Our Research Team
Dr. Ryan Seth Jones
Seth studies ways of supporting students to use mathematics and science to construct and revise knowledge. He has conducted research that focuses on measuring the extent to which whole class discussions in middle grades classrooms support students to examine epistemological aspects of various statistical properties, worked on interdisciplinary teams to create innovative technologies for teachers and students in middle grades math classes, helped to develop new tools for assessing nuanced ways of thinking in middle grades students, and has developed frameworks and curricular approaches for interdisciplinary STEM learning environments organized around data modeling practices.
Fonya Scott
Fonya Scott is a Ph.D. student at Middle Tennessee State University, studying Math and Science Education. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree from Jackson State University and Masters of Science from Walden University. Before joining the program, Fonya taught mathematics and science at the high school and community college level. She continues to serve as an independent consultant for science assessment. Fonya serves as a teaching assistant in MTeach supporting the development of pre-service teachers of mathematics, science, and agricultural science. She also serves as a research assistant investigating the incorporation of data, statistics, and modeling in science classrooms. Her other research interests include student problematizing in K-12 science and the impact of mathematics and science learning progressions on STEM integration. Recently, she has been working with other colleagues to improve culturally relevant instructional practices in undergraduate STEM courses at MTSU and increase the representation of BIPOC in mathematics education in middle Tennessee.
Lori Klukowski
Lori Klukowski is a Ph. D student at Middle Tennessee State University studying Math and Science Educations. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree from Indiana University. Lori is a licensed teacher and taught middle school science for over a decade. Lori has worked as a teaching assistant in MTeach, a program for preservice secondary teachers, and in the MTSU Biology Department. Currently, she works as a research assistant for the Integrated Data Project. Her other research interests include how teachers ask questions during interdisciplinary activities, the development of teachers’ knowledge, and undergraduates’ course-based research experiences.
Kaytlin Campbell
Kaitlyn Campbell is an undergraduate student at Middle Tennessee State University studying Education. She is seeking her degree in highschool education, while assisting the research team with analyzing student assessment data and presentations.
Brileigh Sloan
Brileigh Sloan currently serves as a graduate assistant at Middle Tennessee State University in the College of Education. Brileigh is in the Professional Counseling program seeking to obtain her Ed. S. degree for both School and Clinical Mental Health Counseling. She has previously earned a Bachelor of Science in Child Development and Family Studies with a Minor in Psychology from MTSU. Brileigh assists the research team with any organizational tasks and directly assists Dr. Jones.
Isaac Elder
Isaac Elder is a senior-standing undergraduate student studying Aviation Management at Middle Tennessee State University. He plans to complete his degree in Fall 2024 and begin flight training in January 2025. He intends to fly commercially with Southwest Airlines for his career and he assists the research team through help with any tasks that may come up on the weekly that need to be addressed.
Lisa Shepherd, MS, RD
Lisa Shepherd has more than 20 years of experience in the field of nutrition, including food service management and manufacturing, culinary science, and clinical dietetics. She also has experience in secondary education, teaching biology, Earth science, physical science, and food science. She currently teaches Nutrition for Health Sciences, Nutrition for the Young Child, and Cultural Food Studies at MTSU. Her research interests include integrating nutrition and food science principles into K-12 science and math education, curriculum development, and instructional design.
Sara Salisbury
Sara was a PhD student in the Biology concentration of the Mathematics and Science Education program at MTSU. Her research addressed outdoor education, ecology education, and place-based education with K-12 students. Sara obtained her B.S. in Environmental Science from Allegheny College, and her M.S. in Biology from Texas State University. She works extensively with regional and state organizations by assisting with writing curriculum, developing and implementing teacher professional development workshops, and creating community engagement activities.
Dr. Steven Berryhill Jr.
Steven Berryhill Jr. currently works as the Research Coordinator for Tennessee STEM Education Center (TSEC). Steven earned his Executive Ph.D. in Urban Higher Education from Jackson State University. He received both his Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Master of Environmental Engineering from Tennessee State University. Prior to joining TSEC, Steven served as a math instructor and university tutor at Tennessee State University, and also worked as the Coordinator of Identification & Access Control.
Jonathan Gogal
Jonathan Gogal worked as a graduate assistant at Middle Tennessee State University in the College of Education. He was in the Professional Counseling program on the Clinical Mental Health track. Jonathan received a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a Minor in Family Studies from Berry College. Jonathan is working as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC).
Oscar Meza Abarca
Oscar Meza-Abarca was an undergraduate at Middle Tennessee State University in the College of Education. He has graduated with his degree in highschool education, and is now in his educational career. He previously assisted the research team with analyzing student assessment data and presentations.
