Our faculty, who represent two universities and over ten academic departments, are active researchers with major grant support. In addition to research and teaching, they serve as editors of research journals, presidents of academic associations, and organizers of national and international conferences.
Dive deeper by exploring their interests, academic work, personal websites, or feel free to reach out via email or phone.
John Eggers
Teaching Professor
Department of Mathematics, UCSD
Students' mathematical understanding, technology, undergraduate education
Nick Johnson
Assistant Professor
School of Teacher Education, SDSU
Learning in interaction, early childhood math
Lisa Clement Lamb, MSED Steering Committee Member
Professor of Mathematics Education
School of Teacher Education, SDSU
Beliefs, teacher noticing
Rich Levine
Professor of Statistics
Faculty Advisor, Analytics Studies and Institutional Research
Department of Mathematics and Statistics, SDSU
Statistical methods, learning analytics, educational data mining
Joanne Lobato
Professor of Mathematics Education
Department of Mathematics and Statistics, SDSU
Videos in student learning, actor-oriented transfer, algebraic reasoning
Susan Nickerson, MSED Co-Director and Steering Committee Member
Professor of Mathematics Education
Department of Mathematics and Statistics, SDSU
Professional development, student/teacher understanding
Michael O'Sullivan
Professor and Chair
Department of Mathematics and Statistics, SDSU
Institutional change, online learning
Randolph A. Philipp
Director of the Center for Research in Mathematics and Science Education (CRMSE) and Professor of Mathematics Education
School of Teacher Education, SDSU
Professional development, teacher beliefs
Mary Pilgrim
Associate Professor of Mathematics Education
Department of Mathematics and Statistics, SDSU
Evidence-based teaching practices (design and sustainability), student writing in mathematics, professional development of graduate students
David Quarfoot
Assistant Teaching Professor
Department of Mathematics, UCSD
Mathematical problems, quantitative methods
Jeff Rabin, MSED Co-Director and Steering Committee Member
Professor of Mathematics
Department of Mathematics, UCSD
Reasoning and proof, the role of mathematics in science education
Chris Rasmussen, MSED Co-Director and Steering Committee Member
Professor of Mathematics Education
Department of Mathematics and Statistics, SDSU
Teaching/learning of undergraduate mathematics, institutional change, norms/beliefs
Daniel Reinholz
Associate Professor of Mathematics Education
Department of Mathematics and Statistics, SDSU
Holistic design, faculty development, equity/diversity/social justice
Melissa Soto
Associate Professor of Mathematics Education
School of Teacher Education, SDSU
Elementary education, professional development, mobile technology
Laura Stevens
Associate Teaching Professor
Department of Mathematics, UCSD
Pre-service teachers
William Zahner
Associate Professor of Mathematics Education
Department of Mathematics and Statistics, SDSU
Mathematical understanding, English-language learners, equity
Matt Anderson
Associate Professor of Physics
Department of Physics, SDSU
Student engagement, technology
Stacey Brydges
Teaching Professor
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, UCSD
Science literacy, K-grad education, pedagogical methods
Adam Burgasser
Professor
Department of Physics, UCSD
Observational astrophysics; interactive and embodied learning methods in Physics education
Thomas Bussey
Associate Teaching Professor
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, UCSD
Visual literacy, qualtitative/quantitative methods, technology
R. Sekhar Chivukula
Distinguished Professor
Department of Physics, UCSD
Particle physics, eletroweak symmetry breaking, STEM education
Fred Goldberg
Professor of Physics Education
Department of Physics, SDSU
Online learning environments, meaningful learning
Scott Kelley
Professor of Biology
Department of Biology, SDSU
Computational biology, mircobiology
Regis Komperda, MSED Graduate Advisor
Assistant Professor of Chemical Education
Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, SDSU
Statistical methods, evaluation of educational research instruments
Stanley Lo, MSED Steering Committee Member
Associate Teaching Professor
Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, UCSD
Faculty change, student identity, course-based undergraduate research experiences
Stanley Maloy
Associate Vice President of Research and Innovation and Professor of Biology
Department of Biology, SDSU
Genetic, molecular, biochemical, and genomic explorations of bacteria
Lisa McDonnell
Associate Teaching Professor
Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, UCSD
Influence of teaching practices on student learning and the development of scientific thinking
Walter Oechel
Professor of Biology
Biology Department, SDSU
Productivity and growth dynamics of ecosystems, policy-maker communication
Melinda Owens
Assistant Teaching Professor of Biology
Division of Biological Sciences, UCSD
