Gili Marbach-Ad

Gili Marbach-Ad is a Research Professor and Director of the Teaching and Learning Center (TLC) within the College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences (CMNS) at the University of Maryland. She oversees professional development programs for STEM educators, coordinates curriculum assessments, and supports graduate training and outreach initiatives. Her work focuses on enhancing teaching practices, fostering interdisciplinary research, and improving student outcomes in science education.

Education:

• B.S. and M.S. in Biology, Tel Aviv University (1986, 1988)
• Biology Teaching Certificate, Tel Aviv University (1988)
• Ph.D. in Biology Education, Tel Aviv University (1997)
• Postdoctoral Fellowship in Biology, University of Maryland Baltimore County (2001)

Research Interests: Dr. Marbach-Ad’s research emphasizes STEM pedagogy, faculty development, and interdisciplinary education. She explores strategies to improve quantitative skills in biology students, design effective teaching modules, and train graduate students as future educators. Her work bridges theory and practice, with a focus on active learning, student-centered approaches, and cross-disciplinary collaboration.

Grants & Awards: She leads NSF- and HHMI-funded initiatives as Co-Principal Investigator (Co-PI), senior personnel, and evaluator. Notable programs include the UMD Global STEWARDS NSF Research Traineeship, which prepares leaders addressing the Food-Energy-Water Nexus. Her contributions to faculty learning communities and teaching professional development models have been widely recognized.

Labs/Teams: She directs the CMNS TLC, a hub for innovation in STEM education. The TLC supports programs like the BioTAP model for graduate teaching assistants and the MathBench interactive modules for quantitative skill development.