+ Biography

Dr. Irene Porro is the Director of the Christa Corrigan McAuliffe Center for Integrated Science Learning at Framingham State University. Under her leadership, the Center adopted its new mission to be a leader in developing opportunities for integrated science learning through the sharing of resources, building of partnerships, and the advancement of educational practices. She is also the lead for the MetroWest STEM Education Network Ecosystem, a member of an international community of practice dedicated to promoting quality education and career pathways in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

A professional scientist with a deep commitment to social justice, in her work Dr. Porro combines research skills in physics and astrophysics with an interdisciplinary approach to education to promote equity and diversity in STEM fields. She works to support initiatives where both the arts and the sciences are fully respected and valued.

+ Biography

Dr. Margaret Carroll is the Founding Dean of the College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics at Framingham State University. Dean Carroll began her career at FSU as a faculty member in the Department of Biology in 1992. She served as chair of the department for 7 years. During her time as a faculty member, she was the recipient of the Distinguished Faculty Award for Excellence in Service in 2011. She has played an active role on campus serving on numerous committees and as Faculty Fellow for STEM.

Dean Carroll received a PhD in Botany from Duke University and a BA in Field Biology from Connecticut College. Outside of FSU, Dean Carroll has taught at Elon University and the School for Field Studies. Dean Carroll has been active in teacher professional development and serves as a member of the board of directors of the National Association of Biology Teachers (NABT) and as the Northeast Regional Coordinator for the NABT. She has served her community as an elected member and chair of the Upton Planning Board and an appointed member of the Upton and Acton Conservation Commissions. She also serves as a member of the board of directors of the Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions.

+ Biography

Ryan Mudawar joined the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center (MLSC) in 2009 and currently serves as Vice President of Education & Workforce Programs. He oversees the development and implementation of the MLSC’s education and workforce investment strategy and leads efforts that foster partnerships and collaboration with public, private, and nonprofit stakeholders. He manages programs and initiatives focused on enhancing the life sciences talent pipeline, most notably the Internship Challenge, which has created nearly 5,000 internships for college students with over 850 companies. The success of the program has led to the creation of a high school internship and lab training program, as well as an internship program for students with advanced data science skills. He also manages STEM equipment and professional development grants for public schools and capital grants for higher education institutions.

Prior to joining the MLSC, Ryan worked at several non-profit organizations throughout Greater Boston. He is a lifelong Massachusetts resident, receiving his Master’s in International Relations in 2007 from Suffolk University and a Bachelor’s in Political Science from the University of Massachusetts Amherst in 2005.

+ Biography

As an educator and as an academic administrator, Dr. Chitra Javdekar has collaboratively led the development of several educational programs and student success initiatives, including a STEM Mentor program that she co-founded in 2014 at MassBay Community College. MassBay’s STEM Mentor program currently serves nearly 75 STEM students each year by matching them with experienced STEM professional mentors in their fields while also offering extensive opportunities for professional growth and career advancement.

Chitra currently serves as the Dean of the division of science, technology, engineering and mathematics at MassBay where her focus is on providing community college students with access to high quality education and opportunities for career advancement. Under her leadership, the division faculty developed the College’s first cybersecurity A.S. degree program – the first of its kind - in community colleges in Massachusetts.

Chitra holds a Ph.D. in Civil (Structural Engineering) from Tufts University, a Master's and a Baccalaureate degree in Civil Engineering from University of Mumbai, India.

+ Biography

Craig A. Consigli has been employed by the Milford Public School District for over two decades in a variety of roles. Hired in 1998 as a Health Educator, Mr. Consigli taught Middle School Health through 2006. In 2006, he earned his first administrative position becoming the Assistant Principal of Stacy Middle School. He held this position for seven months before becoming the Principal of Middle School East, a position he held until 2012. In 2012, Mr. Consigli was named the principal of Woodland Elementary School before being hired to his current role as Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment in 2016. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Plymouth State University, a Master of Education degree from Fitchburg State University, a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Standing in Education Leadership from Bridgewater State University and is currently writing his dissertation for a Doctorate in Education from University of Massachusetts Lowell.

+ Biography

Mr. Gregory is a Technical Marketing Director and LightTools Product Manager in the Optical Solutions Group at Synopsys (formerly Optical Research Associates), a technical software company specializing in Electronic Design Automation and Optical Systems Design. His role includes working with customers to understand the market needs in illumination systems design and communicating those needs to the software development team. Groot’s interests in optics include optical design and analysis software, the design and deployment of optical instrumentation, and the promotion of the science though professional society involvement and education outreach.

Groot is a member of the OSA. IES, SID and a Fellow of SPIE. He is a past chair of OSA’s OPN Advisory Committee. He currently serves OSA as a member of the Board of Directors, Chair of the Membership and Education Services Council, a member of the External Relations Committee and of the Industry Council, and a column editor for OPN. At SPIE, he is a Senior Editor for the journal Optical Engineering, a member of the SPIE IT committee and conference chair for the SPIE Optics Education and Outreach conference. He has served the New England local section of OSA as program chair, publications chair, president and is currently treasurer.

Groot received degrees in Physics, Mathematics and Optics from the University of Rochester and is a licensed aircraft mechanic.