LEADERSHIP TEAM
Christofer Nelson
President and CEO
Pronouns: he, him, his
Christofer has served as President and CEO of ASTC since 2020, where he was previously Chief Operating Officer. Earlier in his career, Christofer served as the Assistant Director for Open Innovation at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), and prior to that, Christofer implemented the Obama Administration’s Presidential Appointee Leadership Program. Christofer previously served as Program Director and as a member of the research faculty in Georgetown University’s Program on Science in the Public Interest. Christofer has consulted with multiple philanthropic, government, and private-sector organizations to design and deploy open and community-driven programs that increase public engagement in solving pressing national and global challenges.
Frances Burg
Chief of Staff
Pronouns: she, her, hers
Frances has served as Chief of Staff of ASTC since 2021. Before joining ASTC, she helped launch the reimagined National Children’s Museum in Washington, D.C.—a hybrid science center and children’s museum, and an ASTC member organization—first as Operations Manager and later as Associate Director of Administration and Counsel. She previously served as an attorney for the U.S. Department of Transportation and spent two years in private practice at Spiegel & McDiarmid LLP. Growing up with a family of engineers, Frances is a natural tinkerer and a longtime advocate for informal science education.
Melissa Ballard
Director of Programs
Pronouns: she, her, hers
Melissa leads ASTC’s Impact and Inclusion team, which is focused on supporting science centers and museums in advancing equitable engagement in science and technology. She has held a variety of roles in research, advocacy, communications, and partnership-building for informal STEM learning. She has also worked in education and outreach at a children’s science center. Melissa holds undergraduate degrees in Industrial & Operations Engineering and liberal studies from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.
Jamie Bell
Senior Advisor
Pronouns: he, him, his
James Bell, EdM, is a Senior Advisor with ASTC and was the Project Director and Principal Investigator of the Center for Advancement of Informal Science Education (CAISE) from 2010 to 2023. Prior to that Jamie served in a variety of leadership roles in the informal STEM education field, including in youth programs and museum exhibit development at the Exploratorium, teacher professional development at the Harvard Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics and as a science center exhibit consultant at TERC. Mr. Bell also spent 3 years in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia developing a Center of Learning department for Petrosains: The Discovery Center. He holds degrees from Carnegie Mellon and Harvard Universities and is a 2021 Fellow in education at the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), a 2022 ASTC Fellow, and a member of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine Standing Committee on Advancing Science Communication. Jamie’s specialties are program development, applications of learning theory, and exhibit facilitation. In his leisure time, Jamie swims, reads, and plays 7-string guitar in Brazilian music gatherings.
Julian Boaitey
Director of Finance and Administration
Julian brings over 10 years of finance and accounting management experience with non-profit organizations to the role. Julian is experienced in virtually all aspects of finance and accounting management, including financial reporting, budgeting, financial modeling and analysis, business planning, and process improvement. Julian received his BA, Business Administration and Accounting, from Drexel University in Philadelphia in 2012. In his spare time, Julian enjoys travel, sampling new foods, and spending time with his wife and four-year-old son.
Adam P. Fagen, PhD
Director of External Affairs
Pronouns: he, him, his
Adam serves as Director of External Affairs where he leads efforts to champion and make the case for the work of science centers and museums, including through communications, advocacy, partnerships, and collaborations. He previously also led the membership and conference teams. Throughout his career, Adam has worked at the intersection of science, policy, and society throughout his career, including roles in policy, communications, education and training, public affairs, and member engagement at several scientific societies. He earned a BA in biology and mathematics at Swarthmore College and an AM in molecular and cellular biology and PhD in molecular biology and education from Harvard University. Adam enjoys visiting science centers, photography, fresh bread, and keeping up with his twin sons.
Rose Hendricks, PhD
Seeding Action Research Director
Pronouns: she, her, hers
Rose is the Seeding Action Research Director. In this role, she leads the design and implementation of Seeding Action, an initiative led by ASTC to support science centers and museums in their planetary health public engagement work. Prior to this role, she led the development of the Science Society Engagement Network, which connects scientific associations in their efforts to equip scientists to communicate with policymakers and public audiences. She has also conducted research with the FrameWorks Institute, studying approaches for communicating about social and scientific issues. Rose earned a PhD in Cognitive Science from UC San Diego.
