Our Team

Jen Lewin joined the Baxter Center in August of 2024 after eight years in the Office of Community Education Partnerships (OCEP). As a former classroom teacher, Jen embraces opportunities to work with students and families, educators, schools, and the community. She taught middle school in the Chicago Public Schools for a decade before coming to Northwestern as a STEM partnership coordinator. Equitable practices for educators and students are at the center of Jen’s core beliefs including finding innovative ways to support efforts to spark curiosity and a drive for learning. She has been a PreK-8 science coach, an informal educator, and considers herself a lifelong learner. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology, a Master of Education in Teaching and Learning, and a Master of Arts in Educational Technology.

Natalie joined the OCEP team in September 2018. She is working with the Baxter Center for Science Education to develop OCEP’s partnership with Baxter International Inc. and Round Lake Area Schools. Natalie is excited to share her passion for STEM at the Baxter Center’s newest location, Round Lake High School, and Northwestern. In working with OCEP, Natalie also hopes to promote equity in STEM education by supporting teacher professional development, providing authentic STEM experiences for students, and developing community partnerships in Lake County. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Neurobiology and a certificate in Global Health from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Kate joined the Baxter Center team in January 2023. You'll find her managing the Baxter Box and Lab Grant programs, supporting workshops and the Symposium, and spending time at schools in the BCSE network. Kate also works closely with data management, program evaluation, and maintenance of the website. Previously, she worked as an engineer and informal educator. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Engineering Physics from Murray State University and a Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Kentucky.

Sachin began working at OCEP in May of 2013. Sachin works as a software developer for the Baxter Center for Science Education and the Computational Thinking in STEM (CT-STEM) projects. Sachin loves to work at OCEP because he gets to come and hang out with cool people every day. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Engineering from the University of Washington in 2006 and a Master of Science degree in Computer Science from the University of Chicago in 2013.

Jen has been a faculty partner with the Baxter Center for Science Education since joining Northwestern University’s School of Education and Social Policy as a Research Assistant Professor in 2019, and she is now serving as Principal Investigator for the Center. She loves partnering with Chicagoland educators to support the Center’s professional learning and teacher leadership opportunities. Prior to coming to Northwestern, Jen worked with the Ambitious Science Teaching group at the University of Washington. She has middle and high school science teaching experience, a bachelor’s degree in Biology and Political Science/International Relations from the University of Delaware, and a master’s and Ph.D. in Science Education from the University of Maryland. For more on Jen's research, check out her faculty profile.

Bella joined the Baxter Center team in October 2023. She works as an Administrative Aid focusing on content creation, promoting the student and teacher initiatives of the Baxter Center via social media and written content, striving to reach the students and educators who could benefit from the centers’ resources most. She is passionate about creating engaging and creative media to share the good work of the Baxter center with as many people as possible. Bella is pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Journalism at The Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications at Northwestern University with a minor in Spanish and intended Integrated Marketing Communications Certificate as a member of the Class of 2026.

Jamie joined the Baxter Center team in October 2021. She helps prepare workshops and compile resources for teachers as well as organize and develop Baxter Box materials. She hopes to help enhance science education and expand access to resources for teachers and students. She is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in the Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences with a major in neuroscience and a minor in Science and Human Culture as a member of the Class of 2025.

Sana joined the Baxter Center team in October of 2023. They currently work as an administrative assistant for the team, working in event programming and coordination for teacher workshops, the annual Baxter Symposium, and the Summer Scholars Program. Sana is a part of the class of 2026 in the Weinberg College of Arts and Science at Northwestern University, with a dual major in Data Science and Sociology.

Gloria joined the Baxter Center team in June of 2022. She works as an administrative aide, assisting with workshops and student outreach programs such as the Summer Scholars Program. Gloria is currently a class of 2026 student at Wellesley College and is pursuing a major in computer science.

Angelina joined the Baxter Center team in October 2023. She works as a STEM administrative aide, assisting with the Baxter Box program. She aspires to improve science education and broaden the availability of resources for both teachers and students given her experience with Science Olympiad. She is pursuing a BAMS degree in the Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences with a major in Chemistry and a minor in Data Science as a member of the Class of 2025. She also does research as an undergraduate researcher in Professor Dayne F. Swearer’s research group working on dilute plasmonic alloys as photocatalysts for small molecule conversion.