Dr. Eleanor Close researches physics education, focusing on how students develop physics identity and succeed in STEM through programs like the Physics Learning Assistant model. She studies learning communities, inclusive instruction, student outcomes, and teacher preparation, aiming to improve equity, belonging, and retention in undergraduate STEM education.
Dr. Hunter Close
Dr. Hunter Close is an associate professor of physics whose work centers on physics education research. He studies how students learn physics in introductory and advanced courses, exploring conceptual understanding, cognitive resources, and meaning-making. He also focuses on teacher preparation and improving STEM learning and retention.
Dr. Heather Galloway
Dr. Heather Galloway is a physics professor and Honors College dean whose work centers on science and STEM education. She teaches courses from freshman physics to honors seminars and mentors students. Her research explores effective teaching practices, student success, and building faculty-student communities to improve undergraduate learning and retention in STEM.
Dr. Alice Olmstead
Dr. Alice Olmstead studies how to improve undergraduate STEM education by helping faculty change instructional practices and build supportive learning communities. She focuses on faculty professional development, instructional change teams, and strategies that support student reasoning and success in physics and across STEM fields.