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Dr. Erika Ebbel Angle

Title: Founder & Executive Director

Background: Ph.D. in Biochemistry, Boston University School of Medicine studying small molecule biomarkers in Huntington Disease. To read Erika’s full biography, click here.

Nancy Alvarado

Title: Chief Financial Officer

Background: MBA in Finance and Non-Profit Management from the University of Minnesota – Carlson School of Management, as well as a BBA in Spanish and International Business from the College of Saint Benedict

Dr. Alicia Bielik

Title: Chief Culture Officer

Background: Ph.D. Chemistry, Boston University studying glycosaminoglycans using the technique of mass spectrometry.

Kevin Hauge

Title: Director of Marketing

Background: B.S. in Graphic Communication from Moorhead State University, 23+ years of marketing and website development experience.

Stephanie McCune

Title: Director of Human Resources

Background: BS in Business Management from the University of Massachusetts-Boston, coursework toward MS in HR Management at Emmanuel College, SPHR certification from SHRM, Continuous Improvement certification from Danaher Corporation, and participant in a corporate leadership program at Duke University in 2022.

Dr. Beth Murphy

Title: Director of Education

Background: Ph.D. Physics, University of Rochester, investigating how – and if! –metal surfaces melt when heated above their melting temperatures at ultrafast rates (in less than one billionth of a second).

Samantha Nienow

Title: Chief Development Officer

Background: Previously CMO of a biotech company. B.S. in Graphic Communications with Multimedia Concentration, Minnesota State University Moorhead.

Headshot of Renee Piersa.

Renee Piersa

Title: Director of US Operations

Background: Previously data analytics consultant. TEFL Certified in Thailand (Teach English as a Foreign Language).

Richard Tam

Title: Director of California Operations

Background: B.A. in Corporate Communication from Notre Dame de Namur University. Board of Directors at GOALS Foundation, Senior Advisor at Goal Oriented Academics, Former Executive Director at American Diabetes Association, and Former Advisory Board Member at Nutrihand.

Carrie Maloney

Title: California Director of Development

Background: BA in Sociology and Art History, University of Lynchburg.

Scientist Educators

Aurora Abuylla

Scientific Background: PhD in Biology from Stanford University, working on physiology of toxicity in poison frogs.

What Sparked My Interest: “I first got excited about science as a kid while doing hands-on science lessons in school and visiting the beautiful natural spaces around the Bay Area. I’m excited to share that excitement with future generations of scientists.”

Katharine Cook

Scientific Background: Ornithologist focusing on the nesting behavior of Wood Ducks. MS in Avian Sciences.

What Sparked My Interest: “Many visits to museums gave me a thirst for knowledge early on. I was obsessed with dinosaurs as a kid and that passion shifted into an interest in birds once I learned that birds are descended from dinosaurs.”

Dr. Adar Emken

Scientific Background: PhD Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California, Irvine, studying inflammation and dementia in people aged 90 and older.

What Sparked My Interest: “I like to discover new things and the brain is one of the last unexplored frontiers. If I wasn’t a scientist, I would be an explorer!”

Jeff Firestone

Scientific Background: PhD in Ecology, University of California, Davis and BS in English & Biology, University of Michigan.

What Sparked My Interest: “In Biology, there is always a question out there somewhere. Anything I saw outside made me wonder, and in Science our job is to answer questions.”

Dr. Samira Guccione

Scientific Background: Making 3D movies of invasive cancer cells in the brain. Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering.

What Sparked My Interest: “I have always been an adventurer by nature and being amazed at its diversity, yet sharing so many common threads connecting everything like a jigsaw puzzle. I asked a lot of questions and always and made up my own theories to test.”

Dr. Mariliz Johnson

Scientific Background: PhD in Biological Chemistry. Biochemist studying proteins and enzymes and their sustainable, eco-friendly applications.

What Sparked My Interest: “Nature fascinates me! As a child, I was always intrigued by how living things work. I became curious about DNA, proteins, and enzymes once I learned they are the magic biomolecules that power nature.”

Rylie Lang

Scientific Background: Bachelors Degree in Environmental Science. I love learning about all the natural and social sciences that go into environmental science!

What Sparked My Interest: “Helping my mom in her garden growing up helped me see how amazing nature is and how important it is to protect the planet!”

Alexia Lucey

Scientific Background: Bachelor of Science in environmental science with an emphasis in biology and a double major in Spanish. I’m passionate about animal welfare, specifically, I’ve studied abnormal repetitive behaviors in captive populations of sea and river otters.

