ORISE Featurecast

By: Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education
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  • Summary

  • This is the ORISE FeatureCast. Join host Michael Holtz for conversations with ORISE experts on STEM workforce development, scientific and technical reviews, and the evaluation of radiation exposure and environmental contamination. You’ll also hear from ORISE research program participants and their mentors as they talk about their experiences and how they are helping shape the future of science. Welcome to the ORISE Featurecast.
    Copyright 2025 ORISE Featurecast
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Education Natural History Nature & Ecology Political Science Politics & Government Science
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Episodes
  • How science helps solve problems: An FBI Visiting Scientist Program conversation

    How science helps solve problems: An FBI Visiting Scientist Program conversation
    Apr 24 2025
    Gene Peters is the chief of Counterterrorism and Forensic Science Research at the FBI Laboratory in Virginia, where he leads research staff to develop new capabilities in, improve existing methods for, and strengthen the foundations and defensibility of science applied to forensic, counterterrorism, and intelligence challenges. His team's research spans forensic aspects of anthropology, molecular biology, analytical chemistry, genetics, geology, microbiology, statistics, toxicology, and physical sciences involving pattern evidence. In this episode of the ORISE Featurecast, Peters discusses the importance of the FBI Visiting Scientist Research Program. He also discusses how many of the researcher that join him have been inspired by what they see on shows like "CSI." For Peters, his TV inspiration was "Quincy MD." He says that while that TV show didn't actually spur an interest specifically in forensics, it did spur an interest in using science to solve problems. To learn more about the FBI Visiting Scientist Research Program, visit https://orise.orau.gov/fbi/default.html
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    30 mins
  • Sharing federal resources created by and for educators: An Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship conversation

    Sharing federal resources created by and for educators: An Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship conversation
    Apr 3 2025
    Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellows have a unique role in the nation's STEM education system. They represent educators from all over the country in policy discussions, and they help develop classroom and other educational resources that are accessible to educators and students everywhere. In this episode of the ORISE Featurecast, host Michael Holtz and guest co-host Zachary Proffitt-Minchow, himself an AEF Fellow, discuss how Fellows develop and can help amplify the availability of these resources. They are joined by Katherine Mauro, who is placed in the Air Force and Space Force STEM Outreach Office; Jorge Ambriz, a Capitol Hill Fellow working in Rep. Raul Grijalva's office; and Jonathan Gerlach, an AEF program alumnus and senior director of partnerships at Legends of Learning. Katherine Mauro brings over 10 years of experience in education to her role as an elementary school Library Media Specialist in Newtown, Connecticut. She is passionate about empowering students to become the next generation of changemakers and enjoys creating cross-curricular STEM lessons. Her accolades include being honored as a Connecticut state finalist for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching, as well as a 2020 Grosvenor Teacher Fellow with National Geographic and Lindblad Expeditions. Katherine’s goal as an educator is to empower students through the use of both authentic experiential learning and technology tools, finding that both are essential elements in a classroom environment that cultivates learning for all types of students. Jorge Ambriz is a dynamic educator with a decade of experience in inspiring students to excel in mathematics while championing educational equity. Notably, Ambriz was selected to join a national cohort of STEM educators for professional development through Texas Instruments' Teachers Teaching with Technology (T3) program. This experience fortified his pedagogical approach, enriching classroom instruction through innovative integration of educational technology. Beyond his academic achievements, Ambriz is deeply committed to fostering inclusive learning environments and expanding access to rigorous coursework for minority students. His unwavering belief in the potential of every student drives his relentless pursuit of excellence in mathematics education. Looking ahead, he remains steadfast in his mission to cultivate the next generation of critical thinkers and problem solvers, equipped to thrive in an ever-evolving global landscape. Jonathan W. Gerlach has extensive experience in the field of education and business. Jonathan W. began their career in 2007 as an Elementary Science Department District Resource for Title I School for the School District of Hillsborough County. In 2011, they served as a 2011-2012 Einstein Capitol Hill Fellow for the U.S. Department of Energy, where they focused on STEM education, educational innovation, teacher effectiveness, and ESEA implementation. In 2012, they joined Discovery Inc. as a Global Consultant for STEM Initiatives, where they were the architect of Discovery Education's three STEM culture transformation systems. Jonathan W. also served as a Senior Manager Professional Development, developing and implementing professional development plans for school districts nationally. In 2018, Jonathan joined EVERFI as a Senior Director of Enterprise Account Management, leading a team supporting a multi-million dollar book of business. Jonathan W. also served as a Sr. Director Customer Success - Global STEM Partnerships, managing high level partnerships with corporate partners supporting STEM initiatives in schools. In 2021, Jonathan joined Legends of Learning as Senior Director, Partnerships & Business Development, leading sales and partner management for all of Florida and select top 25 sized districts across the nation. Jonathan W. doubled the footprint and revenue through new sales of key large accounts, and led strategy and operations for the territory from account management, marketing, and support. Additionally, Jonathan has served as a Global STEM Consultant and Keynote Speaker for GE-STEM Transformation Consulting since 2018, supporting districts and organizations through keynotes and customized professional development. The Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship Act gives the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) the responsibility for managing the Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship. The DOE Office of Science’s Office of Workforce Development for Teachers and Scientists (WDTS) manages this program for DOE in collaboration with the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) and the partnering Federal agencies, which, at the time of this recording, included the Department of Defense (DOD), the Department of Energy (DOE), the Library of Congress (LOC), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the US Geological Survey (USGS), the Department of Homeland Security...
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    52 mins
  • Helping students see themselves in STEM careers: An Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship Conversation

