Advanced Materials Research Experiences for Teachers (RET)
The University of California San Diego MRSEC Research Experiences for Teachers (RET) program is aimed at providing K-12 and junior/community college educators with a summer experience in a MRSEC research lab. The participants are attached to one of the MRSEC RIMSE Summer Schools, where they receive an introduction to research in the materials science focus area of that particular RIMSE. As part of the experience, the RET participants will work on projects and modules that they can translate to the classroom at their institution. Our team of education experts in the RIMSE program will provide guidance on developing materials science content, demonstrations, and course materials that dovetail with the current California Science Education Standards.
NSF-RET MRSEC trainees will be: 1) exposed to the grand challenges in the field of materials science; 2) trained in computational, nanotechnological, and /or biological methods aimed at making new materials; 3) provided mentoring and academic/professional development opportunities, including the potential to produce publishable research and participate in professional conferences.
RET program is on pause for Summer 2026. Please check back in Fall 2026 for Summer 2027 program information
2025 RET Participants
Stanfield, Jessica
BIO: Jessica has been a chemistry instructor at Grossmont College since 2013 and San Diego City College since 2016. Jessica earned her B.S. in Chemistry from San Diego State University in 2005 where she worked with Dr. Diane Smith on the electrochemistry of aromatic amines. She continued this work during graduate school earning her M.S. in analytical chemistry, with a focus in electrochemistry, in 2008. Jessica did some further research at UC Davis before returning to San Diego to focus on a teaching career. Outside of teaching Jessica enjoys building Lego models, reading, recording chemistry demos in her garage, and spending time with her husband and daughter.
ORCID: 0009-0006-0141-0468
Mentor:
2024 RET Participants
Fisher, James (Jim)
BIO: Jim is currently a full-time chemistry instructor at Imperial Valley College. He participated in the San Diego Nano Institute (SDNI) research experiences for teachers (RET) in the summer of 2020 remotely. He looks forward to gaining experience in the Research Immersion in Materials Science & Engineering (RIMSE) Summer School on Silicon Nanotechnology (SSSiN) that will benefit his students. His goal is to create nano chemistry related educational material to engage both students and their families.
ORCID: 0009-0009-9471-2255
Mentor: Ashley Tamura
Nguyen, Edward
BIO: Prof. Edward Nguyen is an Adjunct Professor of Chemistry, teaching in the San Diego Community College and Grossmont College districts and participating in the SSSiN program. He received both his B.S. and M.S. from CSU Long Beach (Advisor: Xianhui Bu) and obtained his Ph.D. from Florida State University (Advisor: Geoffrey F. Strouse, Focus: transition metal carbide nanocrystals). He hopes to recruit students at San Diego Miramar College for nanoscience summer research.
ORCID: 0000-0002-4787-8270
Mentor: Ashley Tamura
2024 RET Mentor Participants
Huffer-Ege, Eileen
BIO: Eileen is a Guam-born but California-raised Science Educator, teaching Chemistry and Biology, at the School of Engineering, Innovation and Design on the Kearny High Complex in San Diego. With a passion for inspiring others to learn about the ocean and its creatures, Eileen also organizes and mentors a Blue Technology club where students design, build and compete with underwater remotely operated vehicles. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with family and friends, being outdoors--beach camping, traveling, watching ice hockey and making holiday decorations.
ORCID: 0000-0002-5785-5822
Tamura, Ashley
BIO: Ashley Tamura is an Adjunct Professor of Chemistry, teaching in the San Diego Community College and Southwestern College districts. She received both her B.S. and M.S. from UC San Diego while working on the phase-tunable colloidal synthesis of tungsten disulfide nanocrystals with Dr. Alina M. Schimpf. She continues to have interests in both nanochemistry and teaching.
ORCID: 0000-0002-2540-6125