Contributor Biographies

Nancy P. Moreno received her Bachelor's degree in botany from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1974, and worked as an investigator and editor of the Flora of Veracruz Project in Mexico until 1985. After earning her Ph.D. in biology in 1993 from Rice University, she joined Baylor College of Medicine (BCM), where she is associate professor in the Department of Family and Community Medicine and associate director of the Center for Educational Outreach. Dr. Moreno's research interests focus on developing effective collaborations among scientists and educators for the improvement of science education. Her activities involve the creation and dissemination of innovative science and health educational materials for students and the development of partnership programs to promote systemic change in science teaching and learning in schools. Currently Dr. Moreno is co-PI of BCM’s NSBRI sponsored educational series From Outerspace to Innerspace, and the series principal author.  Additionally, Dr. Moreno is principal investigator of science education partnerships funded by the National Institutes of Health, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute and the National Science Foundation. She is a member of the Advisory Board of the National Science Resources Center's Leadership and Assistance for Science Education Reform initiative, President of the National Association of Health Science Education Partnerships and a recent past member of the National Science Teachers Association Standing Committee on Preschool/Elementary Science Education.

Roberta H. Anding (MS, RD/LD, CDE) received her Bachelor’s degree in dietetics and her Master of Science degree in Nutrition and Biochemistry from Louisiana State University in 1977 and 1980 respectively. Currently she is an instructor at Baylor College of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Adolescent and Sports Medicine. In addition, she serves as a consultant to the Houston Texans NFL Franchise and is a part-time instructor at Rice University. Ms. Anding's research interests include the early detection and prevention of Type 2 diabetes in the adolescent population. Currently, Ms. Anding is examining the risk factors and incidence of eating disorders in female athletes and other high-risk populations.

Paula Cutler, B.S., is Project Manager at BCM’s CEO. Ms. Cutler, a native Texan, has been an educator for over 20 years. Formerly a high school English teacher and an elementary school teacher, she also spent five years as education coordinator at the Houston Museum of Natural Science. Currently, she helps to manage and serve as a teacher-trainer for numerous teacher professional development programs. She is a coordinator for NSBRI teacher workshops and has worked on the NASA Explorer School Program. Mrs. Cutler especially enjoys developing and creating BCM educational materials, which are geared for elementary and middle school students.