Participants

Lecturer in Biology at UM

Ph.D. (Microbiology) from UT-Austin

B.A. (Molecular Biology) from UW-Madison

Interests

• Taking pictures without people in them

• Armchair generalship, political handicapping, Monday-morning quarterbacking, lost causes of all kinds

• Badger athletics, esp. beating Michigan

• Landscaping golf courses, one stroke at a time

• Whatever the liquor equivalent of a foodie is

• Roadtrips and roadhouses

• Games of chance and skill

Lecturer, Chemistry

Ph.D. (Organic Chemistry) University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

B.S. Chemistry, Georgia Institute of Technology

As a young child I did not imagine a professional life centered in the classroom. I decided to be a scientist. Graduate school provided the revelatory experience that teaching was tremendous fun!

When things all sorted out, I found the perfect job for me: a lecturer. I can maximize my time teaching, help solve puzzles through academic advising, and have the flexibility to keep up with my two daughters. My husband claims that I make up for not getting to work in the lab by replacing it with cooking and gluten free baking.

I am a third year PhD student in Higher Education. My research interests include teaching and learning in college, institutional support for teaching, and assessment of student learning outcomes. I received my MA in Higher Education from U-M in 2008 and my BA from Grinnell College in 2002. I worked at CRLT as a research assistant from 2008-2010. I have an 11-month old daughter, Maya, and husband, Spencer Piston.

I am a third year Ph.D. candidate conducting graduate research in organic chemistry. I spend most of my time in Dr. Pavel Nagorny's lab working on chiral phosphoric acid-catalyzed, non-thermodynamic spiroketalization reactions and am writing my dissertation on stereocontrolled nucleophilic additions to oxocarbenium ions. In my spare time, I do a fair bit of educational work with Dr. Ginger Shultz in Chemistry 216 and am beginning to move more into analytics.

Outside of the lab, I help mentor a FIRST robotics team (this year our robot is playing ultimate frisbee and climbing pyramids!), play far too much Diablo III and Call of Duty, watch way too much baseball and drink excessive amounts of coffee.

I received my B.A./B.S. from The Evergreen State College and Ph.D. in Chemistry at the University of Oregon. I am a Research Fellow and Lecturer in the Chemistry department here at Michigan. Though my graduate research was lab based, focusing on the synthesis of photodegradable organometallic polymers, I transitioned to chemical education research after arriving at UM in 2010. My current research interests involve problem-based learning in organic chemistry labs and the teaching and learning of spectroscopy.

Ph.D. (Brain and Cognitive Sciences), University of Rochester

B.S. (Linguistics and Cognitive Science), Pomona College

I am a CRLT post-doc doing a variety of faculty development work including assessment projects, consulting with faculty and grad students, and workshops on teaching and learning. I've had an interest in teaching for a long time and I'm thrilled to find a career that allows me to be in the trenches with educators, but still allow me enough time for other pursuits like sewing, cooking, reading and watching embarrassingly trashy TV.

B.S. in Physics, Temple University

Ph.D. in Physics, University of Chicago

I'm a faculty member in Physics and Astronomy, the Director of the LSA Honors Program, and the Chair of the Learning Analytics Task Force. My research is in big-data cosmology, especially the Sloan Digital Sky Survey and the Dark Energy Survey. This work, and my teaching experience, led me to start studying students, and over the last few years I have led the E2Coach project in Physics.

Among other things I like birding and music of all kinds. This picture is relevant! That's me performing three years ago in Guys and Dolls with Vic Strecher. Meeting him there led directly to the creation of E2Coach.

B.A. in History/Anthropology, THE Ohio State University

M.S.I. in Human Computer Interaction (in progress)

I'm not nearly as angry/surly as I look in my picture. My interest is focused on the way systems work with people. I am discovering that I really thrive within the creative group process of debate and discussion. I love talking about interfaces and how to improve them, even if I sometimes don't know what I'm talking about. Oh, and outside of classes I love movies, tabletop gaming (board & story games), cycling, and food.

I would describe myself as a mindful educator neuroscientist. In the lab, I'm interested in molecular mechanisms related to mental health and psychiatric disorders; my dissertation has focused on the impact of stress hormones on mRNA expression in a particular brain cell (astrocyte). As a teacher and mentor, I'm interested in how scientific training influences career development, the impact and outcomes of neuroscience curriculum on non-science majors, and supporting diversity in science. I like to sing, play tennis, trying new recipes in the kitchen, playing strategy board games with friends, and knowing way more sports knowledge than I should.

