Erika Gillette is the Cofounder of Science United Project (SUP). She is a science educator with 10 years of STEM teaching experience and an EdD in Science Education from Teachers College, Columbia University. Erika started SUP in 2017 and developed easy to use kits, curriculum, and professional development materials for educators who work with displaced students. She is also the CoFounder of HYPOTHEkids, a STEM program in Harlem, NY. She believes that through science, displaced students around the world can develop science skills and a passion for science that will support them in being global science citizens.

Katerina Tsikalaki, Co-Founder and Lead Teacher of Science United Project, is a biologist and a science educator holding a Master’s in Education and has been working in non-formal science education and science communication for 13 years. The past 4 years, Katerina has been focusing on refugee science education, having taught Science, STEM and Mathematics in refugee accommodation sites and community centers, participating in the production of science education material for refugee students, and leading teacher seminars. She believes that science literacy is an important skill that all children should have equal access to.

Desiree Halpern has been working with Science United Project since 2017. Over the years, she has piloted science kits, collected data, assisted and translated for children, and provided technical and communications expertise. She holds a master’s degree in International Educational Development and currently works for an international nonprofit serving refugees. Desiree is excited to be on the communications team for Science United Festival, which she hopes will bring joy and unity through science to children all over the world.

Louise Dasaro joined the founding committee of the Science United Festival inspired by the vision of cultivating a global community celebrating the practice of science. She holds an MS in Special Education with a concentration in education for refugee and displaced students.  Louise taught using inquiry based strategies while working with displaced students and students facing emotional challenges. She led teacher workshops to help teachers incorporate guided inquiry based science practice in classroom and outdoor classroom settings. She also developed a guided inquiry based science curriculum for children ages 4-7. Louise believes that through science, vulnerable students can be motivated and empowered to continue their education.

Nargis Kohgadai joined as an organizing committee member of Science United Festival in the fall of 2021. Her upbringing and career background makes her a good fit for this role. She was born in Afghanistan, lived in India as a refugee for eight years before migrating to the US at the age of 14. Through sheer determination and focus she achieved scholastic success in high school and graduated from University of California, Davis with a degree in Genetics. Henceforth, she began her career as a research scientist at UCSF in labs pioneering in the study of HIV, Female Reproductive Tract and Stem Cells. After becoming a published author she decided to join the Biotechnology industry, where she worked in the field of immuno-oncology. In between her work commitments, she has also traveled to Greece to volunteer at refugee camps as a translator and an English teacher. As a former refugee, It is her hope to mentor and motivate refugee/displaced students to follow their passion for science as she once did.

Ashwin Chandra believes in harmony and equality for all. He joined Science United inspired by the mission of ​delivering science education and teacher training to displaced students and their teachers. He is a lifelong learner himself, believes access to education is paramount for society to grow. He had previously helped create holistic curriculums and facilitate experiential learning programs which took students through journeys across sacred rivers in India. He holds a degree in biotechnology engineering and is passionate about all things design.

Eirini Adamopoulou, member of the child protection committee of the Science United Festival, is a national certified school psychologist holding an EdD in Educational Psychology/Human Learning and Development from National-Louis University. She has worked as a school psychologist in public schools in US and Greece, as well as a child protection focal point in non-formal education programs for refugee and immigrant children. Since 2014 she has been teaching school and educational psychology courses in the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. She believes that education is the key to unlock every child’s potential.

Hello! My name is Angelos Kalafatas and I am a second year undergraduate chemistry student in Kavala, Greece. I joined Science United Project because I really want to help children from minority populations to get the education they deserve. I teach chemistry to highschool students from Crete and through this experience I have fully understood the need of the children to be heard and express themselves to a good teacher that is going to love and help them. This motivated me to join Science United Project and help with the preparation of the Science United Festival. Our common goal is to promote human values, the equality and the respect towards each other and to transmit the scientific knowledge to vulnerable students, so here we go, to fulfill our goals and help them integrate in our society!

Alexandra Gkosiou is a Physicist and has a Master’s degree in Robotics, STEAM and New Technologies in Education. She was a private tutor in science for a decade and the past year was a non-formal education teacher in math and science for refugee children in Camp Serres. Through this year Alexandra was the lead teacher of the S.S.S.T(Serres Super Science Team) for the 2022 Science United Festival. Alexandra believes that education is the most useful tool in a person’s life. As an educator  she hopes to help as many people as she can to get a fair and multi-faced education.

My name is Anastasia Tsitsimeli. I have recently graduated from the Department of Chemistry of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, and I work as a chemistry teacher. My passion for science is a major part of my life. I believe that it is the knowledge that we gain from all the different scientific disciplines and advancements, that will help make this a world a better place. I also love traveling, theater and music.