Angela Eeds, Ph.D.
(She/Her)
Executive Director, CSEO
Ph.D., Vanderbilt University – Molecular Biology; Biomedical Research and Genetics
Dr. Eeds leads the Collaborative for STEM Education and Outreach and oversees the group’s program implementation, collaborations with new and existing partners, and research possibilities. She previously led the CSEO high school programs including the School for Science and Math at Vanderbilt, the Research Experience for High School Students, and the Interdisciplinary Science and Research programs. She enjoys participating in each program’s curriculum, especially through leading lessons on molecular biology and scientific thinking as well as mentoring student research projects.
angela.eeds@vanderbilt.edu
Heidi Carlone, Ph.D.(She/Her)
Katherine Johnson Chair in Science Education,
DTL Faculty Director, CSEO
Ph.D., University of Colorado, Boulder – Curriculum and Instruction
Dr. Carlone works to disrupt narrow meanings of science, engineering, and STEM competence so that more youth and teachers come to see themselves and get recognized by others as science and engineering knowers, doers, and critics. She sheds light on questions about power, the dynamics of inequity, and the significance of teachers’ and learners’ improvisation, creativity, and resilience amidst constraining structures of race, gender, and class. Dr. Carlone provides educational research guidance, mentorship, and support for the postdoctoral fellows and staff members of the CSEO.
heidi.carlone@vanderbilt.edu
Amanda Dixon, M.Ed. (She/Her)
Assistant Director, CSEO
M.Ed., Vanderbilt University – Organizational Leadership
Amanda recruits students and directs the admissions process for the School for Science and Math at Vanderbilt (SSMV). She provides administrative, instructional, and student support to the SSMV. She also provides administrative support to the Interdisciplinary Science and Research program. She facilitates communication, recruitment, and information sharing between the SSMV and Metro Nashville Public Schools. She is also responsible for managing evaluation and data collection for high school programs.
amanda.dixon@vanderbilt.edu
Joe Lopez, Ph.D.
Administrative Officer, CSEO
Ph.D., Vanderbilt University – Pathology
M.Ed., Vanderbilt University – Curriculum and Instructional LeadershipDr. Lopez manages the business operations of the CSEO, which includes grants and contracts management, budgetary and personnel records management, and oversight of compliance with university and governmental policies. He also manages the Journal of STEM Outreach. In his previous “work-life” in biomedical science, he studied macrophages and myobacteria in the lab of Dr. Virginia Shepherd.
joe.lopez@vanderbilt.edu
Greta Clinton-Selin (She/Her)
Educational Program Coordinator, CSEO
Ms. Clinton-Selin can be found offering essential support for all instructional staff, administrators, and student participants in CSEO programs. She is an instructor for the Day of Discovery program at the Nashville Zoo. She serves as kit coordinator for the Scientist in the Classroom Partnership program and provides supplementary enrichment to high school students with the School for Science and Math at Vanderbilt afterschool study skills class.
greta.c.selin@vanderbilt.edu
T. Jacob Marina (He/Him)
Lab Coordinator, Magnolia Makerspace
Mr. Marina manages and oversees the Magnolia Makerspace. He works with the CSEO to incorporate the makerspace and its equipment into curricula and assists students, faculty, and staff in utilizing makerspace equipment in their own projects. Mr. Marina hopes to inspire people to learn about technology that may seem intimidating at first glance and provide people with the opportunity to have a hands-on experience with both common and uncommon machinery.
tyler.j.marina@vanderbilt.edu
Menton M. Deweese, Ph.D. (She/Her)
Director, School for Science and Math at Vanderbilt
Ph.D., University of Florida – Psychology, Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience
M.S., University of Florida – Psychology Dr. Deweese serves as the director for the School for Science and Math at Vanderbilt (SSMV) where she is passionate about teaching, training, and mentoring the next generation of STEM leaders. She remains an active neuroimaging (EEG, fMRI) researcher interested in the neural mechanisms underlying compulsive cue-induced behaviors (e.g., nicotine addiction and obesity), and often weaves this content into her classroom lessons and research projects. Additionally, Dr. Deweese coordinates the Professional Development efforts for CSEO Postdoctoral Fellows and manages the SSMV social media accounts.
