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. 

Neha Joshi
Biology Major

Hi, my name is Neha! I am currently pursuing a major in Biology. I have always been interested in learning about how living systems work, and I am happy that Science Alive gives me the amazing opportunity to share my knowledge and enthusiasm with younger students. I think bringing a sense of fun, discovery, and perseverance is the key to engaging kids and opening STEM as a potential path for them. It is easy for kids to become discouraged by the sciences since the subject matter can be quite dense and difficult. However, I hope Science Alive can help them overcome these feelings by showing them how cool science can be. I definitely wish I had been involved in something like this when I was younger, so I want this to be a rewarding experience for everyone involved. I’m very excited to be a part of this fantastic program!

​

Terin Philip
Biology Major
Hello, my name is Terin! I am currently completing my major in Biology and minors in Public Health, Pre-Health, and Honors Transdisciplinary Studies. It’s been a wonderful experience participating in the Science Alive program so far. STEM is often intimidating to children, as concepts may be hard to understand at first. Science Alive has a purpose of recreating scientific concepts in a way that is both engaging and meaningful for children of various grades to be immersed in scientific processes. It’s a wonderful moment watching them understand a plethora of subjects in real time, and knowing that it was in part by you! I’m very grateful for the opportunity to help with both virtual and in person activities over my time in the program. The best part is seeing the kids learn and grow in confidence every week as little scientists!
Victoria A. Capo
Environmental Science Major
    
Hi everyone! I'm Victoria and I'm currently working on completing my major in Environmenal Science and my minors in Anthropolgy, Studio Art, and Marine Biology! I love nature and everything about it, preservation and conservation are very important to me and that is why I love Science Alive! Science Alive is the perfect opprotunity to introduce students to the important of the environment and how we treat it, and what better way to get students involved than with fun activities and labs! Not only this, but I want to see more students excited about STEM and build their knowledge of what it is. There is nothing more amazing than seeing someones eyes light up from science, it is the closest thing we have to magic and I can't wait to see passion form in the students eyes!