Meet our Presenters
Sushma Anand Akoju
Sushma Anand Akoju is a 3rd year PhD student in the Department of Computer Science, University of New Hampshire. Previously a student at the University of Arizona. Her research focuses on Natural Language Understanding, Neuro Symbolic AI, and Large Language Models. She completed Associate Level I and Practitioner Level II certifications at CIRTL, University of Arizona. She is also involved in teaching and education research in an era of Large Language Models. She is a volunteer Community Educator for awareness on Consent-based communication.
Desiree Andersen Bliss
Postdoctoral Research Associate, School of Natural Resources and the Environment
Desiree Andersen Bliss is a postdoctoral researcher studying ecological modeling and focusing on modeling zoonotic disease systems in Arizona. She got her PhD in South Korea and continues to work in diverse interdisciplinary teams focusing on topics from conservation to public health. Additionally, she is currently teaching Dealing with Data in the Wild (WFSC 223).
Hannah Budinoff
Assistant Professor, College of Engineering
Dr. Hannah Budinoff is an assistant professor of systems and industrial engineering at the University of Arizona. Her research interests include additive manufacturing, geometric manufacturability analysis, design for manufacturing, sustainable design, and engineering education. She completed her PhD in 2019 in mechanical engineering at the University of California, Berkeley, where she was awarded an NSF Graduate Research Fellowship. She oversees the Manufacturing and Design Exploration (MADE) research group at the University of Arizona.
Buddy Buttram
Senior Instructional Technologist, UCATT
Buddy is a Senior Instructional Technologist at UCATT and the University technical lead for FeedbackFruits and VoiceThread. With a background in IT and educational technology, Buddy specializes in helping people navigate complex systems confidently.
Rachel Castro
Experiential Learning Librarian, University of Arizona Libraries
Rachel Castro is an Experiential Learning Librarian at CATalyst Studios. She collaborates with instructors and academic programs to facilitate customized learning experiences incorporating experiential pedagogy, hands-on learning, and maker literacies.
Georgia Davis
Director, Multimedia and Creative Initiatives, UCATT
Georgia has a Ph.D. in Medical Geography, an M.A. in Cultural Geography, and an Emmy nomination from the decade she spent working as a political journalist, television news director, and documentary producer. She joined the Instructional Technology team after helping build an online B.S. program in geographic information systems technology, where she discovered the joy of course design and ed tech. She later found a way to combine her experience in media and educational technologies as Director of Multimedia and Creative Initiatives for the University Center for Assessment, Teaching & Technology.
Sol Davis
Graduate Instructional Assistant, University of Arizona Libraries
Sol Davis is a Korean-American linguist, writer, and first-year English Literature MA student with academic focuses in post-colonial literature and 14th-century Old Welsh and English poetry. Sol has been a student worker and workshop instructor at CATalyst for about two years.
Aviva Doery
Assistant Director of Academic Innovation| Outreach, Distance and Continuing Education PhD Candidate | Center for the Study of Higher Education, College of Education
Aviva is a dedicated Higher Education professional with seven years of experience in academic administration, curricular design, and innovative program development. As a strategic leader at the University of Arizona, they provide program development and operational support to Outreach, Distance, & Continuing Education. Aviva leads a team of administrative professionals in implementing cutting-edge educational technologies, faculty development initiatives, and curricular innovation while also guiding strategic investment management to enhance academic programs. A PhD Candidate in the Center for the Study of Higher Education at the University of Arizona, Aviva’s research critically examines immersive pedagogical design for undergraduate education, with a focus on online cultural heritage education. They serve as the lead Principal Investigator on the Seven Wonders of Ancient Greece Virtual Reality Study Abroad course development project and are the co-founder of the University of Arizona XR Collaborative, advancing the use of extended reality (XR) in education.
Taylor Marie Doherty
They/She, Ph.D. Candidate, Department of Gender & Women’s Studies, University of Arizona
Taylor Marie Doherty is a PhD Candidate in Gender and Women’s Studies working at the nexus of archival studies, comparative politics, and political theory. She has been teaching across disciplines (political science, history, gender & women’s studies, and Spanish) within and beyond academia for over a decade. They are passionate about community organizing, political education, and critical, feminist, anti-racist pedagogy.
Brett Esaki
Assistant Professor of Practice Coordinator, Asian Pacific American Studies Program Department of East Asian Studies
Brett J. Esaki is an assistant professor of practice and Coordinator of the Asian Pacific American Studies Program. He is the 2023 recipient of COH’s Chatfield Award in Anti-Racist Research, Teaching, and Service, and published and taught about such charged topics as race, religion, masculinity, immigration, sustainability, hip hop, and political art.
