Editorial Board

Editorial Director

Nancy P. Moreno received her Bachelor's degree in botany from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1974, and worked as an investigator and editor of the Flora of Veracruz Project in Mexico until 1985. After earning her Ph.D. in biology in 1993 from Rice University, she joined Baylor College of Medicine (BCM), where she is associate professor in the Department of Family and Community Medicine and associate director of the Center for Educational Outreach. Dr. Moreno's research interests focus on developing effective collaborations among scientists and educators for the improvement of science education. Her activities involve the creation and dissemination of innovative science and health educational materials for students and the development of partnership programs to promote systemic change in science teaching and learning in schools. Currently, she is principal investigator of science education partnerships funded by the National Institutes of Health, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute and the National Science Foundation. She is a member of the Advisory Board of the National Science Resources Center's Leadership and Assistance for Science Education Reform initiative, President of the National Association of Health Science Education Partnerships and a recent past member of the National Science Teachers Association Standing Committee on Preschool/Elementary Science Education.

Managing Editor

Deanne B. Erdmann received her Bachelor's degree in biology from Stephen F. Austin State University in 1972 and her Master's degree in biology from the same institution in 1973. Later that year, she joined the staff at Clear Lake High School in Houston, Texas, where she taught biology and served as science department chairman until 1999. In addition to her classroom responsibilities, she has worked with numerous curriculum initiatives, mentored new teachers, and participated in professional development activities for effective science teaching practices. During her tenure at Clear Lake High School, she served as a faculty advisor and mentor for student and scientist teams working together on the Lunar Growth Chamber at Space Center Houston, for the NASA/CCISD National Robotics competitions, and yearly local and international science fair competitions. After retiring from the Katy Independent School District in 2002, Mrs. Erdmann joined the staff at Baylor College of Medicine as a Senior Project Manager for the College's Center for Educational Outreach. In addition to mentoring new biology teachers, Mrs. Erdmann's interests center around developing materials to enhance and support science and math education in secondary schools.

Associate Editor

James P. Denk, MA received his Bachelor's degree in English and history, and his Master's degree in 17th Century British Literature from Texas Tech University in 1986 and 1990, respectively. While in graduate school, Mr. Denk taught freshman composition. He joined BCM in 1990, as an editorial assistant. He now serves as Administrative Associate and Senior Editor in the CEO. Mr. Denk is an author on more than 30 articles and editor on many CEO educational publications. He has served as a guest editor for a special edition of Academic Medicine and as consulting editor on the Technical Assistance Manual for the Association of American Medical College's Project 3000 by 2000. Mr. Denk also is editor for the "Music Business Made Simple" book series, and a published photographer, lyricist, and humorist. His current work at BCM focuses on developing and editing educational materials, producing extramural grants and contracts, and writing and editing academic articles.

Associate News Editor

Tadzia GrandPré received her bachelor's degree in neuroscience from Washington and Lee University in 1998. After earning her Ph.D. in neuroscience from Yale University in 2002, she spent several years as a postdoctoral fellow in the Neurobiology Department at Harvard Medical School. Dr. GrandPré joined BCM in 2007 as a Research Associate in the Center for Educational Outreach. She contributes to a variety of projects aimed at improving teaching and learning in science, including developing and editing materials for BCM's K8 Science website.

Curriculum Director

Barbara Z. Tharp, M.S. is an Assistant Professor of Family and Community Medicine at BCM. Before arriving at BCM, she taught grades 1–5 in the Houston Independent School District, both as a classroom teacher and as a Science Lab Specialist. Ms. Tharp is a primary author and teacher-trainer on BCM¹s curriculum development projects. She also coordinates several of the College¹s teacher professional development programs. She was a Master Teacher in the Rice University School Mathematics Project, President of the Metropolitan Association of Teachers of Science of Houston, and President of the Texas Council for Elementary Science. Ms. Tharp served on the National Science Teachers Association's Committee for Professional Development. She is a Fellow of the National Science Leadership Academy and is active in many other professional organizations.

Editors

William A. Thomson is Deputy Director of Baylor College of Medicine's Center for Collaborative and Interactive Technologies and also holds an appointment as professor of Family and Community Medicine. For the past 25 years, he has directed numerous educational projects focusing on health-related issues funded by The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, US Department of Education, the Health Resources Services Administration, and the National Space Biomedical Research Institute. Dr. Thomson also serves as Director of the Center for Educational Outreach (CEO) at BCM. The CEO has produced award-winning science- and health-related materials (the nervous system and environmental health) for children and the general public, funded by the National Institutes of Health. Widely published, he has served as guest editor for Academic Medicine. His research interests are minority health and the applications of information technology in teaching and learning. Dr. Thomson also is associate team lead for the NSBRI Education and Public Outreach Team. He received his doctoral degree in Administration and Health Education from Texas A&M University, College Station.

