Douglas Clements

Distinguished University Professor and Kennedy Endowed Chair in Early Childhood Learning

Dr. Douglas H. Clements, Distinguished University Professor and Kennedy Endowed Chair at the University of Denver, has published over 200 refereed research studies, 30 books, 107 chapters, and 300 additional works on early mathematics learning and teaching, educational technology, creating and evaluating research-based curricula, and taking these to scale, mostly with colleague Julie Sarama. He served on the National Mathematics Advisory Panel, the Common Core State Standards Committee, and four National Academies of Science (NASEM) Committees on early mathematics, the early workforce, elementary STEM, and preschool curricula. See more at http://du.academia.edu/DouglasClements, http://www.researchgate.net/profile/Douglas_Clements/

Julie Sarama

Distinguished University Professor and Kennedy Endowed Chair in Innovative Learning Technologies

Dr. Julie Sarama, Distinguished University Professor and Kennedy Endowed Chair in Innovative Learning Technologies at the University of Denver, conducts research on young children’s development of mathematical concepts and competencies, implementation and scale-up of curricula, professional development models and their influence on student learning, and implementation and effects of learning technologies (including those she has created) in mathematics classrooms. She has published more than 115 refereed articles, 10 books, 160 chapters, and over 100 additional works. Dr. Sarama has directed over 30 projects funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF), the U.S. Department of Education’s Institute of Education Sciences (IES) and the National Institute of Health (NIH), the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the Heising-Simons Foundation. She is currently conducting research on learning trajectories and developing tools and activities for teachers and caregivers who want to implement learning trajectories in early mathematics.

Crystal Day-Hess

Assistant Research Professor and Associate Director

Dr. Crystal Day-Hess is an Assistant Research Professor and the Associate Director at the Marsico Institute for Early Learning at the University of Denver. She leads research, development, and evaluation projects in early childhood education and offers professional development and technical assistance to various stakeholders. Her work aims to enhance the growth and success of young children and the educators who support them. Dr. Day-Hess’s primary research interests focus on the relationship between executive function and early mathematics, the cognitive and social-emotional benefits of high-quality make-believe play, and the use of scaffolded writing to foster early literacy skills.

Christina Mulcahy

Senior Research Associate

Dr. Christina Mulcahy is a Senior Research Associate at the Marsico Institue for Early Learning at the University of Denver. Her primary research interests include children’s development of executive function and early mathematics, teacher-child interactions and relationships, and how to best support early childhood teachers and the children they teach through curriculum, professional development, and coaching. Her work at the Marsico Institute includes training and coordinating for classroom observations and child assessment, supporting coaching, developing and delivering professional development, and app development.