Overview
During Year 1 of the project, 8 teachers worked with researchers at the University of Louisville. In addition to working in their respective labs, teachers also engaged with several environmental justice experts while learning about local environmental issues. Read more about two teachers experiences studying how Louisville’s urban heat island effects its robins: UofL program empowers local teachers to bring science to life.
2024-25 BIO-RETS Teacher Cohort
Erin Brock
- Erin Brock is a high school science teacher (Biology) in Jefferson County Public Schools (Seneca HS).
- In 2024, Erin worked in Dr. Abolins-Abols’ lab and presented their research at the end of the 6-week experience (Poster Title: More Grass, More Avian Malaria? A test of the ecosystem disservices hypothesis).
Cody Stevens
- Cody Stevens is a high school science teacher (Chemistry, Ecology) in Jefferson County Public Schools (Valley HS).
- In 2024, Cody worked in Dr. Lackey’s lab and presented their research at the end of the 6-week experience (Poster Title: Summer tick abundance by age class and tick-borne disease incident in an urban park).
Abby Sheeran
- Abby Sheeran is a high school science teacher (Chemistry/Biology/Ecology) in Jefferson County Public Schools (Moore HS).
- In 2024, Abby worked in Dr. Pigg’s lab and presented their research at the end of the 6-week experience (Poster Title: Species differ in consequences of climate warming on development and survival).
Makenzie Kuhns
- Makenzie Kuhns is a high school science teacher (Chemistry) in Jefferson County Public Schools (Waggener HS).
- In 2024, Makenzie worked in Dr. Abolins-Abols’ lab and presented their research at the end of the 6-week experience (Poster Title: More Grass, More Avian Malaria? A test of the ecosystem disservices hypothesis).
Christina Casto
- Christina Casto is a high school science teacher (Biology, Environmental Science) in Jefferson County Public Schools (Fairdale HS).
- In 2024, Castro worked in Dr. Pigg’s lab and presented their research at the end of the 6-week experience (Poster Title: Species differ in consequences of climate warming on development and survival).
Samantha Bechtel
- Samantha Bechtel is a high school science teacher (Biology) in Jefferson County Public Schools (Fairdale HS).
- In 2024, Samantha worked in Dr. Mehring’s lab and presented their research at the end of the 6-week experience (Poster Title: Duckweed decomposition in oxic and hypoxic conditions).
Nancy Yoak
- Nancy Yoak is a high school science teacher (Chemistry) in Jefferson County Public Schools (Valley HS).
- In 2024, Nancy worked in Dr. Mehring’s lab and presented their research at the end of the 6-week experience (Poster Title: Duckweed decomposition in oxic and hypoxic conditions).
Keegan Woodlee
- Keegan Woodlee is a high school science teacher (Middle School Science) in Oldham County Public Schools (North Oldham MS).
- In 2024, Keegan worked in Dr. Lackey’s lab and presented their research at the end of the 6-week experience (Poster Title: Summer tick abundance by age class and tick-borne disease incident in an urban park).
