Grant Team
Purpose & Focus
Focus of Grant Team
The main focus of the grant team is to understand how Course Undergraduate Research Experiences (CUREs) can be implemented in the classroom and how they can contribute to better prepare students for choosing STEM careers, transfer and complete STEM careers and occupational programs, and successfully integrate into the STEM workforce.
The team we created is prepared to address the program’s objectives, satisfies the multi- and interdisciplinary nature of the project, and reflects the innovative, collaborative, and interdisciplinary nature of STEM.
Leadership
PI, CoPIs, and Program Coordinator are responsible for the execution, management, and administration of the program.
Senior Personnel
Senior Personnel contribute to the success of the program with their expertise. Their contribution to the grant effort varies depending on their discipline and area of knowledge.
Current
HELICE AGRIA, PHOENIX COLLEGE - BIO
DR. JENNIFER BROATCH, ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY - BIO
JACQUELINE CALA, CHANDLER GILBERT COMMUNITY COLLEGE - BIO
DR. ABEER HAMDAN, PHOENIX COLLEGE-BIO
ROCHELLE HELMINSKI, PHOENIX COLLEGE - BIO
BRET LITTLE, PHOENIX COLLEGE - BIO
DR. FRANK MARFAI, PHOENIX COLLEGE - BIO
DR. KEN SWEAT, ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY - BIO
NICHOLE ESCOBEDO, PHOENIX COLLEGE - BIO
DR. DEBBIE WEBSTER, PHOENIX COLLEGE - BIO
2019-2020
AMY BELL, PHOENIX COLLEGE - BIO (2019-2020)
MARIO CASTANEDA, ICT CONSULTING (2019-2020) - BIO
WARREN DANCER, ICT CONSULTING (2019-2020) - BIO
JENNIFER FOLTZ-SWEAT, GATEWAY COMMUNITY COLLEGE (2019-2020) - BIO
KIMBERLY KOBOJEK, ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY (2019-2020) - BIO
DR. BETH POLIDORO, ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY (2019-2020) - BIO
DANA WANG, PHOENIX COLLEGE (2019-2020)
Student Research Mentors
STEM-CURE research mentors are in a CURE project from design to implementation and dissemination. They work in collaboration with faculty, technicians, and industry partners. They are exposed to research design, research assistance, new procedures and technologies, and interaction with students in a mentor capacity.
Industry & Community Partners
Industry and community partners contribute to the program’s success with a significantly valuable component: they provide the connection from the classroom to real-world experiences. That, in turn, represents many advantages for students: awareness of workplace expectations, of local industry, of training and internship opportunities, and of career pathways. Learn about becoming a partner.
Advisory Board
Advisory Boards members periodically assess STEM-CURE program outcomes and make recommendations for improvement. Our Advisory Board members have many combined years of experience in college and program administration, community and government organization, industry trends and strategies, and grant management.
Our Board Members
Andy Baldwin (Biology Faculty, Mesa Community College)
Ian Bingham (Director of Communications, Arizona Department of Environmental Quality)
Steven Crawford (District Director of MCLI)
Maria Reyes (Dean of Industry & Public Service, Phoenix College)
Chris Schnick (Dean of Arts & Science, Chandler-Gilbert Community College)
Julie Stiak (District Director Workforce Strategies)
Want to get involved?
Are you interested in advocating for CUREs? Do you know someone who is passionate about research? Contact us at stem.cure@memo.maricopa.edu to see how you can get involved.
