Our Team

Suzi Taylor, Director

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

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. Her favorite projects have included launching a geospatial skills camp for rural Montana youth; working with 40 Montana classrooms as they virtually followed an MSU geology expedition to Mount Everest; and leading a statewide geocaching project tied to the Montana Climate Assessment.

Suzi also serves as executive director of the Montana Science Teachers Association and as co-leader of the Montana Girls STEM Collaborative, a statewide network of adults who collaborate to engage and inspire girls. She also served on the advisory board for The STEM Effect, a National Science Foundation-supported project that examines the long-term impacts of STEM programs for girls.

Dr. Fenqjen Luo, Associate Director

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

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

She received her Ph.D. in Mathematics Education from the University of Texas at Austin and is currently a faculty     member at the MSU Department of Education.

Dr. Jeannie Chipps, Educator Professional Development Lead

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

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.

Jill Joyce, Program Coordinator II

412 Reid Hall
jill.joyce1@montana.edu
(406) 994-3733

Jill oversees the management of several flagship programs at the Science Math Resource Center including the annual Science Olympiad State Tournament, the American Mathematics Competitions, and the Math Circle Summer Camp.  She offers administrative support to programs like the Research Experience for Teachers, STEM Summer Institute, and more.

Jill earned her Civil Engineering degree from Montana State University.  Upon graduation, seeking a hands-on experience rather than an office environment, she learned the trades of log building and timber framing; crafting with chainsaws and chisels for nearly a decade in the booming ski town of Big Sky. 

Prior to joining SMRC, Jill launched a STEM children’s program with LEGOs™ and managed a small business in Bozeman.  She brings to the SMRC a Jill-of-all-trades approach with talents in marketing, management, team building, hospitality, project development, technical writing, and more. 

Jack Pearson, Science Outreach and Communication

 409 Reid Hall
 jackpearson1@montana.edu
 (720) 315-8599

Jack Pearson is a science communication specialist working to document and publicize the work of the Science Math Resource Center. He specifically works on the Applied Quantum Core project to increase public literacy of quantum concepts, Montana State University's quantum research, and educational opportunities for a future quantum workforce.

Jack graduated from MSU's Directed Interdisciplinary Studies degree program in 2022 and was a 2022-23 Fulbright Research Grantee in Jordan, studying the implications of water scarcity on conservation.

Julia Wente, Program Coordinator I

412 Reid Hall
julia.wente@montana.edu
(406) 994-9998

Julia Wente supports communication and coordination activities for SMRC, primarily the Geospatial Skills Camps for Rural Montana Youth and the Quantum Education, Outreach and Workforce Development program. Julia also coordinates MSU’s Citizen Science Network. Julia is particularly passionate about science communication and education, and empowering those in marginalized communities to engage in scientific endeavors.

Julia received her bachelor’s in biology from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa and recently earned her M.S. in Science Education at MSU. Her research interests were focused on using citizen science data to analyze trends in Hawaiian humpback whale population.

Graduate Students

Sumaila Yakubu, Math Camp Coach

234 Reid Hall
sumailayakubu@montana.edu
(406) 994-7476

Sumaila Yakubu is a PhD student in Curriculum and Instruction with a strong interest in mathematics education. He was born and raised in Tamale, a town in Northern Ghana. Sumaila holds both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree from the University of Education Winneba in Ghana, and he currently serves as an MSU Graduate Teaching Assistant for K-8 Math Methods. His passion for education has been evident through his work as a high school mathematics teacher and a teaching assistant following the completion of his bachelor's degree.

Sumaila Yakubu is committed to leveraging his academic background and teaching experience to make a meaningful impact in the field of mathematics education. He has a research interest in mathematical thinking and connections. Outside academia, Sumaila enjoys watching and playing soccer, and video games.

Undergraduate Students

Aleisha Dutton, Assistant Program Coordinator

412 Reid Hall
smrc@montana.edu
(406) 994-7476

From Aleisha:I am a senior at MSU majoring in Business-Marketing, Accounting, and Finance. I have enjoyed getting involved in the college of business (Jabs) through serving on the American Marketing Association executive board and as a Jabs ambassador. While I’m not sure where I will end up after I graduate, I enjoy taking opportunities I have while still in school to apply what I have learned in the classroom and to further develop those skills. I am excited to apply my business background to helping the SMRC. 

While I like to keep busy with school, work, and extracurriculars, when I have free time, I enjoy painting, reading, and cooking. After visiting Germany and going to a soccer match during Euro 2024, I’m becoming a soccer fan too!

Clara Jones, STEM Education Intern

412 Reid Hall
smrc@montana.edu
(406) 994-7476

Clara is a sophmore at Montana State University with a major of: "Secondary Education: General Science Broadfield". She is an officer in the Science Olympiad Club, is a student worker for the MSU History and Philosophy Department, as well as an SMRC intern. She was raised in Kalispell. Montana, and grew up with a love for Montana and the natural world. After she graduates she hopes to become a highschool science teacher, and one day a professor of science at MSU.

As the centers STEM Education Intern, she works to give aid to current and pre-service teachers, disseminate  information about the center and partnerships, and help spread STEM across Montana. 