Michael Fordis, MD is the founding director of the Center for Collaborative and Interactive Technologies at Baylor College of Medicine. The Center leads Baylor's efforts in research, development and use of multimedia, information, and distance learning technologies in professional and patient education and related health care applications. Examples of the Center's award-winning websites include, www.LipidsOnline.org, www.HypertensionOnline.org, www.ContraceptionOnline.org, and www.BaylorCME.org. Dr. Fordis also serves as the Associate Dean for Continuing Medical Education at Baylor and is active in both the Society for Continuing Medical Education (SACME) and in the Alliance for Continuing Medical Education. In SACME he serves on the Board, is the Southern Region Representative, and serves on the Endowment Council and Research Committee. He also serves on the Professional Education Committee of the American Heart Association and on the editorial board of Cancer Spectrum, the online Journal of National Cancer Institute.

Dr. Fordis joined Baylor in 1997 from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), where he served as the first Director of the NIH Office of Education from 1990-1997. As Associate Dean and Director of CME at Baylor, Dr. Fordis directs a program that provides CME activities for approximately 50,000 physicians each year. In recent years, Baylor has become recognized as a leader in the development of online activities for learners and faculty. Under Dr. Fordis' direction, Baylor College of Medicine completed its application for re-accreditation and was awarded Accreditation with Commendation by the Accreditation Council in Continuing Medical Education. Baylor was recognized with five exemplary ratings in various aspects of CME program development and was reaccredited with commendation for six years.

In 2003, Dr. Fordis received the Fox Award from SACME for research in continuing medical education. In 2004 the Alliance for Continuing Medical Education presented Dr. Fordis with the President's Award for Exemplary Service in CME. While at the NIH, he received a number of awards including the Secretary's (Secretary of the Department of Heath and Human Services) Award for Exceptional Achievement (one of the highest awards bestowed by the Department of Health and Human Services-the federal agency that oversees the NIH), the NIH Director's Award, and recognition from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute for his efforts in science education. His research interests focus upon applications of technology to physician learning and behavioral change, outcomes assessment, and faculty resources.

Raye Lynn Alford earned her Bachelor's degree in biology from Davidson College in 1985 and her PhD in biochemistry from Baylor College of Medicine in 1992. She completed her postdoctoral training at Baylor College of Medicine in the Department of Molecular and Human Genetics. After completing her postdoctoral training, she joined the Baylor DNA Diagnostic Laboratory as Assistant Director. In 1996, Dr. Alford was board certified in Clinical Molecular Genetics by the American Board of Medical Genetics. She published her first book, Genetics & Your Health: A Guide for the 21st Century Family in 1999. In 1999 and 2000, Dr. Alford served as a consultant and media spokesperson for the Healthy Generations web site campaign of Pfizer Women's Health. Dr. Alford is currently Assistant Professor and Coordinator of Academic and Scientific Program Development in The Bobby R. Alford Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Communicative Sciences at Baylor College of Medicine. Her research is focused on genetic causes of hearing loss, and improving DNA diagnostic methods for genetic forms of hearing loss. Dr. Alford is a Fellow of the American College of Medical Genetics and Chair of their Education and CME committee. Dr. Alford is also a member of the Advisory Committee of the "GENE: Genetics Education Needs Evaluation" project of the March of Dimes. In 2003, Dr. Alford served as the exhibit designer and primary content developer for The Living Genome: Reading the Book of Life, a 3,000 square foot genetics/genomics exhibit at the Houston Museum of Natural Science.

David Caprette received his Bachelor's degree in biology from Case-Western Reserve University in 1974 and his Ph.D. in regulatory biology from Cleveland State University in 1982. Following postdoctoral work at Baylor College of Medicine and the University of Houston he joined Rice University as a Laboratory Coordinator in 1987. Before turning to full time teaching Dr. Caprette conducted research in areas of physiology, cell biology, and biochemistry. Since 1987, he has been responsible for the development and teaching of undergraduate laboratory courses including general and cell biology, microbiology, physiology, and specialized courses such as cell culture and electron microscopy. His additional interests include the development of interdisciplinary collaborations among laboratory educators in the science and engineering, the promotion of scientific literacy among K-12 teachers through talks and workshops, and educational assessment and the development of effective teaching methods in the context of laboratory education.