How college instructors teach biology, how college students think about biology
Donna Ross
Associate Professor of Science Education
School of Teacher Education, SDSU
Teacher beliefs, student thinking of scientific principles
Katie Schenkel
Assistant Professor of Science Education
School of Teacher Education, SDSU
Equity/justice/power, critical science agency, community-based science learning
Meredith Houle Vaughn
Associate Professor of Science Education
School of Teacher Education, SDSU
Curriculum design, professional development
Haim Weizman
Teaching Professor
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, UCSD
Organic chemistry education, lab development
Gabriele Wienhausen
Distinguished Teaching Professor Emeritus
UCSD
Meaningful biology education, institutional change
Kathy Williams
Professor of Biology
Biology Department, SDSU
Curriculum design, student engagement, teaching methods
Morana Alač
Associate Professor of Communication and Science Studies
Department of Communications, UCSD
Ethnographic research, technology interaction
David Barner
Professor of Psychology
Department of Psychology, UCSD
Language development, concept development
Leland Beck
Professor
Department of Computer Science, SDSU
Cooperative learning, curriculum design
Marva Cappello
Professor
School of Teacher Education, SDSU
Use of visuals to support English language development, literacy & qualitative inquiry
Alexander Chizhik
Professor of Educational Psychology
SDSU Director of Academic Labor Relations
Equity, collaborative learning
Sherice Clarke
Assistant Professor
Department of Education Studies, UCSD
Educational equity, classroom dialogue, student engagement, teacher cognition, educational technologies
Alan Daly
Professor
Department of Education Studies, UCSD
Social network theory, educational leadership
Amanda Datnow
Professor of Education Studies
Associate Dean of the Division of Social Sciences, UCSD
Education reform and policy, equity
Emma Geller
Assistant Teaching Professor
Department of Psychology, UCSD
Science of learning and instruction, conceptual learning in math and science
Chris Halter, MSED Graduate Advisor and Steering Committee Member
Teaching Professor
Department of Education Studies, UCSD
Video analysis, statistical methods, teacher training
Gail Heyman
Professor of Psychology
Department of Psychology, UCSD
Social cognition in children/adults, cross-cultural studies
Mia Minnes
Associate Teaching Professor
Department of Computer Science and Engineering, UCSD
Problem solving, community-building, scholarship of teaching/learning
Melissa Navarro
Assistant Professor
Dual Language and English Learner Education, SDSU
Anti-racist STEM education, K-8, dual language/bilingual education
Rafael Núñez
Professor of Cognitive Science
Department of Cognitive Science, UCSD
Embodied cognition, gesture production, conceptual metaphor
Elizabeth Simon
Teaching Professor
Department of Education Studies, UCSD
Evidence-based practice, peer instruction, learning outcomes
Dustin Thoman
Associate Professor
Department of Psychology, SDSU
Social identity and interaction, motivation, diversity
Caren Walker
Assistant Professor of Psychology
Department of Psychology, UCSD
Early learning, abstract reasoning, and cognitive development
Luke Wood
Dean’s Distinguished Professor of Education
Vice President for Student Affairs and Campus Diversity, SDSU
Factors affecting success in education of boys and men of color
Our graduates secure jobs in a variety of diverse and prestigous settings. Some take positions in subject-based departments (e.g., Department of Mathematics, Department of Physics), while others work in Departments of Education. Some work in industry or in K-12 education. With a Ph.D. in Math and Science Education, you can contribute to all aspects of education.
Adriana Corrales, '21
Dissertation: Exploring Chemistry Graduate Student Identity Development and the Intersection of Multiple Sub-Identities
Chair: Regis Komperda
Title: Postdoctoral Associate, Chemistry, North Texas University
Amelia Stone-Johnstone, '21
Dissertation: Supporting College Algebra Students’ Learning: Unpacking One Institution's Implementation of the Corequisite Model
Chair: Daniel Reinholz
Title: Amelia Stone-Johnstone currently has a position at California State University, Fullerton
Lauren Emery, '21
Dissertation: Exploring the Relationship between Teacher Professional Noticing and Responsive Teaching in Experienced Secondary Science Teachers
Chair: Meredith Houle Vaughn
Title: Lauren Emery is currently teaching at San Diego State University and Point Loma Nazarene University
Matt Voight, '20
Dissertation: Queer-Spectrum Student Experiences and Resources in Undergraduate Mathematics
Chair: Chris Rasmussen
Title: Assistant Professor, Engineering and Science Education, Clemson University
Katie Bjorkman, '19
Dissertation: The Identities of Undergraduate Mathematics Peer Tutors Within the Figured World of a Mathematics Learning Center
Chair: Susan Nickerson
Title: Katie Bjorkman currently has a position at Richard Bland College of William and Mary.
