Board of Directors

Martin Bremer

President

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Carol Zimmerman

Vice President

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Kerry Maddox

Treasurer

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Todd Bevis

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Dr. Barry Boerner

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Brittany Lyndsay

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Michael M. Ledyard Jr., Esq

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Susan Vinson

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Shirin Djemgou

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Ilya Litvik

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Tamya Pinkney

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Patience Moseley

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Kerry brings a background of science teaching, training, research, and community outreach to the Board of Tallahassee Scientific Society. She presently teaches biology at Thomas University and serves on the Tallahassee Science Festival Board. In her professional career, she has worked to communicate complex concepts in science to a diverse range of students, from K-12 through seniors.

Chris earned a degree in Meteorology from FSU in 1995 and began teaching Physics, Physical, and Earth/Space Science at Godby High School, moving to Chiles High School in 2000. In 2008, Chris joined a team creating science assessments for Florida, then becoming the Mathematics and Science Coordinator while also overseeing the development of Florida’s state-wide Mathematics and Science assessments. Chris is the Instructional Certification Specialist for Leon County Schools and oversees the Beginning Teacher Program.

Carol, as a TSS board member is continuing her life-long interest in science and science education. After receiving her BS in Chemistry from Youngstown State University and MS from Florida State University in Science Education, She taught chemistry for 35 years, first at Godby High School and then Tallahassee Community College (TCC). At TCC, she also served as science program chair and was an active participant in TCC’s science student mentor program (STEM Stars).

Barry has a B.S. and Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Florida, specializing in Analytical Chemistry. He retired from the Division of Food Safety of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services in 2012, and was initially hired to install the first GCMS for the Chemical Residue Bureau. While working at FDACS, he also earned a Certified Public Manager certificate. He has served at several positions in TSS, and also held several positions in the Tallahassee Astronomical Society (TAS) as well. He is interested in many areas of science and technology, and will continue to promote increasing knowledge and acceptance of science by the general public.

Barry, Environmental Manager & Chemist, Retired

“Make no judgments where you have no compassion.” –Anne McCaffrey, writer (1 Apr 1926-2011)

Martin has a Ph.D. in Science Education from FSU; he also has Master’s degrees in Philosophy of Education and History and Philosophy of Science. As an educator, he is focused on environmental, ecological health; human rights; equity; and social justice. Martin’s work is focused on helping teachers and students learn science through engaging in environmental preservation and restoration, while emphasizing their relationship to human rights.

Brittany is a PhD candidate in Environmental Science at Florida A&M University’s School of the Environment. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from Lincoln University (PA). Before pursuing her doctorate, she worked as an Environmental Officer at The Bahamas’ Ministry of the Environment, contributing to initiatives like the national ban on single-use plastics and balloon releases. Currently, Brittany serves as the American Society of Microbiology (ASM) Young Ambassador to Florida. She serves as the graduate student representative to TSS, helping to guide and support their initiatives.

Adrienne earned her BA in Chemistry from Lincoln University and PhD in Pharmacology and Toxicology from Florida A&M University. She presently serves as an Assistant Dean/Director at Florida State University. In her professional career she has served as a Science Specialist and STEM Coordinator for the Florida Department of Education and STEM Center Director at Tallahassee Community College. She is passionate about STEM education especially diversity in STEM in underserved communities and is involved in numerous STEM outreach projects throughout the country that engage K-12 and undergraduate students in engagement and exposure to STEM professionals and STEM careers.

“I have been given this mountain to show others it can be moved” – author unknown

Kathryn Travis has carried out research into periods of historical relevance and currently works in the Department of …

Charlisa Whyms is a former science teacher; she completed her PhD in Biochemistry at Florida State University in 2023. She currently serves on several non-profit boards.

Todd Bevis earned his master’s degree in biological science and has been a practicing scientist
and science educator since then. He has worked in K-12 science outreach programs and
professional development programs for inservice teachers at the secondary and post-secondary
levels for 20 years. He is the Director of Teacher Professional Development Programs for the
Office of STEM Teaching Activities in the College of Arts & Sciences at Florida State University
and is also a certified Clinical Education Trainer. He not only is engaged in research on science
teaching and learning with a focus on teacher professional development and its impact on
student learning, but also regularly works with teachers in their classrooms. He has published
numerous scholarly articles in peer-reviewed journals in both science and science education. He
is currently engaged in an NSF-funded research project on how best to design professional
development to help teachers foster productive discourse in the science classroom and a
project funded by the National Academy of Sciences to develop environmental education
curricula with a focus on socio-environmental challenges for coastal communities.

Michael is keen on using his financial and legal expertise to help evolve the Tallahassee Scientific Society and strengthen its presence in the Tallahassee/Big Bend area. He is a Senior Attorney with Florida’s Office of the General Counsel in the Financial Services Department’s Prosecution and Enforcement Unit with proven non-profit leadership experience. Michael would like to direct his knowledge of organizations towards improving the trajectory of STEM learning in our community.

Susan Vinson has a Masters Degree in Education Leadership from FSU and has served as a leader in many aspects of elementary education in the Leon County Public Schools District since 1995.
Susan has a passion for STEM education and has received multiple awards and grants for her classroom science projects. She has participated in Science, Technology, and Math teacher training workshops and has served as a BLAST Board member since 1997 and is the current president of the organization. She is the BLAST representative to the TSS Board and as such, coordinates programs between the two Boards.

Shirin is the president of STEMout, a student-run organization out of Rickards High School with a stated mission to give students in underperforming schools an opportunity to have STEM-related activities and materials at their disposal. STEMout members offer activities at Title 1 middle and elementary schools on a regular basis through the 21st Century after-school program. She serves as the STEMout representative to TSS and facilitates their shared projects.

Tamya is the incoming president of STEMout, a student-run organization out of Rickards High School with a stated mission to give students in underperforming schools an opportunity to have STEM-related activities and materials at their disposal. STEMout members offer activities at Title 1 middle and elementary schools on a regular basis through the 21st Century after-school program. She serves as the STEMout representative to TSS and facilitates their shared projects.

Bio

Ilya is Senior Research Associate at the Magnet Lab, specializing in scientific hardware for magnetic resonance (NMR). He has a BS and PhD in Chemistry (1998, 2010). In 2018 he started Neighborhood Camp Fair project. The project goal is to connect students (parents) from Tallahassee underserved communities with existing free and subsidized STEAM programs – especially summer camps. Within this project we annually organize two Camp Fair events – for younger and older school-age population – where families can meet summer camp providers in time to sign up for the programs. Since inception, more than 400 students from K-12 grades have attended our Fairs, with 60-75% coming from Title I schools. The project team is volunteer-based, with members from Magnet Lab, FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, and FAMU Cooperative Extension. We closely collaborate with TSS, Pineview Elementary school and other Leon County schools, and neighborhood associations from Tallahassee South Side. This project serves as important infrastructure to facilitate STEM awareness among school-age kids, and aims to spark a lifelong interest in STEM fields and learning in general among underserved youth in Tallahassee and surrounding areas. Ilya is continuing the Neighborhood Camp Fair Project under the auspices of TSS.

Patience is a Neuroscience PhD candidate dedicated to bridging the gap between scientific discovery and public understanding. Patience strives to use their passion for science communication to translate complex research into accessible, engaging content for diverse audiences. Their work spans laboratory research, science writing, and educational outreach. Patience advocates for evidence-based thinking and strives to make science more inclusive, understandable, and impactful.