Tadzia GrandPré received her bachelor's degree in neuroscience from Washington and Lee University in 1998. After earning her Ph.D. in neuroscience from Yale University in 2002, she spent several years as a postdoctoral fellow in the Neurobiology Department at Harvard Medical School. Dr. GrandPré joined BCM in 2007 as a Research Associate in the Center for Educational Outreach. She contributes to a variety of projects aimed at improving teaching and learning in science, including developing and editing materials for BCM's K8 Science website.

David Fillman received his Bachelor's degree in biology from Baylor University in 1979, a Master's degree in entomology from Texas A&M in 1982, and a Doctorate in curriculum and instruction from the University of Houston in 1989. Dr. Fillman taught biology, chemistry, and physics at the high school level from 1983-1989, and zoology at the junior college level. He has been Program Director for Science at Galena Park ISD since 1990. Dr. Fillman has been a presenter for and a contributor to Baylor College of Medicine's school based programs since 1987.

Marlene MacLeish, EdD is Professor of Medical Education in the Department of Medical Education at Morehouse School of Medicine in Atlanta, Georgia. She is a member of the Fernbank Science Center - SpaceStation Fernbank Advisory Board; member of the Board of Directors of Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education; and an Ad Hoc member of NASA's Life Sciences Advisory Subcommittee of the Life and Microgravity Sciences and Applications Advisory Committee. She leads the K-12 education and outreach team of the National Space Biomedical Research Institute, a nationwide consortium of research institutions funded by NASA.

Cindy Martinez-Wedig, PhD earned her bachelor's degree in diary science from the University of Wisconsin, Madison in 1981, and her master's and doctoral degrees in dairy science at the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana in 1985 and 1988, respectively. Currently, she is a lecturer in the Department of Biology at the University of Texas-Pan American (UT-PA) in Edinburg, TX, where she teaches courses in General Biology, Mammalian Physiology, Inquiry-Based Science and Cell Biology, directs a South Texas high school outreach program, and coordinates preparation of UT-PA biology majors interested in obtaining teacher certification in secondary education. She also was involved in developing an interdisciplinary science major for middle school teachers at UT-PA. In addition, since 1995, Dr. Martinez-Wedig has served as Program Coordinator for the Premedical Honors College (PHC) at UT-PA, an eight-year, high-school-through medical school program operated in collaboration with Baylor College of Medicine. Her responsibilities as coordinator include recruiting students, publishing and distributing a monthly newsletter, and conducting an on-line high school outreach program to improve academic preparedness of participating high school students. Since its establishment, the PHC has become a significant producer of the nation's Mexican-American medical students, and in 2001, it was awarded the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board STAR award for its pivotal role in expanding educational pathways for Texas students.

Contributors

Sonia Rahmati Clayton received her Bachelor of Science degree in biology from UCLA. After earning her Ph.D. in Molecular Virology and Microbiology at Baylor College of Medicine, she joined the Center for Educational Outreach at Baylor College of Medicine. As a hybrid scientist educator, one of her primary roles at the Center for Educational Outreach is to serve as a liaison between the educational and scientific communities in Houston. In this role, she helps to bring cutting edge biomedical science into K-12 classroom through programs that partner teachers with scientists and are funded by Howard Hughes Medical Institute and the National Science Foundation. She trains teachers and undergraduates in laboratory techniques and also collaborates with her colleagues in the Center for Educational Outreach to develop science curriculum for grades 5-12.

Charlesetta Deason is a native Houstonian and a proud product of the Houston Independent School District, graduating from Booker T. Washington High School. She received both her BS and M.Ed. degrees from Prairie View A&M University. She has studied at Harvard University, the University of Houston, and the University of Texas Health Science Center and received her Doctorate degree in Administration from Texas Southern University. She has worked in the Houston Independent School District as a teacher and administrator for over 25 years, and has been principal at Michael E. DeBakey High School for Health Professions for 15 years. Her work has allowed her to travel to China and Taiwan as a speaker and presenter. Dr. Deason is active in her community, serving on many boards and organizations, such as the American Heart Association and the National Congress of Black Women. She is a member of the Worthington Baptist Church and works with the youth and scholarship committees, Rev. Lawrence Deason is her pastor. Dr. Deason has one son and three grandchildren. She enjoys reading and running, and has completed two marathons.

