Me and my research lab (I am the one in orange)
Dr. Emily M. Walter
(she/her/hers)
Associate Professor of Biology
Director, STEM Education Center
California State University, Fresno
Work Phone:
559-278-2362
Email (preferred method of contact):
Campus Mailing Address:
2555 E San Ramon Ave, M/S SB 73
Fresno, CA 97340
United States of America
About Dr. Walter
Hello! I am an Associate Professor in the Department of Biology and Director of the STEM Education Center at California State University - Fresno. Since 2015, my science education research lab at Fresno State has been home to over 35 students, including undergraduate, honors program, and graduate students.
I do research on university-level biology education and STEM student success, including research on (a) broadening participation in STEM, (b) making biology instruction more socially relevant, (c) incorporating storytelling and creative assessment into the classroom, and (d) exploring change initiatives to support adoption and sustained use of evidence-based practices.
​Outside of work, I'm a mom to 3 kids, a cat named Winnie, and a dog named Yoshi. I'm also married to an awesome person who I've been with since high school. In my free time, I love to cook, travel, and to play nerdy board games (my favorite is one called Seven Wonders). I also enjoy video games and spending time outside observing nature.
Professional Experience (see more on my CV)
August 2021 - present
January - August 2023
August 2018 - present
August 2015 - July 2021
June 2013 - August 2015
Associate Professor of Biology
California State University, Fresno
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Tenured and promoted from Assistant to Associate Professor
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Redesigned and taught CSM 10 and 15, a two-semester course-based undergraduate research course (CURE) for first-year STEM majors focused on doing social science research on local issues tied to the UN Sustainable Development Goals
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Implemented a specifications-based grading system
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Designed, taught, and studied curriculum using culturally responsive teaching in biology and astronomy (with lessons on fermentation, Earth-moon-Sun patterns, and photosynthesis)
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Secured external funding to support research activities, including a new interdisciplinary project to integrate sense of place, Indigenous culture and stories, and plants from the Fresno State Herbarium into postsecondary instruction
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Supervised undergraduate research teams and graduate students' thesis work as PI
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Certificate in Inclusive Mentoring from CSU Chancellor's Office
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Continued 3-3 teaching load and advising for 60 majors on career options in major and required courses to meet objectives
Assistant Director
Transforming Higher Education Systems Project
College of Education, Michigan State University
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Managed the administration and financial oversight of a $17 million USAID contract to reform higher education systems in Malawi
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Led cross-cultural workshops and training sessions focused on evidence-based teaching practices and institutional capacity building
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Coordinated reporting and compliance efforts for international stakeholders, ensuring alignment of milestones and deliverables
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Directed project logistics, including resource allocation, hiring, and performance monitoring, to support sustainable systemic change
Director, STEM Education Center
California State University, Fresno
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In my faculty role, in tandem with this director role, I've brought in $3.8M in funding through effective grant writing and interdisciplinary connections
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Built public interest in STEM through multifaceted outreach strategies for local K12 students, including the Science Explorers’ Workshop, Feria de Educación, and events for the Transit of Mercury and the 2023 and 2024 solar eclipses
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Workshops for STEM faculty to learn active learning and culturally responsive pedagogies
Assistant Professor of Biology
California State University, Fresno
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Created new graduate courses on College Science Teaching and History and Philosophy of Science
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Published 12 papers before tenure with a 3-3 teaching load
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Started research lab with undergraduate and graduate students in postsecondary biology education
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Wrote and obtained external state and federal research grants
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Redesigned large enrollment general education biology course and upper division science course for future elementary teachers
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Advising for 60 majors on career options in major and required courses to meet program objectives
Post-Doctoral Researcher
Western Michigan University, Department of Physics
Mentors: Dr. Charles Henderson and Dr. Andrea Beach
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NSF-funded research project aimed at creating a baseline understanding (a) postsecondary instructional practices and (b) organizational conditions related to instructional improvement. Henderson, Beach, Grunert, Stapleton & Greene, NSF WIDER: Evidence-based Instructional Practices at WMU: An Examination of Instructor Practices, Institutional Climate, and Social Networks, NSF #1256505
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Assisted in preparation and submission of new research grants, scientific papers, peer-reviewed articles and research-related correspondence
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Qualitative and quantitative research methods and framework development
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Provided mentorship to PhD student researcher, including data analysis, co-construction of research manuscripts and presentations, and guidance on career development opportunities.
Social Media
For the benefit of my mental health and for personal privacy, I am not active on most social media platforms. However, I do have a YouTube channel with recorded lessons for students and a ResearchGate page.