What Sparked My Interest: “I spent a lot of time outdoors as a kid and I’ve always just adored the natural environment around me…especially all of the little critters!”

Headshot for Lisa McRae.

Dr. Lisa McRae

Scientific Background: Pharmacologist studying the use of stem cells to study cell signaling in blood and blood vessel development. Ph.D. in Pharmacology.

What Sparked My Interest: “Watched frog spawn hatch into tadpoles in the classroom. Released them in our school pond and watched them turn into frogs.”

Headshot of Esther Niemasik.

Dr. Esther Niemasik

Scientific Background: Behavioral Ecologist specializing in studying the cooperative breeding behavior of Brown-headed nuthatches. Ph.D. in Neurobiology and Behavior.

What Sparked My Interest: “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!”

Dr. Payal Patel

Scientific Background: Studying the regulation of metabolic rate and insulin sensitivity. PhD in Biomedical Science.

What Sparked My Interest: “I 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.”

Rachel Steger

Scientific Background: Exploring the structures of large cellular protein complexes involved in fruit fly development. MA in Molecular and Cell Biology.

What Sparked My Interest: “As a 6-year-old I considered it my duty to protect any butterfly that was in distress and inspect all the creepy crawly insects and plants I could find.”

Sarah Weaver

Title: Director of Massachusetts Operations

Background: BA in Philosophy & Religion, Ursinus College MDiv, Emory University.

Madison Herrington

Title: MA Manager of Operations & Outreach Coordinator

Background: BS Chemistry, Gordon College.

Nicole LaVorgna

Title: Manager of Operations

Background: BA Liberal Studies, Endicott College

Tyler Connors

Title: Manager of Massachusetts Development

Background: BA in Political Science, Clark University

Lauren Hyde

Title: MA Office Manager & Volunteer Coordinator

Scientist Educators

Claudia Bertrand

Scientific Background: Molecular scientist who has spent many years undertaking a variety of experimental positions. MS in Biology.

What Sparked My Interest: Coming soon!

Sara Bistany

Scientific Background: Coming soon!

What Sparked My Interest: Coming soon!

Lenore Diliegro

Scientific Background: Elementary Science Teacher, Revere Public Schools M.A.Ed. Elementary Education, Gordon College M.A.A Modified Disabilities, Salem State University. My focus in the classroom is to spark a love for scientific knowledge and to instill the confidence to pursue that knowledge.

What Sparked My Interest: “As a very young child, my mom and I observed a moth caterpillar spinning a cocoon and I was hooked on science from that day forward.”

Headshot of Tori Dorich

Victoria Dorich

Scientific Background: Grew crystals with purified proteins involved in the general stress response of Escherichia coli in order to use X-ray crystallography to determine their atomic and molecular structure at Brown University. BS Biochemistry, Texas A&M University.

What Sparked My Interest: “I enjoyed building an ecosystem in middle school and raising my own butterflies.”

Meaghann Galdos

Scientific Background: Studied how the nervous system develops in the gut of zebrafish. BS Biology and MAT in Secondary Science Education from Emory University. 

What Sparked My Interest: I attended a Marine Biology summer camp for middle schoolers at the Bay of Fundy in Maine. I loved exploring all of the creatures in the tidal pools there and knew I wanted to keep learning more!”

Headshot of Susan Gleuck.

Dr. Susan Glueck

Scientific Background: PhD in Entomology/Evolutionary biology studying the molecular evolution of a GABA receptor in insects (involved in pesticide resistance!)

What Sparked My Interest: “I was afraid of spiders as a kid, but in college, I had a mentor who studied . . . spiders (!) so I learned how to collect them in the wild and examine them under a microscope!”

Ashley Goland

Scientific Background: BS in Marine Sciences from Stony Brook University.

What Sparked My Interest: “I spent my time as a kid exploring the outdoors and memorizing animal facts and identifications from library books. When I found out that there were scientific processes behind it all in my seventh grade earth science class, I had to learn more.”

Sam Good

Scientific Background: BS in Biochemistry, Northeastern. Former hematology lab researcher on stem cells and diseases. Currently obtaining MPH in Epidemiology and Biostatistics and exploring stem cells in long-COVID.

What Sparked My Interest: “Learning about the Black Plague in middle school because it was a traumatizing example of how catastrophic invisible threats can be to individual and public health.”

Dr. Mary Hatton

Scientific Background: Ed.D. Science Education, Boston University. M.S. Neuroscience, Tufts Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences.

What Sparked My Interest:  “My grandfather inspired me to look closer at pond water, and I became fascinated with microscopic life.”

Niloo Hennings

Scientific Background: Civil Engineering, M.S. from Purdue University.

