Pratibha Varma-Nelson

Pratibha Varma-Nelson serves as Professor and Founding Executive Director of the Science Education and Research Institute (SEIRI) at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis's School of Science. Her leadership spans national educational initiatives including the Center for Authentic Science Practice in Education (CASPiE) and cyber-based Peer-Led Team Learning (cPLTL) projects funded by NSF and the Gates Foundation.

Education:

• Postdoctoral Fellow (1977-1979), Biochemistry and Biophysics, Loyola University Stritch School of Medicine
• Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry (1978), University of Illinois at Chicago (Thesis: Protein Ancestors: Heteropolypeptides from Hydrogen Cyanide and Water)
• M.S. in Chemistry (1974), University of Illinois at Chicago
• B.Sc. First Class in Chemistry (1970), Poona University, India

Dr. Varma-Nelson pioneered Peer-Led Team Learning (PLTL), a transformative approach engaging students in critical thinking through peer-facilitated small groups. Her research demonstrates PLTL's effectiveness across 150+ institutions and STEM disciplines, with recent work extending these methods to synchronous online environments (cPLTL). She examines how cyber implementations maintain comparable benefits to face-to-face sessions in student engagement and conceptual mastery, supported by NSF and Next Generation Learning Challenges funding.

Her publication trends reveal sustained focus on collaborative learning models, with increasing emphasis on digital education platforms since 2010. Current research investigates mobile technology integration in cyber learning and cross-institutional implementation challenges, while maintaining foundational work on peer leadership development and educational assessment.

Scientific Awards:

• George C. Pimentel Award in Chemical Education (2018)
• American Chemical Society Fellow (2017)
• Reimagine Education Bronze Award for cPLTL (2016)
• James Flack Norris Award for Teaching Excellence (2008)
• Stanley C. Israel Regional Award for Diversity Advancement (2011)

Dr. Varma-Nelson has secured major NSF grants for PLTL and CASPiE initiatives, developing national frameworks adopted across 150+ institutions. She advises faculty through workshops and training materials while serving on advisory boards for NIH BUILD, HBCU-UP, and the Network of STEM Education Centers. Her leadership in AAAS national reports has shaped undergraduate STEM education standards, particularly for active learning and diversity practices.

She directs SEIRI's operations and co-founded CASPiE to integrate authentic research into early chemistry coursework. Current projects focus on scaling cPLTL through mobile technologies and analyzing cross-platform learning dynamics, with active participation in the Chemical Education Division's publications board and editorial roles for the Journal of Science Education and Technology.