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Who We Are

Collective Expertise: Driving Impact in STEM Education and Research

The leadership team at STEM Peak Performance brings together decades of experience in STEM education, research, and institutional transformation. From securing multi-million-dollar federal grants to designing inclusive curricula and developing innovative tools for student success, our directors have led initiatives that drive meaningful outcomes across higher education.

Together, we have

  • Led over 40 externally funded projects from agencies such as the NSF, U.S. Department of Education, NASA, Army Research Lab, and state education departments, totaling more than $15 million in funding
  • Designed and evaluated national models for improving STEM persistence among underrepresented, first-generation, and rural students
  • Developed cutting-edge AI and data-driven tools, including neural network validation methods and cooperative control algorithms for autonomous systems
  • Pioneered accessible learning technologies, including haptic software and virtual labs for students with visual impairments
  • Created and led statewide teacher professional development programs, including in Common Core-aligned high school math and master teacher fellowships
  • Directed institution-wide initiatives to support graduate student training, faculty development, and student-centered math instruction
  • Partnered with leading educational platforms like Cengage Learning to co-author digital content and textbooks for college-level math courses
  • Published extensively on mathematics education, equity in STEM, student affect and success, and instructional innovation—presenting regularly at conferences such as RUME, AMATYC, and PME-NA

This diverse portfolio equips our team to support a wide range of clients—from colleges seeking program evaluation, to school districts aiming to strengthen math instruction, to researchers developing grant proposals with national scope.

Marjorie Darrah’s Projects

Including but not limited to…

  • Principal Investigator, Haptic Immersion Device for the Visually Impaired (U.S. Dept. of Education, $1M+): Created multisensory STEM software using haptic technology for blind and visually impaired students
  • Principal Investigator, Verification and Validation of Neural Networks (NASA, $1.2M): Developed formal methods and tools to ensure safety of AI systems in mission-critical applications
  • Principal Investigator, Rule Extraction for Adaptive Systems (NASA STTR $100K): Created techniques to explain neural network behavior for high-assurance systems
  • Principal Investigator, ExPEDITE: Educational Pathways in IT (NSF, $750K): Strengthened career pipelines in information technology through academic and industry collaboration
  • Principal Investigator, CITERA: Comprehensive Information Technology Education in Rural Appalachia (NSF $1.1M) Middle and high school teacher professional development around integration of 3-D programming into math and science.
  • Co-Investigator, NSF INCLUDES: First2 Network (NSF, $7.1M): Research lead on statewide STEM initiatives for rural and first-gen college students persistence
  • Co-Principal Investigator, Blue Ribbon Math Series (WV Dept. of Education): Provided professional development and support for math teachers implementing new curriculum standards
  • Task Lead, Autonomous UAV Coordination Algorithms (Army Research Lab, $2.7M): Designed AI-based algorithms for real-time tasking of drone teams
  • Internal Evaluator, WVU ADVANCE (NSF, $3.2M): Evaluated program to help to provide policies to support, retain, and promote women faculty in STEM
  • Evaluator, DoD HBCU/MI Summer Research Internship Program: Conducted evaluation for a nationwide initiative
Jessica Deshler’s Projects

Including but not limited to…

  • Principal Investigator, Peer Mentoring of Graduate Student Instructors in Mathematics (NSF IUSE, $110K): National study on professional development models for graduate TAs across institutions
  • Principal Investigator, Women in Mathematics Industry Internships Network (WOMI2N) (MAA Tensor Grant, $12K): Placed female grad students in internships; built faculty resources to support non-academic careers
  • Principal Investigator & Dean of Students, WV Governor’s STEM Institute (WV Dept. of Ed., $556K+): Directed residential summer STEM program for middle schoolers from all 55 counties
  • Co-Investigator, Mountaineer Mathematics Master Teachers (NSF Noyce, $4.5M): Supporting 40+ master math teachers in WV through leadership training, PD, and networked improvement strategies
  • Co-Investigator, EAGER: Collegiate Persistence & STEM Opportunities for Developmental Mathematics Students (NSF IUSE, $299K): Researched affective factors and mentoring models for underprepared STEM students
  • Co-Investigator, STEM-R: Modeling STEM Retention & Departure (NSF ECR Core R&D, $299K): Longitudinal study on success pathways in mathematics and physics gateway courses
  • Research Mentor, Knowledge-GAP (NSF BCSER, $350K): Mentored the Principal Investigator in research methods and results dissemination for project investigating how application processes impact underrepresented undergraduates pursuing graduate mathematics education
  • Evaluator, NSA-Funded REU Site in Graph Theory and Combinatorics (NSA, $120K): Oversaw evaluation for student recruitment, program experience, and outcomes for summer residential program for undergraduates in research
Lori Ogden’s Projects

Including but not limited to…

  • Co-Investigator, OPTIMUM: Online Practices for Tutoring in Mathematics Using Meaningful Interactions (NSF IUSE, $307K): Co-developed a national training guide and handbook to improve the quality and engagement of online math tutoring
  • Co-Investigator, Blue Ribbon Math 10 Geometry (WV HEPC, $59K): Delivered professional development in integrated algebra and geometry for WV high school teachers implementing new state standards
  • Content Developer and Co-Author, Cengage Learning: Collaborated with Cengage to design and author digital instructional content and textbook materials for corequisite mathematics, college algebra, and quantitative reasoning courses
  • Director, Institute for Mathematics Learning, WVU: Leads innovative initiatives to transform entry-level math instruction and enhance student success
  • Faculty Leader, Teaching and Learning Commons (WVU, 2017–2022): Championed evidence-based teaching practices and faculty development across disciplines
  • Researcher, First2 Network (NSF INCLUDES): Contributed to equity-focused math persistence strategies, including virtual boot camps and math anxiety interventions for rural and first-gen STEM students
  • Lead Author & Presenter, multiple studies on math anxiety, flipped classrooms, and adaptive learning: Shared findings at national conferences including RUME, AMATYC, and the International Group for the Psychology of Mathematics Education