Science Writer & Educational Outreach Coordinator
Megan coordinates the education outreach efforts at IHMC. She spearheaded the creation of IHMC’s Science Saturdays program, a monthly hands-on science program for kids in grades 3 through 5, begun in 2003. She continues to direct the program which serves approximately 50 students a month.
During 2006 Megan worked with then-State Rep. Holly Benson, Gulf Power and representatives of the Escambia and Santa Rosa school districts to create the I LOVE Science program, which brings volunteers into 5th grade classrooms to lead monthly hands on science activities. The program regularly attracts volunteers to serve in nearly all of the 250 5th grade classrooms in the two county area.
In addition to the education programs, Megan writes the IHMC newsletter and annual report. Both the writing and the science programs allow Megan to share her enthusiasm for science with a wide audience.
Originally from Pensacola, Megan got her bachelors degree in chemistry from MIT and a masters degree in chemistry from Harvard. Megan did her PhD work in the Harvard Program in Neuroscience under Jonathan Cohen, mapping the binding site of noncompetitive antagonists of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor.
Megan works half-time for IHMC and also serves as an at-large member of the Pensacola City Council. She has two kids, Annie, 7 years old, and Ben, 5 years old. Her husband, Jerry, is a robotics researchers at IHMC. She is active in a variety of community organizations, including the WSRE Foundation.