Now: Instructor
Then: BS Chemistry, Truman State University studying structure and reactivity of VX and tRNA using computational chemistry
Way Back When: Frequent trips to the St. Louis Zoo as a child helped me fall in love with animals and zoology.

Now: Assistant Instructor
Then: MS Biology, San Jose State University studying the effects of climate on certain species of plants.
Way Back When: Growing up in Brazil near the Amazon I was always fascinated with science. Later living in Mexico working as a dolphin trainer helped solidify my science career.

Now: Instructor
Then: PhD Chemistry, University of California at Berkeley, studied energy transfer of organic monolayers on catalytic metal surfaces in ultra-high vacuum using ellipsometry and laser fluorescence and Raman spectroscopies
Way Back When: My parents bought me a chemistry set for Christmas and I discovered I could chase my brothers out of the bedroom by making stinky gases. In 6th grade I won the Future Scientist of America award.

Now: Instructor
Then: PhD Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, making 3D movies of invasive cancer cells in living brain
Way Back When:  Always an adventurer in nature and being amazed at it’s diversity, yet sharing so many common threads connecting everything like a jigsaw puzzle. Asked a lot of questions always and made up my own theories to test.

Now: Instructor & Outreach Coordinator
Then: MS Environmental Science, American University studying contaminants in and sustainability of seafood consumption for children 12 and under
Way Back When: Fell in love with the ocean and marine biology on a family trip to Hawaii snorkeling around Kealakekua Bay when I was 11.

Now: Instructor
Then: PhD Pharmacology, University of Bath (UK) using stem cells to study cell signaling in blood and blood vessel development
Way Back When: Watched frog spawn hatch into tadpoles in the classroom. Released them in our school pond and watched them turn into frogs.

Now:  Kit Officer I; Instructor
Then: PhD Neurobiology and Behavior, Cornell University studying the cooperative breeding behavior of Brown-headed nuthatches
Way Back When: Grew up catching fish by hand in the creek behind our house and learning the names of all the birds; I’ve been a biologist ever since!

Now:  Kit Officer I; Instructor
Then: PhD Neurobiology and Behavior, Cornell University studying the cooperative breeding behavior of Brown-headed nuthatches
Way Back When: Grew up catching fish by hand in the creek behind our house and learning the names of all the birds; I’ve been a biologist ever since!

Now: SpectacuLAB Scientist
Then: BS Biology, University of Central Florida studying Herpetology and malarial parasitemia
Way Back When: Spent countless hours of my childhood watching lizards from my bedroom window and caring for turtles rescued from pool filters.

Now: SpectacuLAB Scientist
Then: BA Biology, Lawrence University studying marine and aquatic organisms
Way Back When: Swam with manatees in 7th grade for a class trip.

Now: SpectacuLAB Scientist
Then: BA Environmental Studies, BA Journalism and Communications, BA Graphic Design, The College of New Jersey, studying ecology and aquaponic and agricultural design systems
Way Back When: Spent a lot of time at the New York Science Hall and ended up hooked on vertical farming and aquaponics- creating my own vertical garden in Brooklyn at age 8.

Now: SpectacuLAB Scientist
Then: BS Biomedical Sciences, Adventist University studying health sciences
Way Back When: Was a part of SECME throughout middle school building mouse-trap cars, balsa wood bridges and egg drop containers.

Now: SpectacuLAB Scientist
Then: BS Marine Biology, Florida Institute of Technology, studying the effects of probiotics on fish growth
Way Back When: Went to the aquarium regularly as a child, and fell more in love with marine life each time.

Now: SpectacuLAB Scientist; Development Coordinator
Then: BS Psychology and Zoology, University of Florida studying animal behavior, human dimensions of natural resources, and environmental education
Way Back When: Favorite middle school class was computer science, where I learned typing, powerpoint, photoshop, and how to use the internet.

Now: Office Manager
Then: BA General Anthropology and minor in Childhood Studies, Bridgewater State University
Way Back When: Grew up loving shows about searching for gold and geodes. In the 6th grade my family went on vacation to NC where we panned for gold and sifted other minerals. I still have a some of the amethyst!

Now: Instructor
Then: BS in Chemistry, Oregon State University studying the fate of fluorinated carbon compounds in the environment.
Way Back When: Measured the acceleration of gravity by throwing different objects off the roof.

Now: Instructor
Then: BS Biochemistry, Texas A&M University, studying the structure and function of the superfamily of neurotransmitter-gated ion channels that includes nicotinic acetylcholine, serotonin 5HT3, glycine, and GABAA receptors
Way Back When: Enjoyed building an ecosystem in middle school and raising my own butterflies.

Now: Instructor
Then: MS Biology, Western Washington University. BS Biology, Western Washington University
Way Back When:  Inspired by nature TV shows, zoos, and hiking in the woods as a kid to become a biologist.