menton.deweese@vanderbilt.edu
Rebekah Stanton, Ph.D. (She/Her)
Instructor, School for Science and Math at Vanderbilt
Ph.D, Brigham Young University – Wildlife and Wildlands Conservation
Dr. Stanton is a researcher in the Earth and Environmental Sciences department and also an Instructor at the School for Science and Math at Vanderbilt, where she has the opportunity to share her passion for ecology and earth science with the rising generation. Coming from a marine biology and desert ecology background, Dr. Stanton has a great love for the ocean and all things relating to plants and wildlife in extreme climates, as well as a passion for education and helping others understand the super cool processes in nature through effective research and learning methods.
rebekah.stanton@vanderbilt.edu
Pamela J. Osborn Popp, Ph.D. (She/Her)
Instructor, School for Science and Math at Vanderbilt
Ph.D, New York University – Neuroscience
Dr. Popp is an instructor at the School for Science and Math at Vanderbilt. Her research focuses on the cognitive and computational mechanisms that underlie learning and teaching behaviors, and she is passionate about making teaching effective and fun for students. She is interested in game development, AI, and understanding what makes humans so unique compared to intelligent machines.
pamela.popp@vanderbilt.edu
Personal Website
Shakeera L. Walker, Ph.D. (She/Her/Hers)
Instructor, School for Science and Math at Vanderbilt
Ph.D., Ohio State University – Neuroscience,
M.S., University of Maryland – Neuroscience and Cognitive Science
Dr. Shakeera Walker is an instructor for the School for Science and Math at Vanderbilt. Her research background focuses on investigating the impact of early-life stress on neuroimmune function, social behaviors, and anxiety using rodent models. She is excited to help make science more accessible and fun for young learners and to introduce students to translational neuroscience—research that helps us better understand the biological basis of behavior.
shakeera.walker@vanderbilt.Edu
LinkedIn
Nathaniel Freymeyer, Ph.D. (He/Him)
Program Manager, STEM Student Research
Ph.D., Vanderbilt University – Chemistry
Dr. Freymeyer is the program manager for STEM Student Research. In this roll, he helps to support students conducting research projects by connecting them with mentors and facilitating participation in scientific research competitions. He was previously a co-teacher for the Interdisciplinary Science and Research program at John Overton High School. He uses his background in chemistry and nanoscience to help students develop critical thinking skills to solve challenging problems. He hopes to inspire students to pursue a career in the sciences and to help develop a new generation of scientists.
n.freymeyer@vanderbilt.edu
Nicolas Means, Ph.D. (He/Him)
Instructor, Interdisciplinary Science and Research Program
Ph.D., The University of Oklahoma – Health Sciences Center
Dr. Means is an instructor and co-teacher for the School for Science and Math at Vanderbilt and the Interdisciplinary Science and Research program at Hillsboro High School, respectively. In addition, he serves as the Director for the Research Experience for High School Students and Assistant Director for the Summer High School Internships in Research Experiences. Guided by his training in cancer biology, Dr. Means is driven to expand student opportunity and interest in STEM fields of study, with an emphasis on biomedical research. He hopes to use the CSEO program model for future collaborative initiatives in the midwestern U.S.
nicolas.means@vanderbilt.edu
Natalie Wallace, Ph.D. (She/Her)
Instructor, Interdisciplinary Science and Research Program
Ph.D., Vanderbilt University – Biological Sciences
Dr. Wallace is a co-teacher for the Interdisciplinary Science and Research program. Her research background spans the fields of neuroscience, cell biology, and biochemistry to understand molecular mechanisms of rare diseases. She is passionate about improving science literacy by connecting STEM knowledge and pop culture. Dr. Wallace hopes to expand students’ knowledge of diverse STEM fields and career pathways.
