Ara Austin

Ara Austin serves as Assistant Dean of Instructional Innovation at The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and holds a Clinical Associate Professor appointment in the School of Molecular Sciences at Arizona State University. Her work focuses on large-scale educational initiatives such as curriculum redesign in first-year mathematics and the implementation of Dreamscape Learn for general chemistry. She leads the Online Undergraduate Research Scholars (OURS) Program and previously managed pioneering online biochemistry/chemistry degree programs.

Education: B.S. in Biochemistry from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with minors in Psychology and Communication Studies; Ph.D. in Chemistry (Chemical Education) from Arizona State University.

Research interests span chemical education, gender dynamics in education, student motivation, online learning strategies, and organic chemistry pedagogy. Her work emphasizes improving STEM education accessibility and equity through innovative teaching methods.

Teaching focuses include organic chemistry courses (CHM 231/233/234), research techniques (BCH/CHM 392), and special topics in chemistry/biochemistry. Courses are taught across multiple semesters including 2020–2025 academic years.

No scientific awards listed, but her contributions to educational innovation have impacted thousands of students through program development and research initiatives.