People

Principal Investigator: Dr. Fenqjen Luo

(406) 994-5950
fluo@montana.edu
118 Reid Hall 

Fenqjen Luo is the founder of the Montana Mathematics Circle, a club for aspiring young mathematicians in Montana middle and high schools.  Luo implemented the American Math Competitions and Math Summer Camps on the MSU campus.

Luo received her Ph.D. in Mathematics Education from the University of Texas at Austin. She is Associate Professor of Math Education in the Department of Education at MSU.

Co-Principal Investigator: Dr. Jeannie Chipps 

(406) 994-7476
jeanette.chipps@montana.edu
428 Reid Hall

Jeannie Chipps facilitates professional development at the Science Math Resource Center. As a former high school science teacher and after school science team coach/makerspace director, she enjoys working with teachers to create learning environments that support diverse learners. She has been leading professional development for the Next Generation Science Standards with a focus on environmental chemistry since 2017.

Jeannie completed her Doctorate in Education from Johns Hopkins University in the summer of 2022, with an emphasis in Mind, Brain & Teaching.

Co-Principal Investigator: Dr. Paul Gannon

Professor, Chemical and Biological Engineering

 (406) 994-7380
 pgannon@montana.edu
 Cobleigh Hall 302

Co-Principal Investigator: Dr.Jiong Qiu 

 (406) 994-7253
 qiu@physics.montana.edu
 Barnard Hall 260D

Co-Principal investigator: Suzi Taylor

(406) 994-2336
taylor@montana.edu 
408 Reid Hall

Suzi Taylor is Director of the Science Math Resource Center. She has a long history of leading outreach programs for Montana State University, including serving as MSU lead for Montana NSF EPSCoR's Track 1 projects, and partnering with faculty on programs funded by NASA, USDA, the Department of Energy and other agencies to create outreach projects that support the citizens of Montana. Suzi has a special interest in reaching youth in Montana's smallest and most rural communities. She also serves as executive director of the Montana Science Teachers Association and co-leader of the Montana Girls STEM Collaborative.

Dr. Jayson Nissen, Program Consultant

 jayson.nissen@montana.edu

Dr. Jayson Nissen is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Physics at Montana State University and the owner of Nissen Education Research and Design. Dr. Nissen uses quantitative methods and a critical framework to investigate racism, sexism, and classism in college science courses through the analyses of large datasets. His current work creates AI-powered, cognitive diagnostics to support STEM instructors using timely, formative assessment to inform their teaching. Dr. Nissen is the co-director of the LASSO platform, which supports STEM instructors assessing the efficacy of their courses for free. Dr. Nissen served on the Leadership Council of the Learning Assistant Alliance and has taught with Learning Assistants at Oregon State University and the University of Maine. His research also investigates the efficacy and impacts of the LA model nationally, uses the Experience Sampling Method to investigate students’ affective experiences, and develops resources to support students working in teams. He serves on the Statistical Methods Review Committee for the Physical Review Physics Education Research journal.

Program Associate: Rebecca Richter

rebecca.richter1@montana.edu
428 Reid Hall office hours: Mon. 10-5, Wed. 10-5, Thu. 9-3

Rebecca assists with program communications and logistics.She holds an M.S. in Plant Biology from Arizona State University and a B.S. in Archaeology from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. With a dynamic career spanning non-profit and business administration, the sciences, graphic design, international development, education, and communications, Rebecca contributes her diverse expertise with a passion for lifelong learning and professional development.