What Sparked My Interest: “Building playhouses out of sticks, and sending paper boats down rain-drenched pathways as a child growing up in Sri Lanka showed me that simple materials provide endless fun and exploration of the natural world.”

Ed Johnson

Scientific Background: Earned a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Materials Science at Oxford University. He studied channeling radiation — by shooting million-volt electrons at innocent pieces of diamond and silicon.

What Sparked My Interest: “As a child, I got to watch the Apollo 11 launch in person. And I thought that everybody should have a chance to be a scientist.”

Stephanie Keep

Scientific Background: A.M. in Organismal and Evolutionary Biology from Harvard University studying the ways bones and muscles worked together in ancient (and not so ancient) animals.

What Sparked My Interest:  “I went to nursery school at a science museum and had snacks with the snakes. It was love at first bite!”

Lee Lawton

Scientific Background: Studied Human Genetics at the University of Michigan followed by postdoctoral research at MIT’s Whitehead Institute. My areas of research focused on the Human Genome, Epigenetics, and Developmental Biology of the Blood. Ph.D. Human Genetics, University of Michigan.

What Sparked My Interest: “I became interested in college in biology, specifically genetics, at a time when the human genome project was starting. The principles of open access of information embraced by the teams of scientists working to map and sequence the genome still inspires me today.”

Alexya Lee

Scientific Background: Bachelor’s degree in Geology from Mount Holyoke College. Completed field camp at the University of Michigan’s Camp Davis in Wyoming. Additional field work in Death Valley National Park and in the Holyoke Range of Massachusetts. Gave museum tours on portrayals of geology in art. I am particularly interested in metamorphic petrology and mountain building.

What Sparked My Interest: “I spent my summers as a child running around outside in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. I would spend hours studying river rocks that had eroded from the mountains, trying to understand how they formed. In high school after a trip to Yellowstone and the Tetons I took a year-long earth and planetary sciences course with an incredible teacher who inspired me to take geology in college (with her former professors). I took one course and was hooked!”

Headshot of Morgan Lindemayer-Finck

Morgan Lindemayer-Finck

Scientific Background: MS Marine Science and Technology studying conservation genetics of sea-run brook trout.

What Sparked My Interest: “I created a red cabbage pH indicator in fifth grade staining the kitchen counters in the process.”

Headshot of Evelyn MacGrath.

Evelyn MacGrath

Scientific Background: Studying food microorganisms. MS Medical Microbiology, University of the West of England. BS Applied Sciences, Trinity College Dublin.

What Sparked My Interest: “When my 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!”

Amy Mank-Seymour

Scientific Background: Focus on rare disease genetics and education for scientists and health care providers as well as patients and community members. MS Molecular Biology, Johns Hopkins University & MS Human Genetics/Genetic Counseling, University of Pittsburgh.

What Sparked My Interest: Coming soon!

Jayne Mirabassi

Scientific Background: Worked in Cambridge, MA, and Windsor, England for computer software companies writing code and training customers. Taught 6th-8th grade math in Weymouth, MA for 11 years. BS Physics and Spanish, Dickinson College.

What Sparked My Interest: Coming soon!

Meaghan Murphy

Scientific Background: BS in Marine Biology from the University of New England

What Sparked My Interest: Going on a whale watch with my dad when I was in the first grade. It was incredible to see humpback whales, minke whales, basking sharks, dolphins and more in their homes; I wanted to dive deeper to see what other animals were down below in the big ocean blue.

Ram Ramakrishna

Scientific Background: MSc in Food Science and Nutrition, University of Leeds (Leeds, UK), studying natural compounds in foods that improve human health.

What Sparked My Interest: “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.”

Beth Reinach

Scientific Background: B.S. in Health Education and Athletic Training from Penn State University and Master of Physical Therapy from the University of Southern California. Twenty-four years of experience specializing in orthopedics and sports medicine.

What Sparked My Interest: “Hearing stories from my family about working in hospitals and my love of sports.”

Gloria Singleton

Scientific Background: Studied Chemical Engineering, now a fourth-year Medical Student planning to go into Diagnostic Radiology. BS in Chemical Engineering, Northeastern University. 

What Sparked My Interest: “During 7th grade my science class read the short story “The Catalyst” by G. R. Yohe. It impressed upon me how much the laws of science and nature affect our lives.”

Jacob Sporrer

Scientific Background: Studying how things break. Ph.D. Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of California Berkeley. BS Materials Engineering, Iowa State University.

What Sparked My Interest: “Problem-solving engineering challenges on the farm with my dad and making homemade science projects with my mom.”

