Amanda M. Masino

Amanda M. Masino serves as Associate Professor of Biology and Chair of Natural Science at Huston-Tillotson University (HT), where she directs the STEM Research Scholars Program providing 130+ funded undergraduate research experiences and leads HT's Environmental Justice major. She concurrently holds leadership roles as Executive Director of the Austin Community Data Coalition, Co-Director of the Dumpster Project K-12 initiative, and board member for the City of Austin Zero Waste Commission, Center for Maximum Potential Building Systems, Austin Housing Coalition, and Community Resilience Trust.

Her academic credentials include:

• B.S. in Zoology from Texas A&M University with research in chromosomal evolution
• Ph.D. in Genetics and Developmental Biology from UT Southwestern Medical Center investigating early heart development genetics
• Postdoctoral training in cardiac stem cells at University of Washington

Dr. Masino's research integrates environmental justice with public health through resident-focused studies on affordable housing impacts, urban wildlife as environmental sentinels, and cardiovascular health disparities. Her advocacy emphasizes community-engaged science and diversifying STEM fields, particularly through pre-health pipeline programs.

Her professional recognition includes:

• IF/THEN Science Ambassador award (2019) from AAAS and Lyda Hill Philanthropies

She mentors students via the NSF-funded STEM Research Scholars Program, St. David's Foundation Scholars pre-health initiative, and environmental justice student groups including Green is the New Black and Minority Association of Premedical Students. Her curriculum redesign work received NSF support for embedding research skills into Natural Science coursework.

Dr. Masino co-founded the annual Building Green Justice Forum conference and leads community research collaborations through the Austin Community Data Coalition, while expanding K-12 environmental education via the Dumpster Project.