Research Groups

Photonics and Optics Workforce Education Research (POWER) unites higher education, discipline-based education research, and workforce development in order to investigate core aspects of typical undergraduate STEM programs. Learn more about Photonics and Optics Workforce Education Research

Principal Investigator: Ben Zwickl, Kelly Martin
Postdoctoral Researchers: Anne Leak, Sue Rothwell

The Molecular Biology Education Research (MBER) Group is a collaborative research lab co-led by Dr. Dina Newman and Dr. Kate Wright, faculty in the Gosnell School of Life Sciences at RIT. The team studies how students think about molecular biology concepts and develops tools for improving biology education. Learn more about the Molecular Biology Education Research Group

Principal Investigators: Dina Newman, Kate Wright

The Graduate Admission and Retention Research is a study of Holistic practices to increase diversity and retention in Physics Graduate Programs. Learn more about Graduate Admission and Retention Research

Principal Investigators: Casey Miller, Scott Franklin, Ben Zwickl

Dr. Scott Franklin supervises a variety of physics education research projects. Past and current projects include characterizing how physicists embed conceptual meaning in mathematical formalism, visualizing the different routes students take to graduation (academic field switching), studying the interaction of student identities with the physics culture, and developing and characterizing effective mechanisms for bringing about faculty and institutional transformation. Learn more about the Franklin Physics Education Research Lab

Principal Researcher: Scott Franklin

Under the HHMI Inclusive Excellence Initiative, research is being conducted on the motivation of faculty to participate in inclusion efforts, the incorporation of inclusive practices both in the classroom and in the lab, and on faculty’s perceptions and actual implementation of inclusive practices in the classroom. Learn more about Inclusive Excellence Research

Principal Investigators: Dina Newman, Scott Franklin
Postdoctoral Researchers: Rita Margarida Magalhães, Britt Wyatt

This network is a partnership of more than 30 societies, institutions, organizations, corporations and national laboratories poised to lead a paradigm shift in increasing the participation of underrepresented racial and ethnic minority (UREM) students who enter graduate or doctorate level programs in the physical sciences. Its charge is to match the advanced degree participation rates to those of undergraduate student percentages and eliminate this disparity while increasing diversity in the reserve of future scientists. Learn more about the Inclusive Graduate Education Network

Principal Investigators: Casey Miller (Rochester Institute of Technology), Julie Posselt (University of Southern California)

Dr. Tina Goudreau Collison leads a collaborative effort focused on a reformed chemistry curriculum for teaching undergraduate laboratories using a scaffolding effect. Reformed Experimental Activities (REActivities) incorporates inclusivity, continuity, and engaged student learning in early chemistry experiences. Learn more about Reformed Experimental Activities

Principal Investigator: Christina Goudreau Collison
Co-principal Investigators at Rochester Institute of Technology: Dina Newman, Jeremy Cody
Co-principal Investigators at Monroe Community College: Jason Anderson, Brian Edelbach

Physics Professor Dr. Ben Zwickl’s research benefits students, employers and communities by addressing aspects of the gap between STEM education and workplace success. He leads education research on career-preparation in STEM, examining the link between STEM economic development and job creation which has received the broad support at both local and national levels. His research examines the rate of workplace success, which is determined by several factors. Learn more about the Zwickl Physics Education Research Lab

Principal Investigator: Ben Zwickl
Postdoctoral Researcher: Dina Zohrabi Alaee
Graduate Student: Mike Verostek