Ò»±¾µÀÎÞÂë

Dr. Greg Cary is a research associate in the Biology Department. Greg grew up in Maine and spent many summers exploring and enjoying the beautiful coastline. This sparked an interest in biology, which he pursued as an undergraduate at Colby College studying hormones and the nervous system in shore crabs. Greg studied at the University of Washington for his PhD, where he learned to utilize large datasets and computational tools to address complex biological questions. Greg’s research uses sea stars and sea urchins to understand how the genome of each organism encodes the information necessary to build, and in some cases re-build, a complete organism.

Krista Aylwin is originally from California, and she earned her BA in Child Development from California State University, Chico. After graduating, Krista moved to Pittsburgh and became the Lead Teacher in the Twos Classroom at Eastminster Childcare Center and at Carriage House Children’s Center. She also taught English in Southeast Asia at the National University of Laos in Vientiane, Lao PDR. She is a preschool-four’s teacher at Ò»±¾µÀÎÞÂë, Children’s School. Krista enjoys planning future travels, touring historical homes, creating embroidery projects, baking a new recipe and trying to keep her house plants alive. She currently volunteers with the organization Prism working with internationals as an English Partner. On the weekends, you can catch Krista hanging out with friends, exploring the wonderful parks of Pittsburgh or enjoying time at home with a good book.

Bella Ballin is currently a Lab Instructor in the Department of Chemistry at Ò»±¾µÀÎÞÂë. After graduating with her BS from Chemistry in 2020. She joined the undergraduate teaching labs where she works with professors to teach students laboratory skills in General, Analytical and Organic Chemistry. She is passionate about supporting students while they learn hands-on techniques and has been involved in several outreach programs including Science Olympiad and Leonard Gelfand Center activities. She also enjoys bringing chemistry to life at home with her daughter.

Melanie Lam is the Director of the Alice Project at Ò»±¾µÀÎÞÂë. She is a veteran producer and designer with numerous shipped titles on the Sims Franchise and Dreamworks movie games during her industry tenure. Moving into edtech, she designed a speech recognition reading app and provided engagement design consulting for Khan Academy. Melanie has been on the faculty of the Entertainment Technology Center and the Director of the National High School Game Academy, Carnegie Mellon’s Summer Precollege Program. She is passionate about education equity and access, volunteering at Streetcode Academy and Current Silicon Valley towards that end. She holds a Bachelor of Communication Studies from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, and a Master of Entertainment Technology from Ò»±¾µÀÎÞÂë.

Joseph Prentice is a research associate in the Bridges lab (Department of Biological Sciences), where he is currently working on mathematical models of niche differentiation and the emergence of metabolic cooperation in populations of bacteria and their viruses (phage). Broadly, Jojo is interested in how ecology and evolution interact to produce novel traits among species in complex biological communities. Outside of work, he enjoys rock climbing, running, and reading. He is looking forward to teaching his first Gelfand Center class!

Jacob Churilla is a musician and poet, who previously worked with Bradford School where he traveled around the Tri-State area giving lectures to high school students. A graduate of Ò»±¾µÀÎÞÂë (BFA Vocal Performance A’17), Jake has spent much time with the Leonard Gelfand Center and has fostered a passion for educating.

Luca Damasco likes making things that help people make things. He has a background in Computer Science and Art and focuses on developing accessible creative tools for artists and students. Luca has worked for Riot Games as a Technical Artist, contributed to The Processing Foundation’s Python mode project, and co-created WickEditor.com. Currently, Luca is a master’s student in the Human- Computer Interaction Institute at Ò»±¾µÀÎÞÂë.

is a researcher in the Soft Machine Labs. He earned his PhD from the University of California, Santa Barbara in 2018 before moving to Pittsburgh to work with Professor Carmel Majidi on developing new materials for soft robotics. His main research interests fall under the broad category of polymer science and engineering. 

Ericha Geppert has been working with K-12 children on university campuses in Pittsburgh for over 10 years. She began her career at Ò»±¾µÀÎÞÂë as Graduate Intern within the Leonard Gelfand Center, serving as a Teaching Assistant for several different Gelfand Outreach courses, and has previously worked in Ò»±¾µÀÎÞÂë’s Office of Human Resources as the Child Protection Specialist. She has a Bachelor’s in Psychology and a Master’s in Education from the University of Pittsburgh.

