Meet the Group
Dr. Erin Saitta
Associate Professor in Chemistry
Dr. Erin Saitta is from Tampa, Florida and received her undergraduate degree from UCF in Science Education-Chemistry with a minor in Chemistry. She received her Ph.D. in Materials Chemistry and continued with a post doc at the UCF Faculty Center for Teaching and Learning, in collaboration with the College of Sciences and Department of Chemistry. She has over a decade of experience in faculty professional development and evidence-based curricular design where she specializes in GTA training, inquiry-based instruction, and collaborative action research. Her work has been published in reputable journals such as Science, the Journal of Chemical Education, and the Journal of Science Education & Technology. In August of 2013, she was awarded the Science prize for Inquiry-Based Instruction. She loves her family, dance, and the US National Women’s Soccer team.
Graduate Students
Kathleen Lugo Charriez received her Bachelor of Science in chemistry at Florida International University after transferring from the University of Puerto Rico. Her research efforts currently involve utilizing the Universal Design for Learning to explore the knowledge, implicit beliefs, and conceptualization of GTAs with respect to increasing access and meaningful learning for students with a wide range of abilities in the context of undergraduate chemistry. In addition, she is using this information to develop training materials for GTAs in chemistry departments that promote the use of inclusive teaching practices. Kathleen has extensive research experience in environmental chemistry and as a Latina woman in STEM strives to mentor and support Spanish speaking communities, as such has developed her project fully bilingual. She enjoys many activities such as traveling, reading, dancing, and being at the beach.
Jarah Dreamerson received his bachelor’s in Chemistry: Environmental Chemistry from Florida Southern College in 2023. He has previously done research in biochemistry in the REU: PR-Climb at the University of Puerto Rico Río Piedras/Centro Comprehensivo de Cáncer. He then completed his undergraduate thesis in Chemical Education modifying an esterification reaction teaching lab to be accessible to blind and visually impaired students. He is continuing this field of research in making chemistry accessible for blind and visually impaired (BVI) in the Saitta lab, with a focus on identifying barriers and perceptions of BVI chemistry students.
Esther Richards received her Bachelor of Science in Chemistry – Biochemistry Track from the University of Central Florida in 2024. She has always loved teaching and is thrilled to be involved in CER. Her undergraduate research included analyzing the perspectives of organic chemistry faculty and students as a foundation for selecting meaningful action research interventions. For her graduate research, she is exploring how the TeachLivE™ teaching simulator can provide opportunities for GTAs and ULAs to rehearse evidence-based practices.
Undergraduate Students
Emanuella Dolcine
Emanuella Dolcine is currently working under Dr. Saitta and Esther Richards doing undergraduate research concerning Learning Assistants and how virtual simulation can create and achieve effective teaching strategies.
CJ Justice
CJ Justice is working under Jarah Dreamerson on the BVI project by assisting with interview transcriptions and formatting for analysis.
Andrew Ottley
Andrew Ottley is currently engaged in independent research where he is observing ongoing projects to gain experience. His focus is on a new study of a plant historically used as a dye and implementing its chemistry in an educational setting.
Diego Rodriguez-Sandoval
Diego Rodriguez-Sandoval is currently working with Jarah Dreamerson transcribing and analyzing interviews as part of the BVI project.