Lesl Schoenberg, NASA AREN Intern

412 Reid Hall
smrc@montana.edu
(406) 994-7476

Lesl is a freshman at Montana State University majoring in Plant Science with an emphasis in Crop Science.  She grew up on the family ranch in Reed Point, Montana.  In her free time she enjoys hiking, fly-fishing, and spending time on the family's ranch.  In the future, she hopes to serve as a Montana Ag Extension Agent, where she can give back to her community.

As the center's NASA AREN Intern, she oversees outreach projects with K-12 Montana schools to help excite students on the value of learning and STEM education.

Previous Student Interns

Addie Rohlman, Science Olympiad Intern

2021-2024 Academic Years

Growing up, I always had an interest in science; however, living in rural Montana, there were very limited opportunities for students like me to explore science outside of the classroom.Science Olympiad was an amazing opportunity for me to understand a true sense of science, and I am grateful for the experience I had in the program at Corvallis High School. When I heard about the opportunity at MSU to become a student intern for Science Olympiad, I was thrilled with the idea of helping high school and middle school students in Montana experience Science Olympiad as I had.

As a student at Montana State University, I am majoring in Medical Laboratory Science with the goal of attending medical school after my undergraduate degree. I am a student of the Honors College and am also considering a minor in Hispanic Studies. In the few moments of spare time that I have, I like to read books, binge-watch TV shows, and try to convince myself that I enjoy running.

Savanah Olson, Science Communications Intern - Montana NSF EPSCoR and Montana Girls STEM Collaborative

2022-2024 Academic Years

Savanah is a senior at MSU studying environmental science and land rehabilitation. She is from Tacoma, Washington. Savanah enjoys crocheting and skiing in her free time. She would love to work with the Forest Service in the future, but she said, "Whatever I do I want to be working to help others!"

Amanda Boelman,Science Olympiad Intern

2023-2024 Academic Year

Amanda Boelman is an undergraduate student studying nursing with the goal of becoming a nurse midwife. She is a Science Olympiad Student Intern at the Science Math Resource Center. After participating in Science Olympiad throughout middle and high school, she is eager to stay involved. Amanda served as Vice President of the MSU Science Olympiad Student Club in the 2023-2024 school year. This club is made up of MSU students who are passionate about STEM education, and eager to make the annual Montana State Science Olympiad tournament memorable for competitors.

Amanda enjoys the outdoors by hiking, fishing, and gardening in her spare time. With a career in midwifery, Amanda plans to give back to the rural Montana communities that she grew up in. Until then, Amanda passionately supports STEM education among MT youth.

Lateefat Sanni, STEM Education and Outreach

2023-2024 Academic Year

Lateefat Sanni is a graduate student in Curriculum and Instructions and a graduate assistant in the Science Math Resource Center (SMRC). She oversees the STEM lending library. She holds a bachelor's degree in science education from the University of Ilorin in Nigeria. After graduation, Lateefat has served in different organizations as an educationist and a curriculum developer. Her focus is on the intersection of using technological tools to improve teaching and learning in society.

Beyond her academic pursuits, Lateefat loves to watch soccer and movies. 

Mia Troska, Curriculum Development Intern

2023-2024 Academic Year

Mia Troska is a senior at MSU majoring in K-8 Education with a minor in K-12 Reading Education. Originally from Minnesota, Mia has fallen in love with Montana and plans to stay here and teach for a few years after graduation. 

In the summer of 2023, she participated in the MSU Research Experience for Teachers where she was placed in Nick Borys’s quantum physics lab. Along with the lab researchers and her colleague Hilary Lozar, Mia helped to create the first successful photodetector produced in the lab since its inception. 

Drew Burke, Science Communications

2022-2023 Academic Year

My love of science and writing initially guided me to MSU as an aspiring science journalist. However, as an undergrad, I've slowly fallen in love with health, medicine, and the innate beauty and sophistication of the human body. I now plan to attend med school after college. Med school is daunting, yet, I find solace in the challenge and the conviction that, although the problems plaguing people are complex, and I don't pretend to have answers, I won't back down from trying to provide people with tools to grapple with the adversities of the human condition.

My love of science and writing persists, and I feel privileged to scratch that itch by working at the SMRC. I can't wait to highlight the research, programs, and people at MSU and beyond that are changing lives and inspiring a new generation of people in STEM.

Inmy free time, you can find me binging games on chess.com, reading, enjoying nature, or having existential dread about getting into med school.

Chloe Moreland, Citizen Science

2020-2022 Academic Years

Chloe Moreland is from Snoqualmie, Washington, and graduated in 2023 with degrees in Cell Biology & Neuroscience and English. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, climbing, reading, and skiing. In the spring of 2022, in tandem with the SMRC, she received one of the seven seed grants awarded by MSU’s Outreach and Engagement Council to promote outreach and engagement between the university and the community. The project, entitled 'Engaging Montana Youth in Citizen Science' partners with the Montana Afterschool Alliance, Eagle Mount, and Aspiring Educators of MSU. The grant supports the creation of adaptive and engaging techniques to communicate and involve MSU youth and young educators in citizen science. The main goal is to be more inclusive and create adaptive lessons involving citizen science for varied audiences while also allowing aspiring educators to gain teaching experience and expand their STE(A)M teaching tools.