Now: Instructor
Then: PhD Entomology, Cornell University studying molecular evolution of a pesticide resistance gene in insects
Way Back When: Learned to identify exploding Jewelweed seed pods on hikes.

Now: Instructor; Lead Lesson Developer
Then: PhD Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Pennsylvania studying skeletal muscle cell adhesion
Way Back When: Fell in love with the periodic table in high school chemistry class and carried a wallet-sized copy all through college. Favorite movie: Apollo 13 because engineers are the heroes.

Now: Instructor
Then: MS Education, Worcester State University studying science education. BS Natural Science, Worcester State University
Way Back When: Fell in love with science thanks to my physics teacher in eighth grade who let me sit on a rolling chair and propel myself down the hall with a fire extinguisher!

Now: Development Manager
Then: PMP Business Communications, Harvard University
Way Back When: Coming Soon!

Now: Instructor
Then: MS Pathology, University of Wisconsin studying the toxic effects of Polybrominated Biphenyls on reproduction
Way Back When: Became interested in science watching “Mr. Wizard” show on television,and was a member of the Mr. Wizard Science club.

Now: Instructor
Then: MS Marine Science and Technology, University of Massachusetts IMS studying conservation genetics of sea-run brook trout
Way Back When: Created a red cabbage pH indicator in fifth grade staining the kitchen counters in the process.

Now: Instructor
Then: BA in Astronomy and Physics, Hampshire College, studying experimental physics and light detectors
Way Back When: In 3rd grade did a science fair project on airplane wing shapes and how they affect flight using stiff paper wings that flew in a fan!

Now: Instructor
Then: MS Medical Microbiology, University of the West of England, studying food microorganisms; BS Applied Sciences, Trinity College Dublin
Way Back When: Our eighth grade class took a field trip to a beach where we collected seaweed and studied it. I was hooked on science from then on.

Now: Instructor; Kit Team Member
Then: MPH Environmental Health, Boston University studying the risk of contaminants on human health
Way Back When: I watched Bill Nye the Science Guy as a kid and loved it. I was always curious and broke things to figure out how they worked.

Now: Development Manager
Then: MA in Theology from Bethel Seminary; BA Mathematics and BA German from Hartwick College
Way Back When: My dad was a high school science teacher, so I grew up surrounded by fossils, fish, insects, and NOVA videos. In high school, though, I fell in love with calculus, and math had my heart from that point onwards.

Now: Instructor
Then: PhD Biomedical Science, University of Toledo College of Medicine studying regulation of metabolic rate and insulin sensitivity
Way Back When: Performed a chlorophyll chromatography lab in 2nd grade. I was blown away by the discovery that green stuff in leaves gives them their color. I wondered what other secrets nature hid, and so pursued science.

Now: Assistant Instructor
Then: MS Physics, Tufts, studying the evolution of galaxies in cosmic time
Way Back When: The Magic School Bus Gets Lost In Space got me thinking about what lies beyond the Earth.

Now: Instructor
Then: MS Aeronautics and Astronautics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology with a focus on Micro Aerial Vehicles
Way Back When: Loved playing with Technic Lego and made all sorts of cars, and moving things!

Now: Instructor
Then: BS Biological Sciences, University of Vermont studying nutrient enhancement on plant defense
Way Back When: Built a life-sized Stegosaurus out of snow in the 2nd grade when our school lost power.

Now: Instructor
Then: Master’s research at NCSU on the structure of metal silicides on silicon, and a Ph.D. at Brandeis on the structure of crossbridged actin bundles
Way Back When: While volunteering in her childrens’ schools, she was reminded how much fun it is to teach science, and is happy to be teaching now with Science from Scientists

Now: Instructor
Then: PhD Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Rice University studying molecular and genomic analyses in Clostridium acetobutylicum. BS Biology with a concentration in Genetics, Cornell University
Way Back When: Spent the summer between 10th and 11th grade at a college doing research on fruit fly genes.

Now: Instructor
Then: MS Industrial Engineering, Purdue University, with a focus on quality, favorite class subject Math
Way Back When: Was born in England and traveled on the Queen Elizabeth 2 ship when my family moved to America.

Now: Instructor
Then: PhD Molecular Biology, University of Rhode Island studying cellulose synthases in the moss Physcomitrella patens
Way Back When: Learned that science can be fun from my dad by building paper airplanes and ball roller coaster from wire hangers.

Now: Instructor
Then: BS in Environmental & Sustainability Sciences from Cornell University, studying stream bed bacteria.
Way Back When: Growing up in a rural town, I would regularly sneak out of bed on summer nights to look at the stars.

