The Challenge

Develop an evidence-informed informal STEM education program that would increase girls’ long-term participation in STEM by addressing the social and psychological barriers that contribute to disengagement.

My Role

Develop the theoretical framework, translate research into practical program design, build the evaluation framework, oversee curriculum development, train staff and volunteers, and use evaluation findings to continually refine the program.

Research & Analysis

Conducted a comprehensive review of literature on gender disparities in STEM, science identity, self-efficacy, motivation, and informal science education. Synthesized research from education, psychology, sociology, and gender studies to identify the factors most strongly associated with sustained STEM participation.

Solution

Designed a research-informed program centered on identity development, self-efficacy, and sustained interest formation. Created curriculum design principles emphasizing hands-on inquiry, collaboration, creativity, iterative problem solving, and authentic scientific practice. Built a flexible implementation model that allowed the program to evolve in response to participant feedback and changing educational contexts while maintaining high implementation fidelity.

Outcomes

Created a sustainable informal STEM program serving hundreds of youth over multiple years. Developed an evaluation system that continuously informed program improvement while maintaining strong fidelity of implementation. The program consistently demonstrated positive impacts on participants’ STEM identities, interests, and confidence.

Skills Demonstrated

• Theory and conceptual framework development

• Logic model design

• Program evaluation

• Curriculum development

• Staff training

• Mixed-methods research

• Continuous improvement

• Organizational leadership

The Challenge

Develop a rigorous evaluation capable of measuring the impact of an informal STEM intervention on participants’ science identity, self-efficacy, and interest while maintaining the practical realities of a youth outreach program.

My Role

Co-designed the evaluation strategy, developed research instruments, managed implementation, oversaw data collection, conducted statistical analyses, and translated findings into actionable recommendations for program improvement.

Research & Analysis

Designed a randomized controlled trial using validated constructs from science education and motivational psychology. Integrated quantitative outcome measures with implementation data to distinguish program effectiveness from implementation quality.

Solution

Developed an evaluation framework combining experimental design with practical program delivery. Established protocols for participant recruitment, randomization, survey administration, fidelity monitoring, and statistical analysis that balanced scientific rigor with participant experience.

Outcomes

Generated high-quality evidence regarding program effectiveness and identified opportunities for continued program refinement. Demonstrated that rigorous evaluation methods can be successfully integrated into informal education settings without compromising participant engagement.

Skills Demonstrated

• Experimental design

• Randomized controlled trials

• Survey design

• Statistical analysis

• Program evaluation

• Research methodology

• Implementation fidelity

• Scientific communication

The Challenge

Determine whether short-term improvements in STEM attitudes translated into meaningful long-term changes in participants’ educational interests, identities, and career aspirations.

My Role

Designed the longitudinal evaluation strategy, developed participant follow-up procedures, analyzed long-term trends, and interpreted findings within current STEM identity literature.

Research & Analysis

Integrated multiple years of participant data to examine developmental changes in STEM identity, interest, and educational pathways. Evaluated both immediate program outcomes and sustained impacts over time.

Solution

Built a longitudinal evaluation framework capable of tracking participant growth across multiple years while accounting for changing educational and social contexts.

Outcomes

Produced evidence regarding the durability of program impacts and identified which program elements contributed most strongly to sustained participant engagement in STEM.

Skills Demonstrated

• Longitudinal research design

• Program evaluation

• Statistical analysis

• Survey methodology

• Mixed-methods research

• Educational research

• Outcome assessment

The Challenge

Move beyond simplistic assumptions about girls interested in STEM by identifying meaningful patterns in how participants relate to science, learning, and identity development.

My Role

Developed the conceptual framework, analyzed participant data, synthesized qualitative and quantitative findings, and translated research into practical recommendations for curriculum design.

Research & Analysis

Examined participant interests, motivations, identities, and learning preferences to identify recurring patterns that could inform more responsive educational programming.

Solution

Developed an archetype framework that helped instructors recognize diverse pathways into STEM rather than assuming a single model of engagement. Used findings to improve curriculum design and staff training.

Outcomes

Created a practical framework that improved instructors’ ability to differentiate learning experiences while strengthening participant engagement and belonging.

Skills Demonstrated

• Qualitative analysis

• Mixed-methods research

• Identity research

• Conceptual framework development

• Curriculum adaptation

• Educational psychology

The Challenge

Design a scalable STEM engagement initiative capable of supporting youth, educators, families, and community organizations through an integrated, evidence-informed model of science learning.

My Role

Developed the conceptual framework, synthesized interdisciplinary research, designed the logic model and theory of action, developed evaluation strategies, and prepared a competitive NSF proposal.

Research & Analysis

Synthesized literature from STEM education, developmental psychology, identity theory, informal learning, teacher professional development, and organizational change to create a comprehensive framework supporting lifelong STEM engagement.