Gretchen Gibbs
Professor of Practice, UCATT
Gretchen Gibbs accompanies people in using technology to teach - online or in a classroom. Gretchen is knowledgeable in helping instructors make changes in how they teach by introducing new tools, methods, or ideas. Her approach is practical and supportive. She is a Professor of Practice in the graduate-level College Teaching program at the University of Arizona. She facilitates professional development to create engaging, effective, inclusive, and sustainable online learning experiences.
After completing undergraduate studies in painting and printmaking, Gretchen made participatory community video documentaries in Argentina and Arizona for ten years. She taught herself HTML and started teaching online in 1996. This cultivated her interest in how technology affects the production and propagation of knowledge, the agency in identity formation, and changes in beliefs and behavior. Gretchen has taught English language, art history and critical media literacy.
Jessie Golding
Postdoctoral Research Associate, Arizona Institute for Resilience, Bridging Biodiversity and Conservation Science Program, University of Arizona
Jessie Golding is a postdoctoral researcher working to close the knowledge-action gap in conservation biology. She applies conservation biology, quantitative ecology, design, landscape architecture, and social science to tackle complex conservation challenges. She has taught wildlife conservation and science communication at the University of Arizona and the University of Montana.
Sarah Grace
Assistant Professor, Psychology, College of Science
Dr. Sarah Grace is an Assistant Professor of Psychology at the University of Arizona. With 24 years of teaching and research experience, she specializes in educational psychology, social justice, and generative AI in education. Her work explores equity, mental health, and innovative teaching strategies to enhance student engagement and learning.
Laura Gronewold
Senior Lecturer, Health Promotion Sciences, MEZCOPH
Dr. Laura Gronewold is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Health Promotion Sciences. With a PhD in English, she has over 20 years of experience teaching in college classrooms, workplaces, and community venues. Her pedagogy highlights empathy and self-awareness, empowering students and colleagues through audience awareness and effective use of rhetorical strategies.
Sabrina Helm
Associate Professor of Retailing and Consumer Science, Norton School of Human Ecology, CALES
Sabrina Helm is Associate Professor of Retailing and Consumer Science and PetSmart Endowed Chair; she is the faculty co-chair of the University of Arizona’s inaugural Sustainability & Climate Action Plan. In her research, Sabrina focuses on sustainable consumption; the role of consumption in the context of climate change; consumer resilience; and climate change education in marketing.
Katrina Henry
Associate Professor of Practice, Environmental Science Interim Associate Department Head, Environmental Science
Jessica Hill, EdD
Assistant Professor of Practice, W. A. Franke Honors College and General Education Program
Jessica Hill is an Assistant Professor of Practice in the W.A. Franke Honors College. Her research interests focus on creativity, leadership, playful pedagogy, and improv comedy. When not teaching, Jessica is a company member with the Tucson Improv Movement, where she serves as the Comedy School Director.
Matthew Hilin
Instructional Specialist III, Department of Religious Studies and Classics
Matthew Hillin is an Instructional Specialist for the Department of Religious Studies and Classics. He works with instructors to enhance and streamline their courses along with providing guidance to GATs. His academic work focuses on Late Roman Antiquity, Military Architecture and the incorporation of VR into Classical Studies.
Joanna Joseph
Graduate Student, Systems & Industrial Engineering
Joanna Joseph is pursuing her PhD in Systems and Industrial Engineering at the University of Arizona. Her research is focused on building the theoretical foundations of systems engineering, in the context of verification and human cognition. She is also involved in teaching as well as certified pedagogical and education research.
Oluchi Kanma-Okafor
Graduate Student, Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health
Oluchi Joan Kanma-Okafor is a public health physician, educator, and researcher pursuing a PhD in health behavior and promotion at the Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona, she has extensive experience in teaching, curriculum development, and mentoring. Her research focuses on social determinants of health, health disparities, and community-based interventions. With a strong background in biostatistics and epidemiology, she integrates data-driven approaches into public health education. Oluchi is passionate about innovative teaching strategies that enhance student engagement and foster inclusive learning environments.
Sherilyn Keaton
Professor of Practice, Systems & Industrial Engineering, Software Engineering
Sherilyn Keaton is a Professor of Practice teaching software-related courses in the Systems and Industrial Engineering Department. She previously held contributing and executive roles in global corporations as well as start-ups in industries including digital and social media, financial consulting, and transportation.
