Jessica Karch

Jessica Karch is a Lecturer in the Department of Chemistry at Tufts University, affiliated with the School of Arts and Sciences. She holds a PhD in Chemistry from the University of Massachusetts Boston (2021) and a BA from Columbia University (2015). Her research focuses on innovative pedagogical strategies in STEM education, particularly in chemistry, emphasizing cognitive load measurement, interdisciplinary learning, and equity in educational outcomes. She explores how learning assistants and hybrid course designs enhance student engagement and employs methods such as eye tracking and pupillometry to study real-time learning processes.

• Education:
  • Doctor of Philosophy (Chemistry), University of Massachusetts Boston, 2021
  • Bachelor of Arts (Chemistry), Columbia University, 2015

Her research interests bridge cognitive science and educational practice, including the design of frameworks for analyzing learning dynamics, addressing equity gaps through asset-based interventions, and leveraging data science in civic education. She has contributed to understanding abstraction in problem-solving and the role of technology in fostering interdisciplinary thinking. Jessica’s work often integrates empirical studies of student interactions, instructional video analysis, and collaborative learning models to improve undergraduate STEM pedagogy.

Her publications (2017–2024) reflect a trajectory from neuroeducational methods (e.g., pupillometry) to applied educational frameworks (e.g., learning assistant programs). She emphasizes practical, evidence-based approaches to enhance teaching effectiveness and student success in chemistry and beyond.