Meet the Staff

Where are you from originally?

I am from the Southwest side of Chicago.

Academic and work background?

At the University of Wisconsin-Madison, I studied Political Science and Latin American Caribbean Studies for my undergraduate degree. I also earned a Master in Public Affairs from the same university. After graduate school, I was part of the Fulbright program where I got the opportunity to teach English in Madrid, Spain. I had the opportunity to join the MSLC right after I finished my teaching assistantship.

Coffee, tea, or something else? 

Tea or Matcha every day.

Cubs, White Sox, or just here for the hot dogs? 

I am there for the hot dogs for sure!

Deep dish or tavern-style pizza? 

Tavern style pizza is the best! I have so many amazing memories eating tavern style pizza with my siblings.

What’s your favorite thing to do in Chicago during the summer?

I love to get food and hang out at the Lakefront trail with friends.

Early bird or night owl? 

Night owl. I can think more clearly and have more energy after dinner.

Mountains, beach, forest, or city—which are you choosing?

Forest!! I love to spend time exploring Forest Preserves in Illinois.

Where are you from originally?

Born in Chicago, raised in the suburbs, after some years in other places, now back in Chicago.

Academic and work background?

With college work in various programs and schools, completed a BA in Anthropology at UIC. Much of my work life has been in academic libraries at Yale, University of Illinois at Chicago, and the University of Chicago. Returning to UIC about 18  years ago, worked on several math and education related projects with the Learning Sciences Research Institute, including Math Trailblazers Research and Revision, CryptoClub, and Chicago Symposium. I was involved with the Math Peer Learning Assistant Program almost from its inception in the Math Department, and later joined the MSLC staff to continue to coordinate the PLA Program and to become more involved in the running and planning of the Math and Science Learning Center.

Coffee, tea, or something else?

Coffee in the morning, green or herbal tea later in the day.

Cubs, White Sox, or just here for the hot dogs?

Grew up with a Detroit Tigers fan, and a southsider for over 30 years, so White Sox!

Deep dish or tavern-style pizza?

Thin and crispy, please

What’s your favorite thing to do in Chicago during the summer?

At home with my dog, reading, or out taking advantage of living in the City

Early bird or night owl?

If it’s important or complicated, I will do it in the morning, with coffee

Mountains, beach, forest, or city—which are you choosing?

With occasional forays elsewhere, the City

Where are you from originally?

I am originally from Oak Park, IL, and the West Side of Chicago.

Academic and work background?

I attended Northern Illinois University (NIU), where I earned a B.A. in Political Science with a minor in Black Studies, as well as a Master of Science in Adult & Higher Education. I have worked in higher education for over 15 years, ranging from teaching, advising, directing, coordinating, and more.

Coffee, tea, or something else?

I really do enjoy both coffee and tea, but I’m currently more of a coffee guy, and I am team Dunkin.

Cubs, White Sox, or just here for the hot dogs?

I am a fan of Chicago, so I support and root for both. I did grow up in a household that was team White Sox, so I have a stronger connection to them and have attended more games at Comiskey than at Wrigley. And of course I am here for the hot dog as well, with everything on it, Chicago, no ketchup. Plus, I really am there for the grilled onions. I love the smell of the grilled onions when walking into the stadium.

Deep dish or tavern-style pizza?

Personally, I look at deep dish as more of a tourist attraction and desire; I prefer tavern-style pizza almost 100% of the time.

What’s your favorite thing to do in Chicago during the summer?

My favorite thing to do during the summer in Chicago is to spend time with my family outside, whether that is swimming, sports, walks, events, visiting the lakefront, and of course exploring all of the many food options we have as I am a foodie.

Early bird or night owl?

The early bird gets the worm, and I am a morning person. I am usually the first person to wake as well as sometimes the first to go to sleep.

Mountains, beach, forest, or city—which are you choosing?

I would have to say the city or the beach, and we have both here in Chicago, the best city in the country!

Where are you from originally? 

I’m from Montana, spent a couple of years in Seattle, and moved to Chicago in 2023!

Academic and work background? 

I will be graduating from UIC with a doctorate in Occupational Therapy in May 2027! I completed my undergraduate at the University of Montana with degrees in Political Science; Spanish; and Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. I have worked in early childhood education, mental and behavioral health services, and student support services.

Coffee, tea, or something else? 

Coffee

Cubs, White Sox, or just here for the hot dogs? 

Just here for the (vegetarian) hot dogs!

Deep dish or tavern-style pizza? 

Tavern-style most the time, but deep dish for special occasions

What’s your favorite thing to do in Chicago during the summer? 

Bike to the lake and go for a swim!

Early bird or night owl? 

Early bird–I like to get things done in the morning and relax in the evening

Mountains, beach, forest, or city—which are you choosing? 

Mountains–I love to hike and backpack

Where are you from originally?

I grew up in Connecticut but lived in several different places as an adult.

Academic and work background?

I am grateful for the opportunities I had to study and learn at a variety of institutions!  I earned a B.S. in Biology and minor Mathematics from Fairfield University (CT), a B.Sc. (Hons Class I) in Zoology and Entomology from the University of Queensland (Australia) as a Fulbright student research fellow, a M.S. in Developmental Biology from the University of Chicago (IL), and a Ph.D. in Integrative Biology from the University of California, Berkeley.

Always excited to share what I learned with others, much of my professional career has focused on increasing access to engaging STEM learning experiences and supporting students as they worked toward their academic and career goals.  I served as a faculty member (tenured community college Biology Professor, term faculty, part-time Lecturer/Instructor at various locations), Inclusive Education Scholars Program facilitator (CATE at UIC), undergraduate research advisor (CUREs, summer research program), part-time interpretive naturalist (aquarium) and STEM camp leader.  Prior to leading the MSLC, I also served in various leadership roles as Director (Student Development Grant Projects), course coordinator, institutional grant Project Director/PI (HSI STEM, PBI STEM), and Dean of a STEM Center for Teaching and Learning (community college).  Outside of UIC, I am also a USA Triathlon certified paratriathlon / triathlon coach and volunteer STEM non-profit board member.

Coffee, tea, or something else?

All the coffee, all the time!  I also really enjoy green tea and peppermint tea.

Cubs, White Sox, or just here for the hot dogs?

Cubs… but also, Let’s Go Mets!

Deep dish or tavern-style pizza?

Tavern style (or thin crust, NY Style)

What’s your favorite thing to do in Chicago during the summer?

Coach and volunteer with local non-profits and ride bikes on trails!  Fun fact – one of the non-profits I volunteer and coach with (Dare2tri) was co-founded by a UIC Alumnus!  Go Flames!

Early bird or night owl?

Early bird (with coffee).

Mountains, beach, forest, or city—which are you choosing?

Mountains (or mountains near lakes / ocean!)