Kalie Sacco, MPA
Director of Member Strategy
Pronouns: she, her, hers
Kalie plays a pivotal role in advancing ASTC’s strategic framework through programs, events, and resources that engage and serve ASTC’s members. Previously, she was Associate Director at the Lawrence Hall of Science (UC Berkeley’s public science center). She has also held roles in professional organizations that support the informal STEM learning community including as Program & Community Manager for the Center for Advancement of Informal Science Education (CAISE) and the Coalition for Science After School. She is an active leader within the museum community, with professional service roles at the California Association of Museums, the Alameda Museum, and the American Alliance of Museums’ Museum Assessment Program. Kalie holds an MPA from UC Berkeley’s Goldman School of Public Policy and a BA in Anthropology and Classics from UC Berkeley.
ASTC TEAM
Laura Bartock
Manager of Community Science and Special Projects
Pronouns: she, her, hers
Laura is an experienced facilitator, science communicator, and social scientist. In her role as the Manager of Community Science and Special Projects, she helps ASTC members build tools for doing community-centered science in their hometowns. Before joining ASTC, Laura managed collaborative multi-party processes, providing strategic guidance for groups working to understand complex science and address environmental challenges. Her past projects have focused on exploring best practices for deep seabed mining and implementing collaborative adaptive management on the Missouri River. Laura holds a BS in Environmental Science and a BA in Media & Communication Studies from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, as well as a master’s degree in Environmental Communication and Participatory Processes from the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry. When not at work, Laura enjoys playing board games, tending houseplants, and foraging for wild edibles (especially mushrooms).
Daniel W. Bateman, MPA
Coordinator of Community and Conference
Pronouns: he, him, his
Daniel’s passion for museum-based learning led to a diverse career at the Cosmosphere and subsequent executive roles at the Great Lakes Science and Education Center and the Kansas Aviation Museum. From 2017–23, at Exploration Place, he directed educational initiatives, leading teams in innovative live science shows and programs. As the Coordinator of Community and Conference for ASTC, Daniel loves to foster connections among museum professionals globally. He also volunteers on boards in Wichita, Kansas.
Theresa A. Donofrio, PhD
Seeding Action Civic Science Fellow
Pronouns: she, her, hers
Theresa (Terri) Donofrio works alongside the Seeding Action Research Director and Seeding Action network members to analyze and create resources designed to inspire planetary health actions. Terri brings her expertise in rhetoric and background in museum studies, memory studies, and critical/cultural studies to ASTC. Prior to joining the Seeding Action team, Terri was an Associate Professor of Communication Studies at Coe College, where she taught a wide variety of Communication Studies courses, researched the rhetorics surrounding public tragedies, and served in multiple leadership roles, including department chair. She earned her PhD in Communication from the University of Maryland.
Amanda Fisher
Associate Director of Programs
Pronouns: she, her, hers
As the Associate Director of Programs at ASTC, Amanda spearheads various initiatives aimed at promoting best practices in informal STEM education, fostering equity, and enhancing access across networks. She contributes to prominent projects including the IF/THEN® Gender Equity Initiative, the Informal STEM Learning Professional Competency Framework, and the Community Science Initiative. Amanda’s love for working in museums was ignited during her time at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) where she developed programs and trained scientists in effective communication. Amanda has served as Co-PI for NSF-funded public engagement projects and as a board member for the Space Science Institute. In her free time, she enjoys converting her van into a camper, orchestrates an annual craft exchange, and collects science museum magnets from around the globe.
Nina Humes
Conference Manager
A college graduate and graduate of life, my responsibilities at ASTC include making sure the conference and organization goals are met through the annual conference. One of my goals along with ASTC staff is to make sure conference attendees and other stakeholders feel safe and welcomed along with receiving knowledge to help advance careers and other achievements while networking and spending time with peers. All and all, I want you to leave the conference inspired and fulfilled.
Erica Kimmerling, PhD
Senior Advisor for Science Engagement Policy and Partnerships (currently on assignment)
Pronouns: she, her, hers
Erica is Senior Advisor for Science Engagement and Partnerships.
Eve Klein
Senior Advisor for Public Engagement with Science
Pronouns: she, her, hers
Eve supports a portfolio of projects that advance the study and practice of public engagement with science, including the Leaders in Science and Technology Engagement Networks (LISTEN) Network, which brings together leaders from across science engagement to connect, act, and learn together. Prior to her work with ASTC, Eve led the national Portal to the Public Network. Eve is a graduate of Columbia University and holds a Master’s Degree in science education from the University of New York at Buffalo.
