Barbera Lab Members

Dr. Jack Barbera (he/him)

Professor of Chemistry
Ph.D. Chemistry | University of Colorado - Boulder, 2007

503-725-7730
jack.barbera@pdx.edu

Jack received a dual Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry and Chemistry Education from the University of Colorado. While there he studied femtosecond spectroscopy under the supervision of W. Carl Lineberger (Chemistry) and conducted research in chemistry education under the direction of Carl E. Wieman (Physics). Jack moved his Chemistry Education Research group to PSU in 2015. When not seeking academic pursuits, Jack can be found hurling himself and his mountain bike down many of the trails in the pacific northwest. 

Safaa El-Mansy (she/her)

PhD Candidate

Safaa is investigating how students’ cognitive engagement during group learning activities in General and Physical Chemistry classes relates to achievement outcomes. Prior to joining PSU, she  worked at Intel analyzing thin films using thermal desorption and infrared spectroscopy as well as investigating thermomechanical properties of said thin films. Safaa has also spent the last five years working as a science instructor at various home-school and afterschool enrichment programs in the Portland area.

Elizabeth Vaughan (she/her)

Ph.D. Candidate

Elizabeth received her undergraduate degree from  Appalachian State University, where she was a research assistant in Dr. Nicholas Shaw’s Organic Chemistry Research Group. She graduated with honors in 2019, receiving a Bachelors of Science degree in Chemistry and a minor in Mathematics. Elizabeth’s graduate research focuses on student expectations, buy-in, and engagement in general and organic chemistry laboratory courses. Outside of her research, Elizabeth enjoys cooking, playing board games, and spending time with her three black cats.

Rachael Mayhew (she/her)

Ph.D. Candidate

Rachael is a Ph.D. student in Dr. Barbera's chemistry education group. She got her undergraduate degree in Chemistry with a concentration in Biochemistry from Georgia State University (GSU). At GSU she worked under Dr. Suazette Mooring, investigating laboratory perspectives in undergraduate chemistry courses. Rachael has also conducted Chemistry Education Research as an REU student at the University of Nebraska - Lincoln (Moon Group) and University of Utah (Frey Group). In her spare time, she is playing Tears of Kingdom. 

Sarah Abdo (she/her)

Ph.D. Candidate

Sarah graduated from Chapman University with a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. She first found her passion for Chemistry Education Research after joining her Organic Chemistry professor's group analyzing emergent themes in students' STEM identities. A year later, Sarah was awarded the opportunity to partake in science education research funded by the NSF at the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT). The research she conducted at RIT included exploring students' use of 3D models to conceptualize unfamiliar 2D science problems and using analogies as tools to aid students in comprehending molecular biology concepts such as the central dogma. In the future, she hopes to use her experiences in the Barbera research group and PSU's Chemistry Ph.D. program to teach General and Analytical Chemistry. When Sarah is not engrossed in her research, she enjoys going to the beach, making various crafts, learning new songs on the guitar, playing soccer, and skiing. 

Osie Hamilton (she/her)

Undergraduate Researcher

After graduating from West High School, Osie joined PSU in Fall 2022 as a Chemistry major. Since joining the Barbera group in March 2023, Osie has been collaborating with Elizabeth on coding data related to students' expectations within the general and organic chemistry laboratories. As a Chemistry major, Osie is most excited to learn about how to manipulate chemicals, the unique qualities of water, and how water interplays with other compounds. Outside of school, Osie enjoys bookbinding, hiking and camping when the weather is nice.