Principal Investigator | Bryan M. Dewsbury, PhD
I was born and raised in Trinidad and Tobago, and pursued a Bachelor’s degree at Morehouse College, and a Masters and PhD from Florida International University (FIU). At FIU I explored a number of interesting questions in marine ecology and ecological economics and I developed a number of teaching approaches and programs relating to social belonging and higher education. I am personally inspired by the possibilities
of education as a force for intellectual liberation, and as a means to increase critical consumerism. In between, I am always trying to find time to keep up with my never ending reading list, try new microbrews, and teach myself and my wife Kizomba!
[email protected] | 401 874 2248 | @bmdewsbury
I was born and raised in Trinidad and Tobago, and pursued a Bachelor’s degree at Morehouse College, and a Masters and PhD from Florida International University (FIU). At FIU I explored a number of interesting questions in marine ecology and ecological economics and I developed a number of teaching approaches and programs relating to social belonging and higher education. I am personally inspired by the possibilities
of education as a force for intellectual liberation, and as a means to increase critical consumerism. In between, I am always trying to find time to keep up with my never ending reading list, try new microbrews, and teach myself and my wife Kizomba!
[email protected] | 401 874 2248 | @bmdewsbury
PhD Student | Mehri Azizi
I am a PhD candidate in Biology Education, focusing my research on enhancing student experiences through human-centered and UX research methodologies. My work integrates qualitative and quantitative approaches, with an emphasis on self-reflection, behavior change, and metacognition among college students. I combine my expertise in educational psychology and user experience research to better understand learning processes and improve educational design. You can learn more about my work at mehriazizi.com.
[email protected]
I am a PhD candidate in Biology Education, focusing my research on enhancing student experiences through human-centered and UX research methodologies. My work integrates qualitative and quantitative approaches, with an emphasis on self-reflection, behavior change, and metacognition among college students. I combine my expertise in educational psychology and user experience research to better understand learning processes and improve educational design. You can learn more about my work at mehriazizi.com.
[email protected]
PhD Student | Nicole Chlebek
I am a PhD candidate at FIU. I have a background in higher education, sociology, and ecology. I've had a range of research opportunities in my life that led me to biology education research. I studied the human-elephant conflict near the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania. I worked as a research intern to genetically modify higher nutrient rice varieties at the International Rice Research Institute in the Philippines. I researched gender bias in college study abroad rates. I also had a career managing regional admissions for my alma mater, Illinois Wesleyan University (IWU), where I developed educational series for students from marginalized populations. I later started the first DEI task force in our office, where I created a workshop and trained other faculty and staff to host discussions about white privilege. I also volunteered in Dr. Lisa Corwin’s biology education research REACH lab at the University of Colorado Boulder, which is how I discovered the SEAS lab and came to FIU. I now work with FIU's Center for Humanities in an Urban Environment (CHUE) to develop accessible and publicly available social equity workshop curriculum. I am also working on a project concerning public discourse on the introduction of transgenic mosquitoes in the Florida Keys. My goal with my dissertation involves implementing inclusive curriculum interventions specified for undergraduate life science courses to positively affect student sense of belonging and overall social awareness. Outside of research, you'll find me painting, exercising, enjoying water activities, or travelling to my other two homes (Denver and Chicago) skiing, backpacking and spending time with family and friends over craft beers.
[email protected]
I am a PhD candidate at FIU. I have a background in higher education, sociology, and ecology. I've had a range of research opportunities in my life that led me to biology education research. I studied the human-elephant conflict near the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania. I worked as a research intern to genetically modify higher nutrient rice varieties at the International Rice Research Institute in the Philippines. I researched gender bias in college study abroad rates. I also had a career managing regional admissions for my alma mater, Illinois Wesleyan University (IWU), where I developed educational series for students from marginalized populations. I later started the first DEI task force in our office, where I created a workshop and trained other faculty and staff to host discussions about white privilege. I also volunteered in Dr. Lisa Corwin’s biology education research REACH lab at the University of Colorado Boulder, which is how I discovered the SEAS lab and came to FIU. I now work with FIU's Center for Humanities in an Urban Environment (CHUE) to develop accessible and publicly available social equity workshop curriculum. I am also working on a project concerning public discourse on the introduction of transgenic mosquitoes in the Florida Keys. My goal with my dissertation involves implementing inclusive curriculum interventions specified for undergraduate life science courses to positively affect student sense of belonging and overall social awareness. Outside of research, you'll find me painting, exercising, enjoying water activities, or travelling to my other two homes (Denver and Chicago) skiing, backpacking and spending time with family and friends over craft beers.