    Helping students see themselves in STEM careers: An Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship Conversation
    Mar 6 2025
    ORISE is at the forefront of helping educate the U.S. scientific workforce of the future. Educators play a key role in this efforts. In this episode of the ORISE Featurecast, host Michael Holtz and special co-host Zachary Minchow-Proffitt have a conversation with two Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellows about the role of educators in helping their students see themselves pursuing STEM careers. Victoria Thomson, an AEF Fellow at USGS, and Jessica Fries-Gaither, an AEF Fellow at the Library of Congress, discuss barriers that students may face in expanding their interest in STEM and the pursuit of careers in STEM, and what they have done as educators to make their classrooms spaces where students gain self-confidence in STEM subjects. Join us for a great conversation. Victoria Miranda Thomson has been teaching high school science for over a decade, currently at East Lyme High School in Connecticut. She holds a B.S. in Entomology from Cornell University and an M.Sc. from the University of Arizona, where she developed a passion for public education through her NSF GK12 Fellowship. Victoria has taught a wide range of science courses and played a key role in implementing the Next Generation Science Standards. She brings real-world connections to her classroom by engaging with experts from around the globe. As a two-time Fund For Teachers Fellow, she has pursued professional development in astronomy and renewable energy. She is dedicated to expanding access to STEM education and fostering curiosity in her students. Jessica Fries-Gaither has been an educator for 25 years, most recently teaching Lower School (grades 1-5) Science at Columbus School for Girls in Columbus, OH, where she also served as Science Department Chair. In addition to teaching, she is an award-winning author who has published books for teachers and children. A frequent speaker at conferences, Jessica is passionate about the intersection of science and literacy instruction as well as helping students see themselves represented in STEM fields. Zachary Minchow-Proffitt is a 2024-2025 Einstein Fellow with the Department of Energy. Before this fellowship, Zak was a lead teacher and mentor at the Academies of Loudoun, a public STEM magnet school in northern Virginia. As a veteran science and research teacher, Zak is passionate about elevating the STEM research experience of all students. He believes that the future of STEM education will incorporate deeper, personalized, and inclusive education, with a focus on an integrated scientific mindset, as opposed to the traditional “siloed” approach to how we view the world. Zak is looking forward to the ways in which the Einstein Fellowship will continue to broaden his perspective, develop his advocacy, and enhance his ability to make a meaningful impact in the world of STEM. The Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship Act gives the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) the responsibility for managing the Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship. The DOE Office of Science’s Office of Workforce Development for Teachers and Scientists (WDTS) manages this program for DOE in collaboration with the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) and the partnering Federal agencies, which, at the time of this recording, included the Department of Defense (DOD), the Department of Energy (DOE), the Library of Congress (LOC), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the US Geological Survey (USGS), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and the National Science Foundation (NSF). The DOE sponsors five placements in congressional offices. To learn more about the Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship, visit https://science.osti.gov/wdts/einstein.
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    58 mins
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