSU
Michelle is the Program Manager for the Polar STEAM program at OSU and works to foster innovative collaborations between scientists, teachers, artists, and writers in polar environments. Michelle brings Alaskan experience as a World Geography Educator for 10 years and as a Program Manager supporting Rural Alaska infrastructure needs. Michelle is also a National Geographic Certified Educator and infuses their inquiry-based model into project-based learning for students enriched with site visits and virtual experiences. Michelle is an accomplished world traveler on all seven continents and lived in New Zealand during 2020-21, embracing teaching in a new culture during an uncertain time in the world. She also lived and worked at McMurdo Station, Antarctica for two austral summer seasons 2018/19 and 2019/20 supporting science in the South Polar Region. Michelle is an enthusiastic ambassador for all things Polar and looks forward to helping curiosity thrive with Polar STEAM.
Job Titles:
- Independent ( Former Exec. Director
Job Titles:
- Director, Center for STEM Learning / Professor of Physics, University of Colorado
Job Titles:
- Affiliated Researcher / Department of Earth, Ocean, & Atmospheric Sciences
- Department of Earth, Ocean, & Atmospheric Sciences
With a background in environmental education, biological sciences, and land management, I use remote sensing and geographic information systems to create maps and data that show people what is happening on planet Earth, particularly changes that can be seen from space. In my current work, I am developing an automated visualization and analysis tool for mapping changes in glacier extent using annual 1984 to 2014 satellite imagery. The overarching broader impact of this project is to create a novel way for glaciologists, climatologists, educators, and students to understand how and where Earth's glaciers have changed over this period. I have significantly contributed to several research projects related to understanding forest and land cover changes using Landsat satellite imagery across the United States, eastern Europe, Russia, Mongolia, and Kazakhstan. In addition I have created several education lessons based around this research (http://onrep.forestry.oregonstate.edu/authentic-science-activities).
Job Titles:
- Researcher
- Researcher at Oregon State University 's STEM Center
Victoria Sellers is a researcher at Oregon State University's STEM Center. She has broad engineering and science education experience utilizing qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods.
Victoria recently completed a postdoctoral research fellowship at the Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering at the University of Florida, where she examined self-efficacy and advocacy around hidden curriculum in engineering. Prior to the University of Florida, she completed a Ph.D. in Engineering and Science Education from Clemson University. Her dissertation compared participants' affective responses to a virtual reality geology field experience to similar outdoor and classroom experiences. Victoria received an M.S. in Hydrogeology from Clemson University, as well as B.S. degrees in environmental health and geology from East Carolina University.
Her research interests include equity and social justice and field-based education, and she is guided by asset-based frameworks such as community cultural wealth and sense of place.