Elise’s research explores place-based learning and educational equity through geospatial and community-based approaches. With experience leading informal STEM education initiatives, including a mobile learning lab and summer institute program, she bridges research and outreach to make science more accessible and impactful for under-resourced communities.
Education
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PhD - Sociology
University of Central Florida
August 2025
Dissertation - Driving Science’s Next Generation Forward: GeoBus Program Theory Evaluation—Examining Educational Inequalities
Geographic Information Systems Graduate Certificate
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Master's Degree - Sociology
University of Central Florida
August 2020
Applied Sociology
Thesis - Munch on This: A GIS-based analysis of vegetarian students’ perceptions of social inequalities within their on-campus food environment.
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Bachelor's Degree - Marketing & Event Planning
University of Central Florida
December 2015
Major in Marketing
Minor in Event Planning
Work Experience
Institute for Rural Education and Development
University of South Carolina
Postdoctoral Scholar
| Fall 202 - Present |
Elise is a postdoctoral researcher with the Institute for Measurement Methodology in Rural STEM Education – Postdoctoral Research Fellows (IMMERSE-PRF) program, funded by NSF. Her work explores how community context and place-based experiences influence STEM learning and career pathways in rural areas. Through this research, she aims to make data-driven insights more accessible and useful for educators, students, and communities.
Institute for Social and Behavioral Science
University of Central Florida
Project Manager & Graduate Research Assistant
| Fall 2024 - Summer 2025 |
Worked on projects including United Against Poverty, Coalition for the Homeless, Lift Orlando and Orlando Housing Authority, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and Puerto Rico Pilot Program Evaluation. Duties varied from interview design and administration in both English and Spanish to data analysis for developing a quarterly report.
Geo Explorer Summer Institute
University of Central Florida
Lead Educator and Coordinator
| Summer 2023, 2024, & 2025 |
Annual Summer Camp for rising 6th and 7th graders to learn about geospatial technology and research methods.
VR Orlando Rental
Instructor
| Fall 2024 - Spring 2025 |
Instructed after-school lessons based on block-coding and robotics with various technologies and platforms, gearing lessons for 1st - 5th grade students across Orange County Schools.
Sociology Department
University of Central Florida
Teaching Assistant
| Summer 2024 |
Graded assignments & primary point of communication for undergraduate students. Assisted the professor with technical difficulties, reviewed posted content for the online course.
Citizen Science GIS
University of Central Florida
Director of Operations for GeoBus UCF
| Fall 2020 - Summer 2024 |
Led the development and delivery of a mobile, technology-rich learning lab that brought hands-on STEM experiences to Title I schools across Central Florida. Coordinated logistics, managed staff, and supported curriculum design focused on geospatial technologies, helping connect K–12 students with interactive science learning outside the classroom.
Senior Research Coordinator for NSF REU / RET in Belize
| Summer 2022 & Summer 2023 |
A National Science Foundation-funded Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) and Research Experiences for Teachers (RET) program in Belize. Supported international fieldwork logistics, coordinated multi-partner research teams, and mentored students and teachers conducting community-based geospatial and environmental research.
Outreach Coordinator for the Maps, Apps, and Drones Tour
| Fall 2018 - Summer 2020 |
Organized K–12 workshops introducing students to geospatial technologies and digital mapping tools. Focusing on expanding access to place-based, hands-on science learning and fostering early interest in STEM and environmental exploration.
Awards & Recognitions
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It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more.
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It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more.
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It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more.
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