TEACHERS
SOPHIE BANDURCO
On the brink...Innovations in Warfare in WWII
1. I grew up near Williamsburg
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2. I love studying American history, and my favorite period to study is the Cold War
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3. I am a current graduate student at UVa. in the Curry School's Masters in Teaching program.
MATTHEW CADUFF
Solar Circuits - Solar Homes (session 2)
1. I have worked in schools in Europe, Asia and in the U.S.
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2. I was a Peace Corps Volunteer in Thailand.
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3. The only item on my bucket list is to ride a bicycle from coast to coast
SIMONAS CEPENAS
Math, Statistics and Game Theory
1. I am an international student from Lithuania who lived in a number of countries throughout my life — Lithuania, Norway, Germany and the US
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2. I love hiking (especially in the US National Parks!)
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3. Before choosing a career in economics and political science I was considering a musician’s career. I played flute in the youth symphonic orchestra of Lithuania.
RAYMOND CHROBAK
Life is a Balancing Act
1. My favorite book genre is historical fiction.
2. I have run eight marathons.
3. I enjoy painting (realistic and abstract) when I have some down time
RAINA CLASEN
Engineers Can Change the World
1. In the spring, I'll be graduating with my Masters of Teaching Mathematics and a B.S. in Engineering Science here at UVA.
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2. I almost fell off a glacier while hiking in Iceland!
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3. I love doing yoga and hope to get a teaching certification for it one day.
TOM DIETZ
Electric and Autonomous Vehicles
1. I have a Ph.D. in Chemistry from Rice University. During my graduate studies at Rice, I developed some novel experimental methods enabled the studies of molecular clusters at very low temperatures. These experimental methods were ultimately utilized by two of my thesis advisors to discover a new form of molecular carbon called Buckminsterfullerene. For this work, they were awarded the Noble prize for Chemistry in 1996.
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2. After my time at Rice University, I joined Exxon in the research for their lubricants business. The spent the next 32 years in various business, technical and managerial positions. I retired from ExxonMobil in December 2013.
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3. Since retiring I have been busy in a number of areas. In 2016 we built at zero energy home in Afton Virginia. We have also started a small vineyard, have a small orchard and raise chickens and bees on this property. Am still active in the lubricants business as a consultant and am the Lubricants Director for 11 plc, the sole authorized distributor for Mobil Fuels and Lubricants in Nigeria. I travel frequently to Nigeria to oversee this business.
STEPHANIE DUGAN
So You Want to Change the World
1. I just graduated from UVA with a degree in Youth & Social Innovation, and I'll be student teaching in a 4th/5th-grade multiage classroom at Woodbrook Elementary in the fall as I finish my Master's in Elementary Education.
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2. Last summer, I taught for a program called Breakthrough Collaborative in Birmingham, AL. I'm excited to bring what I learned in Alabama to SEP!
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3. I love being outside, and hiking and running are two of my favorite things to do.
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VINESS EUGENE
The Energizers and Catalyzers in the Biochemical Process
1. I am the program director for the international mission group, Vole Lib Outreach.
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2. I ran a half marathon 13.1 miles by myself after my friends chicken out. Yes, I finished. Set your own goals and keep going no matter the obstacles that are presented.
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3. My favorite animal is the American alligator. It is so beautiful to me.
MICHAEL FARABAUGH
Periodic Explorations
1. Summer 2019 marks my 12th consecutive year with SEP.
2. I teach chemistry at Albemarle High School.
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3. I have four daughters...ages 22, 20, 18, and 15.
CATHERINE GAMBOA
Blueprint to You
1. I’ve lived in Hawaii.
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2. I can play three different instruments (percussion, ukulele, bass).
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3. I have a pet Quaker Parrot named Gizmo.
RENATA GERMINO
Explorations in Neuroscience
1. My husband and I have taught in Costa Rica and Cyprus.
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2. I am the ESOL Specialist for the Albemarle County Schools.
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3. My very favorite subject to teach and learn about is neuroscience
HANNAH GLATT
Architecture: Redesign in order to Reuse
1. I have three different citizenships/passports!
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2. I will (hopefully) be a triple Hoo and graduate from UVA three times.
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3. I have either played or coached field hockey for the past 13 years.
NIRALI JANTRANIA
Engineering Hogwarts
1. I am a high school math teacher. I teach geometry and AP Statistics.
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2. My favorite food is pecan pie.
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3. This year my goal is to read 100 books. So far, I have read 35.
