Meet the Team
Tony Nguyen is a third-year doctoral student in Engineering and Science Education. He earned his MS in Mathematical Sciences at Clemson University, where he is currently a full-time Lecturer.
His previous mathematical research has been in the areas of algebraic geometry and graph theory. His current research interests in mathematics education include epistemic beliefs, self-efficacy, and mathematics identity in undergraduate introductory mathematics courses, as well as the teaching and development of problem representations and search strategies. His dissertation research focuses on differences in conceptualization of the derivative between mathematics and various engineering disciplines.
Tony is on the GTA Identity and Relative Instructional Priorities research teams.
Aubrie L. Pfirman is a Ph.D. candidate in Engineering and Science Education at Clemson University. She received a B.S. in Chemistry and an Instructional I Certification in Secondary Education from Misericordia University, and a M.S. in Chemistry from Clemson University. We expect her to defend her Ph.D. in Spring 2018.
Her dissertation research is on the experiences of doctoral students of color in the sciences, focusing on the relationship with the faculty advisor. Her other research projects have included uncovering the non-normative forms of capital of underrepresented students in engineering. Her interests include working with pre-service science teachers, promoting conceptual change in chemistry, and developing guided inquiry learning in the sciences. She leads the Science Doctoral Conceptions research team and is also on the GTA Identity and Relative Instructional Priorities teams.
On the other side of the spectrum, Aubrie enjoys running, yoga, being outdoors, traveling, cooking, reading, dry red wines, and keeping tabs on her family in Pennsylvania.
http://tinyurl.com/eliza-gallagher
Staci Neas Johnson is a third-year doctoral student in Engineering and Science Education as well as an Assistant Professor of Biology at Southern Wesleyan University, where she teaches a range of courses including Bioethics, Animal Science and Microbiology. Her previous research includes endocrine control of reproductive cycles in beef cattle, while her and technology use in the active learning classroom.
Her current research interests include conation in Team-Based Learning and cognitive processes in learning anatomy and physiology. She is on the GTA Identity, Conation, and Science Doctoral Conceptions research teams.
In addition to her academic work, Johnson is a wife and a mom of three. She enjoys running, making music, reading lots of books, attending sporting events and being at the beach.
Khushikumari Patel-Desai received her bachelor’s degree in Chemistry with a minor in secondary education at Millsaps College. She also holds a secondary licensure to teach chemistry and general science for middle and high schools in the states of Mississippi and Tennessee. She received her master’s degree in Inorganic Chemistry with research focused on synthesizing PbS on TiO2 through sol-gel process under the direction of Dr. Joshua T. Moore at Tennessee State University.
Her research interests include the role of conation in self-paced courses, and conceptual understanding in general chemistry across different instructional formats. She is on the Conation, Relative Instructional Priorities, and Science Doctoral Conceptions teams.
Outside of academics, Khushi’s hobbies include cooking authentic Indian food, sewing, and Kathak dance.