[email protected]
PhD Student | Alexander Eden
I am a Ph.D. student interested in STEM and Biology education. More specifically, I am interested in the transition between high school and college. I have had several experiences in the world of education, and most recently taught High School Biology in an urban school district in Massachusetts. During my time teaching, I was not only able to have fun and create a safe environment for my students, but I also received several honors along the way. Teaching reinforced my passion for making a difference, and further cemented by desire to pursue a PhD. Ultimately, I hope to do what I can to reduce the challenges that students may face in the pursuit of higher education. When I am not busy learning, I enjoy traveling (have visited 34 states), watching movies, and simply going out to have fun. I am a strong believer in the power of positivity and good vibes, and always make it a mission to spread smiles. To the person reading this, what is something good that has happened to you recently?
[email protected] | www.alexandereden.net
I am a Ph.D. student interested in STEM and Biology education. More specifically, I am interested in the transition between high school and college. I have had several experiences in the world of education, and most recently taught High School Biology in an urban school district in Massachusetts. During my time teaching, I was not only able to have fun and create a safe environment for my students, but I also received several honors along the way. Teaching reinforced my passion for making a difference, and further cemented by desire to pursue a PhD. Ultimately, I hope to do what I can to reduce the challenges that students may face in the pursuit of higher education. When I am not busy learning, I enjoy traveling (have visited 34 states), watching movies, and simply going out to have fun. I am a strong believer in the power of positivity and good vibes, and always make it a mission to spread smiles. To the person reading this, what is something good that has happened to you recently?
[email protected] | www.alexandereden.net
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PhD Student | Erin Johnson
I am a Bahamian PhD student in the Biological Sciences department. I received my Bachelor’s degree at University of West Florida, and my Master’s degree at Texas A&M University. My research interests lie in marine ecology, but I have recently also developed a passion for science education. I have joined the SEAS lab to explore that passion. My research will focus on curriculum development for marine studies in The Bahamas at the secondary level of education using innovative technology. My goal is to develop an educational strand that utilizes immersive virtual reality technology. I believe the strand will have a significant impact on students’ attitudes towards marine studies in The Bahamas. [email protected] | IG: @sea_adventuren |
PhD Student | Alexandra Machrone
I am a PhD student at FIU studying the intersections of climate, culture, and a sense of belonging within science departments nationwide. I have a bachelor's degree in integrative organismal biology, and a master's in biology from East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania. My professional experiences have all been rooted in environmental education, where I was able to express and share my passion for biology and education. I volunteered for a wildlife rehabilitation center for seven years, working both as an educator and animal caretaker. I also have experience working for multiple museums and an environmental center, where I was an educator and program developer. My college-level teaching experiences have included roles as an adjunct professor for conservation biology and a teaching assistant for courses such as zoology, general biology II, introduction to biology labs, and comparative vertebrate anatomy.
Outside of my academic and professional careers, I find solace and inspiration in nature, often exploring the Everglades in search of birds and reptiles. When I’m not out in nature, I spend the rest of my free time either watching TV, playing video games, doing arts and crafts, or hosting board game nights. My passion for biology education had been guiding me through my academic and professional careers and I hope to further pursue my dreams of becoming a biology professor and share my love for nature and education with others.
[email protected]
I am a PhD student at FIU studying the intersections of climate, culture, and a sense of belonging within science departments nationwide. I have a bachelor's degree in integrative organismal biology, and a master's in biology from East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania. My professional experiences have all been rooted in environmental education, where I was able to express and share my passion for biology and education. I volunteered for a wildlife rehabilitation center for seven years, working both as an educator and animal caretaker. I also have experience working for multiple museums and an environmental center, where I was an educator and program developer. My college-level teaching experiences have included roles as an adjunct professor for conservation biology and a teaching assistant for courses such as zoology, general biology II, introduction to biology labs, and comparative vertebrate anatomy.
