Administrators

The Science Center administrative team is dedicated to science education at Brown and beyond.  Feel free to contact us with questions regarding our programs and initiatives.

David Targan
Science Center Director/Associate Dean of the College
(401) 863-2314, Box 1992, SC 328
David_Targan@brown.edu 

David Targan received degrees from Brown (Sc.B.), University of California, Los Angeles,  (M.A.), and the University of Minnesota (Ph.D.).  While at UCLA and Minnesota, he conducted research on cataclysmic binary stars at Lick Observatory, Mt. Lemmon, and Palomar. Dean Targan is a member of Brown's Department of Physics and, as Director of the Ladd Observatory, he develops and supervises public programming as well as programs that allow area teachers and their students to conduct original research in astronomy using Brown's supercomputer and telescopes. 

As Associate Dean for Science Education, David Targan has helped build nationally recognized science programs, such as the Women in Science and Engineering (WiSE) program and the Sloan-sponsored science faculty workshop.  He is currently spearheading new initiatives at the Science Center focusing on public access to science, informal science education, computational astronomy, and medical education.  He also serves as co-Principal Investigator on Brown's National Science Foundation GK-12 grant, Co-I on the NASA Space Grant, and other federally and privately supported science programs.  Contact Dean Targan for consultation and advising about any issue related to the physical sciences at Brown.

Oludurotimi Adetunji 
Dir. of Science Center Outreach/Asst. Dean of the College
(401) 863-9800, Box 1828, UH
Oludurotimi_Adetunji@brown.edu 

Oludurotimi Adetunji earned B.S. in Physics and Computer Science from Fisk University, and received his Ph.D. in experimental condensed matter physics, in the areas of conducting polymers and nanostructure materials from The Ohio State University.  Dean Adetunji is a member of  Brown's Department of Physics.  During his graduate study, he worked as a Physical Scientist in the areas of biomaterials and nano-channel glass device/applications at the Naval Research Laboratory in Washington, D.C. Prior to coming to Brown, his research was focused on the development of piezoresistive sensor based on nano-network of conducting polymers. During his tenure at The Ohio State University, he received two National Science Foundation grants, including one leading to the development of an intervention model for inspiring future geoscientists.

Dean Adetunji brings his interdisciplinary Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) research background and experience to his interest in STEM Education/Outreach. Dean Adetunji oversees STEM initiatives in several areas including Alternative Innovative Science Communication, Broader Impacts, faculty and student coordinators Workshops, Professional Development for Educators, and Program Assessments.

Marjorie Thompson
Associate Dean of Biological Science
(401) 863-3814, Box G-A1222, SC 328
Marjorie_Thompson@brown.edu

Marjorie Thompson received her Sc.B. (Biochemistry, '74) and Ph.D. (Biology, '79) from Brown. As Associate Dean of Biological Sciences, she oversees the Biology Undergraduate Affairs Office, which oversees academic advising, programs, resources, courses, and curricular development for all biological sciences programs and students. A member of the Department of Molecular, Cell Biology, and Biochemistry, she teaches Embryology, Histology, and Biological Illustration.

Contact Dean Thompson for consultation and advising about any issue related to the biological sciences at Brown.

Jodie Gill
Science Center Program Coordinator/WiSE Coordinator
(401) 863-6806, Box 1992, SC 321
Jodie_Gill@brown.edu

Jodie Gill graduated from the University of Rhode Island with a B.A. in Education and Psychology. Prior to coming to Brown, Ms. Gill worked as a computer instructor for the Urban League of Rhode Island and as the Retention Specialist for the Operation Forward March Program. Ms. Gill came to Brown in 2006 as the Student Affairs Coordinator for the Department of Physics. As Brown's Science Program Coordinator, Jodie assists with all aspects of the Brown's Science Center and oversees the Women in Science and Engineering program.

Sarah Taylor
Instructional Coordinator/Science Learning Specialist
(401) 863-6891, Box G-A1, SC 306
Sarah_Taylor@brown.edu

Sarah Taylor received her Sc.B. (Biology, 2006) from Brown. She currently provides teaching support for an array of biology courses at Brown including physiology, genetics, biochemistry, cell biology, and evolutionary biology. She is currently co-teaching an experimental course, sponsored by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, that will give students the opportunity to isolate and analyze DNA using both laboratory and computational techniques.  She also teaches biology courses at RISD and has tutored broadly in the biological and physical sciences. Previously, Ms. Taylor worked as a consultant, a grant writer, and as the Coordinator for the Providence Journal-Brown University Public Affairs Conference. As a Science Learning Specialist, Sarah oversees enhanced group tutoring for courses in chemistry and physics at the Science Center.

Joseph Browne
New Scientist Program Coordinator
(401) 863-5176, Box 1992, SC 306
Joseph_Browne@brown.edu

A Computer Science graduate of Brown (class of 2011), Joseph is coordinator for the New Scientist Program.  Joseph spearheads efforts to support under-represented minority students pursuing concentrations in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. His primary responsibilities include overseeing a mentoring program, facilitating study groups, and running  the Catalyst pre-orientation program, but he spends a significant amount of time interacting with students in order to provide quality services that are relevant to the university's most valued customers.

Linda Walsh
HHMI Program Coordinator
(401) 863-6892, Box 1992, SC 327
Linda_Walsh@brown.edu

Linda Walsh coordinates the Howard Hughes Medical Institute Science  Education Program, under the direction of Michael McKeown and David Targan.  She assists applicants with the rigorous application process for the 32 paid research positions in the HHMI summer research program.  As a new member of the Brown community, Linda eagerly shares other research opportunities with undergraduates that visit the Science Center.