about

I am an Assistant Professor in STEM Education in the Department of Education and Counseling at Villanova University.  As a former middle school science teacher, I am passionate about promoting equity in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education. My research agenda contributes to creating more equitable opportunities for learning and advancement in K-12 and higher education. First, I am focused on math and science teacher education. I am specifically interested in the socialization of science and math teachers within organizational contexts with respect to professional identity, beliefs, and instructional practices. I am also interested in how pre-service teachers engage with and implement the disciplinary practices in their teaching to provide more empowering learning opportunities for their students. Second, I am interested in supporting student development of critical scientific/environmental agency, particularly in urban communities. The USTRIVE project is a collaborative initiative funded by the National Science Foundation involving Villanova University, Arcadia University (lead), LaSalle University, and Mercyhurst University. This research and development initiative is focused on engaging Philadelphia area secondary STEM teachers in sustained professional development to support their ability to design and implement instruction focused on place-based, justice-oriented, socioscientific issues. For more information, visit the USTRIVE website. Third, I'm interested in promoting equity in the STEM education and career pathways. I have several projects investigating these pathways in the context of community colleges and 4-year colleges, including one focused on the experiences of first-generation college students in STEM majors in predominantly white institutions (PWIs), and a newly funded project by the National Science Foundation, focused on supporting the interest of historically marginalized students in urban communities in the geosciences to address topics of environmental justice and public health through school-based modules and an intensive summer research experience.