Group Members

Dr. Gina Frey

PI

I enjoy teaching general chemistry and helping students transition into the university. I also enjoy co-teaching the science education research course for graduates and upper-level undergraduate students, and introducing students to the STEM education-research discipline.

We have research scientists, graduate students, and undergraduate students working in our group. If you are interested in working with us, please contact me or any of the group members.

It is great living in Salt Lake City and seeing the mountains every day. A few of my favorite activities are running, hiking in the canyons, and cooking.

Vanessa Johnson

Research Associate

Vanessa (she/her/ella) is a research scientist in the Frey STEM Education Research group at the University of Utah. Her professional background is in higher education assessment and evaluation, focusing on building surveys using scale development theory that measures various aspects of campus racial climates. Her scholarly background includes working on several research projects focused on transfer students' pathways and college climate experiences and has conducted experimental designs to measure the impact of metacognitive homework assignments called "Scientist Spotlight" on students' science identity, specifically on women, first-generation, and Black and Brown undergraduate students.

Utilizing QuantCrt and scale development theory, she has built and validated constructs to measure how racist political rhetoric and state-sanctioned violence emotionally and behaviorally impact Black and Brown students on a predominately white campus. Because postsecondary institutions do not exist in a vacuum, her research helps connect the relationship between societal and campus racism and aids in helping institutions examine policies and practices that further marginalize Black and Brown students on their campuses and explore ways in which institutions can better support students holistically.

Before joining the Frey STEM Education Research Group, Vanessa was a graduate researcher in the David Eccles School of Business and College of Education at the University of Utah. She is a doctoral candidate (expected graduation Fall 2022) and holds an M.Ed. in Educational Leadership & Policy from the University of Utah. Among other honors, Vanessa received the Deans College of Education Research Fellowship and was chosen to be a UCEA Barbara L. Jackson Scholar (2019). Outside the lab, Vanessa enjoys spending time with her husband, visiting family, traveling, duplicating her mother’s Peruvian recipes, and taking care of her rescue dog Pecas.

Contact: vanessa.johnson@utah.edu

Lorraine Linares Laguerre

Graduate Student, PhD Candidate

Lorraine is a 3^rdyear graduate student in the Chemistry program. She is currently a PhD candidate in Chemical Education. Puerto Rico is her home country and were she completed her undergrad degree in Chemistry. At the moment she is involved in educational research focused on classroom inclusion as well as the cognition and metacognition of STEM students. Lorraine enjoys going to the movie theater, visiting national parks and dancing. 

Contact: u1215543@utah.edu

Hector Torres

Graduate Student

My name is Hector Torres, I recently graduated with my bachelors in chemistry with a teaching emphasis. I will be starting my first year of graduate school at the university of Utah this coming Fall. I am working with the CSME to study the LA program, I will be studying how professors at the university of Utah incorporate LAs into their courses. I very much enjoy teaching as a teaching assistant for Organic chemistry. My favorite snack is sugar.

Contact: hector.torres@utah.edu

Mark Jareczek

REU Undergraduate Student

Mark is a 3^rd year undergraduate student double-majoring in Chemistry and Educational Studies at Washington University in St. Louis. Mark aspires to bring people together in the context of chemistry: and his research is focused on inclusion and social belonging as it relates to chemistry Peer-Led-Team-Learning (PLTL). He is also interested in the benefits and effects of undergraduate leadership/mentorship in chemistry. Mark is a Chicago native, and in his free time enjoys hiking, cooking, Pokémon, and spending time with those close to him.

Contact: mjareczek@wustl.edu

Tenzin Norzom

SPUR Undergraduate Student

Tenzin is an undergraduate student majoring in Health, Society, and Policy at the University of Utah. Tenzin is interested in learning about the factors influencing social belonging within the academic setting: and her research focuses on the course level social belonging and academic performance in General Chemistry 1. Tenzin is also involved within the university as an executive director of student immersion and outreach in ASUU and enjoys connecting with people. Tenzin is a Tibetan Native, and in her free time enjoys outdoor activities such as hiking, exploring national parks, and spending time with friends and families.

Contact: tnorzom@asuu.utah.edu

Vanessa Bustamante

Graduate Student, PhD Candidate

Vanessa is a 2nd-year graduate student interested in chemical education research. In her free time, Vanessa enjoys hiking, exploring national parks, and spending time with her family and significant other. Her favorite subjects to TA have been organic chemistry and physical chemistry. Vanessa hopes to work with students in the future, helping them discover the joys and usefulness of chemistry.  

Contact: vanessa.p.bustamante@utah.edu

Olivia Schmitz

Undergraduate student

My name is Olivia Schmitz and I am an undergraduate student studying chemistry with a teaching emphasis. I plan to get a master's degree in educational psychology starting in the fall 2023 semester then possibly a Ph.D. in chemistry education. I have worked with general chemistry students as a learning assistant and a teaching assistant since the fall 2021 semester. Social belonging is important to me as a future educator and my research in the Frey group is a great outlet for my belief. Outside of my work as a student and researcher, I enjoy hiking, baking, and spending time with my cats. 

Contact: u1263355@utah.edu