I am a postdoc at CRLT, but only for a few more days! I'm headed to Michigan State University to work on reimagining the biology curriculum there. I'll be working with Joe Krajcik whom many of you may remember from U-M's School of Education.

My guilty pleasure is watching The Biggest Loser and my new hobby is commuting to East Lansing.

Ph.D. (Education - Learning Technologies), UM

B.A. (Psychology & Religious Studies), UC Santa Barbara

I'm a Research Specialist in the USE Lab, which is part of the Library's Digital Media Commons. My research, in general, focusses on how people teach and learn using technology in higher education. I have specialized in assembling, manipulating, and analyzing large sets of data from disparate sources (e.g., survey responses, CTools data, and UM data warehouse) in order to help answer those questions. I am currently working on two Exploring Learning Analytics grants.

Outside of work, I chase after two little boys (ages 4.5 & 1), play in the A2 Ultimate Frisbee Rec. league, and love to attend UM sporting events when we get a chance. Go Blue!

BA, Colgate University - Spanish

PhD, Texas A&M University - Systematics

I am a Professor in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and Curator of Mammals, a collection totaling over 150,000 specimens, in the Museum of Zoology. As an evolutionary biologist I study the nature of the species boundary by investigating genetic interactions in naturally occurring hybrid populations of mice. For many years I taught the Evolution course, a core requirement for Biology concentrators. I now teach a senior EEB capstone seminar.

I’m the proud mom of two recent college graduates. Until a few years ago I spent much of my free time following my kids from the soccer field to poetry slams. I’m an avid perennial gardener and a hiker. Last summer I did the Haute Route through the Swiss Alps - 10 days, 70 miles and 9 mountain passes.

BFA Graphic Design, Iowa State University

MSI Human-computer Interaction, UM (in progress)

My interests revolve around purposeful interface design according to concrete user needs and creating meaningful and practical tools which may positively impact others. Besides school, most of my time is spent figuring out when and what I'm going to eat next. The rest of my time I spend running outside aimlessly because for some reason, I find that enjoyable. Also, I will high-five if provoked.

Assistant Professor, Statistics

Ph.D. (Computer Science), UC Berkeley

M.A. (Statistics), UC Berkeley

B.Tech (Computer Science & Engineering), IIT Kanpur, India

My main research area is machine learning, i.e. constructing automated systems that can learn and improve their performance on some task over time. In the past, I've mostly worked on theoretical problems in formalizing what learning means and the possibilities and limitations of what can be learned from a finite amount of experience. Recently, I've been drawn towards applied problems in social network analysis, behavior change via smartphone interventions, and learning analytics.

My favorite pastime is playing with my 3 year old daughter.

Masters Student, School of Information, Social Computing/Archives & Records Management

Associate Professor, Women's, Gender & Sexuality Studies, Ohio State University (on leave)

MA/PhD, Women's Studies, Emory University

BA, Sociology/Women's Studies, University of Michigan

I've taken a leave (of my senses) from a tenured post to come back to school, so my courses in SI actually feel like fun, stimulating free time...most of the time...when I'm not being tortured by some computer language like Python (aka My Nemesis).

My previous research was on social movement theory and in cultural studies. Now I can just watch television without feeling compelled to theorize it. And that happens automagically.

I am a second year PhD student in Economics and am specializing in education economics and industrial organization. Most of my research experience comes from K-12 and Higher Education education research. I am currently researching how college students choose majors based on their ability signals from course grades.

Besides Economics, I am interested in the entomology and the networks formed by social colonies... actually I just really like watching ants.

As shown, I have some amateur architectural skills. But I am most guilty of playing with Lego's. My deepest passion is to justify playing video games in order to further my research.

MS (Information), University of Michigan (in progress)

BA (Mathematics), University of California, Santa Cruz

I have worked at various small academic organizations and always gravitated towards digitizing the information produced. In my first year as a graduate student at the UM School of Information, I enjoy studying the life cycle of information to better inform a future career as an information officer. In particular, I'd like to understand how to better utilize metrics, data, and analytics as it applies to student inquiries. As a Learning Analytics Fellow, I hope to apply data analytics to develop a course recommender system that is linked to job outcomes aimed at students transitioning careers.

I work in the Newnan LSA Advising Center in Angell Hall, as the Director of Academic Standards & Academic Opportunities. I’m fascinated by Learning Analytics and the possibilities it offers for examining and increasing students’ academic success. I’m particularly interested in analyzing our work with students on probation, and finding new ways to help them improve their academic performance.

