Group Members

Professor Ginger Shultz (She/Her)

Ginger’s interest in education began when she was an undergraduate at the Evergreen State College, where the progressive curriculum shaped her early views on learning. She went on to earn a Ph.D. in polymer chemistry at the University of Oregon, where she also taught hands-on science to elementary school children through an NSF GK-12 fellowship. After graduate school, she transitioned to education-focused research through a teaching postdoc in Chemistry at the University of Michigan. In 2013 she was named a UM Presidential Fellow and began pursuing educational research full-time. Ginger joined the faculty in the Department of Chemistry in 2016 and was promoted to Associate Professor with tenure in 2022. She is an Arthur Thurnau F. Professor and Department of Chemistry Associate Chair of Education and Development.

Email: [email protected]

RESEARCH STAFF

Dr. Solaire Finkenstaedt-Quinn, MWrite Program and Research Manager (She/Her)

Solaire has a joint appointment in the Chemistry Department and Sweetland Center for Writing at the University of Michigan. Her research involves development, implementation, and assessment of writing assignments in large, intro-level STEM courses. As a graduate student, her research was in the field of bioanalytical chemistry at the University of Minnesota and involved using platelets as a model system to investigate how the cytoskeleton directs granule release during exocytosis. She transitioned from bioanalytical chemistry to chemistry education for her postdoc because of her interest in studying how students learn and using that to support effective instruction. In addition to performing research, Solaire is committed to increasing the scientific understanding of the general public through teaching and outreach. During her free time, Solaire enjoys reading and running, and rearranging her plants.

Email: [email protected]

Book Recommendation: The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin & Gods of the Upper Air by Charles King

GRADUATE STUDENTS 

Daisy Haas (They/She)

Daisy Haas graduated from Chapman University with a BS in  Molecular Biology and Biochemistry with a minor in Rhetoric and Writing. Daisy’s research interests include exploring intersections between writing, justice, and chemistry, supporting graduate teaching assistants to enact commitments for equity in the classroom, and creating transformative educational experiences for undergraduates. As a queer person, their research and teaching often focus on creating spaces in science where students can safely, authentically, and critically explore their interests in community. They have served as a GSI for organic labs, biochemistry writing discussion sections, a graduate student professional development course, and a self-designed English class as an instructor of record. Outside of research, Daisy enjoys cooking, reading, walking, and playing with their cat, Ivy.

Email: [email protected]

Book Recommendation: Stone Butch Blues by Leslie Feinberg and Transcendent Kingdom by Yaa Gyasi

Archer Harrold (He/Him)

Archer graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in May 2022 with a B.S in Chemistry. He got his start in the CER community in undergrad working in Dr. Alena Moon’s group from 2018-2022 analyzing students’ understanding of various light-matter interactions. Currently he is working on two projects 1) Process Oriented Guided Inquiry Learning in General Chemistry and 2) Culturally Responsive Teaching with RELATE (NSF). His dissertation research will focus on Culturally Relevant Pedagogy  and how teachers develop and operationalize this framework in their classrooms in local contexts. Outside of school, Archer enjoys playing teamfight tactics, reading romance novels, and cooking food from TikTok recipes. 

Email: [email protected]

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/archer-h-a79ba1b5/

Book Recommendation: Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo & The Crown of Gilded Bones by Jennifer Armentrout

Safron Milne (She/Her)

Safron, aka Saf, graduated from the University of Minnesota – Morris in 2022 with a BA in Chemistry. Through various teaching experiences during her undergraduate career, she became interested in supporting students’ learning through research. Safron is a McNair Scholar, a Rackham Merit Fellow, a Master’s student in the Post-Secondary Science Education Program, and a PhD Candidate in the Chemistry PhD Program. Her early graduate research focused on analyzing writing assignments that engaged students in peer review and identifying the relevance of chemistry in their lives. Currently, she is working on projects focused on supporting GSIs and teachers with engaging in equitable and culturally affirming teaching practices.  In her free time, Safron watches Survivor weekly, listens to lots of Indie music, plays co-ed volleyball, and hangs out with her cat, Stan. 

Email: [email protected]

ROTATING GRADUATE STUDENTS

Avery Long (He/Him) (Fall 2024)

Dani Losinski (She/They) (summer 2024)

Dani graduated from Michigan State University with a BS in Chemistry where she began her work in CER with Dr. Melanie Cooper’s group from 2022-2024 examining student learning and understanding of both biochemistry and organic chemistry concepts through the use of mechanistic reasoning. Dani’s current research interests include exploring equity in the classroom and creating more equitable teaching practices in STEM undergraduate courses. Currently they are working on two projects, one on examining how the peer review and revision process impacts student learning, and the other on teacher noticing for equity in the classroom. Outside of school and research, Dani enjoys reading, cooking, painting, being active and outdoors, and chilling with her two cats, Cricket and Lila.

Email: [email protected]

Book Recommendations: The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid & Sputnik Sweetheart by Haruki Murakami

Megan Gibas (She/Her) (summer 2024)

Megan graduated from Case Western Reserve University with a B.A. in chemistry and chemical biology. Previously, she conducted research investigating faculty perceptions and implementations of alternative grading in general and organic chemistry classrooms at North Dakota State University. Megan’s research interests include culturally relevant pedagogy, reducing intimidation to STEM, and incorporating real-world chemistry applications into the classroom. She is currently working on the project Culturally Responsive Teaching with RELATE (NSF). Outside of research, Megan enjoys running, spending time outdoors, socializing, and exploring new things. 

