The IC4 Team consists of clubs in six different countries, led by amazing teachers, students, and other professionals.

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IC4 Core team

Eric Hamilton is Professor of Education at Pepperdine University. He teaches in the university’s organizational leadership and mathematics courses. He currently leads education and learning technology research projects supported by the US National Science. His wife Kristy is a licensed social worker and hospice worker. He is an avid Audible books fan, and loves history and literature. They have four adult children and live on Pepperdine’s Malibu Campus. Eric Hamilton Pepperdine University IC4 Principal Investigator

Mr. Israel Ramirez is a mathematics teacher at Spring Valley High School in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA and serves as a teacher leader in the IC4 Project. He received his bachelors degree (in Applied Mathematics) from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona and masters degree (in Education) from the University of Phoenix. Originally from Morelia, Michoacan, Mexico, Israel played soccer competitively and is also fluent in English and Spanish.

Mr. Shad Wachter is a STEAM teacher and Innovation Integrator at South Fayette Intermediate School in South Fayette, Pennsylvania, USA and serves as a teacher leader in the IC4 Project. He received his bachelors degree (in Music Education) from West Virginia Wesleyan and masters degree (in Education) from Loyola College. Shad grew up at Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, USA and is married to his wife Jessica and father to daughters Mikaela and Sophia.

Mr. Cyrus Meema Is currently a teacher at Mpesa Foundation Academy in Thika, Kenya and serves as a teacher leader in the IC4 Project. He received his bachelors degree (in Education) from Masinde Muliro University and masters degree (in Project Planning and Management) from the University of Nairobi. Originally from Kakamega County, Kenya, Cyrus also coaches soccer and tennis teams.

Mr. Zach Mbasu Country Leader, Kenya Mr. Zach Mbasu is originally from Kakamega county just north west of Nairobi, Kenya. He received his Bachelor of Education Science degree at Egerton University in Kenya and his Master of Science in Applied Statistics as Maseno University. He has been a mathematics teacher for 6 years, an ICT Champion helping learners and teachers using technology in education, and is currently the founder and CEO of African Maths Initiative. In this position he shares practical out of classroom ideas with schools, develops innovative learning resources, and builds capacity for school instructors and students. He is passionate about technology integration in learning. A fun fact about him: he enjoys traveling, cycling, and field hockey.

Seung Bok Lee is an Assistant Professor at the Graduate School of Education and Psychology at Pepperdine University. He works on the IC4 Project Research Team as the lead expert on the project's quantitative ethnography methodology (Epistemic Network Analysis). He received his bachelor's degree (in Mechanical Engineering) from U.C. Berkeley, master's degree (in International Affairs) from Columbia University, and doctorate from Pepperdine University. Originally from Seoul, Korea, Seung Bok spent two years in rural Nepal as a math and English teacher in the Peace Corps.

Danielle Espino is the Project Manager and Co-Principal Investigator for the IC4 Project. She received her bachelor's degree (in history) from the College of William and Mary, master's degree (in educational leadership and policy studies) from Virginia Tech, and doctorate from Pepperdine University. Originally from Virginia, Danielle loves to give food and travel advice for any city in the U.S.

Mr. AJ Mannarino is a Technology Education teacher at South Fayette Middle School in South Fayette, Pennsylvania, USA and serves as a teacher leader in the IC4 Project. He received his bachelors degree (in Technology Education) and his masters degree (in STEM Education) from the University of Pennsylvania. AJ grew up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and coaches varsity diving and track.

Luiz Oliveira is an undergraduate student at Pepperdine University (USA) majoring in International Business and works on the IC4 Project research team. Originally from Brazil, Luiz is fluent in Portuguese.

Dr. Ana Paula Giacomassi Luciano is a researcher and Director for AERA Educacional in Maringa, Brazil and serves as a site leader in the IC4 Project. She completed her undergraduate work in in physics and master's degree and doctorate in Education for Science and Mathematics following the theme of Educational Robotics.

Dr. Arquimedes Luciano is a professor, researcher and developer of technologies for teaching with AREA Educacional in Maringa, Brazil and serves as a site leader in the IC4 Project. He completed his undergraduate work in in physics, master's degree in Condensed Matter Physics and doctorate in Science and Mathematics following the theme of Internet of Things (IoT) for Education.

