Our Staff

202-633-2972

odonnellc@si.edu

As Director of the Smithsonian Science Education Center (SSEC), Carol is responsible for all operational activities and planning for the unit, including building awareness for P-12 science education reform among State and district leaders; conducting programs that support the professional growth of P-12 teachers and school leaders; and, overseeing all research and curricular resource development, philanthropic development, and administration. With nearly a decade of experience at the U.S. Department of Education and 20+ years of science teaching in K-16 classrooms, Carol has expertise in education policy, professional development, cognition and student learning, curriculum development, and education research.

Carol earned her Bachelor of Science in Education from the University of Pittsburgh, her Master of Science in Geosciences from Mississippi State, and her doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction with a focus on science education from The George Washington University (GWU). Carol began her career as a K-8 teacher and is still in the classroom today, serving on the part-time faculty of GWU's Physics Department. Read more

202-633-2968

mandellb@si.edu

Brian Mandell, PhD, is the Division Director of Curriculum and Communications for the SSEC. In this role, he provides support and direction for the talented Curriculum and Communication staff in the development of world-class print and digital curricular resources. This work includes our new curriculum, Smithsonian Science for the Classroom, which embeds objects and research from the Smithsonian Institution, is built to current science standards, asks students to design solutions to real-world problems, provides research-based support for common student misconceptions, and seamlessly integrates print and digital resources.

Brian joined the SSEC in 2014 as a Science Curriculum Developer, where he was responsible for developing print and digital curricular materials that were grounded in current scientific, educational and cognitive research, empowered teachers, and helped all students develop a deep understanding of science and engineering practices.

Prior to joining SSEC, Brian taught middle school science for 13 years in Virginia and Maine. In his free time, he is an adjunct professor at George Mason University teaching classes that focus on curriculum and instruction, learning theory, and instructional design. Brian earned his PhD in Educational Psychology with a secondary emphasis in Instructional Design from George Mason University in 2013. Brian also has an undergraduate degree in Environmental Science from the University of Delaware and a Master’s degree in Education from the University of Southern Maine.

202-633-2961

nastasie@si.edu

Eric Nastasi is the Director of Advancement for the SSEC, where he builds and manages a portfolio of prospects and donors to execute a program focused on high-capacity giving. His work affects the successful achievement of major programs such as the SSEC’s fundraising goal for the Smithsonian Capital Campaign, the progress of educational programs, and the funding of a substantial number of Trust positions affected by these efforts. Eric reports directly to the SSEC Director and is a member of the SSEC’s senior leadership team.

Prior to joining the SSEC, Eric practiced law as an international transactions attorney. He held the positions of Co-Chair of the Cyber Security and Information Privacy practice at Whiteford, Taylor, and Preston, COO and General Counsel for Bitek International, senior associate at Keller and Heckman, Vice President and General Counsel at Cascadent Communications, and Director of Regulatory and Legal Affairs at FaciliCom International.

Eric began his practice as a litigator at William J. Cook and Associates. He has served on several Boards, including the SSEC Advisory Board, Artisphere, the Arlington Arts Center, and the Journal Editing Board for the U.S. Navy Medicine Journal of Healthcare, Science and the Humanities. Eric received his BA in Philosophy from the University of Maryland Baltimore County and his JD from the Cleveland-Marshall College of Law.

202-633-2970

deesea@si.edu

Ashley Deese is a digital media specialist with the curriculum and communications team where she drives the production and distribution of digital media and products such as websites, games, interactives, video, and print materials. Ashley has been actively involved in digital media since she taught herself how to code in first grade. Since then, Ashley has published a variety of work in digital media. Most notably, the short film she produced was selected as a finalist in the United Nations International Film Festival. Her other work has appeared in national magazines, advertisements, on NPR, and can be seen on the Internet.  Ashley earned her BS in Biology with a concentration in micro- and cellular biology from Methodist University and received an MA in Interactive Media from Elon University. In her free time, Ashley can be found laughing in the background of pointless Snapchat stories featuring her cat, Oliver Puff. 

202-633-2985

dreyvitseri@si.edu

Irina Dreyvitser is currently an Advancement Assistant with the SSEC, focusing on building awareness of science education among the leaders of corporations, foundations and academic institutions and securing grants and private donor funding for numerous educational projects. In this role she provides administrative and management support to all aspects of the advancement program, including research, data and gift processing, donor relations and events management. She received the Smithsonian Unsung Hero Award in 2011 and the Smithsonian Certificate of Accomplishment for taking a leadership role to organize the Round Table discussions with the Smithsonian Leadership during the 2013 Mentorship Program. Before joining the Smithsonian in 2009, Irina worked as a travel and sales manager with several agencies in Washington DC and Virginia. In addition, she held Real Estate licenses for Virginia, Washington DC and Maryland and worked as a realtor for several years providing a full range of services. Irina graduated with a B.A. in Marine Biology from the State University in Kaliningrad, Russia and worked as a scientist at the Institute of Biology of the Southern Seas in Sevastopol.

202-633-2969

flanaganj@si.edu

Jean Flanagan is the Science Education Research Specialist on the Curriculum and Communications team. She works on the design and development of SSEC’s digital and print learning materials with a focus on research, standards, and best practices. She came to the SSEC in 2013 from a previous position as a Research Associate at AAAS Project 2061, where she contributed to federally-funded research and development projects exploring the design of high-quality curriculum materials and assessments, tightly aligned to national science standards. Of particular interest in her work were student misconceptions, conceptual change, and developing teachers’ pedagogical content knowledge. Through this research she worked closely with students and teachers in diverse classrooms around the country. Jean has a passion for better connecting research and practice. 