natalie.wallace@vanderbilt.edu
Jennifer Jackson, Ph.D. (She/Her)
Instructor, Interdisciplinary Science and Research Program
Ph.D., The Pennsylvania State University – Curriculum and Instruction
Dr. Jackson is a co-teacher for the Interdisciplinary Science and Research Program at John Overton High School. She brings 20 years of experience in education, including teaching middle school science and higher education. As a teacher educator and an AACTE Holmes scholar, Dr. Jackson’s research focuses on how secondary science teachers communicate within professional learning spaces as they conceptualize and make sense of persistent equity issues relative to science education.
jennifer.jackson.2@vanderbilt.edu
Desmond L. Campbell, Ph.D. (He/Him/His)
Program Manager of Middle School Initiatives
Ph.D., Vanderbilt University – Physics, Imaging Science
M.A., Fisk University – Physics, Material Science
Dr. Campbell, also known as Dr. Des, serves as the program manager for several of the CSEO’s middle school efforts, including the Day of Discovery and Scientist in the Classroom Partnership programs. What inspires Dr. Campbell is how the language and art of mathematics dictates so much about how nature operates. Assisting students in understanding that art and its connections to nature drives him.
desmond.l.campbell@vanderbilt.edu
LinkedIn
Yelena Janumyan, Ph.D.
Instructor, Day of Discovery Program
Ph.D., Vanderbilt University – Cancer Biology
Dr. Janumyan has spent her research career studying the cell cycle function of the anti-apoptotic protein, Bcl-2. For the last 15+ years, Dr. Janumyan has worked in a middle school classroom to engage students in interdisciplinary STEM projects that help them to grow into independent thinkers, lifelong learners, and compassionate people. She is passionate about making STEM literacy accessible and creates curriculum for Day of Discovery that allows students to learn topics and master skills beyond those that they would access in middle school.
yelena.j.doe@vanderbilt.edu
Bethany Daniel, Ph.D. (She/Her)
Instructor, Day of Discovery Program
Ph.D., Vanderbilt University – Learning, Teaching, and Diversity
M.A., Brigham Young University – Second Language Teaching
Dr. Daniel is a co-teacher for the Vanderbilt Day of Discovery program. A licensed elementary and PreK-12 French teacher, Dr. Daniel is passionate about designing learning experiences that center students’ expertise and celebrate their cultural and linguistic practices. Her research focuses on helping STEM educators unlearn mainstream norms that exclude students to create classrooms of belonging.
bethany.r.daniel@vanderbilt.edu
Amanda V. Garner, Ph.D.
Instructor, Day of Discovery Program
PhD, University of Tennessee -Science Education
M.A., Tusculum University- Curriculum and Instruction
Dr. Garner is Day of Discovery instructor with Vanderbilt’s Collaborative for STEM Education and Outreach, teaching at the Nashville Zoo and Isaac Litton Middle School. As a licensed K–8 science teacher, with experience in teaching middle grades science and in designing place-based professional learning, helping teachers connect classrooms with their communities. Her research centers on place-based education, data literacy in K–12 science, and arts-based approaches that connect creativity with science learning. An Appalachian scholar, Dr. Garner draws on her roots to highlight the value of local community knowledge and resources, making science more accessible, relevant, and engaging for all students.
amanda.garner@vanderbilt.edu
Kate Davis, Ph.D. (She/Her)
Instructor, Day of Discovery Program
Ph.D., University of Florida – Zoology
M.S., Auburn University – Ethology
Dr. K has over 10 years experience in informal education and thinks zoos and the natural world are the ultimate biology classrooms. She is currently an instructor for the Day of Discovery program at the Nashville Zoo and believes in engaging student interest in STEM through a zoology-focused approach.
katherine.davis@vanderbilt.edu