I’m Yuli, I am a first year Noyce scholar who loves math and cannot wait to start teaching. I've enjoyed my first year in the Noyce Program which has provided me with amazing opportunities, and I've learned so much. I can't wait to further my academic success and continue to thrive. ~ Yulissa Fuentes

I'm a mathematics major with a focus in education, currently finishing up my first year as a Noyce Scholar and heading into my second. I'm deeply dedicated to math—not just understanding it, but helping others find confidence and clarity in it too. Teaching is something I'm genuinely excited about, and I'm passionate about making math more accessible, engaging, and meaningful for every student I work with. ~ Adrian Estrada

Cody is a PhD candidate at the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA), where his research focuses on laboratory studies of materials analogous to stardust. His work aims to bridge laboratory research and observational astronomy to better understand the types of dust that may exist around asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars. As a first-generation Diné (Navajo) astrophysicist, Cody is committed to raising awareness of Indigenous perspectives in astronomy and fostering understanding across communities. Currently, Cody is working with NASA SCoPE to support professional development for instructors on and around the Navajo Nation by providing resources for use in the classroom.

Meara has a bachelor’s in Education, EC-6 from the University of Texas at San Antonio, as well as a Montessori certification. She spent 18 years in the classroom, primarily early childhood, before changing directions, obtaining a Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Texas A&M San Antonio. She is currently completing her PhD at Saybrook University in Counselor Education and Supervision. Her area of interest for research is rehabilitation efforts with incarcerated populations. Outside of academic pursuits, Meara is also a registered yoga teacher and highly interested in all things wellness. 

Dr. Richard W. Morris is a classroom teacher, engineer, and ethnographer. Presently he teaches Physics at Champion High School in Boerne, Texas. There he works to advance classroom instruction for science literacy with special interest in disadvantaged, displaced, and neurodiverse learners. Over the course of his career, Dr. Morris has taught and conducted educational research in public schools, universities, national laboratories (domestic and foreign), and various non-school settings. Dr. Morris’ current work integrates ethnographic research findings with proven instructional methods for enhanced learning outcomes. His preliminary findings suggest that certain instructional methods – such as “project-based learning” in the STEM fields – can increase student engagement and promote critical thinking while yielding measurable proficiency in the core sciences, i.e., biology, chemistry, and physics. Dr. Morris holds degrees in behavioral science (PhD/Rice) and systems engineering (MSE/Penn-Wharton). He has worked as an manager, educator, and/or trainer in a wide array of settings, both domestic and foreign. He is an American Leadership Fellow of the Robert Bosch Foundation and recipient of the Secretary’s Award of the Department of Health and Human Services. Dr. Morris speaks German, Indonesian, and Spanish.

Commentators

• Sean Bruna, Ph.D., Medical University of South Carolina (sean@seanbruna.com);

• Conan N. Louis, Esq. CNL Solutions (cnl@cnlsolutions.org); 

• Jeanne Qvarnstrom, Ed.D., Sul Ross State University, (jqvarnstrom@sulross.edu;

• Yunus Doğan Telliel, Ph.D. Worcester Polytechnic Institute (ydtelliel@wpi.edu);

• Jonathan Morris, Fulbright Scholar, University of Wisconsin (jmorris28@wisc.edu);

• Mandy Zheng, Savannah College of Art and Design. 

Kathy Pastora is an Education Specialist at the Science Mill in Johnson City, TX, where she teaches and develops STEM curriculum. With a strong foundation in language, literacy, and entrepreneurship, Kathy brings a wealth of experience from her years serving Title I schools, specializing in Bilingual and ESL education. Her career has been driven by a passion for fostering a love of reading and writing, and she is committed to inspiring curiosity, creativity, and confidence in learners of all ages. Kathy holds a B.A. in Spanish Literature and Latin American Studies from the University at Albany, NY, and a Master of Science in Curriculum and Instruction.