Email: [email protected]

Book Recommendations: The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini and The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls

UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS

Eryn Stern (She/Her)

My name is Eryn Stern and I am from Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. I am a sophomore and I hope to attend medical school after graduation. I am interested in researching topics related to education and STEM courses, such as the benefits of peer-review and writing assignments in STEM classes, and beneficial teaching methods in science courses. Outside of school, I enjoy playing and watching tennis, reading, working out, and being outside. I also love to volunteer. Student Organizations/Volunteer Clubs I’m in: Helping Hands (tutor K-12 students for free), Dance Marathon at U-M (DMUM, an organization helping to raise money and prove therapies for kids at U-M C.S. Mott’s Children’s Hospital), Adaptive Sports volunteer (help out with wheelchair tennis), Best Buddies (work with and hang out with people with disabilities), K-Grams (write pen pals to elementary school aged students)

Email: [email protected]

Jocelyn Chen (She/Her)

Jocelyn is an undergraduate student at UM from Charlotte, North Carolina majoring in Biochemistry with a teaching certificate in Chemistry and minoring in Statistics. After graduating, Jocelyn plans on teaching for a few years before going to graduate school and ultimately pursuing a career in academia. She is working with Daisy on analyzing how graduate student instructors conceptualize and enact their commitments for equity in the chemistry classroom. When Jocelyn isn’t working on school-related projects, she enjoys going on runs, hanging out with friends, and playing the piano and violin.

Email: [email protected]

Book Recommendation: Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand

Rachel Williamson (She/Her)

Rachel is a LSA Honors first-year student from Grand Rapids, Michigan. She is working with the RELATE project team to study culturally-relevant teaching in Alaska, where she analyzes interview data to reconstruct stories of rural Alaskan classroom experiences. She is currently undecided on her major, but plans to do something sustainability-related. After graduation, she hopes to do work with marine ecosystems, and spend lots of time in and around the ocean. Outside of school, Rachel plays trumpet in the Michigan Marching Band. She also loves to play golf, read, write, enjoy nature, (especially the beach), and spend time with her family, (especially her dog, Wrigley).

Email: [email protected]

Yacine Lo (She/Her)

Yacine Lo is an undergraduate student at UM from Kalamazoo, MI majoring in Biology, Health and Society on a Pre-Med track. After graduating, she hopes to attend medical school to continue on the path to a future career in Emergency Medicine. She is working with Daisy on analyzing how graduate student instructors conceptualize and enact their commitments for equity in the chemistry classroom. When Yacine isn’t working on school-related projects, she enjoys watching shows (both on television and at local theaters!). 

Book Recommendation: The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

Email: [email protected]

Elena Havard (She/Her)

Elena is an undergraduate student at the University of Michigan and is from Seattle, Washington. She is majoring in Interdisciplinary Physics with a cognate in Science Writing. After graduation she hopes to attend law school to pursue space or patent law. She is working with the RELATE project team focusing on culturally responsive teaching in Alaska. In her free time she enjoys ballet, hiking, and watching new movies.

Email: [email protected]

GROUP ALUMNI

POSTDOC ALUMNI

Dr. Amber Dood, Time: 05/2020 – 05/2024, Current: Faculty Success Manager at Catalyst Education

Dr. Katy Hosbein, Time: 07/2021 – 08/2022, Current: Faculty at Middle Tennessee State University

Dr. Naish Lalloo, Time: 01/2022 – 07/2022, Current: Faculty at North Carolina State University

Dr. Blair Winograd, Time: 01/2020 – 05/2021, Current: Ford Motor Company

Dr. Raymond Pugh, Time: 02/2016 – 02/2017, Current: Faculty at University of Wisconsin – Platteville

Dr. Alena Moon, Time: 05/2016 – 06/2018, Current: Faculty at University of Nebraska – Lincoln

Dr. Jordan Boothe, Time: 05/2017 – 08/2018, Current: Faculty at University of Pittsburgh – Greensburg

Dr. Jennifer Schmidt-McCormack, Time: 08/2017 – 07/2019, Current: Faculty and Coordinator of Success Programs at St. Ambrose University

GRADUATE ALUMNI

Dr. Danielle Maxwell, Time: 09/2019 – 07/2024, Current: Faculty at University of Detroit Mercy

Dr. Rebecca Fantone, Time: 09/2019 – 05/2024, Current: Faculty at University of Michigan

Dr. Ina Zaimi, Time: 09/2019 – 04/2024, Current: Instructional Consultant at University of Michigan Center for Research on Learning and Teaching

Dr. Field Watts, Time: 09/2018 – 12/2022, Current: Research Associate at ETS

Dr. Jeff Spencer, Time: 09/2017 – 11/2022, Current: K12 Science Instructional Coach/Education Consultant, State of Illinois Regional Office of Education #17

Dr. Eleni Zotos, Time: 09/2017 – 06/2022, Current: Faculty at University of Detroit Mercy

Dr. Megan Connor, Time: 09/2016 – 05/2021, Current: Faculty at Samford University

Nick Garza, Time: 09/2019 – 05/2021, Current: Program Officer at ACS Office of Higher Education

Josh Kenney, Time: 09/2017 – 06/2018, Current: Science Teacher at EMU Early College Alliance

UNDERGRADUATE ALUMNI