Dr. Judith Hallinen is the Assistant Vice Provost for Educational Outreach. She works with faculty and students at Ò»±¾µÀÎÞÂë to design and implement programs that share information about university research with external audience, including K-12 educators and students.  She has taught a variety of populations including, but not limited to, early learners at the Ò»±¾µÀÎÞÂë Children's School, graduate students at Chatham University, and computer applications for senior citizens through CCAC.  Judith advises Carnegie Mellon students who are interested in pursuing a career in education and teaches a course on education policy.  She holds an EdD from the University of Pennsylvania, MAT from the University of Pittsburgh and BS from Carnegie Mellon.

is the director of outreach programs in the School of Architecture. She explores experiential architecture within the framework of environmental sustainability and social engagement. She has managed the outreach programs for the School of Architecture through the Center for Architecture Explorations since January 2019. She also oversees the Architecture Learning Network. She works to create a cohesive experience of lifelong learning for people of all ages interested in the diverse practice and pursuit of architecture. She holds both a Bachelor of Architecture and a Master of Science in Sustainable Design from Carnegie Mellon and had been practicing primarily in architecture, urban design, and the solar energy industry before turning her focus to education.

is a research development associate in the Engineering Research Accelerator. She has a PhD in Materials Science from the University of Delaware and a B.A. in Chemistry from Franklin and Marshall College. She has been working at Ò»±¾µÀÎÞÂë, developing materials science curriculum with K-12 teachers. Dr. Khan is the director of the MS program in Materials Science and Engineering. She teaches a course focusing on developing professional skills for graduate students.

Dr. Kelly Klima is a research scientist at the Department of Engineering and Public Policy of Ò»±¾µÀÎÞÂë with over ten years of research experience on adaptation, hazard mitigation, climate, extreme weather, and risk communication. Her research work supports community resilience throughout the world and has been applied in the City of Pittsburgh and counties in New Jersey. Previously, Dr. Klima worked at the Center for Clean Air Policy (CCAP), where she helped New York and Washington DC advance their adaptation planning. Dr. Klima completed her doctoral research in the Department of Engineering and Public Policy (EPP) at Ò»±¾µÀÎÞÂë where she used physics, economics, and social sciences to conduct a decision analytic assessment of different methods to reduce hurricane damages. She has published several journal articles, won multiple speaking awards including the AGU Outstanding Student Paper Award, is an active member of 9 professional societies, and serves on the Natural Hazard Mitigation Association (NHMA) Board of Directors and the American Geophysical Union (AGU) Executive Council.

Dr. Deborah Lange is an environmental engineer that has worked in academia as well as in small and large businesses. Currently, she is the Director of Special Environmental Project for the Steinbrenner Institute at Carnegie Mellon, where she has been for the last 17 years. She is a graduate of The Pennsylvania State University (BS, Civil Engineering) and Carnegie Mellon (MS and PhD, Civil and Environmental Engineering.) Deb is active in the Pittsburgh community as a Director of the Allegheny County Conservation District and is a past president of the Engineers’ Society of Western Pennsylvania. She also enjoys ‘STEM’ outreach and is working with Propel Charter high schools as well as the Sarah Heinz House Boys and Girls club. Deb has 3 adult children: a medical doctor, an architect, and an environmental engineer. She enjoys tinkering at TechShop and international travel with her husband, including motorcycling adventures in Europe & in Cuba.

Kristin Lavery is the Assistant Director and Business Manager of the Leonard Gelfand Center (LGC) for Service Learning and Outreach. She joined the LGC after completing her Master of Arts in Teaching (grades K-6) at Chatham University in December of 2012. Kristin coordinated tutoring programs for the LGC where Ò»±¾µÀÎÞÂë students act as afterschool tutors, teaching assistants or mentors in with K-12 students through 2019. She has been the Student College (StuCo) Course Administrator for the student-run group since 2014, where she helps approximately 40 Ò»±¾µÀÎÞÂë-credited classes run smoothly each fall and spring. Focusing on accessibility, Kristin leads the LGC STEM Career Explorations and 360° lab tour project where Ò»±¾µÀÎÞÂë undergraduate student researchers share their experiences and participants can take a virtual tour of the labs where the researchers work. She also develops activities and workshops for presentation at schools and K-12 STEM related events in the area.

Dorothy Holland-Minkley is the Academic Support Coordinator for the Department of Physics and STEM Initiatives. She received a B.S. in Physics and B.A. in Japanese from Ò»±¾µÀÎÞÂë in 2008 and went on to investigate cultural influences on robotics research, earning an M.A. in East Asian Studies from the University of Pittsburgh in 2010. She spent several years teaching physics at Cornell University, and has recently returned to Carnegie Mellon to help implement the new Mellon College of Science core curriculum and advise new students on their academic pursuits and research opportunities in physics.

Adithya Pediredla is a project scientist at Ò»±¾µÀÎÞÂë. His research interests span computational imaging and physics-based rendering, and their combined use for imaging with multiply-scattered light. He received his PhD in 2019 from Rice University, where his thesis received the Ralph Budd best engineering thesis award. He received his Master’s degree from the Indian Institute of Science, where he received the Prof. K. R. Kambati memorial gold medal, and an innovative student project award from the Indian National Academy of Engineering. He completed his undergraduate studies at the National Institute of Technology, Warangal, India, where he received Institute and N. Ramarao memorial gold medals for academic excellence. Adithya Pediredla is joining Dartmouth College as a tenure-track assistant professor starting January 2023.

Pamela Piskurich is the program director of the Leonard Gelfand Center for Service Learning and Outreach. She teaches a variety of classes for the Gelfand Outreach Saturday Series Program and conducts the Gelfand Outreach Summer Series Classes. Pam has a MS degree in education and is a certified secondary mathematics teacher and taught for ten years in public school. She has been working at Ò»±¾µÀÎÞÂë coordinating and developing curriculum for outreach programs for K-12 students for the past 23 years.