Melissa Kocelko
Manager of Member Communications and Operations
Pronouns: she, her, hers
Melissa is Manager of Member Communications and Operations, where she manages the Job Bank, Passport Program, and the Informer. Before joining ASTC, Melissa worked in various capacities of museums from the management of membership at Chicago Children’s Museum to promoting the collections of Everglades National Park to cataloguing of collections at History Colorado. She is a graduate of the University of Illinois at Chicago and holds a Master’s Degree in anthropology with a concentration in museum and heritage studies from the University of Denver.
Shannon Sullivan
Senior Manager of Programs
Pronouns: she, her, hers
Shannon has been involved in informal STEM learning since long before she knew what that meant. She managed cultural and natural history collections at a museum in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, before joining the Smithsonian’s Museum on Main Street (MoMS) initiative to engage communities, rural organizations, and youth through digital storytelling. She also helped develop an exhibition which explored the intersection of science history and art at the Smithsonian American Art Museum in 2020. She worked for two NSF resource centers, CADRE and CAISE, before joining the Impact & Inclusion team at ASTC.
Kelly C. Tang, PhD
Manager of Communications
Pronouns: she, her, hers
Kelly C. Tang is the Manager of Communications. Kelly is an art historian and visual artist based in Southern California and North Carolina. Kelly received her PhD in art history from Duke University. She earned a BA in art history from UCLA and an MPhil in Modern Chinese Studies from the University of Oxford. Outside of work, Kelly likes to play board games, treasure-hunt at thrift stores, and dream up her next creative project.
Erin Thelen
Senior Manager of Member Engagement
Pronouns: she, her, hers
Erin is Senior Manager of Member Engagement.
Christine Trillana
Coordinator of Operations and Special Projects
Pronouns: she, her, hers
Christine is the Coordinator of Operations and Special Projects for ASTC. A part of the Finance and Administration Team, Christine is dedicated to improving on internal systems that help her colleagues work seamlessly in ASTC’s hybrid work environment. She also works closely with the President and CEO and Chief of Staff to manage external meetings. Her background includes working with start-up nonprofits and small businesses. Outside of work, Christine likes to go visit the thrift-stores in DC and tend to her virtual farm on Stardew Valley.
Naomi Wallace, PhD
Manager of Impact Initiatives
Pronouns: they, them, theirs
In their role as Manager of Impact Initiatives, Naomi manages and supports programs focused on providing ASTC members with resources, trainings, and funding to form equitable community partnerships and respond to trends at the intersection of science and society. Before joining ASTC, Naomi completed their PhD in Neuroscience at Washington State University, where they studied the health impacts of circadian rhythm disruption. Naomi lives in Colorado with their cat and ball python, and spend their spare time baking bread and playing Dungeons & Dragons.
Gaby Wilson
Manager of Member and Conference Analytics
Pronouns: they, them, theirs
Gaby is the Manager of Member and Conference Analytics, where they manage membership and database systems, data collection efforts, and registration for the ASTC Annual Conference. Before joining ASTC, Gaby worked in both informal and formal education, from visitor services and public programs at various history museums to teaching high school U.S. history, world history, and environmental science. They hold a BA in History and Secondary Education from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte as well as a Master’s Degree in Museum Education from the George Washington University. Outside of work, Gaby enjoys exploring new music, reading, and learning different textile arts.
Kim Wright, CMP
Associate Director of Conference
Pronouns: she, her, hers
Kim, a seasoned professional in meeting and hospitality management, adds a dynamic touch to ASTC. Boasting two decades of expertise, her blend of professionalism and enthusiasm injects vibrancy into every ASTC endeavor. Kim specializes in crafting unforgettable experiences through seamless event orchestration. Beyond the professional realm, she finds joy in cherished moments with her husband and two boys in Savannah, Georgia.
CONTACT
Click here for complete information about how to contact ASTC.
- For general inquiries: info@astc.org
- For media inquiries: communications@astc.org
- For membership inquiries: membership@astc.org
- For conference inquiries: conference@astc.org
- For exhibits and sponsorship inquiries: exhibits@astc.org