Our Team
Jennifer Richards, Ph.D.
Research Assistant Professor, School of Education and Social Policy
PI, Baxter Center for Science Education
Jen has been a faculty partner with the Baxter Center for Science Education since joining Northwestern University’s School of Education and Social Policy in 2019, and she is now serving as PI and Acting Director of the Center. She loves partnering with Chicagoland educators to support the Center’s professional learning and teacher leadership opportunities. Prior to coming to Northwestern, Jen worked with the Ambitious Science Teaching group at the University of Washington. She has middle and high school science teaching experience, a bachelor’s degree in Biology and Political Science/International Relations from the University of Delaware, and a master’s and Ph.D. in Science Education from the University of Maryland. For more on Jen's research, check out her faculty profile.
Natalie Bueno, B.S.
Program & Partnership Coordinator
Baxter Center for Science Education
Natalie joined the OCEP team in September 2018. She is working with the Baxter Center for Science Education to develop OCEP’s partnership with Baxter International Inc. and Round Lake Area Schools. Natalie is excited to share her passion for STEM at the Baxter Center’s newest location, Round Lake High School, and Northwestern. In working with OCEP, Natalie also hopes to promote equity in STEM education by supporting teacher professional development, providing authentic STEM experiences for students, and developing community partnerships in Lake County. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Neurobiology and a certificate in Global Health from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Nicole Chavez
Program Assistant
BCSE
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Kate Brownson
Program Coordinator
Baxter Center for Science Education
Kate joined the OCEP team in January 2023. She is working with the Baxter Center for Science Education to coordinate the Baxter Box program. Kate is excited to harmonize her engineering and education experience in this new role to increase the reach, quality, and impact of the program. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Engineering Physics from Murray State University and a Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Kentucky.
Sachin Pradhan M.S.
Software Developer
Office of Community Education Partnerships
Sachin began working at OCEP in May of 2013. Sachin works as a software developer for the Baxter Center for Science Education and the Computational Thinking in STEM (CT-STEM) projects. Sachin loves to work at OCEP because he gets to come and hang out with cool people every day. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Engineering from the University of Washington in 2006 and a Master of Science degree in Computer Science from the University of Chicago in 2013.
Jamie Kim
Administrative Aid
Baxter Center for Science Education
Jamie joined the Baxter Center team in October 2021. She helps prepare workshops and compile resources for teachers as well as organize and develop Baxter Box materials. She hopes to help enhance science education and expand access to resources for teachers and students. She is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in the Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences with a major in neuroscience and a minor in Science and Human Culture as a member of the Class of 2025.
Gloria Pulido
Administrative Aid
Baxter Center for Science Education
Gloria joined the Baxter Center team in June of 2022. She works as an administrative aide, assisting with workshops and student outreach programs such as the Summer Scholars Program. Gloria is currently a class of 2026 student at Wellesley College and is pursuing a major in computer science.
Sana Nanlawala
Administrative Aid
Baxter Center for Science Education
Sana joined the Baxter Center team in October of 2023. They currently work as an administrative assistant for the team, working in event programming and coordination for teacher workshops, the annual Baxter Symposium, and the Summer Scholars Program. Sana is a part of the class of 2026 in the Weinberg College of Arts and Science at Northwestern University, with a dual major in Data Science and Sociology.