2020 COSI STEM STARS
A #COSISTEMStar is a champion of science in their community that will serve as a Grand Marshal for the 2020 COSI Science Festival
Penelope (Penny) Hartley
Upper Arlington High School
Upper Arlington
Penny has been an integral member of Upper Arlington High School’s FIRST robotics team for the past three years. She has been a leader of the mechanism development sub-group and has excelled in utilizing CAD software, after teaching herself. An advocate for women in STEM, Penny also became involved with The Ohio State University Society of Women in Engineering and decided to start a sister chapter of the Society of Women in Engineering at Upper Arlington High School.
Dr. Michael Triplett
Lattice Biotech
New Albany
Dr. Michael Triplett is Chief Executive Officer of Lattice Biotech. In 2017, he co-founded a company specializing in gene therapy to treat limb-girdle muscular dystrophy, a group of progressive, debilitating musculoskeletal diseases. Dr. Triplett was also named VentureOhio’s 2018 Entrepreneur of the Year.
Taj Bakare
CT Consultants
Delaware
Taj is the Chief Bridge Consultant with CT Consultants who works hard to inspire many students to pursue careers in engineering and more. He leads the Second Ward Community Initiative (SWCI) STEM Program in the community of Delaware and has mentored a growing number of students over the past few years.
Ryan Comisford
The Boeing Company
Heath
Ryan is a Materials, Process, & Physics Engineer with The Boeing Company located in Heath, Ohio. Through Boeing’s community outreach initiatives, he has been actively involved with STEM-related events at COSI, The Works, and local school districts sharing his knowledge of science to inspire young people.
Dr. David McCann
Ohio Department of Agriculture
Reynoldsburg
Dr. McCann is a plant pathologist at the Ohio Department of Agriculture. While investigating an unnamed disease that was causing decline in beech trees in northeast Ohio, he discovered the presence of a microscopic worm called a nematode that was previously unknown in the United States. Through his work, Dr. McCann was instrumental in determining the cause of Beech leaf disease. The pest he identified is a subspecies that will soon be named after him.
Stephanie Matson
Thomas Worthington High School
Worthington
Stephanie is the coach of the Thomas Worthington High School Science Olympiad team. Through her coaching, her team went to state competition for the first time in many years and placed fourth. As a teacher, Stephanie works to bring science alive to her students including students who are learning science and English simultaneously.
Adlai Stein
Central Ohio School for Metalwork
Franklinton
Adlai is an avid metal worker who started off at Idea Foundry in Franklinton. Since then he has founded the Central Ohio School for Metalwork where he puts his passion to work teaching metal working and STEM skills to others.
Andy Harris
Pickerington Schools
Pickerington
Andy was nominated by his community for his passion for STEM education. He is the STEM Biomedical Science Coordination and currently teaches at Pickerington North and the Pickerington OhioHealth Medical Campus.
Jean Trimble
Westerville City Schools – Innovation Space Manager
Westerville
The city of Westerville nominated Jean because she is an outstanding innovator who create the first Westerville City Schools makerspace at Walnut Springs Middle School, developed the "Trash to Fashion" and "Lyrical Westerville" student competitions at the Starry Night Art and Science Festival and is now the Innovation Space Manager for the entire Westerville City School district.
Diane Mankins
Marysville Exempted Village School District Superintendent
Marysville
Diane was nominated by her community because of all that she has done for STEM education in Marysville. She was a major driver of the Straight A grant that was awarded to Marysville Schools in 2013, and shortly thereafter, she brought the vision of a STEM Early College High School to life.
David McIntyre
Police Officer
Circleville
Officer McIntyre was nominated for his leadership with Foundations4Youth, which works to positively impact children through hands-on experiences around science, such as training around building gardens, teaching about livestock, participating in crafts, and explaining healthy eating.
Dr. Lora Thrun
Engineer at TOSOH
Grove City
Grove City leadership selected Lora for her engineering excellence and dedication to developing new technology and products. She also supports STEM values through mentoring young engineers and scientists.
Dr. Lou Kramer
London City Schools Superintendent
London
Lou was nominated by the city of London for his work to broaden the STEM programs and College Credit Plus courses throughout the school district.