Who am I?

Hello, I'm Ali! I'm currently a PhD student at UC Berkeley studying science education. Prior to this, I got my Bachelor's degree in Biological Sciences at Rutgers University–New Brunswick and then went on to get my Master's in Biological Science Education at the Rutgers Graduate School of Education. After graduating, I taught high school biology and also worked at Khan Academy as a biology content fellow. 

What am I doing?

My overarching goal is to improve undergraduate STEM education. This passion of mine actually began while I was an undergrad at Rutgers. I made this very site (bi-ALI-gy, get it?) as a way to help struggling undergrads in an "introductory" STEM course. I've seen the difference a site like this can make, so now, I want to figure out even more ways to help even more students succeed, while also showing them that STEM disciplines are worth pursuing.  During this process, I'm always keeping diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) top-of-mind. 

Why am I doing it?

Because STEM is AWESOME! I truly believe it's the most applicable, the most relevant, and quite frankly, the most beautiful set of subjects imaginable. But unfortunately, so much of its applicability, relevancy, and especially its beauty gets diminished at the undergraduate level. Nowadays, a fancy STEM degree is all the rage, but are all STEM students really getting the best education possible? In many cases, I don't think so. However, it's reassuring to know that a huge push has begun all around the world to start teaching STEM with research-based pedagogy, educational psychology, and even cognitive science in mind (and hopefully, in practice). I'm so excited to fully immerse myself in this transition now and for many years to come!

​How am I doing it?

I am determined to make undergraduate STEM education more inclusive, interpersonal, and interdisciplinary through bioinspired design. Ya know what? Enough talking from me. Let my PhD advisor and director of the Bioinspired Design Program, Professor Robert Full, show you! 

You can watch all of Professor Full's TED Talks here. 

More stuff about my research to come!