Now: Director of Minnesota Fund Development
Then: A.B., East Asian Studies, Harvard University, focussed on modern Chinese history
Way Back When: My dad was an amateur geologist so I grew up rock hunting along Lake Superior and surrounded by rocks and fossils at home

Now: Director of Minnesota Operations
Then: Data Analytics Consultant. BBA Management & Human Resources, University of Wisconsin-Madison. TEFL Certified in Thailand (Teach English as a Foreign Language)
Way Back When:  I remember the day I first officially beat my dad in Tetris. In that moment I recognized that I excelled at and enjoyed  bringing organization to chaos.

Now: Instructor. Consultant focused on helping smaller companies commercialize and personalize chemistries for Powder Coatings.
Then: Polymer Chemist. Bachelor’s in Chemistry , Illinois Institute of Technology, focused on Polymer Science and Engineering.
Way Back When: My father was a Physics Professor who frequently took me to his office. When I was four I “graded” his papers and gave everyone an A. He did not notice until after he handed them out!

Now: Assistant Instructor
Then: M.B.A., Global Business Process and Policy, Cardinal Stritch University strengthening my undergraduate work in Mathematics and Computer Science.
Way Back When: In elementary school I took my love of Math and Art and wanted to become an architect. My friends and I would always design houses and such when we weren’t in class.

Now: Instructor; Certified Veterinary Technician
Then: AAS in Veterinary Technology
Way Back When: Loved biology, especially when we dissected frogs and sheep eyes. Animal science has inspired me ever since!

Now: Instructor, Lesson Developer
Then: MS Geology, Western Washington University, studying alpine glaciers using cosmic particles from outer space to learn how glaciers shape dramatic mountain landscapes
Way Back When: Fell in love with the process of discovery while tromping through the woods of northern Minnesota, especially when I learned that aspirin comes from the bark of a tree!

Now: Instructor; Ph.D. candidate in Earth Sciences at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, studying the effects of climate and land use change on rivers
Then: MS Watershed Sciences, Utah State University, studying the effects of reservoir releases on river channel change
Way Back When: I didn’t like science as a kid, but I fell in love with exploring nature and learning about the world around me.

Now: Instructor; PhD candidate in Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of Minnesota Twin-Cities investigating the role of estrogens in satellite cell maintenance and skeletal muscle regeneration
Then: MS Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan Ann Arbor studying skeletal muscle tissue engineering; BS in Biology, University of Minnesota-Duluth
Way Back When: I would make special “lotion potions” to heal my sick stuffed animals.

Now: Instructor; Forensic DNA Validation Specialist
Then: MS Environmental Health emphasizing in Microbiology, University of Minnesota studying the prevalence of bacteria on food preparation surfaces; BS in Cellular and Molecular Biology, Winona State University
Way Back When: 7th grade frog dissection. I was fascinated with the complexity and intricacies of what makes a living thing work.

Now: Instructor, Scientist-Teacher Partnership Lead, Lesson Developer
Then: PhD in atomic physics from the University of Wisconsin – Madison, studying collisions in magneto-optically trapped atoms. Laser and optical engineer.
Way Back When: I was hooked on physics when my 8th grade science teacher, Mr. Mau, suggested that there could be a parallel universe in the crack of our lab table.

Now: Instructor, Food Sovereignty Specialist & Seed Saver for the White Earth Band of Minnesota Chippewa Tribe
Then: MS Plant Breeding, Iowa State University studying nutrition content in organically produced maize
Way Back When: In elementary school I loved doing science experiments with my dad.

Now: Assistant Instructor
Then: MSc in Food Science and Nutrition, University of Leeds (Leeds, UK), studying natural compounds in foods that improve human health
Way Back When: I visited a big mango orchard when I was 5 years old, and was amazed at the journey of food from the farm to our plate

Now: Instructor
Then: BA Chemistry and Secondary Education, Concordia University St. Paul studying how students learn science
Way Back When: My dad taught me how to make slime at home when I was in Kindergarten, and let me help him in his lab.

Now: Instructor
Then: BS Biotechnology, University of Northern Iowa studying molecular and microbiology
Way Back When: At 5 I was sure I’d be a doctor when I grew up because I loved looking at and fixing my family’s cuts and scrapes.

Now: Assistant Instructor, Ph.D. candidate in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Biophysics at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
Then: B.S. in biochemistry and botany, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Way Back When: Named her American Girl doll after her favorite T. rex skeleton (Jane, at the Burpee Museum in Rockford, Illinois)

Katica Boric

Isabelle Guélin

Olivia Kane

June Klemer

Jay Leichtman

Jake Nonweiler

Dr. Bob Reynolds

Julia Sayre

Nicole Witham

Leslie Yan

Thank you to meteorologist Mike Wankum for consulting with us on ES17 Meteorology and Weather Mapping.

David Birsa, Ph.D.

Robert F. Butler, Ph.D., Professor of Geophysics, University of Portland

Rebecca Paulsen Edwards, Ph.D., Department of Physics, Southwestern University, Georgetown, TX