Headshot of Liz Tracy.

Elizabeth Tracy

Scientific Background: Industrial Engineering and Quality Assurance, devising improvements in production processes, and implementing efficient systems and quality controls in the manufacturing of telecommunication products.

What Sparked My Interest: “My high school industrial arts teacher, Mr. Wales, whose lessons in drafting and engineering inspired me to pursue a career in engineering.”

Sasha Uchenik

Scientific Background: BS In Chemistry with Teaching, Temple University.

What Sparked My Interest: Coming soon!

Kaitlyn Valentinetti

Scientific Background: B.S. in Integrative Animal Behavior while studying wild species dynamics and working with domestic animals. Studied Sustainable Development in the Municipal Forest in Atenas, Costa Rica. Worked as a veterinary assistant in an emergency and specialty animal hospital.

What Sparked My Interest: “Exploring the outdoors as a kid–collecting worms, centipedes, and toads, and watching Nat Geo Wild and Animal Planet shows.”

Erin Williams

Scientific Background: Industry-level cell line development and cell processing optimization. Performed technical development experiments to analyze and produce stable cell lines for downstream bioprocesses. BS Cell and Molecular Biology, Northeastern University.

What Sparked My Interest: “Cells are the molecular composition of all living things. I am fascinated with the natural process of small living cells multiplying into multi-intrinsic organ systems that power every aspect of daily functions!”

Bekki Hansen

Title: Director of Minnesota Operations

Background: B.S. in Microbiology/Molecular Biology from the University of Tennessee, M.A.ED from St. Catherine University. Research Associate at Vanderbilt University and The Mayo Clinic. Sixteen years as a program and operations manager at The Bakken Museum.

Kevin Hauge

Title: Director of Marketing (all regions)

Background: B.S. in Graphic Communication from Moorhead State University, 23+ years of marketing and website development experience.

Jonathon Kurtz

Title: Development and Marketing Specialist (all regions)

Background: BS in Business Management, University of Wisconsin – La Crosse.

Jill Paule

Title: Director of Fund Development, Minnesota

Background: Previously development consultant with international environmental sustainability organization. Degree in East Asian Studies, Harvard University.

Scientist Educators

Debbie Brophy

Scientific Background: Certified veterinary technician, working in all aspects of animal health including laboratory testing, radiology, and anesthesia.

What Sparked My Interest: “I loved Biology – especially when we dissected frogs and sheep eyes. Animal science has inspired me ever since!”

Tiara Burton

Scientific Background: Experiential learning in terrestrial, tropical, and aquatic ecosystems. B.A. Biology w/ focus in Conservation and Ecology.

What Sparked My Interest: “I fell in love with aquatic nature after snorkeling in the Galapagos Islands and seeing all the different colors, shapes, sizes of fish and corals”

Claire Dietz

Scientific Background: Pollinator reproductive physiology. MS in Zoology and Physiology studying the impact of climate change on male bumble bees.

What Sparked My Interest: “My love for bees and science started in high school as a hobby beekeeper on my grandparents farm. I became interested in understanding the cause of their decline, or colony collapse disorder.”

Jazmine Darden

Scientific Background: Entrepreneur | Educator | Creator | Public Speaker Adjunct Instructor: Design for Manufacturing – 3D Printing at Dunwoody College of Technology. BS in Mathematics and BA in Physics, AA in Engineering, Drafting and Design

What Sparked My Interest: “I became interested in tinkering and making things through my curiosity of how things are made and why. Every object around us started out as an idea!”

Ann Do

Scientific Background: Neuroscience & Psychology B.A. Planning to continue her education with a graduate degree.

What Sparked My Interest: “In the 7th grade, learning about how the brain is the command center of the body.”

Andrew Grace

Scientific Background: Previously, I was an undergraduate researcher at Augsburg University, where I focused on developing sustainable breeding practices for marine animals. I hold a BS in Biology and a minor in Chemistry.

What Sparked My Interest: My love for science began in middle school with my pet betta fish, Mr. Sparkles. Being a diligent pet owner, I conducted research to understand how aquatic ecosystems functioned, which ignited a lifelong passion for aquatic biology.

Deb Hartley

Scientific Background: Biochemistry BSc. Worked in the polymer science and packaging industry. MBA focusing on production processing.

What Sparked My Interest: “As a child I loved to explore different ecosystems, whether it was a rock pool on the beach or the cool moss in the woods. I was always intrigued to understand how everything worked together.”

Monica Kinny

Scientific Background: Currently a Water Resource Specialist with previous environmental testing lab and hazardous materials experience. B.S. in Natural Resources and Environmental Studies.

