BSCS SCIENCE LEARNING - Key Persons
Abe Lo is a Science Educator at BSCS Science Learning, where he designs NGSS-aligned instructional materials and professional development programs to promote the pedagogical and epistemic shifts involved with implementing NGSS-aligned teaching and learning. Since joining BSCS in January 2018, he has redesigned instructional units using the NextGenStorylines Approach through the OpenSciEd project and co-designed the professional learning program to support the implementation of these high-quality instructional materials in classrooms. He is working with district and state partners to develop programs to facilitate statewide implementations of OpenSciEd.
Lo's research interests involve designing professional development tools and processes to promote student agency and enhance the meaningfulness of students' use of scientific practices to construct scientific knowledge. He is co-PI on the NSF-funded Preparing Teachers to Design Tasks to Support, Engage, and Assess Science Learning in Rural Schools project with University of Colorado at Boulder, which seeks to develop an online course to enhance rural teachers' access to high quality professional learning to promote the desired shifts called for by the NRC Framework, NGSS, and Colorado Academic Standards for Science. As part of the STeLLA CO2 project: Communities Supporting Teacher Learning: Using Videocase Analysis of Teaching and Learning to Support Undergraduate Preservice Secondary Science Teachers, Lo is working with education faculty, science faculty, and mentor teachers from three Universities to develop a common vision for effective science teaching and learning using the STeLLA Framework and enhance the coherence of their pre-service science teacher programs.
Lo has 20 years of experience in education and earned his Ph.D. in Learning Sciences from Northwestern University and B.A. and M.S.Ed in Science Education from the University of Pennsylvania. He was a middle and high school science teacher and has expertise supporting teachers in using NGSS-aligned instructional materials and pedagogy. Most recently, he was an instructional coach in San Francisco Unified School District, where he was responsible for co-developing the secondary science professional development program, supporting the district-rollout and field testing of their middle school science curriculum, and coaching teachers in high-need middle schools. At Northwestern, he helped develop the tools and processes used in the NextGenStorylines Approach and co-taught courses and led workshops that supported teachers in using the tools and routines to adapt existing materials and design NGSS-aligned units. As a researcher at UC Davis, he contributed to the development of a model-based biology curriculum and designed a video-based resource to support teachers in understanding what science and math practice-based instruction looks like in the classroom and how to support that work in classrooms.
Job Titles:
- Executive Office Manager and Assistant to the Executive Director
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
- Senior Fellow With the Knowles Teacher Initiative
Alexandra Fuentes, M.Ed., is the STEAM Integration Program Manager in Fairfax County Public Schools, VA. She began her career teaching in Washington, DC and Alexandria, Virginia. She taught high school Biology for seven years, as well as Earth Science and ELL Biology for recently arrived immigrant students.
In the classroom, Alexandra focused not only on science instruction, but also on student development of literacy through science. She also collaborated with scientists to increase minority students' access to advanced STEM. She served on a Virginia Department of Education assessment item review committee and was a member of the DC Science Educator Leader Cadre where she helped develop standards-aligned, project-based curriculum.
Alexandra is a Senior Fellow with the Knowles Teacher Initiative. She received the Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Award and served as a congressional fellow in the Office of U.S. Senator Michael Bennet. She also served as a teacher partner in Learning Forward's Redesign PD Partnership. As Teacher-in-Residence and an alum of Teach Plus, she launched and managed a national alumni committee to connect educators with policy opportunities. She has written op-eds and spoken on a number of panels, such as NBC's Education Nation. She earned degrees from the University of Pittsburgh and the Harvard Graduate School of Education.
Ms. Fuentes joined the BSCS Board of Directors in 2018.
Alexandra Fuentes, M.Ed., is the STEAM Integration Program Manager in Fairfax County Public Schools, Virginia.
Job Titles:
- Associate Science Educator
Andy Brubaker joined the BSCS team in November 2021. As an Associate Science Educator, his primary focus is on curriculum development for the Humane Genetics suite of projects. He works to develop student- and teacher-facing materials that enable students to explore the complexities of population and multifactorial genetics. As a former middle and high school science teacher for 11 years, Andy's professional career has been focused on making science education relevant and accessible to all students by crafting learning experiences that help students analyze their place at the intersection of science, ethics, and society. In addition to teaching grades 7-12, he has guided other teachers in honing their pedagogical skills through his work as an instructional coach. He holds a B.A. in Biology and a professional educator license from the state of Indiana.
When not working, Andy enjoys being active outdoors, cooking, and biking to get ice cream with his family.
Job Titles:
- Project Manager
- Project Manager and Staff Advocate
Ashley Whitaker serves as a Project Manager and Staff Advocate at BSCS Science Learning. Her work focuses primarily on teacher professional learning. Ashley received her bachelor's degree in biology at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs. In her spare time, she is an avid reader and enjoys playing trivia.
Job Titles:
- Senior Research Scientist
Senior Research Scientist; Associate Director, OpenSciEd Developer's Consortium
Job Titles:
- in 2019 As a Project Coordinator
- Project Coordinator and Staff Advocate
Becca joined BSCS in 2019 as a Project Coordinator. She received a BA in Communication Studies from the University of Puget Sound while on a music scholarship for harp.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
- Chief Philanthropy Officer
Bill Warren serves as the Chief Philanthropy Officer at the Venetoulis Institute for Local Journalism.
Job Titles:
- Senior Research Scientist
Job Titles:
- Member of the Emeritus Board
Bruce Alberts, Ph.D., holds the Chancellor's Leadership Chair in Biochemistry and Biophysics for Science and Education at the University of California, San Francisco, to which he returned after serving two six-year terms as the president of the National Academy of Sciences.
