Staff
R. Keith Esch
R. Keith Esch, Research Associate, received a Bachelor's Degree in Genetics from the University of California at Davis, and a Ph.D. in Biology from the University of California at San Diego. His postdoctoral studies were performed in Biochemistry at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Prior to joining HRI in 2010, Dr. Esch was a member of the Biology Department at Ursinus College, where he taught courses in introductory biology, genetics, cell biology and biochemistry; and directed research by undergraduates. More recently, he managed research projects focused on environmental microbiology at Research Triangle Institute Inc. He also has experience teaching in K—12 schools in North Carolina.
Dr. Esch currently works on the ATLAST (Assessing Teacher Learning About Science Teaching) project that is investigating the relationship between teacher professional development and student learning. He is also involved in developing assessment items for the Assessing the Impact of the MSPs: K—8 Science Project; and in the evaluation of the Partnership for Systemic Change, a collaborative science education reform effort between the Merck Institute for Science Education and seven school districts in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Dr. Esch also teaches biochemistry in an education development program at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he retains an adjunct faculty appointment.