Lynda Wynn, '19
Dissertation: Exploring the Ways Emergent Bilingual Students' Engagement in Mathematical Practices is Supported Through the Teacher-Curriculum Interaction
Chair: Bill Zahner
Title: Lynda Wynn is an Assistant Professor at California State University Stanislaus.
Naneh Apkarian, '18
Dissertation: Transforming Precalculus to Calculus 2: A Longitudinal Study of Social and Structural Change in a University Mathematics Department
Chair: Chris Rasmussen
Title: Assistant Professor of Mathematics Education, School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences, Arizona State University
Raymond LaRochelle, '18
Dissertation: Secondary Teachers' Professional Noticing of Students' Mathematical Thinking
Co-Chairs: Lisa Clement Lamb & Randy Philipp
Title: Post-Doctoral Researcher & Math Instructor, Department of Mathematical Sciences, University of Delaware
Hayley Milbourne, '18
Dissertation: How Graduate Teaching Assistants Developed Their Understandings of Various Teaching Practices as They Engaged with Professional Development
Chair: Susan Nickerson
Title: Adjunct Assistant Professor & Director of MLC and MPP, University of San Diego
C. David Walters, '17
Dissertation: The Development of Mathematical Knowledge for Teaching for Quantitative Reasoning using Video-Based Instruction
Chair: Joanne Lobato
Title: Assistant Professor, Department of Mathematics and the Center for Science and Mathematics Education, Weber State University
J. Brooke Ernest, '16
Dissertation: Mathematical Practices and Arts Integration in an Activity-Based Projective Geometry Course
Chairs: Ricardo Nemirovsky & Chris Rasmussen
Title: Assistant Professor, Department of Mathematics, CSU Channel Islands
John Gruver, '16
Dissertation: Exploring the Relationships between Emergent Mathematical Practices, Individuals' Ways of Reasoning, and Meanings Constructed through Discourse
Chair: Joanne Lobato
Title: Assistant Professor, Department of Mathematical Sciences, Michigan Technological University
Casey Hawthorne, '16
Dissertation: Teachers' Understanding of Algebraic Generalization
Chair: Randy Philipp
Title: Assistant Professor, Mathematics Department, Furman University
David Quarfoot, '15
Dissertation: The Music of Mathematics: Toward a New Problem Typology
Chairs: Richard Levine & Chris Rasmussen
Title: Assistant Teaching Professor, Department of Mathematics, UCSD
Bridget Druken, '15
Dissertation: Sustaining Lesson Study: Resources and Factors that Support and Constrain Mathematics Teachers' Ability to Continue After the Grant Ends
Chair: Susan Nickerson
Title: Assistant Professor, Department of Mathematics, CSU Fullerton
Mike Fredenberg, '15
Dissertation: Factors Considered by Elementary Teachers When Developing and Modifying Mathematical Tasks to Support Children's Mathematical Thinking
Chairs: Randy Philipp & Susan Nickerson
Title: Associate Professor, Math Department, Bakersfield College
Molly Kelton, '15
Dissertation: Math on the Move: A Video-Based Study of School Field Trips to a Mathematics Exhibition
Chair: Ricardo Nemirovsky
Title: Assistant Professor, College of Education, Washington State University
Spencer Bagley, '14
Dissertation: Improving Student Success in Calculus: A Comparison of Four College Calculus Classes
Chair: Chris Rasmussen
Title: Assistant Professor, Mathematics Department, Westminster College, Salt Lake City
Jess Ellis Hagman, '14
Dissertation: Preparing Future College Instructors: The Role of Graduate Student Teaching Assistants (GTAs) in Successful College Calculus Programs
Chair: Chris Rasmussen
Title: Assistant Professor, Department of Mathematics, Colorado State University, Fort Collins
Jaime Diamond, '13
Dissertation: Teachers' Beliefs Regarding the Generalization of Students' Learning and How to Support the Generalization of Students' Learning
Chair: Joanne Lobato
Title: Assistant Professor, Department of Mathematics and Science Education, University of Georgia, Athens
Dov Zazkis, '13
Dissertation: Calculus Students' Representation Use in Group-Work and Individual Settings
Chair: Chris Rasmussen
Title: Assistant Professor, Department of Mathematics, Arizona State University, Phoenix
Michael Smith, '12
Dissertation: Methods of Mathematical Struggle
Chair: Ricardo Nemirovsky
Title: Senior Instructor and Cofounder, The Center for Applied Rationality, Berkeley, California
