STEM Discovery Day Speakers

Dr. Carol Abbott is nearly a lifelong resident of Lancaster. She has an Associate and Doctoral Degree from Ohio University and BS and MS degrees in Mechanical Engineering from Ohio State University. 

Dr. Abbott worked as an engineer locally for several years before she started teaching in an Engineering Technology program. Continuing her lifelong pursuit of knowledge and love of learning, Dr. Abbott earned an interdisciplinary PhD from Ohio University, and returned to teaching there as an adjunct. 

She became a volunteer NASA Solar System Ambassador in 2020 and continues to present outreach programs for NASA Missions and science in general.

Kimberly Bennett is originally from Youngstown, Ohio. She graduated from Youngstown State University with a BAS in Forensic Science and a Minor in Chemistry. 

Kimberly has been an Evidence Intake Technician for the State Highway Patrol for almost 2 years. She enjoys spending time with her animals and binge watching a good TV show. When she is able, she loves to travel.  Whether it's just to go camping or across the world to Italy.

Dr. Buchman is an Associate Professor in the School of Nursing at Ohio University in the College of Health Sciences and Professions and a Dean’s Fellow for Curriculum and Student Affairs. With a Doctorate in Instructional Technology and a Master’s in Nursing Education, Dr. Buchman is a recognized leader in innovative teaching methods and curriculum design. 

As Program Co-Director for the Nursing Education track, Dr. Buchman integrates creativity and technology into healthcare education, using tools like simulation, Cine-VR, and Virtual Reality to prepare the next generation of nurses. She also plays a central role in curriculum development at multiple institutional levels and is passionate about sharing knowledge through podcasting. 

She is the host of The Healthy Bobcat, a podcast focused on promoting wellness, education, and health within the Ohio University community and beyond. As a first-generation college student, her story reflects resilience and a deep commitment to lifelong learning. 

In addition to her academic work, Dr. Buchman continues to practice as an emergency room nurse in a critical access hospital, caring for a diverse patient population with a broad range of health concerns. Her unique combination of experience in education, frontline nursing, and instructional technology makes her a dynamic and inspiring leader in the field of nursing.

Ms. Calhoun is responsible for ensuring a safe and healthy work environment for the NASA Glenn community in Cleveland, Ohio and contributing to technical excellence in safety, quality, and reliability engineering for NASA aerospace and aeronautics programs and projects.  

Ms. Calhoun has received numerous awards throughout her career for her accomplishments, including the NASA Equal Employment Opportunity Medal for her Science Technology Engineering Mathematics (STEM) outreach efforts with underrepresented and underserved students. She was a founding member of the Greater Cleveland “Indeed We Code” camp, which teaches girls computer programming. Ms. Calhoun is a former member of the Ohio University Alumni Association Board of Directors, and currently serves on Ohio University’s Board of Trustees, Foundation Board of Trustees, and Russ College of Engineering and Technology Board of Visitors.

Ms. Calhoun has a bachelor's degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Ohio University and is a Duquesne [pronounced do-cane] University alumna of the Information Systems Management master’s degree program.  

Cheryl Camacho is the Director of Simulation and Outreach Education at Nationwide Children’s Hospital (NCH) in Columbus, Ohio. She earned her bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration and her Master of Business Administration from the University of Maryland. She is currently pursuing a PhD in Organizational Leadership and Strategy at Capella University. In addition, she holds the Certified Healthcare Simulation Educator (CHSE) credential from the Society for Simulation in Healthcare (SSH). 

As director, Ms. Camacho leads the strategic vision for educational delivery and methodology within the department while overseeing daily operations that support an organization of over 16,000 employees. Under her leadership, the simulation team has enhanced educational programs, interdisciplinary collaboration, and quality improvement initiatives to drive better patient outcomes. She is also responsible for staff recruitment and retention, marketing, strategic planning, and fiscal oversight for the department. 

Ms. Camacho is an active leader in the Society for Simulation in Healthcare (SSH), currently serving as Chair of the Directors Section and an Accreditation Site Reviewer. In recognition of her excellence in leadership, innovation, and contributions to the field of simulation, she was named the 2025 SSH Director of the Year. Additionally, in 2024, she was awarded a Fellowship in Simulation to further her growth within SSH and NCH.

Mr. Davis been an Ohio State Trooper for nearly fifteen years, nine of those years being assigned to a SWAT team. He is a sniper and drone pilot on the team. His job is always interesting and typically their team is called to respond to an incident, it's something serious where help is needed. The team works with different types of technologies - drones, robots, and night vision, which assist in locating wanted fugitives. 

Fun facts: Mr. Davis was the quarterback for his high school football team and he enjoys bird watching.

Mr. Gerwit is a graduate of Ohio State University in Respiratory Therapy. He continued his education by earning an MBA at Case Western Reserve University while working in Lancaster full-time as a respiratory therapist. 

Mr. Gerwit began his clinical practice at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, an experience that continues to motivate him to educate the community about respiratory health. 

He is currently developing an associate degree in respiratory therapy program for Ohio University in conjunction with the Fairfield County Workforce Center.

Mrs. Hesterman is a Technology Trainer at Wagnalls Memorial Library. This is a grant-funded position through Guiding Ohio Online. She has a bachelor’s degree in digital media.