Solution

Designed a systems-based model integrating youth programming, educator development, family engagement, community partnerships, and continuous evaluation into a coherent framework supporting STEM identity development across multiple learning environments.

Outcomes

Produced a comprehensive program model and implementation plan demonstrating how evidence-informed systems design can support large-scale STEM participation and equity initiatives.

Skills Demonstrated

• Systems thinking

• Program architecture

• Logic model development

• Theory of action

• Literature synthesis

• Grant development

• Evaluation planning

• Strategic planning

The Challenge

Assess the long-term sustainability of a nonprofit foundation experiencing organizational instability, governance challenges, and limited operational capacity, and develop a strategic path toward a sustainable future.

My Role

Conducted a comprehensive organizational assessment, facilitated stakeholder interviews, evaluated governance structures, analyzed organizational capacity, and developed strategic recommendations and implementation options for the Board of Directors.

Research & Analysis

Collected qualitative data through interviews with board members and organizational stakeholders. Examined governance practices, fundraising strategies, organizational structure, financial sustainability, volunteer engagement, and long-term organizational capacity. Compared organizational practices against nonprofit governance and strategic planning literature.

Solution

Developed a comprehensive strategic assessment that identified organizational strengths, structural weaknesses, governance challenges, and multiple future pathways. Recommendations included board restructuring, revised fundraising strategies, succession planning, organizational partnerships, and implementation priorities designed to improve long-term sustainability.

Outcomes

Produced a practical strategic planning document that provided leadership with evidence-based recommendations for future decision making. While some recommendations focused on organizational growth, others acknowledged difficult realities and emphasized responsible stewardship when long-term sustainability appeared unlikely.

Skills Demonstrated

• Strategic planning

• Organizational assessment

• Stakeholder interviews

• Qualitative analysis

• Nonprofit governance

• Change management

• Systems thinking

• Executive writing

The Challenge

Evaluate the effectiveness of a community-based poverty reduction initiative and assess whether the program’s underlying assumptions aligned with existing research on poverty, social mobility, and community development.

My Role

Conducted a comprehensive policy and program evaluation, synthesized research literature, assessed program design, and developed recommendations to strengthen implementation and long-term effectiveness.

Research & Analysis

Reviewed research on poverty, social capital, community development, and participant engagement. Compared the program’s theory of change against empirical evidence and identified opportunities to improve both implementation and evaluation.

Solution

Developed an evidence-informed evaluation highlighting program strengths, implementation challenges, and opportunities for improving participant outcomes. Recommendations focused on strengthening organizational partnerships, refining program design, improving outcome measurement, and better aligning services with participant needs.

Outcomes

Produced a comprehensive evaluation that integrated policy analysis, organizational assessment, and implementation recommendations into a practical framework for continuous program improvement.

Skills Demonstrated

• Program evaluation

• Policy analysis

• Literature synthesis

• Logic models

• Stakeholder analysis

• Community-based research

• Strategic recommendations

The Challenge

Examine organizational conflict within a large public institution and evaluate whether existing dispute resolution systems effectively addressed employee concerns while supporting organizational performance.

My Role

Conducted qualitative organizational analysis, evaluated conflict resolution systems, synthesized research literature, and developed recommendations for improving organizational communication and dispute resolution processes.

Research & Analysis

Reviewed organizational theory, labor-management relations, conflict resolution literature, and dispute systems design. Analyzed how organizational structures, incentives, and communication practices contributed to recurring workplace conflicts.

Solution

Developed a systems-based assessment emphasizing that organizational conflict is often a product of institutional structures rather than individual behavior. Proposed improvements to communication pathways, dispute resolution processes, leadership practices, and organizational learning systems.

Outcomes

Produced a comprehensive analysis demonstrating how organizational systems can either amplify or reduce conflict, while illustrating the importance of aligning organizational processes with employee needs and institutional goals.

Skills Demonstrated

• Organizational systems analysis

• Qualitative research

• Conflict resolution

• Organizational development

• Stakeholder analysis

• Systems thinking

• Policy analysis

The Challenge

Develop a comprehensive evaluation system capable of measuring changes in participants’ STEM identities, self-efficacy, interests, and educational aspirations while remaining practical for use in a long-running informal education program.

My Role

Designed the overall evaluation strategy, developed and refined measurement instruments, integrated quantitative and qualitative data collection, conducted statistical analyses, and used findings to guide continuous program improvement.

Research & Analysis

Synthesized literature from STEM identity research, motivational psychology, educational assessment, and informal science education. Adapted and developed measurement instruments appropriate for diverse age groups while balancing research rigor with participant burden.

Solution

Created a mixed-methods evaluation framework combining validated survey instruments, original measures, qualitative feedback, observations, and longitudinal tracking. Developed implementation procedures that maintained data quality while fitting naturally within program operations.

Outcomes

Established a sustainable evaluation system capable of measuring both participant outcomes and implementation quality. The framework supported ongoing program refinement while producing evidence suitable for research, grant reporting, and organizational decision making.

