Cara Gormally

Cara Gormally is a Professor of Biology at Gallaudet University, part of the Science, Technology, Accessibility, Mathematics, and Public Health school. She holds a Ph.D. in Plant Biology from the University of Georgia and has served as a NOAA National Estuarine Research Reserve fellow. Her work focuses on advancing science literacy through inclusive pedagogy, particularly for underrepresented groups like Deaf and LGBTQ+ students. She teaches BIO-105 Introduction to Human Biology and has pioneered inquiry-based laboratory instruction methods.

Her research emphasizes equitable STEM education, including developing curricula that address barriers faced by non-science majors and designing inclusive environments for Deaf learners. Notable projects include creating evaluation tools for scientific literacy (e.g., the TOSLS instrument) and exploring LGBTQ+ representation in biology education. She also investigates mentorship frameworks for underrepresented students, such as the Deaf Mentoring Survey using a community cultural wealth framework.

• Education: Ph.D. in Plant Biology, University of Georgia
• Awards: AAUW Fellow, NOAA Fellowship
• Key Focus Areas: Science education equity, inquiry-based learning, LGBTQ+ inclusion in STEM, Deaf accessibility in academia

Dr. Gormally’s work often bridges ecological research (e.g., coastal dune plant populations) with pedagogical innovation, advocating for science communication through creative methods like comics. Her articles highlight systemic barriers in STEM and propose actionable strategies for fostering inclusive academic cultures.