National Academies Press Release

Tallahassee, Fla. – The Gulf Research Program (GRP) of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine has selected Florida State University’s Dr. Amanda Tazaz as one of five early-career research fellows.

Dr. Tazaz, a Senior Research Associate at the Learning Systems Institute (LSI), is among the 2023-2025 cohort for the Education Research track announced earlier this month. The Gulf Research Program’s Early-Career Research Fellowship helps researchers during the critical phase of their careers.

“Our early-career research fellows are exceptional professionals pursuing innovative and applicable research with the potential to address complex issues challenging the Gulf of Mexico and Alaska regions,” said Karena Mary Mothershed, senior program manager for the Gulf Research Program’s Board on Gulf Education and Engagement, in a press release. “We are excited to welcome these new cohorts of fellows and look forward to supporting them as they continue to innovate, collaborate, and implement research that will have a lasting impact on the region.”

Dr. Tazaz will join other fellows in the Education Research track who are working toward the advancement of STEM and environmental education in the Gulf of Mexico region by considering the impacts of establishing sense-of-place in formal or informal learning environments.

"I am grateful for this fellowship as it will allow me to explore best practices in informal environmental education further. With this knowledge, I plan to continue the development of programs that will expand place-based geoscience learning opportunities for diverse students in Florida," Tazaz said.

Dr. Tazaz has been with LSI since 2011. She has a Ph.D. in Biological Oceanography, a M.S. in Applied Economics, a B.S. in Economics, all from Florida State University, and a B.S. in Marine Biology from Florida International University. Dr. Tazaz is the principal investigator on two current projects at LSI, including a new project funded by the National Science Foundation that will open doors for pre-college minority students to engage and experience geoscience. 

“We are immensely proud of Dr. Tazaz's achievements and the recognition she has garnered from the National Academies,” said LSI Director Rabieh Razzouk. “Her fellowship is a testament to her exceptional talents and unwavering commitment to advancing STEM education and diversity in the geosciences.”

LSI has been at the forefront of developing innovative solutions that bridge theory and practice in education. For over 50 years, LSI has delivered systems that measurably improve the learning and performance of organizations and individuals here in Florida and globally. To learn more about LSI, please visit LSI.FSU.edu.

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