Alexandra Colón-Rodríguez

Senior program leader with 12+ years of experience designing and scaling education, workforce development, and equity-driven initiatives across K–12, higher education, government, nonprofit, and industry settings. Proven track record of launching programs from the ground up, managing complex multi-stakeholder partnerships, and translating research and emerging technologies into real-world impact for underserved communities. Deep expertise in education access, culturally responsive learning, public-sector navigation, and responsible technology adoption.

• Sor Isolina Ferré Award for Excellence in Service (Education), Puerto Rican Government – House of Representatives, 2023
• Featured in Forbes Science for national leadership in science education, 2023
• Telemundo Mujeres Imparables Honoree and 5-Year Anniversary Book, 2023
• SACNAS NDiSTEM Outstanding Hispanic Student Mentor Award, 2022
• UC Davis Chancellor’s Achievement Award for Diversity & Community, 2022
• Finalist, AAAS Early Career Award for Public Engagement with Science, 2022
• California Council on Science & Technology (CCST) Fellowship, 2021
• Al Día Women of Merit Award (Education Impact), 2021

• PhD, Neuroscience & Environmental Toxicology, Michigan State University; BS, Applied Microbiology, Universidad Ana G. Méndez, Recinto de Carolina; Certificate in College Teaching, Michigan State University; Certificate in College Teaching & Learning, University of California, Davis.
• Spanish, Native; English, Fluent

• Designed and instructed science communication and biomedical research courses and workshops for undergraduate and early-career students across UC Davis, California State University–Sacramento, and Michigan State University.
• Co-developed and taught faculty and student training programs focused on culturally responsive science communication, public engagement, and modern teaching tools.
• Delivered course lectures in neurobiology, neurodevelopmental disorders, and infectious diseases.
• Instructor, NSM90 – Biomedical Research Seminar, California State University–Sacramento, 2019–2021, Co-Instructor, ANB290 – Science Communication Tools for the Modern Era, UC Davis, 2020–2021, Lead Instructor, Science Communication Faculty Training Program, UC Davis, 2020–2022, Instructor, Microbiology, Vetward Bound Enrichment Summer Program, Michigan State University, 2012–2015.
• Mentored 30+ students across high school, undergraduate, graduate, and professional (veterinary medicine) levels in research and education programs.
• Supported long-term mentorships (10-week summer programs to multi-year engagements) with a strong focus on students from underrepresented backgrounds.
• Led virtual and in-person mentoring programs, including NSF-funded summer research experiences, supporting student persistence and career pathways in STEM.

• Applied understanding of large language models (LLMs), their capabilities, limitations, and ethical considerations in education contexts.
• Experience evaluating emerging technologies for educator enablement and student learning.
• Familiarity with data privacy, responsible AI use, and adoption challenges in public education systems.

• K–12 & Higher Education Partnerships
• Title I & Underserved Communities
• Program Design & Scaled Deployment
• Education Policy & Public Systems
• Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration
• Emerging Technology & AI Fluency (LLMs)
• Research Translation & Impact Evaluation
• Workforce Development
• Budget & Portfolio Management ($21M+)