Biographies | ITEST Mentorship Program

We have a fantastic group of investigators working as part of this grant. You can read brief biographies of each below. If you have a question dealing with their research, or expertise as part of the grant, feel free to contact them at the email provided.

Dr. Alec Bodzin

I am the Principal Investigator (PI) on our National Science Foundation ITEST project.

I am a Professor in the College of Education at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, PA. in the Teaching, Learning, and Technology program. My research interests include: the design of Web-based inquiry learning environments; learning with spatial thinking tools including GIS, Google Earth, and remotely sensed images; design and implementation of inquiry-based environmental science curricula; visual instructional technologies; motivation and learning; and the use of instructional technologies to promote learning. I am also a core faculty member of Lehigh’s Environmental Initiative.

Please click here to view my personal website.

Dr. Thomas Hammond

I’m Associate Professor in Lehigh’s College of Education, where I teach classes in social studies ed and instructional technology. I’ve worked with Dr. Bodzin on many geospatially-driven projects, connecting social studies topics such as civics, history, and geography to science and environmental education.

I received my B.A. from Yale University in History and International Studies in 1994. I then taught high school social studies, English, and computer science for ten years, traveling from Ohio to Haiti to Saudi Arabia. From 2004-2007, I was at the University of Virginia earning my doctorate in Instructional Technology.

I am a Co-Principal Investigator (PI) on the ITEST project.

For more information on my teaching, publications, and presentations, see my wiki: confluence.cc.lehigh.edu/spaces/viewspace.action?key=~tch207

Dr. Dave Anastasio

I am a geologist in the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences who researches the development of active and ancient mountain belts. Current projects focus on (1) the recovery of high-resolution deformation rates from folds, faults, and stratigraphic sections and landscapes. These data serve to inform evolving ideas as to what modulates Earth processes, whether intrinsic or extrinsic, (2) deformation kinematics of fault-related folds, and (3) hominid (Biped) migrations to Europe. Currently I have field projects in the Pyrenees, Spain, Apennines, Italy, and the U.S. Rocky mountains. I also conduct research is science education that helps to develop science curriculum for middle school, high school, and college age learners. I am currently involved in a project focusing on socio-environmental justice for high school students and tectonics for college-aged learners using Web-based GIS to promote geospatial thinking. I am a member of the Department’s Solid Earth Group. My research has been supported from the National Science Foundation, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, U.S. Geological Survey, the Toyota USA Foundation, the Aragon Government, Spain, Lehigh University, and various energy companies. I teach courses on Planet Earth at the introductory level and on Structural Geology, Tectonics, and Field Geology to undergraduates and Orogenic Belts to graduate students in Earth and Environmental Sciences at Lehigh University.

Ian Hanson

Dr. Breena Holland

Jim Novak

Dr. Kate Popejoy

Jose Rosado

Scott Rutzmoser

Dr. Dork Sahagian

I am a Professor of Earth & Environmental Sciences at Lehigh University. I received my B.S. in Physics from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, M.S. in Geosciences from Rutgers University, and Ph.D in Geophysics from the University of Chicago. My research focuses on paleoclimatology, volcanology, stratigraphy, geodynamics and tectonics, global hydrology, sea level, the environmental impacts of human activities, and science education. Toward the goal of understanding of Earth’s processes and environment, I continue to work toward the integration of disparate disciplines in geology, environmental science, technology, policy, and the myriad interactions between people and the world in which we live.

Shannon Salter

I am the lead coordinator of the ITEST project at Building 21 Allentown, the test site during development of this project.

I am the founding Humanities instructor at Building 21, with certifications in both Secondary Social Studies and English/Language Arts. The focus of my instructional design is facilitating mastery of the skills that support empowered citizenship. I have taught American law and government at both the high school and undergraduate level, and currently teach World History with a focus on the modern, non-Western world.

I received my B.A. in Political Science from SUNY Stony Brook in 2001, and my M.Ed. from St. Joseph’s University (Philadelphia) in 2012.

James Carrigan

I am a current Ph.D. student in the Earth and Environmental Sciences Department at Lehigh University. My current research is focused on using GIS and field based metrics to test drivers of uplift in active mountainous regions. I am broadly interested in how the Earth’s surface can record large scale tectonic processes. Prior to my Ph.D. research I earned my B.S. degree in Geology from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst and my M.S. in Structural Geology at Lehigh University.

William Farina

I earned a B.S. degree in Chemistry from DeSales University and an M.Ed. in Teaching and Learning from Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania. I am a part of Dr. Bodzin’s my research group with a particular interest in the development and effectiveness of online chemistry classes. My research focuses on the design of synchronous and asynchronous online chemistry courses with a focus the inclusion of effective technology supports for student learning.