Professor takes on new role with National Science Foundation

Feb. 3, 2021

KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Dr. Jessaca Spybrook, professor of evaluation, measurement and research, has taken on a new role as a Program Officer with the National Science Foundation (NSF).  This temporary position, known as a Rotator, gives researchers an opportunity to make recommendations about which proposals to fund; influence new directions in the fields of science, engineering, and education; support cutting-edge interdisciplinary research; and mentor junior research members.

Dr. Spybrook will work within the Education and Human Resources Directorate, and specifically with the Division for Research on Learning in Formal and Informal Settings (DRL). She will be working across several programs including but not limited to Discovery Research PreK-12 (DRK-12) and EHR Core Research.

“I am extremely excited about this opportunity to join NSF as a Rotator. I look forward to learning more about the inner-workings of the agency and helping to shape the next generation of research at the NSF,” Dr. Spybrook states.

Rotator assignments range from 1-4 years and are funded by a grant to the institution. Dr. Spybrook will remain in her role as faculty at WMU during this time as she strengthens the ties between the university and NSF.

Druring her time as a professor at WMU, Dr. Spybrook has had a lot of experience with EHR/DRL, having been the Principal Investigator or Co-Principal Investigator on EHR grants totaling nearly 6 million dollars over the past decade. She has served as a reviewer on many NSF grant panels, a member of multiple advisory boards for NSF funded projects, and presented at NSF annual PI Meetings.