Presenter Bios

Mr. Amann is the Assistant Principal of Westlake High School. Prior to that, he taught mathematics at Westlake High School including AP Calculus, AP Statistics, Pre-Calculus Honors and Algebra 2 Trigonometry Honors. His interests include ways to bring science and math together so students can see the connections between these two disciplines.

Maddie is the Director of Curriculum at Inspirit AI. Before joining the team, Maddie taught computer science at Wildwood School, an independent K-12 school in Los Angeles. She received her Master's in Technology, Innovation, and Education at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, and received her Bachelor's at Stanford University. She is a K-12 curriculum innovation leader and loves building computer science and artificial intelligence projects for students.

Aiden Dumitru is a 20 year-old composer/songwriter, pianist, and poet from Cortlandt Manor, NY. He began studying piano at the age of 4, and creating his own music at around the age of 10 (despite having grotesquely large thumbs). Aiden is currently studying composition with a minor in music business and concentration in piano at the University of Hartford's Hartt School conservatory in West Hartford, Connecticut. After college, Aiden aims to break into the multidisciplinary realm of music writing in the film, television, dance industries while still (hopefully) finding the time and market for his music that also stands on its own.

Lisa Ellrodt is a Sr. HRIS Systems Programmer and Adjunct Instructor at Pace University. She holds a BS in Computer Science and Mathematics as well as a MS in Internet Technology from Pace University. Currently she is pursuing a Doctor of Professional Studies degree in Computing at Pace University with an anticipated completion in 2021. Lisa’s experience includes 20+ years in the technology field and has ranged from enterprise desktop support, enterprise system administration, HIPAA Security Officer, Sr. System Programmer and Adjunct Instructor. In all her roles, security is a primary focus both in her professional and teaching responsibilities. Lisa’s interests include wearable technology and robotics.

Kate Fink is an associate professor in Pace University’s Department of Media, Communications, and Visual Arts, where she teaches Making Media with Drones as well as other courses in digital journalism. She is also a former radio journalist and host, spending most of her career with NPR member station WDUQ in Pittsburgh.

You might know Fujifilm for its instant [Instax] and digital cameras, but did you know the company began applying its expertise in imaging to improve human health in 1936? Today, Fujifilm’s medical imaging innovations are in healthcare facilities across the globe.

Chloe trained in Chemistry at the University of Bath (England) and has since had experience in market research with companies including Givaudan where she worked with perfumes, and then Mars where she moved onto working with chocolate. She then moved to MMR Research where she worked on moisturizers, sun screen, toothpaste and mouthwash in the UK before moving to Pleasantville, New York to work on a whole range of products from french fries to coffee.

Dr. Stephanie LaMassa is a Scientist at the Space Telescope Science Institute working on the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). Steph received her bachelor’s degree in astronomy and physics from Boston University. She then worked for several years as a mission planner for the Chandra X-ray Observatory at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics before starting graduate school at The Johns Hopkins University. After receiving her PhD from JHU, she held a postdoctoral research position at Yale University, followed by a fellowship position at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. Steph joined STScI in 2017 and currently serves as the manager of the JWST NIRISS instrument branch.

Dr. LaMassa studies the growth and evolution of accreting supermassive black hole holes (i.e., active galactic nuclei) and the interplay between black hole fueling and star formation from a multi-wavelength perspective. Steph is also interested in understanding how highly variable active galactic nuclei provide insight into the feeding habits of black holes and their lifetimes.

I am currently a candidate for a Ph.D in Computer Science from Pace University with an expected graduation date of May 2022. My graduate research in the area of quantum computing coupled with my experience in leadership in the military and my interest in advancing this field to the next generation of computer scientists and application developers, has prepared me for using my potential in quantum computing.

My interest in this field was sparked by taking a course in quantum computing. Our class visited the IBM ThinkLab where IBM hosts addressed our group and led us to view quantum computers. I stood next to refrigeration cylinders taking pure energy enveloped in gold to 15 degrees millikelvin so we can dance with qubits! This was a defining moment in my education. It led me to choose Deep Knowledge Tracing of Student Experience in Quantum Computing as my Ph.D. research topic .

