Meet the Team
We are a team of dedicated educators who transitioned from the classroom to university research to try to better support teachers and students.
Dr. Carla Brigandi
Principal Investigator
Carla an Associate Professor in the College of Applied Human Sciences at West Virginia University. After teaching middle and secondary school mathematics and gifted education for 15 years, she earned her Ph.D. in Educational Psychology with a focus on Gifted Education and Talent Development from the University of Connecticut. She also teaches professional development and presents both nationally and internationally.
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Dr. Mei Yuan
Co-Investigator
Jiangmei Yuan is an assistant professor of instructional design and technology in the School of Education at West Virginia University. Her research interests focus on undergraduate
engineering students’ engagement in academic tasks and academic performance in foundational
courses, pre- and in-service teachers’ teaching and learning of computer science and engineering
design, and the design of technology-enhanced learning experiences.
Dr. Karen Rambo-Hernandez
Co-Investigator
Karen is an associate professor at Texas A&M University in the College of Education and Human Development. Her research has been funded by NSF and the US Department of Education among others. She focuses on the assessment of educational interventions to improve STEM education and access for all students-- particularly high achieving and underrepresented students-- to high quality education.
Dr. Nancy Spillane
Co- Investigator
After teaching chemistry and physical science at the middle school level for 14 years, Nancy received her PhD from George Washington University. She is a former associate clinical professor and master teacher for WVU Teach.
Dr. Laurel Brandon
Teacher Leader
Laurel was an elementary teacher for gifted students before getting her PhD from the University of Connecticut. She is an enrichment teacher at Mansfield public schools in Connecticut.
Cathy Manley, M.A.
Graduate Research Assistant
Cathy taught math at the middle school and high school levels for 20 years before becoming a PhD candidate in Learning Sciences and Human Development at WVU.
Jana Stone, M.A.
Graduate Research Assistant
Jana taught elementary school for 12 years before becoming a PhD student in Learning Sciences and Human Development at at WVU. She is researching rural educational equity, and has enjoyed working with App Coders since 2020.
Maryann Hebda, M.A.
Graduate Research Assistant
Maryann is a doctoral student in Educational Psychology at Baylor University. Her research interests include developing STEM talent and twice-exceptional learners. Maryann has promoted inclusive STEM through creating and facilitating extracurricular robotics and summer enrichment programs in rural middle schools.