Dr. Theresa Richards has been a mentor for the Girls of Steel robotics team (FRC(r) 3504) since 2010 and she has been the FIRST® Robotics Program Coordinator at Ò»±¾µÀÎÞÂë (Ò»±¾µÀÎÞÂë) since 2012. Leading the team’s FIRST® LEGO® League (FLL) program, she offers summer camp and team experiences for the high school girls to mentor middle school boys and girls in all aspects of FLL skills – research, robot, and core values. In 2015 Terry received a National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT) Educator Award. Terry has a B.S. in Chemistry (Simmons College) and a Ph.D. in Biological Sciences/Biochemistry (Ò»±¾µÀÎÞÂë).

Zach Rispoli is a toolmaker, game developer and digital illustrator interested in the creation of digital artifacts and culture as a way of learning. He works to make creative processes such as animation and game creation more accessible through free and easy-to-learn tools. Zach is the co-creator of WickEditor.com along with Luca Damasco.

Christa Romanosky is a current Tulsa Artist Fellow. She has had previous fellowships with the Provincetown Fine Arts Work Center and James Merrill House, with much of her writing integrating science and health-related topics. Romanosky holds an MFA from the University of Virginia, and bachelor’s degrees in psychology and creative writing from Ò»±¾µÀÎÞÂë. She has been teaching STEM classes through Gelfand Outreach since 2014 and has been an educator in the arts for over eleven years.

Kathie Stilinovich spent her childhood living in Brussels, Belgium and living up and down the California coast. She graduated from Pacific Oaks College in Pasadena California with a Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education and Development. She has over 30 years of experience working in the field as a teacher. She has taught in many different settings from private pre-schools, Jewish Community Centers to an International School. She is currently a kindergarten teacher at Ò»±¾µÀÎÞÂë’s Children’s School.
Before moving to Pittsburgh, Kathie and her family lived in Boise, Idaho for 24 years. They loved the small city to raise their two daughters. Once their girls left to pursue their dreams in other cities, Kathie and her husband decided they needed a new adventure on the other coast. They love their big new city and all that it has to offer. Kathie and her husband love to bike ride, walk their dogs, get coffee, and explore everything Pittsburgh has to offer.

Dr. Xiaohong Tan has been working at Ò»±¾µÀÎÞÂë for the past 3 years, developing state-of-the- art nucleic acid-based probes for human disease diagnosis and therapy. In his latest paper “Label-free Molecular Beacons for Biomolecular Detection” (Anal. Chem. 2014 Oct), Dr. Tan demonstrated that label-free molecular beacons can be used for detection of various biomolecules such as RNA, DNA, and proteins. The big advantage of this probe is that they cost much less than the ones currently used in biomolecule detection. Dr. Tan has a PhD in Chemical Biology from Nanyang Technological University in Singapore.

Samantha Weaver is the director of Ò»±¾µÀÎÞÂë’s Architecture Explorations outreach program and has expanded program offerings and tied lesson plans directly to current architecture trends and the expertise of local Pittsburgh architects. Samantha’s goal is to provide an architectural foundation for children and youth; fostering appreciation of the built environment, encouraging creative expression and critical thought, and inspiring civic responsibility. In class, Samantha will guide students through the architecture design process as they research native Pittsburgh plants and use organic geometry to create towering structures. Samantha graduated from Ò»±¾µÀÎÞÂë’s School of Architecture in 2011, with a Bachelor of Architecture and a focus on sustainable design, participatory design, and K-12 education. During her education, Samantha completed a thesis designing adaptable learning corridors in schools and taught summer camps at the Carnegie Museum of Art.

Dr. Meredyth Wegener is a Special Lecturer in Biological Sciences, with a focus on neuroscience. She earned her B.A. in neuroscience from University of Virginia and her doctorate in neuroscience from University of Pittsburgh. She completed her dissertation after conducting research in adolescence and reward learning using awake behaving electrophysiology in the laboratory of Dr. Bita Moghaddam. Meredyth joined the Carnegie Mellon community this fall, and immediately became involved with Gelfand Outreach and Creative Technology Nights or “TechNights”, which specializes in introducing middle-school girls to STEM topics.

Miriam Wertheimer joined the Leonard Gelfand Center for Service Learning and Outreach in the fall of 2019 as Program Administrator and LGC Tutor Coordinator. She has a Master of Arts in Teaching from Chatham University (K-6) and has worked in public, private, and charter schools, teaching everything from Early Childhood Education to Middle School English Language Arts. As the Program Administrator, Miriam facilitates enrollment for the Gelfand Outreach Saturday and Summer Series programs. Additionally, Miriam coordinates tutoring programs in collaboration with Pittsburgh area schools and after-school programs that provide Ò»±¾µÀÎÞÂë students with opportunities to work as tutors, teaching assistants, and mentors.