University of Minnesota
Prize Level:
A-BRIDGE connects innovation with impact by providing educators with an adaptive and dynamic system to optimize the match between evidence-based instructional practices and multilingual children’s needs through precision learning.
Alisha Wackerle-Hollman Ph.D.
Associate Research Professor & Executive Director of IGDILab
Alisha Wackerle-Hollman Ph.D.
Associate Research Professor & Executive Director of IGDILab
Dr. Wackerle-Hollman is an educational psychologist with over 20 years of experience in early childhood settings. She is passionate about equitable assessment design and
Erin Lease
Director of Research Innovation
Erin Lease
Director of Research Innovation
Dr. Erin Lease received her Ph.D. from the Department of Educational Psychology at the University of Minnesota. She focuses on creating scalable, technology-based solutions to promote school readiness. As a former mental health practitioner, she is committed to seamlessly translating research into practice in community-based settings. She excels in leading the development of technology-based research tools for education.
John Behr
Executive Director of Education, Technology, and Innovations
John Behr
Executive Director of Education, Technology, and Innovations
John Behr is a seasoned executive leader, entrepreneur, and software development expert who excels in driving business growth through cutting-edge solutions in development, AI, ML, and digital transformation. He is currently the Executive Director of Educational Technology Innovations (ETI), a unique unit within the College of Education and Human Development at the University of Minnesota, providing software development, marketing, and dissemination services. With a strong background in leading web, enterprise, and mobile application projects, John holds several patents, including a large-scale Digital Storage Solution for managing corporate digital assets and pioneering mobile marketing platforms for various industries.