Initial Publication Date: December 2, 2017

Workshop Facilitators

Rachel Beane, Professor, Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, Bowdoin College

Rachel Beane is a Professor of Earth and Oceanographic Science and Associate Dean of Academic Affairs at Bowdoin College. She uses mineral compositions and textures to interpret solid earth processes. She is a Co-PI for the On the Cutting Edge program. She was the lead convener from 2011-2016 for the week-long, Early Career Faculty: Teaching, Research, and Managing Your Career workshop. As Associate Dean, she focuses on faculty professional development and faculty diversity initiatives.

Sue Ebanks, Marine & Environmental Sciences, Savannah State University

Dr. Sue Ebanks is an assistant professor in the Marine Science and Environmental Science programs at Savannah State University. She uses her interests in invertebrate ecology, physiology, and toxicology as a medium through which she can work with citizen scientists, undergraduates, and graduate students. This allows her the opportunity to be actively engaged in mentoring undergraduate research in aquatic physiology and toxicology, nurturing K-12 environmental awareness and STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education, as well as promoting community education for environmental issues.

Heather Macdonald, Geology, College of William & Mary

Heather Macdonald is a Professor of Geology at the College of William & Mary. Her research interests are in geoscience education, faculty professional development, geoscience in two-year colleges, and teacher education. She is a leader of the Faculty as Change Agents: Transforming Geoscience Education in Two-year Colleges project, is one of the leaders of the Noyce Scholars Program at the College of William & Mary, and was a leader of the On the Cutting Edge program.

Gary Weissmann, Professor, Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, University of New Mexico

As the Albert and Mary Jane Black Family Professor of Hydrology at UNM, Professor Weissmann teaches and conducts research in the fields of applied sedimentology and hydrology. His research interests have included understanding how fluvial sediments fill sedimentary basins, ultimately becoming the beautiful sedimentary successions of places like the Badlands, Ghost Ranch of New Mexico, and the Petrified Forest and Painted Desert of Arizona. The aesthetics of modern rivers (especially as seen from space) and fluvial rocks capture his imagination and curiosity, and he strives to share his wonder of this beauty with his students. Professor Weissmann also serves on the UNM Diversity Council, and is extremely interested in issues surrounding diversity in science and academia.