Michelle Nolasco, '12
Dissertation: Reciprocal Engagement between a Scientist and Visual Displays
Chairs: Ricardo Nemirovsky & Meredith Houle-Vaughn
Title: Scientific Technical Writer, Agena Bioscience, San Diego
George Sweeney, '12
Dissertation: Negotiating Meaning for the Symbolic Expressions for Vectors and Vector Equations in a Classroom Community of Practice
Chair: Chris Rasmussen
Title: Associate Professor and Coordinator of the Math Center, Mathematics Department, Santa Ana College
John Siegfried, '12
Dissertation: The Hidden Strand of Mathematical Proficiency: Defining and Assessing for Productive Disposition in Elementary School Teachers' Mathematical Content Knowledge
Chair: Randy Philipp
Title: Assistant Professor, Department of Mathematics and Statistics, James Madison University
Ian Whitacre, '12
Dissertation: Investigating Number Sense Development in a Mathematics Content Course for Prospective Elementary Teachers
Chair: Susan Nickerson
Title: Associate Professor in Elementary Mathematics Education, School of Teacher Education, Florida State University, Tallahassee
Jen Lineback, '12
Dissertation: Mrs. Miller's Evolution in Teaching Science as Inquiry: A Case Study of a Teacher's Change in Responsiveness
Chair: Fred Goldberg
Title: Associate Professor, School of Education/Department of Biology, Point Loma Nazarene University
Corinne Lardy, '11
Dissertation: Personal Science Teaching Efficacy and the Beliefs and Practices of Elementary Teachers Related to Science Instruction
Chair: Cheryl Mason
Title: Assistant Professor, College of Education, Sacramento State
Megan Wawro, '11
Dissertation: Individual and Collective Analysis of the Genesis of Student Reasoning Regarding the Invertible Matrix Theorem in Linear Algebra
Chair: Chris Rasmussen
Title: Associate Professor, Department of Mathematics, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Charles Hohensee, '11
Dissertation: Backward Transfer: How Mathematical Understanding Changes as one Builds Upon It
Chair: Joanne Lobato
Title: Associate Professor, School of Education, University of Delaware, Newark
Osvaldo Soto, '10
Dissertation: Teacher Change in the Context of a Proof-Centered Professional Development
Chair: Guershon Harel
Title: Researcher, CRMSE, SDSU
Cassondra Brown Lochard, '09
Dissertation: Perspectives on Instructor Modeling in Mathematics Teacher Education
Chair: Susan Nickerson
Title: Lecturer and Developmental Mathematics Coordinator, Mathematics Department, CSU Dominguez Hills
Rebekka Darner, '07
Dissertation: The Use of Self-Determination Theory to Foster Environmental Motivation in an Environmental Biology Course
Chair: Alexander Chizhik
Title: Assistant Professor, Department of Biology, Illinois State University, Normal
Anne Duffy, '06
Dissertation: Students' Ways of Understanding Aromaticity and Electrophilic Aromatic Substitution Reactions
Chair: Barbara Sawrey
Title: Teacher, Phoenix Country Day School, Arizona
Kien Lim, '06
Dissertation: Students' Mental Acts of Anticipating in Solving Problems Involving Algebraic Inequalities and Equations
Chair: Guershon Harel
Title: Associate Professor, Department of Mathematical Sciences, University of Texas, El Paso
April Maskiewicz Cordero, '06
Dissertation: Rethinking Biology Instruction: The Application of DNR-Based Instruction to the Learning and Teaching of Biology
Chairs: Guershon Harel & Gabriele Wienhausen
Title: Professor, Department of Biology; Director of the University Now Program, Point Loma Nazarene University, San Diego
Eva Thanheiser, '05
Dissertation: Preservice Teachers' Understanding of Multidigit Whole Numbers
Chair: Randy Philipp
Title: Associate Professor, Department of Mathematics, Portland State University
Amy Ellis, '04
Dissertation: Relationships Between Generalizing and Justifying: Students’ Reasoning with Linear Functions
Chair: Joanne Lobato
Title: Associate Professor, College of Education, University of Georgia, Athens
Dianne Anderson, '03
Dissertation: Natural Selection Theory in Non-Majors' Biology: Instruction, Assessment and Conceptual Difficulty
Chair: Kathleen Fisher
Title: Professor, Department of Biology; Director of the Master’s Program in Biology, Point Loma Nazarene University, San Diego
Stacy Brown, '03
Dissertation: The Evolution of Students' Understanding of Mathematical Induction: A Teaching Experiment