Kathleen J. Kennedy, DBA
Associate Professor of Practice, Retailing and Consumer Science, Norton School for Human Ecology
Dr. Kennedy focuses on human-AI interaction and co-creation. She is committed to UDL principles and increasing student success through personalization and AI adaptive learning. She is a CUES Distinguished Scholar and leads the multidisciplinary Personalized Adaptive Learning System research initiative working with over 20 instructors and 1,000 undergraduate students.
Darin Knapp, PhD, LAMFT, CFLE
Professor of Practice, Associate Director, Norton School of Human Ecology, College of Agriculture, Life, & Environmental Sciences
Dr. Knapp has been a faculty member at the University of Arizona since 2016. He teaches courses about family dynamics, mental health, suicide prevention, and counseling skills. He is heading the launch of a new master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy that will begin in Fall 2026.
Ashlee Linares-Gaffer, MS, RDN, FAND
Associate Professor of Practice, School of Nutritional Sciences and Wellness
Ashlee Linares-Gaffer is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, and her teaching activities focus on career and graduate school readiness, leadership development, and developing agricultural and food literacy among future dietitians. Ashlee is an internal UA QM reviewer and has extensive experience teaching students on Main, Online and Yuma campuses.
Lindsay Lutman
Instructional Designer, UCATT
Lindsay Lutman is an Instructional Designer at the University of Arizona, where she partners with faculty to design high-quality online and technology-enhanced Science and Engineering courses. She has a passion for creating learning experiences that are learner-centered and that challenge both learners and educators to embrace the “messy middle.”
Xander Maniece
UCATT Student Worker, UCATT, TFTV
Xander Maniece is a Seattle-born and Arizona-raised filmmaker with a particular interest in abstract storytelling. His other creative pursuits include 3D printing, music, and building models for films. After graduating with his BFA in Film & Television production, Xander plans to become a director and producer.
Josie Mazzone
Graduate Student, Physiological Studies, College Teaching
Josie is a fourth year PhD candidate in the Department of Physiological Sciences. Her research focuses on the effects of resistive breathing training in individuals with pulmonary hypertension. She is also working on coursework to complete the Certificate in College Teaching through the UofA Center for Assessment, Teaching & Technology.
Ronnie Mullins, PhD, RDN, CSCS, FAND
Associate Professor of Practice, Associate Director, Nutrition and Human Performance Programs, School of Nutritional Sciences and Wellness
Dr. Ronnie Mullins is a Registered Dietitian and has spent her career working with professional and elite Olympic athletes and active individuals. She shares her career experiences in the classroom teaching sports nutrition both in-person and online. Ronnie was a 2023-2024 Quality Matters fellow at the University of Arizona.
Tarnia Newton, DNP, FNP-C
Assistant Clinical professor & Educational Outreach Coordinator, College of Nursing & College of Health Sciences
Tarnia is dedicated to creating nurturing learning communities where students can show up authentically. She views classrooms as healing spaces for sharing experiences, engaging with new knowledge, and shaping future careers. Through her innovative “Artifact” activity, she fosters connection, reflection, and meaningful learning, empowering students to grow and thrive.
Jen Nichols
Director of CATalyst Studios, University of Arizona Libraries
Jennifer Nichols is an Associate Librarian and Director of CATalyst Studios, an interdisciplinary makerspace at the University of Arizona Libraries. Jennifer’s work is centered on both developing equitable practices within technology-rich spaces and fostering interdisciplinary learning communities. She is co-editor of Remaking the Library Makerspace (Library Juice Press, 2020).
LaCher Pacheco
Indigenous Resilience Center Graduate Assistant & Fourth Year Doctoral Student
College of Education: Teaching Learning and Sociocultural Studies (TLS)
Greetings, my name is LaCher and I am from Santo Domingo Pueblo. I am a Ph.D. Scholar for Teaching, Learning & Socio-Cultural Studies (TLS) with an emphasis on Children's & Young Adult Literature in a Diverse World with a minor in Environmental Education. My research focus is on Reader Response Theory & Environment.
Indigenous Resilience Center (IRes)
Worlds of Words Brings Global Literature to Educators and Youth
Gimantha Perera
Research Scientist, College of Engineering
Gimantha Perera is a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Arizona. A performance improvement engineer whose research is at the intersection of expert service sectors (healthcare, professional training, or higher education), human factors, and technology innovation. He is also a socio-technical systems assessment specialist working both in the qualitative and quantitative realms. Most of his work branches off of learning processes and engineering education. He completed his PhD in industrial and systems engineering at North Carolina State University.