William J. Klish is chief of gastroenterology, hepatology and nutrition and head of the department of medicine at Texas Children's Hospital, as well as professor of pediatrics and head of pediatric gastroenterology at Baylor College of Medicine. His specialties are gastroenterology and Prader-Will Syndrome. He earned his Bachelor's degree from Wisconsin State University-Eau Claire in 1963 and his MD from the University of Wisconsin Medical School in 1967. He is and has been a member of numerous professional organizations, including the American Institute of Nutrition and the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Lisa M. Meffert received her Bachelor's degree in biology from the University of Houston in 1982, and received her Ph.D. in biology at the same institution in 1988. She then progressed to the rank of Research Associate Professor until her appointment as Assistant Professor in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at Rice University in July 2000. Her research program involves quantitative genetic investigations of animal behavior, sexual selection, speciation, and conservation biology. Meffert has served on the editorial board for the journal Evolution. She has also been tapped multiple advisory boards for the National Science Foundation, as well as one for the National Aeronautics and Space Association. Her current research project, her fourth funded by the National Science Foundation, is examining the effects of selection and immigration in the persistence of small populations.

Nancy P. Moreno received her Bachelor's degree in botany from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1974, and worked as an investigator and editor of the Flora of Veracruz Project in Mexico until 1985. After earning her Ph.D. in biology in 1993 from Rice University, she joined Baylor College of Medicine (BCM), where she is associate professor in the Department of Family and Community Medicine and associate director of the Center for Educational Outreach. Dr. Moreno's research interests focus on developing effective collaborations among scientists and educators for the improvement of science education. Her activities involve the creation and dissemination of innovative science and health educational materials for students and the development of partnership programs to promote systemic change in science teaching and learning in schools. Currently, she is principal investigator of science education partnerships funded by the National Institutes of Health, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute and the National Science Foundation. She is a member of the Advisory Board of the National Science Resources Center's Leadership and Assistance for Science Education Reform initiative, President of the National Association of Health Science Education Partnerships and a recent past member of the National Science Teachers Association Standing Committee on Preschool/Elementary Science Education.

Alana D. Newell joined the Center for Educational Outreach (CEO) as a Project Intern in 2004, while completing her Bachelor's degree in sociology from Rice University. After receiving her degree in 2005, Ms. Newell joined the CEO full-time. Currently, she is the Center's Education Coordinator. In this role, she manages the details of various CEO professional development programs, and serves as liaison between the directors and participants of those programs. Additionally, Ms. Newell assists with the preparation of content for the BioEd Online website, management and distribution of CEO printed materials, and program data collection and organization.

Barbara Z. Tharp, M.S. is an Assistant Professor of Family and Community Medicine at BCM. Before arriving at BCM, she taught grades 1–5 in the Houston Independent School District, both as a classroom teacher and as a Science Lab Specialist. Ms. Tharp is a primary author and teacher-trainer on BCM¹s curriculum development projects. She also coordinates several of the College¹s teacher professional development programs. She was a Master Teacher in the Rice University School Mathematics Project, President of the Metropolitan Association of Teachers of Science of Houston, and President of the Texas Council for Elementary Science. Ms. Tharp served on the National Science Teachers Association's Committee for Professional Development. She is a Fellow of the National Science Leadership Academy and is active in many other professional organizations.

Michael T. Vu earned a Bachelor's degree in education from the University of Houston in 2000, and was an elementary science teacher at Gary L. Herod Elementary School in the Houston Independent School District (HISD) from 2000-2007. During this time, Mr. Vu attended-and later served as a Master Teacher in-the Houston Urban Learning in a Networked Community (HU-LINC) Summer Science Program, conducted jointly by HISD and Baylor College of Medicine (BCM). Mr. Vu also participated in BCM's Science Educator Leadership Fellows program and was a member of HISD's Elementary Science PLC Committee on planning and implementation of science curricula. He has presented workshops and presentations with BCM at several NSTA, CAST and TCES conferences. He also has participated with the University of Texas Medical Branch in the Environmental Health Sciences Summer Institute for K-12 Educators. In 2007, Mr. Vu joined the staff at BCM as a Senior Project Coordinator, with responsibility for curriculum development and coordination of various outreach programs. In addition, Mr. Vu currently is completing his Masters of Science degree at Rice University, with an expected graduation date of December 2007.