I’ve been an IC4 Research Student since 2019. I received my Bachelors in Public Relations and Marketing at DePaul University, later I received my Masters in Strategic Communications from Purdue University, and currently I am working on my EdD in Organizational Leadership at Pepperdine University. I am from Sugar Land, TX. My goal is to work on improving educational systems around the world.

Julia Savoca Gibson produces video content for the IC4 project and is a member of the research team. She is an undergraduate student at William & Mary, majoring in History and Film & Media studies. Originally from Richmond, Virginia, Julia enjoys performing improv with her college comedy troupe.

Ruth Akumbu is the CEO of Plant A Seed, a nonprofit she founded in 2001 in Cameroon and registered in California in 2010. Ruth is a highly skilled strategic and innovative leader with over 11 years of starting and managing projects. She has a wide-ranging leadership experience aligning strategy to organizational goals. She oversees the daily management of the administrative, strategic plan, and programs of the nonprofit organization. She also develops partnerships with donors, conducts community outreach activities, marketing, and fundraising programs. She is a passionate, effective communicator, inspirational leader, and visionary.

Stephanie Alvarez is a Ph.D. student at the Graduate School of Education and Psychology at Pepperdine University. She works on the IC4 Project research team helping with transcriptions alongside other projects. She received her master\'s degree from Vanguard University. Originally from California, she enjoys spending her spare time finding vintage clothes.

Ateamate, IC4 Alumni Leader - current student at Pwani University (Kenya) Role in IC4: Level One and Level Two collaboration facilitator.

Dante Schulz is an undergraduate student at the George Washington University (USA) majoring in International Relations and History and works as a global project facilitator on the IC4 Project team. Originally from New York City, Dante once delivered a speech at the United Nations to a delegation of diplomats.

Nykeki Broussard is a IC4 Project Research Assistant, at the Pepperdine Graduate School of Education and Psychology (GSEP. She is currently a doctorial student at Pepperdine University: Graduate School of Education and Psychology with a focus on Learning Technology. She holds a Masters of Business Administration, a Masters in Healthcare Administration-Management Information Systems from Texas Women’s University, a Master of Liberal Arts -Psychology from the University of St. Thomas and a Bachelor of Science, Public Affairs, from Texas Southern University. In addition Nykeki has identified and developed some of the brightest emerging leaders and individual contributors for visioning and implementing change. Impact areas include: high potential student leaders, minorities in leadership and transformational next-gen leaders who seek to discover their leadership authenticity, brand, and style.

Kristina, IC4 Research Team - current PhD student at Pepperdine University (USA) // Role in IC4: Musical Instruments Project advisor for Level Two collaborations

Heather Orrantia is a Research Assistant who helps out with various tasks that support the goals of the IC4 research project. She received an undergraduate degree in Marketing from the University of North Florida, and is currently enrolled in her second year of the Master's program for Clinical Psychology at Pepperdine's GSEP. Originally from Ojai, California, Heather named her first dog Bagel, because bagels are her favorite food!

Megan Hokama helps with Qual Coding and writing for the IC4 team. Megan received a B.A. in Psychology at Loyola Marymount University, a M.A. in Psychology at Pepperdine University, and is currently a Ph.D. Student studying Educational Psychology at the University of Arizona. Originally from Torrance, California, Megan enjoys ceramic wheel throwing during her downtime.

Tiffany Wright supports the IC4 research team with coding, data analysis, and literature reviews for research dissemination. Tiffany earned her Bachelor’s degree at CSU Long Beach, her Master’s degree in Education from Loyola Marymount University. She is currently a doctoral student in the Global Leadership and Change Ph.D. program at Pepperdine’s Graduate School of Education and Psychology. Originally from Los Angeles, California, Tiffany played piano for 7 years during her primary and secondary school years, and she plans to start playing again soon!

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IC4 Community

Priya Mohabir, New York Hall of Science

Veera Kallunki, PhD Country Leader, Finland. Veera is currently the Senior Lecturer in University Pedagogy at University of Helsinki and researcher. She received her Doctor of Philosophy, Physics and Education in 2009 from the University of Helsinki. Her skills and interests include qualitative research and university teaching especially in the STEM fields. Her recent research addresses digital learning, multidisciplinary teaching, and learning processes. In her doctoral dissertation, she has studied the learning processes of natural sciences among primary school students.

