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Vahideh Abdolazimi is a PhD candidate in Electrical and Computer Engineering Department of Drexel University. She joined the Physics program of Stuttgart University joint with Max Planck Institute for Solid State Research and earned her master degree in Physics in 2014 from Germany. Her master's research was focused on fabrication and characterization of magnetic meta-materials useful for building up quantum computer devices. She started her PhD studies in 2016 at Drexel's Nanophotonics Lab. Her current research is focused on optoelectronics, fabrication and characterization of pH-dependent liquid crystal platforms with potential applications in nano-imaging systems. She was a Fellow of Drexel's CASTLE (Center for Advancement of STEM Teaching and Learning Excellence) and developed hands-on activities to teach advance engineering topics to high school students.

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Jessica S. Ward serves as the Director of Development for the Center for the Advancement of STEM Teaching and Learning Excellence (CASTLE). During her tenure at Drexel University, Ms. Ward has successfully coordinated with multiple faculty members in the submission of approximately 700 grant proposals, including co-writing, editing and serving as the Program Manager for 9 awarded STEM education grants totaling more than $14M. She has collaborated with University offices, faculty and staff in the facilitation of recruitment strategies to increase the quality and quantity of undergraduate and graduate enrollment in STEM programs. Ms. Ward now manages the fundraising and grant writing for CASTLE and ExPERTS programs, including assisting with hiring and overseeing awarded projects as well as coordinating program evaluation.

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Dr. Adam Fontecchio is a Professor in the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department at Drexel University, and is the inaugural Director of the Center for the Advancement of STEM Teaching and Learning Excellence (CASTLE). He has held leadership positions including Vice-Dean of the Graduate College at Drexel University, Vice-Chair of the IEEE Philadelphia Section, and Associate Dean for Academic Affairs in the College of Engineering at Drexel University. His research focuses on the area of nanophotonics. He has served as PI or Co-PI on 53 funded grants with over $33M in sponsored research or foundation funding, and publication of >110 peer-reviewed articles. These metrics include both technical research and educational research/programs.

He was selected as the 2015 Delaware Valley Engineer of the Year, and is also the recipient of a NASA New Investigator Award, the Drexel Graduate Student Association Outstanding Mentor Award, the Drexel University ECE Outstanding Research Achievement Award and the International Liquid Crystal Society Multimedia Prize.

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A graduate of the University of Michigan (BA) and Arcadia University (MEd), I became a high school science teacher that specializes in Chemistry and Environmental Studies. I have worked for the School District of Philadelphia for over 19 years, and have spent the past 12 at the Girard Academic Music Program, a special admission school in the heart of South Philadelphia. I have worked with Drexel University as well as the University of Pennsylvania on collaborative projects, educational research, and community outreach on climate change, air quality, and STEM education.

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