Job Titles:
- Senior Research Scientist and Staff Advocate
Cari's work focuses on the research and development of curriculum and assessment resources aligned to K-12 science learning goals.
Job Titles:
- Project Coordinator and Assistant to Senior Science Educator, Associate Director for Strategic Partnerships, and Director, Professional Learning
Job Titles:
- Multimedia Graphic Designer
Job Titles:
- Senior Research Scientist and Director, Research and Innovation
Christopher Wilson, PhD is Senior Research Scientist and Director, Research and Innovation at BSCS Science Learning. He joined BSCS in 2007 from the Center for Curriculum Materials in Science in the College of Education at Michigan State University, where he received his PhD in science education.
Job Titles:
- Executive Director
- President
Daniel Edelson brings significant experience as a curriculum and educational software developer, educational researcher, and advocate for science and social studies education to his role as Executive Director and President of BSCS.
Job Titles:
- Research Scientist and Staff Advocate
Dennis is interested in how biology students know what they know and why they believe it.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
- Senior Vice President
Dennis Schatz is the Senior Vice President for Strategic Programs at the Pacific Science Center, Seattle, Washington.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
- Vice Chair of the Board of Directors
Dr. Ellen Ebert is the Director of Secondary Education Content and Science in the Secondary Education and Pathway Preparation Division at the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction in Olympia, Washington.
Job Titles:
- Associate Director
- Research Scientist
Dr. Lindsey Mohan joined BSCS as a Research Scientist in May 2017. Her expertise is in instructional materials design and earth and environmental science learning.
Job Titles:
- Research Scientist
- Senior Science Educator and Director, Design for Social and Environmental Justice Outcomes
Dr. Zoe Buck Bracey is a research scientist and senior science educator who works across curriculum development, professional development and research at BSCS, with a focus on re-framing the endeavor of science education as a tool for equity and social justice.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Erin Marie Furtak, Ph.D., is Professor of STEM Education at the University of Colorado at Boulder.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
H. Craig Heller, Ph.D., is a Lorry Lokey/Business Wire Professor of Biological Sciences and Human Biology at Stanford University.
Job Titles:
- Director of Finance and Operations
Janet Ash joined BSCS as the Director of Finance and Operations in July 2022. In her role, Janet is responsible for the budget, accounting, and finance of BSCS as well as data management and process planning.
Job Titles:
- Science Educator and Director
Before joining BSCS, Jean served in a variety of roles within science education nonprofits. Before joining BSCS, Jean served in a variety of roles within science education nonprofits.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Jeffrey Rozelle, Ph.D., current serves as the CEO and President at the Knowles Teacher Initiative.
Job Titles:
- Senior Science Educator, Associate Director for Strategic Partnerships, and Director, Professional Learning
Jody Bintz, MA, serves as Senior Science Educator, Associate Director for Strategic Partnerships, and Director, Professional Learning with BSCS Science Learning. She works primarily in the areas of leadership development and teacher professional learning.
Job Titles:
- Facilities Manager and Applications Support Administrator
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
José Felipe Martínez Fernández, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor, Social Research Methodology Division Graduate School of Education & Information Studies at the University of California, Los Angeles.
Job Titles:
- Accounts Payable Processor
Job Titles:
- Senior Research Associate
Job Titles:
- Multimedia Graphic Design Specialist
Job Titles:
- Director of Communications
- Director of Communications and Advancement
Lauren Novo joined BSCS as the Director of Communications and Advancement in August 2017. With nearly a decade of communications agency experience, she has represented brands ranging from global tourism destinations and Fortune 500 companies to national sports brands and nonprofit organizations.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
- Education at the University of California, Los Angeles ( UCLA ) Graduate School of Education & Information Studies.
Job Titles:
- Associate Director
- Senior Research Scientist
- Senior Research Scientist, Associate Director for People and Culture, and Chair, Advocates Council
Molly Stuhlsatz is a Senior Research Scientist, Associate Director for People and Culture, and Chair, Advocates Council. She has dedicated over 15 years to leading research and evaluation projects at the organization.
Job Titles:
- Associate Director
- Senior Science Educator and Associate Director for Program Impact Acting Director, Equitable Impact
Nancy Hopkins-Evans joined BSCS Science Learning as the Associate Director for Program Impact in June of 2022. As a former college chemistry professor, she understands and cares deeply about students having exceptional learning experiences in science.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
- Head of Product Management at Zurich North America
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
- Professor
Philip Bell is a professor of the Learning Sciences & Human Development and holds the Shauna C. Larson Chair in Learning Sciences.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Richard A. Cardullo, Ph.D., is currently the Associate Vice Provost of Undergraduate Education, the Howard H Hays Chair of University Honors, and a Professor of Biology at the University of California, Riverside.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Rodolfo Dirzo, Ph.D., is a Bing Professor in Environmental Science and Senior Fellow at the Woods Institute for the Environment at Stanford University.
Job Titles:
- Principal Scientist and Staff Advocate
For over 20 years, Sherry has brought her R&D leadership to the creative design and study of K-12 learners.
Job Titles:
- Editorial Production Lead
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Stephen Pruitt, Ph.D, currently serves as the President of the Southern Regional Education Board.
Job Titles:
- Chairman of the Board of Directors
Stephen Traphagen, M.S., M.Ed., is a biology and AP biology teacher at Oak Park and River Forest High School in Oak Park, Illinois, and a Senior Fellow with the Knowles Teacher initiative.
Job Titles:
- Senior Science Educator and Staff Advocate
Dr. Susan Gomez Zwiep joined BSCS in 2020 as a Senior Science Educator. She began her career in science education as a middle school science teacher in Los Angeles, where she spent over 12 years working with English learners in urban schools.
Job Titles:
- Communications and Advancement Manager