Mrs. Lynette Foe-Aman is a mathematics teacher at Cabrillo High School in Long Beach, California, USA and serves as a teacher leader in the IC4 Project. She received her bachelors degree (in Business Administration) from Rockhurst College, masters degree (in Counseling) from California State University, Dominguez Hills, teaching credential from California State University, Long Beach. Originally from Kansas City, MO, Lynette previously worked in the accounting field for the U.S. Department of Defense and IRS.

Mr. George Foe-Aman is a computer teacher and webmaster at Cabrillo High School in Long Beach, California, USA and serves as a teacher leader in the IC4 Project. He received his bachelor's degree (in Communications) and masters degree (in Industrial Design and Technology) from California State University, Fullerton and teaching credential from California State University, Long Beach. Originally from Paramaribo, Suriname (South America), George is also trilingual, fluent in English, Dutch, and Spanish.

Katie Culp New York Hall of Science

Lauren Van Tress is an undergraduate student at Pepperdine University (USA) majoring in Biology and minor in Hispanic Studies, and works on the IC4 Project research team. Originally from Las Vegas, Nevada (USA), Lauren has been to 12 countries so far; her favorite city is London and she loves all things Harry Potter and the tv show Criminal Minds.

Lance Gui is an undergraduate student at Pepperdine University (USA) majoring in Economics and Mathematics and minor in Computer Science, and works on the IC4 Project research team. Originally from China, Lance has been playing percussion since second grade.

Toby Baker is a PhD student at the Graduate School of Education and Psychology at Pepperdine University. She works on the IC4 Project research team. She received her master's degree from Cabrini University. Originally from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, for the last ten years Toby has taught special education as a learning support teacher and has been awarded CHADD’s ADHD 2018 Educator of the Year.

Ateng’ Ogwel is a lecturer of mathematics education at the Centre for Mathematics, Science and Technology Education in Africa (CEMASTEA). He has been involved in the professional development of maths and science teachers under the Strengthening of Mathematics and Science Education (SMASE) programme at the CEMASTEA for the last 15 years. He previously taught mathematics in secondary schools for seven years. Mr. Ogwel holds a Masters of Education degree in Mathematics Education from Hiroshima University and held membership at the US National Council for Teachers of Mathematics, Japan Society for Mathematical Education and Japan Academic Society of Mathematics Education. He’s the Chair, GeoGebra Institute of the NI3C, Nairobi. He’s currently the Deputy Coordinator, Partnerships and Linkages at CEMASTEA. He led the development of the IC4 initiative in Kenya and its overall international formulation.

Megan Manquen is a recent graduate of Pepperdine University (USA) who majored in Mathematics with a minor in Computer Science, and works on the IC4 Project research team. Megan has traveled to 15 countries, and loves the Angels baseball team and her French and English bulldogs.

Amanda Lee is an undergraduate student at Pepperdine University (USA) majoring in Applied Mathematics, and works on the IC4 Project research team. Originally from Chicago, Amanda has been playing piano for over 10 years.

Kate Perlioni is an undergraduate student at Pepperdine University (USA) majoring in Mathematics and works on the IC4 Project research team. Originally from Texas, Kate appreciates days at the beach or lake.

Mr. Edwin Omollo is a science and mathematics teacher at St. Aloysius Gonzaga Secondary School in Nairobi, Kenya and serves as a teacher leader in the IC4 Project. He is currently working on a masters degree (in Physics) from the University of Nairobi, examining Raman spectroscopic imaging on samples that might have been infected by parasite-causing disease. Originally from Lieta Kamser Nyakongo, Kenya, Edwin is also trilingual, fluent in English, Kiswahili and Dholuo.

Taylor Carty

Ish, IC4 Alumni Leader - current student at New York University (USA) Role in IC4: Level One collaboration facillitator

Bec is the manager of Explainer TV at the New York Hall of Science (NYSCI), USA. She received her bachelors degree (in Communication and Media) from University of South Australia. Originally from Adelaide, Australia, Bec previously worked as a newspaper journalist and mentors inner city girls as part of the Girls Write Now program in NYC.

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Last Updated: 9/22/2021