Skills Demonstrated

• Survey design

• Instrument development

• Mixed-methods research

• Construct development

• Educational measurement

• Program evaluation

• Statistical analysis

• Continuous improvement

The Challenge

Develop a climate survey capable of measuring participants’ experiences of inclusion, belonging, bias, and workplace culture while producing data suitable for institutional decision making.

My Role

Led survey development, operationalized complex social constructs into measurable variables, developed sampling and administration strategies, analyzed quantitative findings, and translated results into actionable recommendations.

Research & Analysis

Reviewed literature on organizational climate, diversity, inclusion, psychological safety, and survey methodology. Designed measures capable of capturing both individual experiences and organizational patterns while minimizing unnecessary respondent burden.

Solution

Created a comprehensive survey instrument integrating validated constructs with context-specific measures tailored to the organization’s research environment. Designed reporting strategies that balanced statistical rigor with accessibility for organizational leaders.

Outcomes

Produced an evidence-based assessment of organizational climate that informed institutional discussions surrounding diversity, inclusion, and organizational culture while providing a framework for future longitudinal assessment.

Skills Demonstrated

• Survey methodology

• Organizational climate assessment

• Psychometrics

• Statistical analysis

• Data visualization

• Research design

• Quantitative methods

• Scientific communication

The Challenge

Create a reliable implementation fidelity instrument capable of measuring whether educational programs were delivered consistently while preserving instructor flexibility and responsiveness to learners.

My Role

Designed the conceptual framework, operationalized implementation constructs into observable indicators, developed scoring criteria, established rater guidance, and refined the instrument through iterative testing.

Research & Analysis

Synthesized implementation science, educational evaluation, and measurement literature to identify practical approaches for assessing fidelity without reducing instruction to simple compliance checklists.

Solution

Developed a structured rubric capable of assessing implementation quality across multiple dimensions while supporting both program improvement and research. Designed scoring procedures intended to improve consistency across observers while generating meaningful implementation data.

Outcomes

Created a practical implementation measurement tool supporting both continuous quality improvement and research on program effectiveness. The framework strengthened the connection between implementation quality and participant outcomes.

Skills Demonstrated

• Rubric development

• Implementation science

• Instrument design

• Measurement theory

• Program evaluation

• Inter-rater reliability

• Educational assessment

• Continuous improvement

Rather than simply writing proposals, I support the entire grant development process, including:

• Opportunity assessment and sponsor alignment

• Project conceptualization

• Literature synthesis

• Theory of change and logic models

• Evaluation planning

• Narrative development

• Budget development and justification

• Broader Impacts planning

• Project management

• Team coordination

• Internal proposal review

• Sponsor compliance

• Post-award reporting support

Over the course of my career I have helped researchers become stronger grant writers through mentoring, proposal review, and formal professional development workshops.

Representative experience includes:

• Co-developing and teaching proposal development workshops for graduate students pursuing competitive fellowships, including the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP).

• Designing internal proposal competitions that simulated external review processes while providing participants with funding and structured feedback.

• Mentoring graduate students and early-career researchers in proposal development, project design, literature synthesis, broader impacts, evaluation planning, and sponsor alignment.

Supporting interdisciplinary teams as they translated innovative research ideas into competitive proposals.

Federal Agencies

• National Science Foundation (NSF)

• Institute of Education Sciences (IES)

Role:
Project design, proposal narratives, literature reviews, evaluation planning, budgets, project leadership, and proposal coordination.

Private Foundations

• Spencer Foundation

• Honda Foundation

• Alphabet Foundation

• Regional and community foundations

Role:
Needs assessment, proposal narratives, strategic alignment, evaluation planning, budgets, and supporting documentation.

Professional Organizations

• American Physical Society

• American Chemical Society

• Society for Science

• Society of Physics Students

Role:
Program development, proposal writing, educational programming, evaluation, and reporting.

Institutional Funding

Internal university research, outreach, and educational innovation proposals.

Role:
Proposal development, evaluation planning, budgets, implementation planning, and reporting.

Sponsored Research Support

Over the course of my career I’ve supported research teams pursuing funding from agencies including:

• NSF

• NIH

• DARPA

• ARL

• ARO

• AFOSR

• ONR

• NASA

• DOE

• HHMI

• Sloan Foundation

• Templeton Foundation

• Murdock Charitable Trust

• American Heart Association

Support included:

• Budget development

• Budget justifications

• Proposal coordination

• Broader Impacts

• Evaluation planning

• Supporting documentation

• Compliance

• Collaborator coordination

• Research administration

• Award management

Skills Demonstrated

• Grant strategy

• Proposal development

• Evaluation planning

• Logic models

• Literature synthesis

• Budget development

• Research administration

• Sponsored project management

• Scientific writing

• Team leadership

• Cross-disciplinary collaboration