202-633-2964

hackleyb@si.edu

Bernadette Hackley is the Senior Administrative Assistant for the SSEC and has been with the unit since 2001 in its previous iteration as the NSRC. Since joining the Smithsonian, she has been responsible for coordinating the national and international travel for the SSEC Director and the SSEC’s National Advisory Board. Bernadette is also instrumental in the planning of various annual and biennial events for the SSEC in coordination with The National Academies. She has also effectively assisted in the transition required between interim and permanent SSEC Directors. Prior to coming to the Smithsonian, Bernadette was the Administrative/Financial Assistant and Construction Inspection Assistant for two locally renowned architectural firms. In these capacities, she had the responsibility for providing research; assisting in drafting, preparing, and editing promotional and marketing documents, project contracts, and technical architectural specifications; reviewing project change orders; managing office payroll, accounts payable, receivable; and performing all banking and miscellaneous financial transactions. She also managed an on-site construction administration office to handle and assist in construction project management by processing change orders and reviewing contractor's requisitions and construction change orders. Bernadette holds a BA in English from the Tuskegee Institute in Tuskegee, Alabama.

202-633-2992

marohnp@si.edu

Patricia Marohn is the Managing Editor with the Curriculum and Communication department at the Smithsonian Science Education Center (SSEC). She has a BA in Journalism from Loyola University Chicago. She worked for two major television networks, WGN and Fox, during her time in Chicago. She transitioned into publishing in Washington, DC, training as a copy editor with the American Geophysical Union and editing the Journal of Geophysical Research and Geophysical Research Letters. She joined the SSEC in 2013. She has developed and managed the editorial style that the SSEC uses for all of its publications, including print and online material. She also writes content for SSEC products. 

mcdonaldt@si.edu

Tami McDonald is the Colorado Regional Coordinator at the SSEC. Her office is located at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science. Her main responsibilities include: 1) building awareness for science education among leaders, 2) helping develop science education leadership among groups from school districts and states, 3) conducting professional development programs to support the professional growth of teachers, and 4) developing and disseminating information about exemplary science instructional materials. Prior to joining SSEC, she was an elementary and middle school teacher in both rural and urban public schools in Colorado. Tami earned her BA in Elementary Education from Regis University. She earned a MA in Curriculum and Instruction with a STEM emphasis as well as a Math Interventionist Certificate, both from Adams State University. She earned a STEM certificate from Teacher’s College of Columbia University through the NASA Endeavor Teaching Program.

pritchetta@si.edu

Angela Pritchett, PHR, SHRM-CP, has been the Human Resources Liaison for the SSEC since 2008. Her role as the internal expert on a variety of HR-related themes regarding leave administration, recruitment and selection, employee relations and performance management ensure the SSEC’s greatest asset, the people, keep the organization running smoothly and effectively. Angela also manages the internship and volunteer programs. Her 10 years of HR experience started when she worked for The National Academies. Before joining SSEC, Angela also held HR positions at a Federal credit union and a communications firm. She received a BS in Business Administration from Bowie State University.

202-633-2976

Radloffa@si.edu 

Andre Radloff is a Science Curriculum Developer on the Curriculum and Communications Team. He joined SSEC in 2017 to begin the development of freely accessible, internationally-focused, problem-based curriculum modules on topics such as mosquito borne diseases, climate change, deforestation, and clean water. Through the development of these digital curriculum modules, teacher resources, and innovative implementation strategies, he hopes to provide equitable education resources that motivate, inspire, and empower teachers and students around the world to work together towards a more sustainable future. 

Prior to joining SSEC, Andre was the Instructional Designer for a five-year research project looking at professional development and problem-based learning at George Mason University. He has also spent time developing curriculum and professional development programs within The JASON Project at National Geographic. But, his career in education really began in public school classrooms throughout Iowa, Wisconsin, Colorado, and Virginia where he taught science and math for six years. Andre earned his BS in Science Education from the University of Iowa and received an MS in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He can be spotted regularly strumming a guitar around a campfire and having existential conversations with his Siamese cat, Elliot.

202-633-2911

Walstoni@si.edu

Inola Walston is the Advancement Program Specialist for the SSEC. Inola has over 22 years of fundraising and non-profit experience. As the Advancement Program Specialist, Inola composes and drafts detailed proposals and correspondence to donors and prospects; prepares reports and marketing materials; participates in solicitation and stewardship activities; and assists in the planning, management, and execution of special events and educational experiences to maintain donor engagement. Prior to joining the Smithsonian, Inola was the Organizational Advancement Officer for the Corporation for Enterprise Development (CFED), an economic development non-profit organization in Washington, DC. While at CFED, Inola was primarily responsible for a variety of grants management and fundraising activities such as grant writing, reporting, stewardship, and prospect research. Over her professional career, Inola has been employed at such venerable organizations as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian, where she helped to raise funding during the museum’s capital campaign. Ms. Walston earned her BS in Interior Design from Louisiana State University.

202-633-2988

whitet@si.edu

Taryn White is a Product Specialist for the Curriculum and Communication division, where she coordinates the development of different products and manages the day-to-day logistics supporting both print and digital products. Prior to working at the SSEC, Taryn worked internationally as a journalist in India writing about city life in Mumbai. After that, she worked as an education reporter in the border city of Laredo, Texas. As a journalist, she enjoyed collaborating with a variety of different people and working under tight deadlines, something she does daily here at SSEC. In her free time, Taryn enjoys seeing live music, discovering new restaurants, participating in triathlons, and doting on her spoiled kitty, Haruki. Taryn earned her MPA from the University of Arizona.