Archives: People

Ben was named the director of SEPUP in December of 2019. Ben earned his Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry from UCLA and a PhD in Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry from Yale University. Ben began his career in science education teaching middle and high school students in Oakland, California and subsequently worked for 11 years at the […]

Janet has been the lead designer for over twenty SEPUP curricula units in physical science, physics, earth science, space science, and engineering. She contributed to the initial creation of SEPUP’s middle school course, Issues and Earth Science, as the Project Coordinator, Field Test Coordinator, and first author. She led the development or revision for half of […]

Maia began her career in education teaching high school biology and other science and literacy skills courses in San Francisco, California. She also served as Department Chair before moving on to work at the district level, developing and executing professional development workshops for all of the district’s middle and high school science teachers. Maia joined […]

Kristina joined the SEPUP team in 2023. She brings 10 years of high school science teaching experience, including work at different types of comprehensive and alternative schools in the East Bay, working with diverse student populations, English Learners, and at-risk youth. She has taught many subjects including biology, environmental science, earth science, US history, civics, independent […]

Kelly joined SEPUP in 2020, bringing extensive experience in science and STEM education as a teacher (middle and high school), researcher, evaluator, teacher educator, and designer and provider of professional development for teachers and outreach programs for students. She began her teaching career in Ontario and British Columbia, earned her PhD in Curriculum, Teaching and […]

Since first joining SEPUP in 1996, Manisha has collaborated on as well as led many projects at SEPUP. She co-authored the original Issues and Life Science middle school course, and has written units for Issues and Earth Science, Issues and Physical Science, Science and Sustainability, Science and Global Issues: Biology, the SEPUP high school modules, and Moving Next Generation Science Standards into […]

David became an educator after many years as a research scientist and has a life-long interest in making science meaningful, valuable, and accessible for students from diverse backgrounds. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Molecular and Cell Biology from UC Berkeley and a PhD in Neuroscience from UC San Diego. Prior to joining SEPUP in […]

Tim first collaborated with SEPUP curriculum developers in 2012 to develop hands-on, informal science and engineering curriculum for middle and high school students in Saudi Arabia. Since that time, Tim has worked for SEPUP on a number of projects including the development of the Issues and Science middle school units redesigned for the NGSS. Tim began his […]

Wendy Jackson is a Curriculum Developer with SEPUP, and was a lead author on several of the Issues and Science units redesigned for the NGSS. Currently she is co-coordinating the redesign of Science and Global Issues, and is the lead developer on the Ecology and Evolution units. Wendy came to SEPUP in 2015 from DePaul University where she […]

Dr. Menzies is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at SEPUP. Crystal’s career began as a teacher in Los Angeles and then transitioned to work with Local Education Agencies (LEAs), State Education Agencies (SEAs) and education nonprofits in the development and implementation of equitable initiatives that leverage stakeholder voice. Crystal also worked directly with schools and school […]