Meet the SPACE Crew

Dr. Brooke Coley is an Assistant Professor in Engineering at the Polytechnic School of the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering at Arizona State University. She is also Principal Investigator of the Shifting Perceptions, Attitudes and Cultures in Engineering (SPACE) Lab which aspires to elevate the experiences of marginalized populations, dismantle systemic injustices and transform the way inclusion is cultivated in engineering through the implementation of novel technologies and methodologies in engineering education. She holds a BS degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Maryland Baltimore County where she became a Meyerhoff Scholar and a PhD in Bioengineering with a concentration in Biomechanics from the University of Pittsburgh. Prior to joining the Polytechnic School, Dr. Coley completed postdoctoral training at ASU in Engineering Education. She also served as the Associate Director for the Center for Diversity in Engineering at the University of Virginia and as an American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), Science and Technology Policy Fellow at the National Science Foundation (NSF) for several years.

Intrigued by the intersections of engineering education, mental health and social justice, Dr. Coley’s developing research interest focuses on employing virtual reality as a tool for developing empathetic and inclusive mindsets among engineering faculty. She is also interested in the lived experiences of marginalized individuals in engineering and seeks to raise awareness of such through non-traditional modes of dissemination. Specifically, she aims to reach broader audiences through arts-based research methods, primarily film. Dr. Coley currently leads two NSF-funded studies addressing the experiences of undergraduate engineering community college students (NSF #1733716), and most recently, an exploration of how engaging in identity-related professional organizations promotes successful navigation of engineering for Black students (NSF #1828659).

Dr. Coley was honored as an Apprentice Faculty Grant Recipient by the Educational Research Methods Division of the American Society for Engineering Education for her commitment to innovation in teaching and potential to make substantial contributions to engineering education. She also received the ASU Centennial Professorship Award, which recognizes faculty on all ASU campuses engaged in scholarship, emerging leadership, dedication to community service, and enrichment of students’ academic experience. Dr. Coley has developed critical curriculum including a graduate-level course addressing the persistent inequities in STEM with a focus on engineering. Outside of the classroom, she is a strong supporter of student organizations and advises the newly formed Poly Chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers. Dr. Coley is committed to transforming the culture of engineering from the inside out to make it a more inclusive realm where all students have the opportunity to thrive.

Outside of academia, Dr. Coley is a film enthusiast and hopes to one day have one of her films premier at the Sundance Film Festival. She is a retired athlete that now coaches youth sports and loves workouts and bike rides with her family.

Dr. Debalina Maitra is a Post-doctoral Research Associate at ASU. Prior to her current role, Dr. Maitra was employed by CAFECS (Chicago Alliance for Equity in Computer Science), an NSF-funded Research Practice Partnership, for almost two years. She completed her Ph.D. in Literacy Education with a minor in Qualitative Research Methods. Her research interests are equitable pedagogy, racial equity, culturally relevant pedagogy, and identity. Her latest work at ASU is focused on exploring the experiences of the Black engineering graduate students in their professional spaces and counter spaces and reflect on them critically. She is also exploring the role strain of Black graduate and undergraduate students especially women while they navigate higher academia. She is interested in the professional development of faculty members based on those experiences and wants to promote anti-racist training/curriculum that will address the implicit racial and cultural biases of the faculty members. 
She is also exploring the transition of marginalized students from community college to higher academia and professional fields.  Dr. Maitra is involved in writing several NSF grants and is open to collaboration with researchers with similar research agendas. 
Dr. Maitra taught EGR 671: Application of Qualitative Methods for Engineering Education Research (Spring, 2021) at ASU. She has taught ESL classes and Qualitative Research classes during her doctoral training. She is passionate to teach graduate and undergraduate students. She believes in building community and empower marginalized students through effective mentorship. 

In her spare time, she likes to listen to music, go on hikes, check out breweries, hang out with close friends and read. 

Michael Greene is a PhD student in the Engineering Education Systems and Design program at Arizona State University. He graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering. Mike has had multiple research experiences across the nation as well as experience in the automotive industry, but chose to pursue engineering education because of his passion for teaching and mentoring. When he is not working, Mike enjoys playing basketball, working out, cooking and eating good food.

Katreena Thomas is a Ph.D. student at Arizona State University in the Engineering Education Systems Design doctoral program. She is a member of the Coley Shifting Perceptions, Attitudes, and Cultures in Engineering (SPACE) Lab research group. She also serves as the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Intern for the Journal of Engineering Education. Her research interests include broadening participation in engineering, engineering leadership, and graduate student experiences in engineering. Her dissertation explores the experiences of early-career Black engineers and engineering students and leadership. She received her B.S. in Industrial Engineering from the University of Pittsburgh and her M.S. in Human Systems Engineering from Arizona State University. Before starting her graduate studies, she worked in industry in operations as a manager. Katreena is committed to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusivity and hopes that her work will impact the culture and environment of the engineering education ecosystem. When she’s not in a dance class, she practices her skills on the 1s and 2s in front of a live audience of her kitties, Gin and Juice

My name is Fantasi. I am a Black Feminist killjoy that is driven by exposing and dismantling academic/systemic inequalities that prevent Black women (and other scholars of color) from using their intellectual activism to serve academic and cultural communities. My fantasy is that all scholars can study things of interest to them in ways that are of interest to them with the full, inhibited support of the academy.

Diego Reyes is a Ph.D. Student at Arizona State University in the Engineering Education Systems and Design doctoral program. He graduated from Arizona State University with a Bachelor's and Master's in Biomedical Engineering. Although it his strong belief that everyone is entitled and has a right to higher education that drove him to engineering education. Diego's beliefs have focused his research on breaking down the barriers that exist in engineering as well as creating/strengthening pathways to engineering. His primary focus is on community college and building pathways between these institutions and Universities. When Diego is not working, he loves reading the wheel of time series, playing video games, working out and eating good food.

Trevonte ‘Tre’ McClain is currently completing a Master of Science degree in Internet and Web Development with sights on a Ph.D. in Engineering Education Systems and Design. Trevonte is a recipient of the Nina Mason Pulliam Legacy Scholars program and the Spirit of Service Scholars program hosted by the Pastor Center for Politics and Public Service. Trevonte is an Adjunct Professor instructing Web Development for Central Arizona College and an Instructional Assistant in the Ira A. Fulton School of Engineering at Arizona State University. Trevonte operates Mighty Making ( mightymaking.org ), a nonprofit dedicated to Family Stabilization (no matter the arrangement), assisting individuals with Adverse Childhood Experiences, and helping individuals with becoming well versed in technical and financial technological knowledge for preparation for the fourth industrial revolution and beyond. Trevonte has several years of professional experience in the Information Technology field, specializing in application creation, application troubleshooting, cyber security principles, and desktop support. Trevonte owns and operates a Multi-Media organization called Didact Tech ( didacttech.com ), working with clients to achieve desired success utilizing his technology background, especially with Internet Development. Trevonte assists as an Arizona Supreme Court Foster Care Review Board Member, Valley Metro Association of Black Social Workers Charter Member, APS Customer Advisory Board Member, Correctional Officer Retirement Planning Board Member, and mentors individuals on the seriousness of domestic violence through the Arizona Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence organization. Trevonte dedicates his life’s work to advance the greater good and a better tomorrow for all.