What Sparked My Interest: “I spent a lot of time outside as a child and grew up on a small lake in Maplewood, MN. This lead to a curiosity of the natural world and a strong interest in protecting it.”

Michelle Leonard

Scientific Background: Forensic DNA Validation Specialist. MS in Environmental Health emphasizing in Microbiology, studying the prevalence of bacteria on food preparation surfaces. BS in Cellular and Molecular Biology.

What Sparked My Interest: “In 7th grade, I dissected a frog. I was fascinated with the complexity and intricacies of what makes a living thing work.”

Shanell Lovelace

Scientific Background: Environmental sociologist and biologist. B.S. in biology, society, and environment. In the 2nd year of her M.S. degree in natural resource science and management. Interested in natural resource users’ attitudes and behavior, as well as the sustainability of the natural resource itself.

What Sparked My Interest: “In high school I took a biology class with a great teacher who made me wonder how life on Earth worked. Since then I pursued biology- the literal study of life!”

Madison Merfeld

Scientific Background: B.S. in biology and M.S. in neuroscience studying decision making in mice.

What Sparked My Interest: “When I took an anatomy and physiology class in high school, I was fascinated by the complexity and remaining unknowns about the brain.”

Dr. Renee Nesnidal

Scientific Background: Laser & Optical Engineer. Ph.D. in atomic physics, studying collisions in magneto-optically trapped atoms. In addition to instructing in the classroom, Renee is also on our curriculum design team and leads our regional scientist-teacher partnership program.

What Sparked My Interest: “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.”

Zachary Paige

Scientific Background: Food Sovereignty Specialist & Seed Saver for the White Earth Band of Minnesota Chippewa Tribe. MS in Plant Breeding, studying nutrition content in organically produced maize.

What Sparked My Interest: “In elementary school, I loved doing science experiments with my dad.”

Barbara Sabino Pina

Scientific Background: Studying gas reactions and kinetics, working on a B.S. in Biochemistry.

What Sparked My Interest: “When I was a kid, my mom and I made ice cream for the first time together. I wondered how temperature works and what it does to other substances. Curiosity is a big part of myself as a scientist.”

Sarah Scalzo

Scientific Background: BA in Geology, University of St. Thomas.

What Sparked My Interest: “I was always curious about the world around me and how every part of it worked. I would spend hours reading about everything from space to the deep ocean and quickly found a passion for geology.”

Laura Scheid

Scientific Background: Professional Geologist with a MS in Geological Sciences from Wright State University and a BS in Geology from the State University of New York at Fredonia.

What Sparked My Interest: “I love the Outdoors! I grew up spending a lot of time in the creek behind my house which was loaded with rocks and fossils making me curious about the earth.”

Jerry Sosinske

Scientific Background: Electrical engineer who worked in the medical device industry as a Software Quality consultant specializing in software validation testing and quality assurance/compliance. He also has a Master’s in Business Administration with experience in organizational development, procedures, and finance.

What Sparked My Interest: “As a teenager, my interest in technology was stimulated by a club at IBM that built and disassembled computer components. As an adult, I have been inspired by the lack of diversity in my engineering classes and professional engineering ranks to help young people discover the excitement of STEM.”

Rebekah Thomasson

Scientific Background: Working toward a B.S. in Computer Science

What Sparked My Interest: “Visiting The Science Behind Pixar exhibit at the Science Museum of Minnesota showed me that STEM and creativity go hand-in-hand. I discovered that I didn’t have to pick one passion – there was room for art and science!”

Lana Tullis

Scientific Background: MS Civil/Environmental Engineering from Iowa State University currently specializing in municipal and industrial wastewater treatment.

What Sparked My Interest: “Growing up, I spent a lot of time on the Mississippi River exploring the water, what lived there, and how to separate out dirt, algae, and other impurities.”

Sara Wells

Scientific Background: B.S. in Nutritional Science. Currently obtaining an MPH in Public Health Nutrition.

What Sparked My Interest: “I am passionate about Indigenous food sovereignty and reducing health disparities in disadvantaged populations.”

Alan Yousha

Scientific Background: A diverse engineering and entrepreneurial journey from statistical failure analysis within the depths of high-speed semiconductor labs, to the more recent advent of leveraging Ai & ML to drive business value at scale.

What sparked my interest: “I come from a long line of science and mathematics professionals, including both of my parents who teach mathematics in high school and college.”

We would like to thank the following people for volunteering or interning for Science from Scientists:

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.

We would like to thank the following experts for reviewing lesson content to make our modules even better:

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