We are going to spend the next several weeks spotlighting the recipients of the Fall 2014 Faculty Research Grants. Get to know these distinguished faculty members below!

Name: Jiyoon Yoon

University: University of Texas at Arlington

Title of Proposal: Teaching with Interactive Open Educational Resources (interactive OERs): Mapping-out the Interactive OERs for Teaching

Bio: Dr. Jiyoon Yoon is Associate Professor of Early Childhood/Elementary Program of Curriculum and Instruction teaching science method courses at University of Texas, Arlington. She received her Ph.D. from Indiana University, Bloomington majored in Science Education, Curriculum and Instruction. Her minors are Instructional Systems Technology and Studies of Public Environmental Affairs. Dr. Yoon has participated in extensive science method research studies and instructional technology projects for pre- and in-service science teachers in national and international levels. As Special Assistant to the Dean for Global Initiatives, Dr. Yoon has established international programs to exchange education and culture between America and Korea and directed meetings and events for global initiatives. Her research has focused on establishing rich science teaching-learning environments with the aid of technology for global society. Her Recent Publications, presentations, and grants focus on areas including teacher preparation through culturally-integrated science curricula, effects of STS (Science, Technology, and Society), hyper-media, computer-supported collaborative e-learning models, assessing young children’s process skills in science learning, international activities for promoting diversity and multiculturalism and most recently, the effects of cyberbullying and STS student activities. Dr. Yoon’s contributions to international research in technology-supported science education will help enable future generation of students to compete successfully in the global community.

Name: Melanie Diloreto & Julie Gray

University: University of West Florida

Title: Student satisfaction and perceived learning in online learning environments: The mediating effect of student engagement

Bios:

Dr. Melanie DiLoreto earned her PhD in Educational Research, Evaluation, Statistics, and Assessment from the University of Southern Mississippi. Melanie is an Instructor in the Department of Teacher Education and Educational Leadership at the University of West Florida. She also serves as an Accreditation Fellow in the office of Accreditation, Strategic Planning, Institutional Research, and Effectiveness. Her research focuses on teacher preparation and its impact on K-12 student learning, educational policy, educational assessment, and analyzing the effects of various methodological approaches in applied disciplines.

Dr. Julie Gray

is an Assistant Professor of Educational Leadership at the University of West Florida. She also serves as a faculty member in the Department of Teacher Education and Educational Leadership. More recently she was an Assistant Professor at Texas A&M University – San Antonio. Over the last 24 years she has worked as a Spanish and Journalism teacher in middle and high schools, as an instructional coach and district-level new teacher support, and as an administrator. She earned her Ph.D. at The University of Alabama. Her research interests include professional learning communities, trust, enabling school structures, collective efficacy, and academic optimism.

Name: Pamela Levesque & Traci Bramlett

University: University of North Carolina-Wilmington

Title: Comparing the Transcultural Competencies of Online RN-BS Students with On-Campus Baccalaureate Nursing Students at a State University

Bios:

Dr. Pamela Levesque (not pictured) has been a Nurse for 33 years, Nurse Educator and Family Nurse Practitioner for 18 years, Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of New Hampshire, Durham NH; Master’s Degree from Northeastern University in Boston, MA and Doctorate in Nursing Practice from Regis College, Weston MA. Currently teaching at University of North Carolina-Wilmington in Online RN-BS program and Hybrid FNP program. Areas of research include RN-BS role transformation and access and quality of care for transgender persons. Research in progress entitled “The Lived Experience of the Transgender Nurse” funded by a Corbett Foundation Grant from UNC-W Department of Nursing.

Dr. Traci Bramlett

has been a Nurse for 30 years, Nurse Educator and Family Nurse Practitioner for 11 years, Bachelor of Science Degree from Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, GA; Master’s Degree from Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw GA; and Doctorate in Nursing Practice from Mercer University, Atlanta, GA. Currently teaching at the University of North Carolina-Wilmington in the Graduate Nursing Program – Family Nurse Practitioner. Areas of research include childhood obesity. Proposed research under review by the Corbett Foundation Grant Committee from the UNC-W School of Nursing entitled “Fit Start: An Obesity Prevention Educational Pilot Program in a New School-Based Health Center.”