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ALLISON KELLEY
Parsing Primary Sources: Learning to Read Like a Historian
1. I am pursuing a Ph.D. in 20th Century American History at the University of Virginia.
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2. I race competitively for Ragged Mountain Racing Team here in Charlottesville, Virginia and coach Track and Cross County at the Covenant School.
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3. I enjoy cooking, reading, and crossword puzzles.
MARGARET LAMBERT-MIGAS
Solar Circuits - Solar Homes (session 1 & 3)
1. I lived in a canvas tent in the Barren Islands of Alaska for 60 days while helping conduct research on seabirds.
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2. I teach and perform around town doing aerial silks and lyra.
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3. I know how to flatfoot clog and love doing it.
ELIZABETH LARSON
(Super) Human Physics
1. I'm a double Hoo -- I double-majored in physics and English before returning for my Master's in physics. Although I now teach high school math and physics, I actually wrote my undergraduate thesis on William Faulkner.
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2. I grew up in State College, PA and am a huge Penn State football fan.
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3. I have a horse named Gator (pictured here celebrating one of my UVa graduations with me!).
STEPHANIE LONG
Do As Romans Do
1. I graduated from UVA. (Go Hoos!)
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2. My favorite activity is hiking.
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3. I studied Italian in Siena, a small town in Tuscany just outside of Florence.
BARB LOVE
Financing Your Future
1. I was raised in Alaska.
2. I worked for the San Diego Chargers when I lived in SD.
3. I like to make quilts.
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PETER MORRIS
Religion, Rulers and Riots
1. I'm a 5th-year doctoral candidate studying Christianity and Judaism in the Roman Empire.
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2. I have a son, a wife, a dog, and a cat.
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3. I love playing Dungeons and Dragons.
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MAAYAN ORNATH
From Hamlet to Black Panther
1. I am Re'em's wife and Adam's mom.
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2. I was born and raised in Israel.
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3. I am a graduate student at UVA's English Department, interested in Immersive Theater and contemporary adaptation of Renaissance drama.
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ZOE PETTLER
The Gender Game: An Exploration of Social Norms
1) I just finished my Master’s degree in Philosophy.
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2) I ran educational workshops for UVA’s LGBTQ Center while earning my Bachelor’s degree in Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies.
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3) I love to cook and eat meals from all around the world!
JONATHAN SKELTON
Light! Mysteries of the Electromagnetic Spectrum
1. I grew up near Farmville, Va
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2. I taught math at Northumberland county public middle school for a year (Go Indians!)
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3. I'm currently working on my PhD in material science at UVA and hope to teach again when I am finished
ANTHONY SMITH
Building a World-Class Paper Roller Coaster
1. I'm married to Renata Germino.
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2. I teach English at Monticello High School.
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3. I enjoy gardening, soccer, and building stuff.
NICOLE STORY
How to make a Podcast
1. I am the daughter of a Naval Officer and went to school all around the world.
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2. I love to bake, my specialty is pecan pie.
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3. I've just received my MA in English from UVA--my favorite book is Their Eyes Were Watching God.
SHAYNE ZASLOW
Dimensions of Disadvantage
1. I have 2 adopted shelter cats and am very passionate about animal rescue.
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2. I'm an avid knitter with over 15 years of experience.
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3. I'm a vegetarian.
STAFF
TRACY MISSETT
SEP Director
1. I am a former SEP parent and SEP teacher.
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2. My favorite pastime is hiking with my dogs.
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3. Yanny.
MELODY ROBERTS
Program Coordinator
1. I am involved in animal rescue (like goats and donkeys).
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2. You should make me coffee if you are going to speak with me early in the morning!
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3. I can be bribed with chocolate!
SVETLANA DMITRIEVA
Site Coordinator
1. I speak five different languages
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2. I used to work for the United Nations
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3. I have three kids and two cats
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NICOLE BREER
Intern
1. I completed my bachelors at UC Berkeley and am pursuing my masters at UVA
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2. I have two cats
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3. I have run five half marathons
OLIVIA ELWELL
Intern
1. I am originally from Arlington, Va.
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2. I am a graduate student studying elementary education at the Curry School of Education.
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3. I spent the summer of 2015 working at a penguin rehabilitation center in Port Elizabeth, South Africa.
ABBY JORDAN
Intern
1. I will be a Double Hoo in December. I majored in Religious Studies as an undergrad and I will soon be graduating with a Masters of Teaching Special Education with an endorsement in Gifted Ed.
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2. I have a dachshund named Oscar Meyer.
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3. I have a class B commercial drivers license which allows me to drive transit buses. I have driven in Charlottesville and on Martha's Vineyard.