Fellows Directory

Marina Alexandrova

Dr. Alexandrova teaches a variety of courses on Russian history, culture, and language. Her current research interests include international modernism and avant-garde, Russian radical and revolutionary movements, spirituality in Imperial Russia, and, most recently, cultural and spiritual ties between Russia and the United States. Her Signature Course, UGS 303 "Tsars and Mystics," examines (un)Orthodox spiritual practices of Russian rulers from Ivan the Terrible to Nicholas II.

Samy Ayoub

Angela Beasley

Angie Beasley is an Associate Professor of Instruction in the Computer Science department at UT, where she teaches Data Mining. Prior to teaching, Angie worked for 15 years as a software engineer on projects for the US Navy, including submarine sonar systems, periscope systems, unmanned underwater vehicles, radar systems, and radio and satellite communication systems. Angie received her MS in Computer Science with a concentration in Machine Learning from The George Washington University and her BS in Computer Science from The University of Texas at Austin.

 

Kasia Dinkeloo

Kasia Dinkeloo is an Assistant Professor of Practice within the CNS Freshman Research Initiative. She runs the 'Bioprospecting2.0' stream, an undergraduate research lab focusing on the search for plastic-degrading microbes and enzymes from novel sources. As an educator, Kasia is interested in engaging students in the practice of science and technical writing.

Jules Elkins

Dr. Elkins is the Director of Sustainability Studies and Assistant Professor of Instruction in the Department of Geography and the Environment. Dr. Elkins’ research and teaching is in environmental health, and healthy indoor environments. She is particularly interested in low-dose chemical exposures, especially during the period from preconception to early childhood. Her interests focus on how exposures can be practically and cost-effectively reduced or prevented based on evidence-based models of what interventions measurably work.

Rhonda Evans

Dr. Rhonda Evans is an Associate Professor of Instruction in the Department of Government and directs the Edward A. Clark Center for Australian and New Zealand Studies. She received the Harry Ransom Award for Teaching Excellence in 2019 and the Jean Holloway Award for Excellence in Teaching in 2022. Her research focuses on an array of legal and political issues and institutions in Australia and New Zealand, such as the Australian Human Rights Commission, New Zealand Supreme Court, efforts to amend Australia’s Constitution, and critical minerals policymaking.

Layla Guyot

Layla Guyot is a data scientist, educator, and researcher, who joined UT Austin during Fall 2020. After pursuing mathematics and physics in undergrad, Layla completed a M.S. in Applied Probability and Statistics, just by chance. She gained some experience as a statistician before combining her aspiration to teach and conduct research through her Ph.D. in Mathematics Education at Texas State University. Her research focuses on designing courses and developing curriculum materials to promote authentic practices and ease the transition to the workplace.

Thushani Herath

Thushani Herath is an Associate Professor of Instruction in the Department of Chemistry. Since joining UT in 2016, she has designed and taught multiple Analytical Chemistry laboratory courses. Her teaching emphasizes real-world applications, fostering meaningful connections between hands-on experiences and student understanding.

Laura I Gonzalez

I am currently an Associate Professor of Instruction in the BIO Instructional Office and the Department of Integrative Biology. I love the challenge of conveying to my students a profound understanding of the basic concepts, principles and theories within a given subject. I particularly have enjoyed teaching ecology, research methods, and introduction to biology at the undergraduate level. I really enjoy the opportunity of mentoring undergraduate students.

Elon Lang

Elon Lang is the Associate Director for Faculty Development at the Center for Teaching and Learning, and an Associate Professor of Instruction at the University of Texas at Austin, where he teaches a variety of undergraduate literature survey courses on ethical topics, medieval and early modern studies, dramatic literature, and Experiential Learning courses based in archival research.

Karen M Landolt

Karen Landolt is an Associate Professor of Instruction in the Business, Government and Society Department and in the Department of Computer Science. She teaches Business Law, Behavioral Ethics, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property Law, and Negotiations. Her courses have a service-learning component, allowing students to use real-life problems and tasks to increase cultural awareness, learning, and retention. She previously received a Course-developer Award (2020-2022) from the Provost Experiential-Learning Initiative.

Marcelo Paixao

Nina Palmo

Nina Palmo is an Associate Professor of Instruction and Associate Director of Student Affairs in the Health & Society program at the College of Liberal Arts. She takes an interdisciplinary approach to understanding health and well-being, integrating insights from sociology, demography, economics, and public policy. She strives to design courses that not only offer rich academic experiences, but also equip students with marketable skills, portfolio-building opportunities, and hands-on service learning.

Jonathan Perry

Jonathan Perry is a Texas native who, after completing his BA and MS in physics at Baylor University and his Ph.D. at Texas A&M University, has managed to stick around the state. For his doctoral work he found himself with an unexpected passion for teaching and learning in his field, and so he focused on physics education research. He joined the faculty at UT Austin in 2019 as an Assistant Professor of Instruction.

Sally Ragsdale

Sally Ragsdale has been teaching for the Department of Statistics and Data Science since 2013. Before coming to UT, she worked in the transportation research industry as a data scientist. After earning her M.S. in Statistics, she began working for UT as a statistical consultant and served in that role for 6 years before transitioning to a full-time professional track faculty member. Sally is currently the SDS undergraduate minor/certificate faculty advisor and the course coordinator for SDS 320E Elements of Statistics.

Stacy Sparks

Stacy Sparks is a Professor of Instruction in the Molecular Biosciences Department and the Biology Instructional Office. She serves on the Core Curriculum Advisory Committee and has been actively involved in the TX Mindset Initiative Fellowship and its follow-up project, “Mindset Matters for Student Success.” Previously, Stacy directed the Chemistry Learning Assistant Program, where she oversaw an experiential learning opportunity for 80 undergraduate students each semester, helping them develop teaching and leadership skills.

Ann Thijs

Ann, originally from Belgium, earned graduate degrees in both engineering and ecology. She is deeply committed to undergraduate education and enjoys teaching students about the interconnectedness of the natural world, emphasizing evolutionary and ecological perspectives. Her goal is to help students develop critical thinking and quantitative skills, evident in her courses in introductory biology and upper division ecology.