New (and familiar) faces at SSPI in 2026

As Managing Director, Deb oversees the academic and operational teams of the Summer Science Program, SSPI’s flagship program. Prior to joining SSPI, Deb served as COO for an international non-profit focused on girls’ education and as a product manager for a geospatial software firm where she focused on open data, urban forestry, and digital humanities projects. She also taught several graduate courses on digital history and continues to be interested in how technology can help communities explore their past, connect in the present, and build stronger futures.

Deb holds a BA in English from Central Michigan University and a Master of Arts in Public History from Loyola University Chicago. She lives in eastern Pennsylvania with her family. In her free time, she enjoys hanging out with friends, line dancing, and reading as many books as possible.

Kristina is an experienced accounting professional with 10 years’ experience in full‑charge bookkeeping. As a Certified Bookkeeper with several additional certifications and licenses, she is skilled in managing comprehensive financial operations with accuracy, integrity, and efficiency. She has supported businesses across industries such as real estate, construction, small business operations, and professional services, and is valued for her professionalism, reliability, and commitment to maintaining organized, accurate financial records. 

She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband and their three children. In the moments she’s not balancing work and family life, Kristina enjoys visiting any beach, hiking, reading, and spending time with family and friends. 

Maree Jeanne Funk joined SSPI in May 2026 as a Science Educator for the STEM Learning Institute. She brings over 25 years of experience in science education, curriculum design, and instructional leadership, with a career-long focus on building robust learning systems that improve student performance and teacher efficacy.

Maree spent the first part of her career working in public schools as a Science Teacher, Curriculum Consultant, and Mentor Teacher. During her tenure, she authored NGSS-aligned pacing guides and developed phenomenon-driven instructional materials that significantly improved student achievement and students’ self-confidence to continue to pursue advanced science education. Beyond her work with students, Maree has an extensive background in designing professional learning and supporting educators in implementing engaging, data-backed instructional strategies.

With a background in science education and education research, Roya brings with her years of education evaluation and development experience spanning primary education to varying degrees of higher education. Prior to joining the team she held leadership roles at Columbia University’s School of Professional Studies, first as Senior Associate Director of Faculty Assessment, and most recently, as Senior Associate Director of Curriculum and Teaching for Pre College Programs. As part of the Pre-College Team, she oversaw the STEM course portfolio, driving program and course development, curriculum review, and instructional support to enhance classroom experiences.

Roya received her Ph.D in Science Education from Columbia University’s Teachers College. Her work focused on identity development in informal science settings, focusing particularly on high-school and undergraduate girls of color. Roya has a wide range of experiences in educational assessment and development in both informal and formal learning settings, blending quantitative and qualitative methods to holistically assess and develop learning experiences. She is particularly passionate about harnessing the powers of science and science education for social change and working with educators and leaders to ensure transformative educational experiences are accessible for all students.

Outside of work, Roya enjoys reading, yoga, and exploring the many parks and green spaces New York City has to offer.

Briana Marshall joined the team as the Events and Alumni Programs Coordinator, bringing over five years of experience in nonprofit administration, community engagement, event planning, and development. In her role, she supports the planning and execution of alumni programs and events that foster meaningful connection and engagement across the organization’s network.

Prior to joining SSPI, Briana worked in the nonprofit arts sector, planning and implementing educational programs, performances, and community-centered initiatives. Her background also includes experience in arts education, operations, and development, supporting program logistics, participant engagement, donor-related efforts, and organizational systems.

Based in Delaware and working throughout the Greater Philadelphia area, Briana continues to teach and create within the dance field and serves as a dance competition judge and coach. Outside of work, she enjoys creating, spending time with her cat and family, trying new restaurants, and exploring arts and cultural experiences.

Stephanie Sanchez is a seasoned Human Resources professional with nearly 15 years of full-cycle HR Experience. She brings deep expertise in employee life-cycle management, HRIS implementation, multi-state compliance, and benefits.

Stephanie is dedicated to supporting efficient, people-centered HR programs in remote environments. She earned her Society for Human Resource Management – Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP) certificate in 2022 and embraces a collaborative approach, operational mindset, and commitment to creating a positive employee experience.

Stephanie currently resides in South Florida with her husband, two children and miniature schnauzer. In her free time, she enjoys reading, running local 5ks, and visiting theme parks.

Julie Bokor joined SSPI in 2025 as the Director of New Program Development, and took on the role of Director of the STEM Learning Institute in 2026 with the launch of the new program. She brings experience in science education, program development, research, and program evaluation, with a special focus on designing immersive STEM experiences for both students and educators.

Julie spent more than 20 years at the University of Florida’s Center for Precollegiate Education and Training (CPET), where she directed nationally recognized STEM outreach programs, translated cutting-edge research into classroom-ready curriculum, and led professional development for thousands of teachers and students. Her work at CPET, and beyond, has focused on ensuring that programs are not only innovative but also grounded in research and evaluation to maximize impact.

Prior to joining SSPI, Julie also held leadership roles with Alachua County Public Schools and statewide education foundations, managing multimillion-dollar grants and building strong partnerships to expand access to STEM opportunities for diverse learners. She holds a BS in Zoology and Microbiology, as well as an MAE in Science Education and a PhD in Curriculum and Instruction, all from the University of Florida. A life-long Floridian, Julie currently resides in Gainesville where she enjoys being outside, reading, and taking the backroads to the beach.

Erik Ruzek brings 13 years of research and evaluation experience with expertise in quantitative research methods and educational psychology. He completed his PhD in Education at the University of California, Irvine. Erik’s career has spanned academia, where he was an assistant professor at the School of Education and Human Development at the University of Virginia, industry, where he was a research scientist at the educational testing company NWEA, and most recently government, where he was a program director at NSF. His research on student motivation, student engagement, and teacher-student interactions has been published widely in education and psychology journals. He serves on the Editorial Board of Learning & Instruction and Contemporary Educational Psychology. Erik can also be found responding to questions about statistics and research methodology on Cross Validated and Statalist.

When not conducting research and writing code, Erik enjoys spending time with his family, bicycling, hiking, reading, drinking tea, and playing games of all varieties. A native of Southern California, Erik currently lives near the Blue Ridge Mountains in Central Virginia.