The University of Pennsylvania,
Philadelphia, PA
The University of Pennsylvania is one of the oldest universities in the United States. Founded by Benjamin Franklin on the principle of civic engagement, it remains a world-class institution with an urban campus situated in west Philadelphia. The Penn Compact 2022, which BioEYES aligns with, outlines Penn’s vision moving forward. It has three core values: inclusion, innovation, and impact. It calls for us to “think globally, act locally” so that we may bring the benefits of Penn’s research, teaching, and service to communities at home.
UPenn’s BioEYES program offers K-12 students and teachers the following educational opportunities at no cost for Philadelphia public and charter schools:
Classroom lab experiences designed for grades K-12
Co-teaching with a BioEYES Outreach Educator
Professional Development session
A chance to meet volunteer UPenn research scientists and learn about their work and career
Suburban, private, and Catholic schools in the Philadelphia area can also sign-up to receive BioEYES for a fee per student.
BioEYES is housed in the Smilow Center for Translational Research and is part of the Institute for Regenerative Medicine (IRM). Research here focuses on understanding how cells and tissues are formed and how they can be repaired or replaced when damaged or lost. Zebrafish are one of the model organisms used in these studies. The IRM offers other education and outreach initiatives. For a full list, visit irm.med.upenn.edu/outreach.
The BioEYES team at UPenn is headed by Dr. Jamie Shuda, Director of Outreach, Education, & Research, Perelman School of Medicine.
Other members of the BioEYES team include:
Tracy Nelson (Outreach Educator)
Joshua Kouassi (Outreach Educator)
Volunteers from the departments of Cell and Developmental Biology, BioChemistry and BioPhysics, Neuroscience, Microbiology, Cancer Biology, Physiology, Molecular Biophysics, Biomedical Sciences
*If you are interested in volunteering with BioEYES in Philadelphia, please click here.
Contact BioEYES Philadelphia
Dr. Jamie Shuda
Director of Life Science Outreach
Co-principal Investigator
University of Pennsylvania
Institute for Regenerative Medicine
Smilow Center for Translational Research, 9-111
3400 Civic Center Boulevard
Philadelphia, PA 19104
Jamie.Shuda@Pennmedicine.upenn.edu
(215) 746-7679
Meet the staff of BioEYES Philadelphia
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Dr. Jamie Shuda
Director of Life Science Outreach,
BioEYES Co-Principal Investigator
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA
(215) 746-7679
Jamie.Shuda@Pennmedicine.upenn.eduI always knew that I would work with children. At first I wanted to be a child psychologist, but during a part-time job in college I realized that teaching is what I enjoy the most. As a result, I have spent several years developing Project BioEYES and other science outreach projects. I also spent a few years at Sharon Hill School on data reform initiatives. I miss the students now that I am back working on BioEYES full time, but this project allows me to impact thousands of students each year! At BioEYES I oversee the program’s development and help other universities start up BioEYES in their local area. Currently, I am at the University of Pennsylvania as Director of Life Science Outreach at the Institute for Regenerative Medicine and Coordinator of Life Science Education at the Netter Center for Community Partnerships. I received a MS.Ed in Elementary Education and an Ed.D. in Education Leadership and Policy Studies. I enjoy working with such a dedicated hard working staff who all share the same goal of inspiring and exciting students about science.
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Tracy Nelson
Program Manager & Outreach Educator
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA
tracyn@pennmedicine.upenn.eduI joined BioEYES in 2011. As a former 5th grade teacher who had BioEYES come to their classroom, I saw firsthand how engaging it was for students. It is definitely something special and I'm glad to be a part of it! Working for BioEYES combines my biology and teaching background perfectly. I received a B.A. in Biology from the University of Delaware and then traveled out west for a few years where I completed Americorps, worked in a research lab at the University of Colorado, and taught at a few environmental education centers. Finally I returned east to complete a master's degree in education, right here at Penn, and then put it to use as a classroom teacher. In my current role as an Outreach Educator, I look forward to great teaching/learning moments with the students I see at all the different schools we visit in and around the city. I believe that a scientist lives in each one of us and every student deserves the opportunity to do real science!
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Joshua Kouassi
Outreach Educator
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA
Joshua.Kouassi@Pennmedicine.upenn.eduI earned my BA in Political Science with a focus in Environmental Inquiry at Penn State University Park, PA. Following graduation, my passion for equitable learning and STEM education led m to become an Outreach Coordinator for the Perelman School of Medicine working under the BioEYES Project in tandem with the DrosoPHILA project in the Bashaw Lab. In the lab I simulate the modules, coordinate the outreach schedule, and prepare the necessary resources for successful class experimentation. In the field I take on both an educational and promotional role, being an educator and social media coordinator for both organizations.