Chair: Larry Sowder
Title: Assistant Professor, Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Cal Poly, Pomona
Cody Sandifer, '01
Dissertation: Factors Influencing Middle School Students' Sense-Making Discussions in their Small-Group Investigations of Force and Motion
Chair: Fred Goldberg
Title: Professor of Physics, Department of Physics, Astronomy and Geosciences, Towson University in Maryland
Susan Nickerson, '01
Dissertation: Supporting Students' Understanding of Algebra: Symbolizing in a Technology-Enhanced Classroom
Chair: Janet Bowers
Title: Associate Professor of Mathematics Education, Department of Mathematics and Statistics, SDSU
Valerie Otero, '01
Dissertation: The Process of Learning about Static Electricity and the Role of the Computer Simulator
Chair: Fred Goldberg
Title: Professor of Science Education, School of Education, University of Colorado, Boulder
Daniel Siebert, '00
Dissertation: Coherent, Dynamic Accounts of Prospective Secondary Mathematics Teachers' Knowledge of and Beliefs about Mathematics
Chair: Randy Philipp
Title: Associate Professor, Department of Mathematics Education, Brigham Young University
Lisa Clement Lamb, '99
Dissertation: The Constitution of Teachers' Orientations Toward Teaching Mathematics
Chair: Randy Philipp
Title: Professor of Mathematical Education, School of Teacher Education, SDSU
Andy Johnson, '99
Dissertation: Students' Development of Models of Magnetic Materials
Chair: Fred Goldberg
Title: Assistant Professor of Physics, School of Natural Sciences; Associate Director of the Center for the Advancement of Math and Science Education, Black Hills State University, South Dakota
Our students form supportive communities within and across their cohorts. Given the large, diverse faculty, students' academic interests can grow organically, rather than be limited by the interests of a small faculty. Click or hover-over below to learn more.
Tina Marcroft
Science Education
Writing in Science, Argumentation
Tabletop Games, Baking
Ernesto D. Calleros
Mathematics Education
Teaching, Learning, & Thinking in Mathematics
Playing Musical Instruments, Dancing, Learning Languages
Mike Foster
Mathematics Education
Technology in Undergraduate Education
Climbing, Eating
Makenna M. Martin
Science Education
Meaningful Learning in Biology, Experiential Learning
My Dog, Arts & Crafts, Hiking
Antonio E. Martinez
Mathematics Education
Undergraduate Mathematics Education, Equity
Running, Reading
Kevin Pelaez
Mathematics Education
Equity, Educational Data Mining
Cooking, Traveling
Nicole A. Suarez
Science Education
Active Learning in STEM Education
My Dog Coco Chanel
Ted Wang
Science Education
Undergraduate Chemical Education, Organic Chemistry Education
Theater, Cooking, Video Games
Sloan Hill-Lindsay
Science Education
Undergraduate Instructor Beliefs, Conceptual Assessment in Biology
Anything Outdoors, Hanging with Animals
Colin McGrane
Mathematics Education
Undergraduate Mathematics, Institutional Change
Playing Music, Exploring, Fun with Family
Samantha Ridgway
Science Education
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Equality
Writing short stories, Photography, Mentoring young students
Brinley Stringer
Mathematics Education
Undergraduate Mathematics Education, Institutional Change & Equity
Outdoors, Conversations, Music
Kristin Tenney
Mathematics Education
Undergraduate and Graduate Math Education, Trigonometry Education, Equity
Hiking, Camping, Music
Talia Latona Tequida
Mathematics Education
Undergraduate Mathematics Education, Abstract Algebra Education
Surfing, NBA Basketball
Isabel White
Mathematics Education
Students' transfer and retention of mathematics, Research in Undergraduate Mathematics Education, Cognitive Psychology
Musical theater, Singing, Dancing
Gabriela Hernandez
Mathematics Education
Graduate student professional development, Equity research
Rock climbing, Yoga, Scuba diving
Mariah Moschetti
Mathematics Education
Active Learning in Undergraduate Mathematics, Equity, Institutional Change
Video Games, Electronic Dance Music, Hiking
Esperanza Ochoa
Mathematics Education
K-12 mathematics education and curriculum development; Algebraic thinking
Community-building activities, Volunteering, Working with young people
Austin Zuckermane
Science Education
Meaningful science learning in secondary and higher education
Running, Hiking, Puzzles
