Emily Walter

Dr. Emily M. Walter (she/her/hers) is an Associate Professor of Biology and Director of the STEM Education Center at California State University - Fresno. She holds a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Missouri, with prior degrees from Western Illinois University (M.S.) and Iowa State University (B.S.). Her work focuses on making science accessible through active, student-centered pedagogy, particularly for marginalized groups in STEM. Key roles include departmental leadership and directing institutional initiatives to improve teaching excellence.

Research priorities include culturally responsive teaching practices, leveraging storytelling and local knowledge to enhance learning, and systemic change strategies for inclusive STEM environments. She has pioneered projects connecting Southeast Asian culinary traditions to microbiology and Ramadan customs to astronomy education. Recent conference presentations highlight global collaborations in Egypt and Portugal, emphasizing culturally relevant socio-scientific issues in STEM programs.

Dr. Walter's lab, established in 2015, has mentored over 30 undergraduate and graduate students, emphasizing community-oriented research. Her 2020 book Active Learning in College Science and 2022 pandemic-related scholarship underscore her commitment to evidence-based teaching innovation. Current initiatives explore creative assessment methods framed through the "Hero's Journey" narrative structure.