Ann Shivers-McNair
Associate Professor, College of Information Science
Ann Shivers-McNair’s research and teaching focus on justice-centered, transdisciplinary and collaborative approaches to design. Current team projects with funding from the National Science Foundation include a community science platform redesign and equity-centered design education initiatives. Shivers-McNair is the author of Beyond the Makerspace: Making and Relational Rhetorics (University of Michigan Press, 2021) and editor of the Association of Teachers of Technical Writing (ATTW) book series with Routledge. In addition to serving as core faculty in the College of Information Science, Shivers-McNair is a faculty member in the University of Arizona's graduate interdisciplinary programs in Applied Intercultural Arts Research and in Social, Cultural and Critical Theory.
Gabriella Shriner
She/They
Ph.D. Candidate
College of Information Science, University of Arizona
Gabriella (Gabby) Shriner is a PhD Candidate at the UA College of Information Science. They are working on their dissertation proposal, titled: “Hybrid, Intersectional and Liminal: Fiber Arts Communities and the Crafters Knitting Them Together (k2tog).” They have been a TA or instructor of record for the past four years, and currently teach an undergraduate online qualitative methods course.
Robert Stephan
Associate Dean for Academic Affairs
W. A. Franke Honors College
Dr. Robert Stephan is the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs for the W.A. Franke Honors College and an Associate Professor of Practice in the Department of Religious Studies and Classics. He specializes in innovative approaches to digital pedagogy and has been recognized for his teaching at the college, university, and national level.
Tierra Stimson
Assistant Professor of Practice, Certified QM Peer Reviewer & Facilitator
University of Arizona, College of Applied Science and Technology
Tierra Stimson is an Assistant Professor of Practice and is a certified QM Peer Reviewer and Facilitator. She has developed 26 courses across various institutions, teaching diverse students. Her Ph.D. in Social/Personality Psychology fuels her interest in multiple fields and enhances her engagement with Quality Matters through collaborative course development.
Vignesh Subbian
Associate Professor, College of Engineering
Vignesh Subbian works at the nexus of systems engineering, medicine, and informatics. As a health systems scientist and informatician, he studies clinical decision-making in the context of sociotechnical systems using both cognitive engineering and computational methods, with emphases on phenotyping, explainability, and health equity. He is currently a joint associate professor of biomedical engineering, systems and industrial engineering, a member of the BIO5 Institute, and a Distinguished Fellow of the Center for University Education Scholarship (CUES) at the University of Arizona. In his role as associate director for the Center for Biomedical Informatics & Biostatistics, he leads informatics service cores for multiple, large-scale NIH initiatives in Arizona including the All of Us Research Program and the Researching COVID to Enhance Recovery (RECOVER) Initiative. He is also the program director for two training programs: (1) Place-based Health Informatics Research Education (PHIRE; "fire") program, a National Library of Medicine (NLM) initiative for undergraduate research training and (2) eCAMINOS (engineering pathways) program, supported by the National Science Foundation. His educational research as a part of these training programs is focused on asset-based practices, ethics education, and formation of professional identities.
Robin Vickery
Business Research and Experiential Learning Librarian, University of Arizona Libraries
Robin Vickery is the Business Research and Experiential Learning Librarian. She teaches strategies for finding, understanding, and synthesizing information and data, emphasizing the importance of cultivating a curious mindset and thinking critically. New to the CATalyst Studios team, she is excited to explore connections to maker literacies and design thinking.
Kristin Winet
Associate Professor of Practice, UCATT, and Institutional Co-Lead, University of Arizona’s Center for the Integration of Research, Teaching, and Learning (CIRTL)
Kristin Winet is an Associate Professor of Practice in the University Center for Assessment, Teaching, and Technology (UCATT). She develops professional development in teaching programs for future faculty, teaches in the Graduate Interdisciplinary Program (GIDP) in College Teaching, and facilitates workshops and learning communities on writing pedagogy and teaching-as-research.
Na Zuo, PhD
Associate Professor of Practice, Department of Agricultural & Resource Economics, College of Agricultural, Life and Environmental Sciences (CALES)
Dr. Zuo teaches agribusiness management, finance, and food economy at UA. She researches pedagogies on group learning, engagement, and student well-being. An award-winning educator, she has published several journal articles on teaching and led teaching symposiums. Her passion is creating effective learning experiences for future agriculture and food industry leaders.