Prior to pursuing a career in research and education, I spent twenty six years on Active and Reserve status in the army where I achieved certification and accreditation of information systems, logistics, inventory, validation of artifacts for contracting to prove accurate delivery of computer services, software or hardware as promised, change management, communications, quality assurance, leadership of teams and 200+ person organizations. Over ten years Computer and Telecommunications Security experience, including cryptography used to secure data.

The New York University Robotic Design Team is a team of undergraduate and graduate students from NYU's Tandon School of Engineering. Our diverse student members are from all over the United States and the world. We are not only a team of researchers, but a group of activists and educators whose goal is to help promote STEM education amongst our community.

We are a competing team in the NASA Lunabotics Competition, hosted annually at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, FL.

Keith is a Forensic Photographer and Image Analyst for the Westchester County Forensic Lab. He has served in that role for over 20 years. He is a certified Forensic Photographer and Forensic Video Examiner by the International Association for Identification where he also serves on the Forensic Video Certification Board. Keith is also a member of the National Institute of Justice’s Organization of Scientific Area Committees (OSAC) Video and Image Analysis Subcommittee, and a member of the Scientific Working Group on Digital Evidence (SWGDE) where he serves on the Photography task groups.

After completing a B.A. in Psychology at Columbia University, Ms. Anja Mubuuke combined her passion for exercise, physical conditioning, and psychology by working with diverse clients in youth sports, personal training, and physical therapy. Through these experiences, Anja witnessed the powerful results and positive impact on her clients by providing dedicated time, personal attention and working together toward their goals. As YMCA’s Director of Wellness and Healthy Living, she developed wellness programming for members. Prior to her work at Anxiety Institute, Anja worked in a residential setting advocating for clients with varied and co-occurring disorders, including borderline personality disorder, depression, and anxiety. In pursuit of a more holistic approach for total wellbeing, she earned her M.S.W. at Columbia School of Social work to expand upon her expertise in physical training and combine it with a clinical perspective.

A Division 1 collegiate athlete and world champion qualifier for Ironman Triathlon, Anja understands the relationship between psychological and physical health, and the impact on thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.

Dr. Adrianne E. Pierce received her training in Classics at Swarthmore College and the Johns Hopkins University. She taught at Hackley School in Tarrytown for 26 years where she was Head of Classics from 2003-2021. In 2015, Dr. Pierce and her students opened an archaeological trench on campus where bits of Hackley history were discovered, including animal bones thought to be horse from the time when Hackley had a stable on the campus.

Ms. Samantha Roller received her Bachelors’ Degree in Psychology from SUNY Binghamton University. She studied Applied Behavioral Analysis and implemented curricula to increase or decrease behaviors of children with autism and learning disabilities. Upon graduation, Sam studied to become a certified Kripalu yoga instructor and Souluna Life Coach. With these, Sam utilizes mindfulness, meditation, movement, breathing and reiki skills to overcome limiting beliefs and help others create a sense of freedom in their lives. Outside of the Anxiety Institute, Sam works with traumatized preschoolers, teens, and seniors.

Mr. John Sarlo holds a Bachelor's degree in Geology from Brooklyn College and a Master's in Education from Mercy College. He has been teaching earth science, forensic science, astronomy and geology at the high school level for the Beacon City School District for the past 14 years. He was responsible for developing curriculum for the geology, astronomy and earth science courses. He collaborates with the physics department during the physics field day on an annual basis. This past summer he assisted Dr. Pauline Mosley, who built the “Sea Perch” underwater robot that was showcased at the SWAG conference. As an avid environmentalist and conservationist he is deeply committed to the benefits achieved through partnering nature, science and technology.

Dr. Robin Sturtz is a 2004 graduate of the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Georgia. While in veterinary school, Dr. Sturtz worked with a wide variety of animals – turtles, birds, ferrets, horses, cattle, dogs, cats, and goats. She also worked with one snake and one chimpanzee, both of which were memorable (and completely anesthetized by the time she saw them). As a clinician, Dr. Sturtz has worked in small animal medicine since graduation. Her particular focus is in feline internal medicine. She is very fond of cats, and their human families (and has the scars to prove it – from the cats, not the humans). Her oldest patient was just shy of 23 years old; her youngest was one day old. Dr. Sturtz is currently the Program Director for the Veterinary Technology Program at Long Island University Post. The program is new, and has been a labor of love to construct. She is owned by two cats, Sisko and Dax.