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Joseph E Michaelis is a Ph.D. student in Educational Psychology in the Learning Sciences area at the University of Wisconsin - Madison. His research involves studying interest in STEM education, focusing on the impact of learning environments, feedback, and influence of social constructs and identities. This research includes developing inclusive learning environments that promote interest in pursuing STEM fields as a career to a broad range of students.

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Mitchell J. Nathan is a professor of learning sciences in the Department of Educational Psychology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Prof. Nathan received his Ph.D. in experimental (cognitive) psychology. He also holds a B.S. in electrical and computer engineering, mathematics and history. He has worked in research and development in artificial intelligence, computer vision and robotic mobility, including: design and development of autonomous robotic arms and vehicles; sensor fusion; the development of expert systems and knowledge engineering interview techniques; and the representation of perceptual and real-world knowledge to support inference-making in dynamic environments. Nathan also has worked on computer-based tutoring environments for mathematics education that rely heavily on students' own comprehension processes for self-evaluation and self-directed learning (so-called unintelligent tutoring systems). Prof. Nathan has authored over 100 peer-reviewed publications, given more than 120 presentations at professional meetings, and has secured over $25M in research funds to investigate and improve STEM learning, reasoning and instruction. Among his projects, Dr. Nathan directed the IERI-funded STAAR Project, which studied the transition from arithmetic to algebraic reasoning, served as Co-PI for the NSF-funded AWAKEN Project, which documented how people learn and use engineering, and currently co-directs the National Center for Cognition and Mathematics Instruction. He is a faculty member for the Latin American School for Education, Cognitive and Neural Sciences. As part of his service to the nation, Dr. Nathan served on the National Academy of Engineering/National Research Council Committee on Integrated STEM Education, and is currently a planning committee member for the Space Studies Board of the National Academy of Sciences/National Research Council workshop Sharing the Adventure with the Student: Exploring the Intersections of NASA Space Science and Education. At the University of Wisconsin, Dr. Nathan holds affiliate appointments in the Department of Curriculum & Instruction, the Department of Psychology, and the Wisconsin Center for Education Research. He is a member of the steering committee for the Delta Program (part of the national CIRTL Network), which promotes the development of a future national STEM faculty committed to implementing and advancing effective teaching practices for diverse student audiences. Prof. Nathan currently is Director of the Center on Education and Work and Director of the Postdoctoral Training Program in 
Mathematical Thinking, Learning, and Instruction. He is an inductee and executive board member of the University of Wisconsin’s Teaching Academy, which promotes excellence in teaching in higher education.

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