I have a wonderful techno-geek husband who enjoys hearing about my SLAM experiences, and a 16-year-old daughter who shares my warped sense of humor and my love of learning. We’re also hosting a 16-year-old exchange student from Cairo this year. When I’m not working I love to read, watch movies, and do triathlons! (I completed my 11^th one last summer.) I also love to write.

Education: M.A. in Spanish, B.A. in Elementary and Bilingual Education, both from Michigan State University. Taught in bilingual classrooms in Michigan, Guatemala, and California before coming to UM in 1991 (and spoke more Spanish in L.A. than I did in Guatemala).

A.B. in Natural Science, University of Pennsylvania

M.A. in Classical Studies, University of Michigan

I’m one of those people who came to Ann Arbor for graduate school, never imagining for a minute that I would end up spending most of my adult life here. As a graduate student I found employment and my eventual profession as an academic advisor, and never looked back – OK, only rarely looked back.

My current responsibilities as Director of LSA Advising Technology are an ideal mix of advising students (which keeps me grounded in the realities of what our students do and experience) and my administrative responsibilities to discover and support the technology needs of academic advisors in the Advising Center and in all academic departments throughout the College.

I have been a member of the UMS Choral Union for many years – so many that I’m willing to bet that I have sung the Messiah more times than anyone else you know.

Director of the Program in Biology

Arthur F. Thurnau Professor of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology; Professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology

NIH Postdoctoral Scholar, University of California, Davis

PhD University of Wisconsin, Madison: Plant Cell Biology

MS Iowa State University: Plant Physiology

BA Doane College, Crete, NE: Biology, Math, German

As Director of the Program in Biology, I work with students in all 7 biology concentrations (and 3 minors) and with the faculty from both of the Biology departments. My research area is cell biology. I am specifically interested in peroxisome physiology and proteomics. I enjoy teaching introductory biology, intro to plant biology, writing in biology, and a few other random courses.

Outside of work, my partner and I spend a lot of time training and competing with our Dalmatians. In fact, we are expecting a small litter of 2 or so puppies in early February. I also enjoy quilting, reading, college football, and dinners with friends.

I earned a B.A. in chemistry and women’s studies at Bowdoin College and my Ph.D. in chemistry from Caltech. Prior to coming to CRLT, I taught chemistry at Gustavus Adolphus College and courses on pedagogy to undergraduate peer leaders as part of the Workshop program at the University of Rochester. At the University of Rochester, I also was the point person on the research projects investigating the effectiveness of the Workshop program. As an instructional consultant at CRLT, I consult with faculty, co-directs the Rackham-CRLT Postdoc Short Course on College Teaching in the Sciences and Engineering, the Health Science Teaching Academy, the GSI teaching orientation, and overall play with new tech toys.

In my spare time I play with my 3-year old, Zach.

MPH, Health Behavior and Health Education (University of Michigan)

B.A., Psychology (Oakland University)

I currently work as a Student Affairs Program Manager with the Undergraduate Research Opportunity. My main responsibilities include coordinating admissions, supervising our lovely peer advisors, and directing the Community Based Research and Social Science and Humanities summer fellowship programs. I’m also the go to person for anything related to assessment and evaluation in the department, which is what brings me here. We are looking to use analytics to see if the skills students learn in their research projects translate to the classroom.

Outside of work, I’m a fitness and nutrition enthusiast, have a bit of an obsession with all things related to Detroit, and enjoy happy hours (especially when there’s a good craft beer on special).

Ph.D. Student in the School of Information

M.S.I. in Human Computer Interaction/Learning Technologies, UM

B.A. International Affairs, University of Maine

I'm a first year PhD student in the School of Information, and a member of the USE lab. I'm currently working on building GradeCraft, a game-inspired learning management system.

When I'm not coding I can usually be found plotting a new startup, taking on the adventure that is gluten free baking, or making photographs.

M.A. in Higher Ed. (BG)

J.D. - family & immigration (UA)

B.A. in Political Science + Asian Studies (BG)

I'm the Student Administration Manager for the Program in Biology which includes managing most of the services we provide for our undergraduates (advising, etc.) in addition to course scheduling, GSI hiring, teaching evaluations, etc., etc. I'm interested in improving our programs and I love playing with data.

Away from work, I stay busy as a mother of two (with an 8-year-old and an 8-month-old). I love to read and travel whenever I get the chance (not often these days :)

Doctoral Candidate in the Center for the Study of Higher and Postsecondary Education at U-M

Master's Degree in Higher Education - Harvard University

Bachelor's Degree in Economics - Boston College

Now in my fifth year in the doctoral program in higher education, I am working on a dissertation focused on the impact of electronic portfolios of student learning. Additionally, I work for the Division of Student Affairs as the Research Lead on MPortfolio and have a research assistantship that involves producing a predictive model of underrepresented minority college choice for the Alumni Association. Prior to arriving at Michigan, I was a Senior Research Analyst in the Office of Institutional Research and Evaluation at Tufts University.

