Meet Our People

SRI's innovative thinking depends directly on the people who work here. Meet members of our team in Computing and Engineering, Chemistry, Physics and Materials, Drug Discovery, Drug Development and Health, Economics and Education, Environment and Energy, Business Development, and Administration and Corporate Activities, and learn why they joined SRI—you may discover that you would like to join the team, too. Visit Careers @ SRI for descriptions of current openings.

Meet Geneva Haertel, Director of Assessment Research and Design, Center for Technology in Learning, SRI in Menlo Park

Focus @ SRI:
I focus on improving the rigor and quality of educational assessment design and implementation in areas such as scientific problem solving and students with disabilities. I am particularly interested in the integration of findings from the cognitive sciences to all phases of assessment design, development and use.

Day in the Life @ SRI:
The morning begins with meetings, conference calls, and emails, followed by collaboration on assessment design activities or report writing.

Before SRI:
I was a Senior Researcher at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Educational Laboratory at Temple University in Philadelphia, where I studied factors that influence student learning. I also held research positions at the Center for Research in Educational Accountability and Teacher Evaluation (CREATE) at Western Michigan University, RMC Research, and the University of Illinois at Chicago. I began my career at the University of Wisconsin Educational R&D Center.

Academics:
BS in Education at Kent State University
PhD in Educational Psychology at Kent State University

Why SRI?
I like working at the intersection of research and business. I prefer the "doing" or research rather than "teaching" in a formalized setting. Working at a large, visible research house with a national reputation ensures that you have exciting research opportunities at a scale that permits cutting-edge work. Every day at SRI provides an opportunity to try something new—today I might conduct statistical analyses that use advanced methodologies; tomorrow I may apply evidence-centered design to the creation of a new form of assessment; and the day after develop a logic model to explain the potential effects of an intervention. I also enjoy applying logistical acumen to managing research projects. SRI is a stimulating, collaborative workplace that reflects our rapidly changing world.

Inspiration and Motivation:
The prize is to manage the development of an online assessment design tool that will support others in the efficient creation of evidence-centered assessments. Assessment has been part of the world since 200 BC when the Chinese used it to identify civil servants. The opportunity to build a tool that formalizes the process of assessment design and moves it from craft to science is a powerful motivator—it would be a contribution of value—both practically and intellectually.

What has changed in your field since you began your career, and what new or exciting trends are you seeing?
Although assessment is increasingly central to the conduct of education in the United States, the assessment community is only now beginning to integrate breakthroughs in statistics, technology and cognitive science to create new understandings about what assessment will look like in the 21st century.

Proudest Professional Accomplishment:
Building the family of PADI Projects with my colleagues and applying the PADI assessment design system in several market segments.

Languages:
English and a little Russian and Italian

Away from the Office:
I enjoy going to bookstores, art museums and coffee shops. I love classical music and play the clarinet and flute, and attend the San Jose and San Francisco Operas.

Words of Wisdom for New SRI Team Members:
(1) As James Watson, the author of The Double Helix recommends, "avoid boring other people"—make your work arresting! (2) Focus on performance not politics. (3) Remember Wayne Gretzky and don't "skate to the puck," skate to where the puck will be"! (4) Always be on the alert for talented newcomers to move the game to the next level.