- Home
- About
- Programs & Grants
- DBER Scholars in Training
- DBER-SiT Leadership
|
| Jynx Pigart, Bylaws & Elections Co-ChairShe/her/hers Arizona State University Jynx earned her BS in Biology & Psychology at East Carolina University, and is a current NSF Graduate Research Fellow. Jynx has explored behavioral ecology, clinical psychology, and STEM education research during undergrad. Her current goal is to build upon her mixed methods experience and apply innovative quantitative methods to understand graduate student depression. More broadly, she plans to study mental health in higher ed learning environments with an interest in LGBTQ+ and low SES populations. She is a fan of AZA-certified aquariums, has a cat named Meatloaf, and plays PC/Nintendo games in her free time. Email: cpigartc@asu.edu; LinkedIn |
| Brittany Wu, Bylaws & Elections Co-ChairShe/her/hers University of Colorado, Boulder Brittany earned her BS in Biology at Regis University and is currently a PhD student at the University of Colorado, Boulder. She is currently co-mentored by Jenny Knight and Meredith Betterton. Brittany is working on research on the Core Concepts from the Vision and Change framework and characterizing microtubule and motor protein dynamics. She is interested in interdisciplinary work and how we can better biological education. A fun fact about Brittany is that she was named after Britney Spears. Brittany is excited to be a part of DBER-SIT and work in Elections and Bylaws. |
.jpg)
Funding
| Noah Benscher, Funding Co-ChairUniversity of Minnesota Noah achieved a BS in Biomathematics and a MS in Agronomy, and he is now a PhD student in STEM Education at the University of Minnesota. He is pursuing environmental education research under the guidance of Dr. Sarah Eddy. He is intrigued by student motivation, interest, and persistence in the environmental sciences from elementary to higher education. His hobbies include gardening, writing, chess, and jazz music. |
| Faith Frings, Funding Co-ChairShe/her/hers University of New Hampshire
Faith is a PhD student in Integrative Biology at the University of New Hampshire. She is studying quantitative biology education research under the mentorship of Dr. Melissa Aikens. Her research interests include biology student motivation and cognition when learning statistics and statistical programming. She completed her BS in Marine Biology and her MS in Biology with a concentration in Ecology and Evolution at the University of South Florida. In her free time, she likes to read, hike, snowboard and play board games.
|
OutReach
| Kate Cosca, Outreach Co-ChairMiddle Tennessee State University |
| Alyssa Olson, Outreach Co-ChairShe/her/hers University of Nebraska - Lincoln Alyssa Olson is a Ph.D. student in the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Nebraska - Lincoln (UNL), working alongside Dr. Brian A. Couch. Alyssa's research includes developing assessments and using video recordings, surveys, and assessments to study how instructor implementation of published biology lessons impacts student learning. Before starting her Ph.D., she completed her B.S. In Neuroscience at the University of Minnesota (UMN). After graduating from UMN, she did research with Dr. A. Kelly Lane (UMN) and Dr. Sehoya Cotner (UMN and University of Bergen/UiB), focusing on using qualitative and quantitative methods to examine student use of personnel resources in laboratory-based CUREs, student perceptions of genetics and race, and student identity salience in an international graduate-level field ecology course. When not doing research, Alyssa enjoys spending time outside with her Siberian husky, traveling, baking, trying new restaurants and coffee shops, and falling into Wikipedia rabbit holes.
|
Professional Development
 | Krista Donis, Professional Development Co-ChairFlorida International University Krista is a PhD Candidate in Biology at Florida International University, currently being advised by Sarah Eddy. Her research focuses on how near-peer mentoring model (i.e. Learning Assistant Program) can drive student success through tailored support, role modeling and community building in the classroom. Before her PhD, Krista was involved in a wide range of educational activities, including: tutoring K-12 children of incarcerated parents, working working as a camp counselor for underserved middle schoolers interested in STEM careers, and teaching high school chemistry. She also earned her BS in Biology and BA in Psychology at Florida International University. Outside of her research, Krista enjoys live music, indoor cycling and volunteering with her local church. Email: kdoni002@fiu.edu; LinkedIn |
| Erin Rowland-Schaefer, Professional Development Co-ChairMiddle Tennessee State University
Erin Rowland-Schaefer is an ecologist-turned-education-researcher currently working as a Postdoctoral Fellow at Middle Tennessee State University with Dr. Liz Barnes. She received her B.S. in Biology from Concordia University and her Ph.D. in Biology from Northern Illinois University, where she worked with Dr. Holly Jones to study tallgrass prairie restoration ecology, as well as with Dr. Heather Bergan-Roller, who gave her the first taste of DBER work. She received a National Science Foundation Individual Postdoctoral Research Fellowship (STEMEd-IPRF) to study science communication education, especially as it relates to non-science majors in biology courses. She is highly passionate about non-majors' biology education and enhancing science literacy and sense of belonging for students in introductory courses. In addition to her work, Erin is an avid baker and crafter. She can often be found hiking and birding or playing video games with her husband or taking many photos of her three pet snakes.
|
