Lizanne DeStefano

Dr. Lizanne DeStefano is a Professor of Psychology and Executive Director of the Center for Education Integrating Science, Mathematics, and Computing (CEISMC) at Georgia Institute of Technology. She also serves as Associate Dean of the College of Sciences. Her roles include overseeing large-scale STEM initiatives and providing strategic leadership in educational programming.

Dr. DeStefano holds a Ph.D. in Educational/School Psychology from the University of Pittsburgh, alongside a B.S. in Physiological Psychology and Statistics, and an M.Ed. in Special Education. Her research focuses on evaluating innovative STEM programs, particularly those serving underrepresented groups and special populations. She has contributed to federal education policy through her work with the NSF STEM Education Advisory Committee and participation in the White House Summit on STEMM Equity.

She evaluates flagship NSF-funded projects such as the Center for Brains, Minds, and Machines (CBMM) and the Emergent Behaviors of Integrated Cellular Systems Science and Technology Center. Her work spans multi-institutional collaborations and cyberinfrastructure initiatives like the OpenCI grant supporting the ACCESS program.

Dr. DeStefano’s portfolio includes grant-funded projects like Blue Waters Supercomputer educational programs, the Program in Digital Forensics, and the CADENS data visualization initiative. Her expertise bridges program evaluation, special education advocacy, and advancing equity in STEM education.