Caitlin Milera

Dr. Caitlin Milera is a Research Assistant Professor at the University of North Dakota (UND), serving as Director of both the North Dakota Space Grant Consortium (NDSGC) and ND NASA EPSCoR programs. She teaches undergraduate courses in Space Studies (SpSt 220 and SpSt 300) while leading statewide NASA-funded initiatives through her administrative roles.

• Education: Ph.D. in Teaching and Learning (Higher Education emphasis) from UND (2022), M.S. in Space Studies (UND, 2012), B.S. in Astrophysics (University of Minnesota, 2010).

Her research focuses on equity in STEM education, particularly for underrepresented communities, and includes LGBTQIA+ initiatives, historical analysis of STEM trailblazers like Pearl Young, and inclusive educator training. As a PI on $15.5M+ in grants, she has advanced projects like the IDEAS Educator Workshops and developed tactile STEM resources for students with disabilities.

Recent publications highlight her historical research on women in STEM and NASA outreach. Her 2022 dissertation established a critical framework for understanding gender barriers, while 2024 work on Pearl Young’s legacy demonstrates ongoing contributions to science communication. Dr. Milera’s work spans curriculum development, national conference presentations, and programmatic leadership in STEM accessibility.

Through the NDSGC, she has led initiatives including:

• STEM Ambassador Program (since 2015)
• SciGirls Partnership for gender-equitable teaching
• NDVS/SB collaborations on tactile STEM materials
• Machine Learning research (RFA-042 project)