Faculty

Below are the faculty and staff members of Nova Southeastern University, Nova Blanche Elementary School, and the Alving Sherman Library that make Science Alive possible. 

Emily Schmitt Lavin, Ph.D.
NSU Department of Biological Sciences Department Chair, Professor

​My Name is Dr. Emily Schmitt Lavin (or Dr. Emily when I lead young students) in the joy of scientific discovery through our Science Alive programs. Science Alive is exciting for both the younger students and the more advanced college students. Being able to explain complex science topics in an easy to understand way to younger students really helps college students enjoy their studies even more. Since a young age, I dreamed of becoming a college professor. I earned my Ph.D. in Biology at the University of Miami in 1997 and joined the faculty at Nova Southeastern University (NSU) in 2001.  I now hold the rank of Professor and serve as the Department Chair for the Department of Biological Sciences in the Halmos College of Natural Sciences and Oceanography.

Aarti Raja, Ph.D.
​NSU Department of Biological Sciences Associate Professor 

Hi! I am Aarti Raja and I am excited to be part of Science Alive. Joining Science Alive and Dr. Emily’s team has been a rewarding experience for me. I enjoy interacting with college students and young children alike as we try to explain scientific concepts together. It is a wonderful learning experience for me as young students ask brilliant questions and keep me on my toes. I come from a family of educators and am proud to have become one myself. I obtained my Ph.D. in Microbiology at the University of Maryland in 2000 and joined the faculty at Nova Southeastern University (NSU) in 2012.  I now hold the rank of Associate Professor for the Department of Biological Sciences in the Halmos College of Natural Sciences and Oceanography.

Michele Parsons
Nova Blanche Forman Elementary School, Before and After Care Supervisor 

Hello, my name is Michele Parsons and I am teach and organize the aftercare program at Nova Blanche Forman Elementary School. I have been teaching in Broward County for over 20 years. I have assisted in fostering the relationship between Nova Blanche and the Science Alive program, and believe Science Alive brings a wonderful variety of positive experiences to the students at Nova Blanche.

Senior Group Leaders

Here are a few of our outstanding Group Leaders! All of these students are looking to pursue careers in science. Below, they detail why they love science, as well as why they love to participate in Science Alive. 

Alina Poothurail
Biology Major

Hello, my name is Alina! I am pursuing a major in Biology and minors in Psychology for Health Sciences and Pre-Health. Science Alive has given me the wonderful opportunity to combine my love for working with children/students, teaching, and science. I believe STEM education is extremely important because it pushes us to explore the world around us and ask questions about how or why something works. It provides children with opportunities to develop and practice many skills such as communication, team work, problem-solving, perseverance, reasoning, etc. Although STEM topics may be challenging, through Science Alive, I have seen children of various grades get excited about the field of science, learn new concepts and ideas, and see the power of science firsthand and how it is used to explain our world. I am so excited to be working with this program and to continue inspiring young learners!

Philopatier Ibrahim
Neuroscience Major​

Hello, my name is Philopatier Ibrahim. I am a Neuroscience major. Science Alive has given me the opportunity to make science fun and interesting for elementary students while allowing me to teach complex topics and lead my own team. I am very excited to be apart of this wonderful program and am very excited for the years to come!​

Aleessa Celestin
Biology Major

Hi, my name is Aleessa! I am a senior Biology Major with a minor in Pre-Health. To me, Science Alive is exactly what it means: making science feel alive! To engage students/children in such a personal level and make awesome and crucial memories for future scientists! STEM is not hard inherently; it only takes patience, motivation... and fun, of course! Children being able to connect topics to their daily life and are ecstatic when they have something new to know, it only makes the world a better place!  I am so grateful to have the privilege to be at Science Alive! 

Ashley Abad
​Biology Major

Hi! My name is Ashley, and I'm a Junior at Nova Southeastern University majoring in Biology and minoring in Human Nutrition and Honors Transdisciplinary Studies. Science Alive has given me an incredible outlet to share my love of science while also fulfilling my passion of working with children. My favorite part of working with Science Alive is seeing the kids' faces light up with excitement and curiosity when engaging in our science activities. It is truly so rewarding to be part of that experience with them, knowing that every new experiment may forever change how they view science - as exhilarating, adventuresome, and fun!

Rajin Persaud
​Biology Major​​

Hi, my name is Rajin! I am a senior Biology major with minors in Public Health, Human Nutrition, and Pre-Health. Through Science Alive I have been able to continue my long standing passion of mentoring and working with children and students. I was fortunate enough to be exposed to STEM at a young age and am grateful to be a part of a program that allows me to introduce it to the next generation. STEM carries a stigma of being difficult and boring but for me that can’t be further from the truth. Anything challenging is gratifying and learning about the world around us is exhilarating. I am proud to be in Science Alive and I hope the kids have a lot of fun doing experiments with us.

Trisha Sudhakar
​Biology Major

Hello, my name is Trisha Sudhakar and I am excited to be joining the Science Alive team! I am majoring in Biology and minoring in Business, with an overall goal of becoming a physician. I believe my aspirations have been shaped by past experiences and, for that reason, understand the importance of exposing children to science-related activities starting at a young age. I view Science Alive as an opportunity to give back to the children in the community just as STEM programs have given so much to me. I am proud to be a part of an organization full of members that share a similar passion of encouraging children to embrace their curiosity relating to scientific topics.