"Meeting with people and helping them to better understand technology can include anything from figuring out an email account to exploring how to navigate a new device. We all use it, might as well learn more about it"!

Dr. Michael Koop is an Associate Professor of Physics & Astronomy at Ohio University Chillicothe.  He completed a bachelor degree in Mathematical Physics at the University of Waterloo (2008) and a PhD in Physics at Penn State University (2014).

In addition to teaching science courses for a wide range of undergraduate students, he is also very involved in scientific outreach to the public. His professional life is devoted to helping people learn about new scientific discoveries and methods.

Lindsie Mayfield is a Criminalist in the toxicology section at the Ohio State Highway Patrol Crime Laboratory. She has been employed there since January of 2020. Prior to this time, she worked at two Pharmaceutical companies in their quality control sections making sure that their drugs were meeting acceptance criteria before being sent out to the public. She also did two internships in forensics while she was in college at the Franklin County Coroner's Office and the Miami Valley Regional Crime Laboratory. 

Lindsie has a Bachelor of Science with a major in Forensic Chemistry from Ohio University. She graduated in 2018. She is currently enrolled in the University of Florida online course for a Master of Science in Veterinary Medical Science with a concentration in Forensic Toxicology.

Theresa had no aviation experience, except for the occasional airline flight until August 2006. Since then, she has earned her Airline Dispatcher license and her Master of Public Administration in order to improve the assistance she can give the aviation students at Ohio University, Russ College of Engineering and Technology.

Theresa is an active member of Women in Aviation, International, as well as the advisor for the Ohio University chapter. In 2023, she was promoted to Aviation Success Advisor, as she has a deeper understanding of the Ohio University aviation program than almost anybody else.

Theresa is currently working on her EdD in Aviation Education, intending to become faculty in the department while continuing to advocate for  students at the college and university levels.

Dr. Miller holds a Bachelor of Science degrees in Chemistry and Biology from the University of Missouri-Columbia. In addition, she holds a PhD in Organic Chemistry from The Ohio State University. 

After obtaining her PhD in 2011,  Dr. Miller was an adjunct professor before beginning her position with Ohio University in 2012. She "had excellent chemistry teachers and professors who enhanced my desire to not only study chemistry but to teach it as well."

Dr. Miller enjoys doing community outreach and teaching people of all age ranges from high school students to adults who have high school-age children.

Dr. Stephanie Miller serves as the Ohio Museum Complex Director of STE(A)M Career Pathways and teach Microbiology lectures and laboratory courses as Associate Professor of Instruction in the Department of Biological Sciences. 

Since 2010, her commitment to student engagement and success has kept her innovative in the classroom, and she has been working on novel teaching activities. As co-director of the College of Arts and Sciences STEMstart Program, it is her goal to help undergraduate students succeed in their STEM careers and to contribute to scholarly work in teaching and learning in higher education. 

Dr. Miller completed her M.S. degree in Entomology at The Ohio State University with a research emphasis on entomopathogenic nematodes and other microbial biological control agents of insect pests. Today, she continues her passion for studying the natural world and science education. She spearhead the STEMstart Program and the Biology Meets Engineering internships at Ohio University.

Heather grew up in Geauga County, Ohio and always had an interest in science. After graduating high school, she attended and earned a Bachelor of Science in Forensic Chemistry from Ohio University in Athens. After graduating from OU, she went to work as a forensic drug chemist at the New Mexico DPS Southern Crime Laboratory in Las Cruces, New Mexico. 

She was welcomed back to her home state of Ohio by the Ohio State Highway Patrol in 2001 after being hired as a criminalist in the drug chemistry section of the crime lab. In 2014, she was promoted to a supervisor position in the drug chemistry section and has been in that role ever since.

Dr. Jackie Tudor is an Associate Professor of Biological Sciences at Ohio University. She began her post-secondary education as a PSEO (post secondary enrollment option) regional campus student at Kent State University in 2003. After graduating magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Biological Anthropology in 2007, Dr. Tudor entered into a Ph.D. program at Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) in the Department of Physiology and Biophysics. In 2012, Dr. Tudor graduated from CWRU with a Ph.D. in Cellular and Molecular Physiology. Her dissertation research examined the mechanisms of adrenal medullary excitation under the acute sympathetic stress response. 

After teaching for a year as a Visiting Assistant Professor at Ashland University, Dr. Tudor began working at Ohio University Lancaster as Assistant Professor of Biological Sciences in 2013. She earned promotion to Associate Professor with tenure at Ohio University in 2020. Dr. Tudor teaches anatomy, physiology, microbiology, and neuropharmacology courses to pre-health and biology major students. She studied Anthropology, Physiology, and Biophysics because she found them to be interesting and intellectually challenging fields. 

Starting in fall 2025, Dr. Tudor will also serve as Faculty Chair of the Lancaster Campus. In her free time, Dr. Tudor enjoys traveling, cooking/baking, reading, and spending time with her family.

For 14 years, Angelia has been a Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) at OhioHealth, working in Microbiology. She is passionate about the vital role laboratory diagnostics plays in patient care, and proud to contribute to the health of my community. 

Angelia holds an Associate's degree in Medical Laboratory Technology, and successfully passed the board certification. She retains her certification by completing 36 hours of CE's every three years.