Faculty

Below are the faculty and staff members of Nova Southeastern University, Nova Blanche Elementary School, and the NSU U-School 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. From 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.
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Jessica Sanchez
NSU University School (High School Biology Teacher)​

My name is Jessica Sanchez and I'm originally from Milford, CT. In 2022, I graduated from Nova Southeastern University with my B.S in Secondary Biology Education. Currently, I teach 9th grade honors biology at NSU University School, and I love every second of it. Fostering a safe and welcoming classroom environment for my students to explore their curiosities is my passion. ​

Interns

Here are a few of our dedicated Science Alive Interns! They work behind the scenes to create and support our activities. Below, they share what excites them about STEM and what they’ve learned during their Science Alive internship experience.

Brianna Bourke
Crafts Group Leader

Hi! My name is Brianna Bourke, and I’m majoring in Biology with minors in Public Health, Pre-Health, and Honors. This is my third year with Science Alive, and I still get just as excited as the kids do when a project sparks that “wow” moment. From coaching volleyball to tutoring students, I’ve always loved helping others learn and discover new things. Science Alive lets me share my passion for science in a fun, hands-on way while giving back to the community. Seeing young minds light up with curiosity reminds me why I fell in love with science and why I can’t wait to keep inspiring the next generation of scientists!​

Amaan Khan 
Physics Group Leader

Hello! My name is Amaan Khan, and I am majoring in Biology with minors in Honors, Public Health, and Pre-Health. Science Alive has been an incredibly gratifying experience for me. Being able to inspire curiosity in young students and help mentor the next generation of scientists is an amazing experience. 

Maggie Luo
Biochemistry Group Leader

Hi! I'm Maggie, and I’m a sophomore majoring in Biology with a minor in Honors Transdisciplinary Studies on the pre-med track. I joined Science Alive because I’ve always loved helping younger students get excited about STEM, and this internship, especially with Dr. Schmitt’s guidance, has given me the chance to do that in a meaningful, hands-on way. Over the past year, I’ve helped plan lessons, test experiments, and build the activities we bring into classrooms, and it’s been incredibly gratifying to watch those ideas come to life. My favorite part of the internship is seeing students make discoveries on their own and then come back to show us how they’ve applied what they learned.

Group Leaders

Here are some of our enthusiastic Group Leaders! They help guide students through activities! Below, they explain what motivates them to lead and how Science Alive has strengthened their love of science.

Alina Lakhani
Biochemistry Group Leader

Hi! My name is Alina Lakhani, and I’m a sophomore majoring in Biology, Class of 2028. I joined Science Alive because I’m passionate about sharing my love for science in a fun and engaging way. I enjoy inspiring curiosity in students and helping them see how science connects to the world around them. Volunteering with Science Alive has been such a rewarding experience, and I’m excited to keep learning and exploring alongside the students this year!

Armaan Makwana 
Physics Group Leader

Hello! My name is Armaan Makwana, and I am a Junior majoring in Biology with minors in Pre-Health and Business. What I love most about Science Alive is seeing how excited the elementary school students are every Friday to learn about science and do different experiments. Being in Science Alive has allowed me to mentor students and help them develop an interest in science. ​

Mahalaxmi Some 
Nutrition Group Leader

Hi everyone, I'm Maha! I'm currently a junior Biology & Neuroscience double major and I'm from the suburbs of Chicago, Illinois. I've been a part of Science Alive since my freshman year, and I love interacting with kids and inspiring them to explore the world of STEM. Through this program, I've been able to share my curiosity about how science shapes everyday life and encourage the students themselves to always keep wondering and exploring. Seeing them get excited about discovering or learning new things reminds me why I chose a STEM path in the first place. I'm super excited to continue growing alongside them as a Science Buddy this year!​

Grace Wong 
Ecology Group Leader

Hello! My name is Grace, and I am a Neuroscience and Biology double major. Serving in Science Alive has given me the opportunity to share my passion for nature with others! We have been able to contribute to our ecosystem by repurposing recyclable materials into bird feeders, coral reef models, and more. It brings me joy seeing the students’ excitement for ecology and ways to preserve the earth. I can’t wait to learn alongside the students as a Science Buddy this upcoming year.  ​
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