Outside of my work, I have a wonderful wife Mandy and a son Matthew, who turns two in February. I'm a big sports fan, particularly college basketball, and a lover of music (I played bass in a rock band for 10 years).

Associate Professor, EECS Department BS, MS, PhD from U-M Blood type: maize and blue

I conduct research on optoelectronic materials and devices (solar cells, infrared detectors, thin film transistors, etc). I have a strong interest in improving engineering education by implementing active learning strategies and hands-on design/build/test components to courses.

In my other life, I am an endurance junkie (marathons, cycling, triathlons), homebrew nerd, and sets/props builder to support my 7-year old daughter's avid interest in theater.

I am a PhD Candidate in the Applied Physics Physics Program working with Jamie Phillips ^ on infrared optics. As a Minnesota native, I plan to return to the Twin Cities when I am done studying at Michigan. My bachelor's degrees are in applied physics and civil engineering from Michigan Tech where I participated on the varsity tennis team, a trying but rewarding experience.

I have found some time to pursue a couple hobbies (don't tell Professor Phillips), which include winemaking, espresso and coffee, purchasing but not riding bikes, and possibly in the near future, book-binding.

I am really excited to be a part of the Learning Analytics Fellows program. I look forward to meeting everybody, sharing ideas and discussion, and learning the foundation of learning analytics.

M.S. Candidate; Environmental Science and Biology

University of Michigan SNRE

B.S. Anthropology-Zoology and English Literature

University of Michigan

I am currently a third-year Master's student at the School of Natural Resources and Environment studying the migratory behavior and forest ecology of migrating male white-faced capuchin monkeys in the endangered dry forests of Guanacaste, Costa Rica. When not chasing monkeys and working on models, I love to teach and play soccer.

I am a fourth year PhD candidate in the department of political science, studying political theory. My current work focuses on the role of games as alternate sites of the experience of political life. That interest in games research has led to an interest in the potential use of game mechanisms – often referred to as “gamification” – in fostering student learning goals. As a Junior Learning Analytics Fellow, I am looking to explore how to identify and implement helpful learning metrics into “gamified” syllabi as I think about how I would like to design my own courses.

I have more than an academic interest in games and play. I am an alumnus of UNC-Chapel Hill and die-hard fan of Carolina basketball. I play intramural sports – soccer, basketball, softball – when they’re in season. I love playing video games online with friends dispersed across the country. I recently have become a huge fan of bar trivia.

I am an associate professor of astronomy (BSc Hons Glasgow 1996 Physics & Astronomy; PhD 1999 Durham Physics), now here for 3 1/2 years after moving from Max Planck Institute for Astronomy in Germany. My research is in galaxy evolution using large survey datasets - most recently the Sloan Digital Sky Survey, the Pan-STARRS 1 survey, and the CANDELS survey.

I love data, exploring correlations, testing ideas. I love teaching too; I am in the process of flipping my classrooms and I am working hard to make my classes more meaningful and useful for my students. Learning Analytics seems like a great way to join both interests, and explore using a new institution-level layer of measures how well students are learning, and how well I (or we, collectively) meet the interests of our students.

B.A. Philosophy & Psychology, Georgetown University

M.A. Humanities, University of Chicago

I am currently a doctoral student in the Learning Technologies program in the University of Michigan’s School of Education. My research interests are focused on how assessment design influences student motivation, student academic identity formation, and student autonomy.

Currently I am focused on understanding how features of good video games can inform the design of traditional learning environments, as well how technology can be used to support student learning. I am also a Research Associate in the USE Lab, which is part of the Library's Digital Media Commons.

M.S. Electrical Engineering, University of Washinton - Seattle

B.S. Physics and Math, University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point

Currently working on development of ECoach with Tim McKay in Physics at UM. Also starting a new position with the college of LSA where I'l be looking at historical data for transfer students toward identifying predictors of success and path to graduation.

Before coming to UM I founded a small business called Cransort that designs firmness grading technology for automated sorting of cranberries. Prior to that I worked for a couple years at the Boeing company in Seattle and before that for a startup called Smart Destinations.

Recently I've taken up knitting as a means of experimenting with something new :) Of course I'm very interested in making that into a data analysis project about reproducibility when controlling the length of yarn!