The Academic Minute for 2021.03.15-2021.03.19

The Academic Minute from 03.15 – 03.19

Monday, March 15th
Anahid S. Modrek – Thomas Jefferson University
A Cost of an Excellent Education
Dr. Anahid Modrek is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at Thomas Jefferson University, where she is PI directing the Leaning to Learn (L2L) Lab studying cognitive and sociocultural processes that affect the development of reasoning, learning, and achievement. Dr. Modrek’s research program bridges the fields of cognitive science and education, with L2L’s work guided by a broader goal of informing policy, practice, and intervention that aim to reduce societal inequalities, some of which stem from learning environments and social contexts. Prior to her appointment she completed postdoctoral fellowships at UCSD and UCLA as an NSF Postdoctoral Fellow. Dr. Modrek received her PhD in Developmental Psychology in 2016 working with Dr. Deanna Kuhn at Columbia University.

Tuesday, March 16th
Ben Ho – Vassar College
Why Trust Matters
Ben Ho is an associate professor of behavioral economics at Vassar College who applies economic tools like game theory and experimental design to understand social systems such as apologies, identity, fairness and attitudes about climate change. Before Vassar, he taught MBA students at Cornell University’s Johnson School of Management. Professor Ho was also lead energy economist at the White House Council of Economic Advisers, and has worked and consulted for Morgan Stanley and several tech startups. Professor Ho also teaches at Columbia University where he is a faculty affiliate for the Center for Global Energy Policy. His work has been featured in the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal. Ho holds seven degrees from Stanford and MIT in economics, education, political science, math, computer science and electrical engineering.

Wednesday, March 17th
Brian Lowe – SUNY Oneonta
Conspiracy Theories
Brian M. Lowe received his BAH and Master’s in Sociology from Queen’s University at Kingston, Ontario and his Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of Virginia. Dr. Lowe’s research and teaching interests include sociological theories, animal and society, cultural and comparative-historical sociology and spectacular conflicts. He is the author of Emerging Moral Vocabularies: The Creation and Establishment of New Forms of Moral and Ethical Meanings (Lexington books, 2006) and several articles. In 2008 Lowe became Chair of the Animals and Society section of the American Sociological Association.

Thursday, March 18th
Laura Guertin – Penn State University
Science and Communication
Laura Guertin received her B.A. in Geology from Bucknell University and her Ph.D. in Marine Geology and Geophysics from the University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School of Marine & Atmospheric Science. Dr. Guertin’s primary research focus is the effective integration of innovative technologies to improve student learning in introductory-level geoscience courses, particularly to improve student scientific literacy, information literacy, and geospatial skills. Research projects have included student-generated audio narratives, ePortolios with Google Earth and ArcGIS Story Maps, and other technological tools for geoscience research and outreach. Her courses cover Earth science topics such as oceanography, climate change, energy, water, and sustainability. Penn State University has honored Guertin with university-wide awards, including the George W. Atherton Award for Excellence in Teaching (2006), Teaching and Learning with Technology Impact Award (2019), and The President’s Award for Excellence in Academic Integration (2020).

Friday, March 19th
Rokeshia Renné Ashley – Florida International University
Negotiating Health Information Concerning Skin Whitening
Dr. Rokeshia Renné Ashley is a Miami native and mother to her daughter, Emery. Dr. Ashley’s research focuses on health communication in body image and modification. She examines how black women manage their appearance relative to reception of health information and negotiating modification in a racial and health context. To date, Dr. Ashley’s work has been published in the Howard Journal of Communications, Health Communication, Journal of Black Studies, and Communication, Culture & Critique. She is the author of children’s book, SunFlower Child which teaches Black and Brown girls how to love, care for, and protect their skin. Her work has been publicly shared by Black Enterprise, NBC News, U.S. News & World Report, the Chicago Tribune, Columbia Missourian, Allure Magazine, Red Lake Nation News and more; collectively over 10 million readers across varying platforms.