Outside of my academic and professional careers, I find solace and inspiration in nature, often exploring the Everglades in search of birds and reptiles. When I’m not out in nature, I spend the rest of my free time either watching TV, playing video games, doing arts and crafts, or hosting board game nights. My passion for biology education had been guiding me through my academic and professional careers and I hope to further pursue my dreams of becoming a biology professor and share my love for nature and education with others.
[email protected]
PhD Student | Catherine Guinovart
I am originally from Key Largo, Florida. I'm Cuban-American. I was born in the U.S. and grew up speaking only Spanish at home. My dad is a commercial spearfisherman, and my mom is a teacher, so naturally I pursued a career that allowed me to blend my love for nature with my love for people and education. I received my bachelor's degree at Florida International University in Sustainability and the Environment along with certificates in Marine Biology, Coastal Marine Affairs, and Entrepreneurship. My dissertation research focuses on culturally relevant biology education and involves working with Maya communities in Quintana Roo, Mexico. I'm specifically interested in studying how using science curricula written in Indigenous languages can impact primary students' cultural and science identity development. I'm also interested in learning about how we can better tune into the perspective of community stakeholders to inform the development of culturally relevant biology curricula. One of the most rewarding things about my work is being able to immerse myself in learning Yucatec Maya, an Indigenous language spoken throughout Mexico's Yucatan peninsula. which I have been studying for four years. Being able to connect with community members in the language that they speak has opened my eyes to the importance of language in learning and has made me curious about how educational systems can further be a force for the intergenerational transmission of Indigenous languages. This makes me really excited about the possibilities for how my work can contribute to our understanding of how we can integrate teaching Indigenous languages with teaching about nature and biology.
[email protected]
I am originally from Key Largo, Florida. I'm Cuban-American. I was born in the U.S. and grew up speaking only Spanish at home. My dad is a commercial spearfisherman, and my mom is a teacher, so naturally I pursued a career that allowed me to blend my love for nature with my love for people and education. I received my bachelor's degree at Florida International University in Sustainability and the Environment along with certificates in Marine Biology, Coastal Marine Affairs, and Entrepreneurship. My dissertation research focuses on culturally relevant biology education and involves working with Maya communities in Quintana Roo, Mexico. I'm specifically interested in studying how using science curricula written in Indigenous languages can impact primary students' cultural and science identity development. I'm also interested in learning about how we can better tune into the perspective of community stakeholders to inform the development of culturally relevant biology curricula. One of the most rewarding things about my work is being able to immerse myself in learning Yucatec Maya, an Indigenous language spoken throughout Mexico's Yucatan peninsula. which I have been studying for four years. Being able to connect with community members in the language that they speak has opened my eyes to the importance of language in learning and has made me curious about how educational systems can further be a force for the intergenerational transmission of Indigenous languages. This makes me really excited about the possibilities for how my work can contribute to our understanding of how we can integrate teaching Indigenous languages with teaching about nature and biology.
[email protected]
Postdoctoral Fellow | Helen Urpi Wagner Coello, PhD
I was born in Peru and raised in Miami, where I earned my Bachelor's and Ph.D. at Florida International University (FIU). My early research focused on genomics and bioinformatics, with a strong emphasis on citizen science through mosquito monitoring in Miami-Dade County. Now, as a Postdoctoral Associate at the STEM Transformation Institute at FIU, my work focuses on STEM education, exploring the experiences and sense of belonging of students in higher education. Through storytelling, my aim is to understand how institutional factors shape student identity and success, while giving a voice to those undergraduate students whose experiences are often overlooked. Outside of research, I enjoy mentoring students and building welcoming communities. In my free time, you can find me singing karaoke, dancing, or practicing dry land rowing.
[email protected] | LinkedIn | IG: @wagner_coello
I was born in Peru and raised in Miami, where I earned my Bachelor's and Ph.D. at Florida International University (FIU). My early research focused on genomics and bioinformatics, with a strong emphasis on citizen science through mosquito monitoring in Miami-Dade County. Now, as a Postdoctoral Associate at the STEM Transformation Institute at FIU, my work focuses on STEM education, exploring the experiences and sense of belonging of students in higher education. Through storytelling, my aim is to understand how institutional factors shape student identity and success, while giving a voice to those undergraduate students whose experiences are often overlooked. Outside of research, I enjoy mentoring students and building welcoming communities. In my free time, you can find me singing karaoke, dancing, or practicing dry land rowing.
[email protected] | LinkedIn | IG: @wagner_coello
