(HEROES) Program
The QEM Network HEROES programs strengthen the nation’s STEM innovation ecosystem by connecting institutions, researchers, and entrepreneurs with the expertise, resources, and support needed to compete for federal funding, build sustainable partnerships, and accelerate commercialization.
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The Hiring Experienced Researchers to Optimize Ecosystems in STEM (RESEARCH-HEROES) program brings together former federal scientists to lend their expertise and support to the STEM research community. Our Research-HEROES are here to support academic scientists in navigating the federal funding landscape, developing STEM programs and partnerships, and improving talent retention in in-demand fields. This program’s goal is to build sustainable ecosystems for STEM research and education at emerging research institutions across the country.
The Technical Enablement and Commercialization Help to Expand SBIR/STTR Research, Outreach, and Entrepreneurial Support (TEC-HEROES) is a two-year initiative that helps entrepreneurs in EPSCoR states strengthen their competitiveness for NSF SBIR/STTR funding. Through training, coaching, proposal support, and technical assistance, our TEC-HEROES aim to increase the quality and success of submissions, accelerate commercialization, and expand participation in America’s Seed Fund powered by NSF.
Please navigate to the interactive map to contact a HEROES Fellow serving your region.
Search HEROES Fellows
Amaka Nwankwo
Previous Agency
Centers for Disease Control, USAID
Expertise
Data Science, International Development, Mentoring, Proposal Development, Public Health, STEM Education
State / Region
NJ / PA
Aprille Ericsson
Previous Agency
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
Expertise
Aerospace and Defense Technologies, BioTechnology, Partnership Development, Quantum, Space Science, STEM, Tech Transfer
State / Region
CT / MA / MD / ME / NC / NH / NY / RI / VA / VT
Bradley Lusk
Previous Agency
Department of State, Naval Research Laboratory (NRL), USAID
Expertise
BioTechnology, Engineering, Partnership Development, Science Communication, TechTransfer, Workforce Development
State / Region
AZ / NM
Carrie Hall
Previous Agency
National Science Foundation (NSF)
Expertise
Biology, Broadening Participation, Professional Development, STEM Education, Workforce Development
State / Region
AR / LA / OK
Chaz Gipson
Previous Agency
Department of Education
Expertise
Capacity Building, Proposal Development
State / Region
GA / TN
Christopher Atchison
Previous Agency
National Science Foundation (NSF)
Expertise
Broadening Participation, Geoscience, Mentoring, Proposal Development, STEM Education
State / Region
IN / KY / OH
Frances Carter-Johnson
Previous Agency
National Science Foundation (NSF)
Expertise
Analytics, Evaluation, Policy, STEM, Workforce Development
State / Region
AL / AR / LA / MS / WV
James Smith
Previous Agency
National Security Agency (NSA)
Expertise
AI/ML, Computer Science, Graphics/Visualization
State / Region
TX
Jehnae Linkins
Previous Agency
Engineering, Mentoring, Proposal Development, STEM, STEM Education
State / Region
SC
Jennifer Riehl
Previous Agency
National Science Foundation (NSF)
Expertise
Environmental Science, Genetics, Policy, Proposal Development, Science Communication
State / Region
NJ / PA
Joseph Isaac
Previous Agency
National Science Foundation (NSF)
Expertise
Climate Science/Engineering Design, Curriculum and Instruction, Global Collaboration, Partnership Development, STEM Education
State / Region
DE / MD
Josh Trapani
Previous Agency
National Science Foundation (NSF)
Expertise
Geoscience, Outreach, Policy, Proposal Development, Science Communication
State / Region
CO / UT
Karen Ford-Jackson
Expertise
Capacity Building, Education, Evaluation, Mentoring, Outreach, Partnership Development
State / Region
VA / WV
Kenneth Wright
Previous Agency
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
Expertise
Aerospace and Defense Technologies, Engineering, Partnership Development, Policy, Tech Transfer
State / Region
MI
Naomi Hall-Byers
Previous Agency
National Science Foundation (NSF)
Expertise
Capacity Building, Evaluation, Methodology, Proposal Development, Public Health, Social Sciences
State / Region
NC / SC
Quincy Brown
Previous Agency
White House
Expertise
Computer Science, Partnership Development, Policy, STEM, Workforce Development
State / Region
DC / MD / VA
Shadei Jones-Laird
Previous Agency
Naval Sea Systems Command
Expertise
Education, Engineering, Partnership Development, STEM, Workforce Development
State / Region
AL / GA
Sharmini Pitter Boghos
Previous Agency
National Science Foundation (NSF)
Expertise
Education, Quantum Science
State / Region
FL / GA / IL / MO
Toni Dancstep
Previous Agency
National Science Foundation (NSF)
Expertise
Broadening Participation, Evaluation, Methodology, Partnership Development, Research Design, Science Communication, STEM Education
State / Region
CA
Tori Rhoulac Smith
Previous Agency
National Science Foundation (NSF)
Expertise
Broadening Participation, Engineering, Partnership Development, Proposal Development, STEM Education
State / Region
MS / NC
Toya Frank
Previous Agency
National Science Foundation (NSF)
Expertise
Community Based Research, Equity and Access, Mathematics Education, Proposal Development, Research Design, STEM Education
State / Region
DC / VA
