Meet OUR Team
Dr. Patrick/Patricia Killion
Director: The Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR)
Director: The First-Year Innovation & Research Experience (FIRE)
Dr. Carol Vieira
Assistant Program Director of FIRE Program Academic Operations
Parker Johnson
Undergraduate Office Assistant
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Assistant Program Director of Business Operations
Dr. Carinna Ferguson
Assistant Clinical Professor
Assistant Director
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Dr. Jennifer Lieb
Assistant Program Director of Programs, Services & Academic Operations
Ashley Harper
Coordinator
Dr. Patrick/Patricia Killion
Dr. Patrick/Patricia Killion is the Director of The Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR) and the Director of The First-Year Innovation & Research Experience (FIRE) in the Office of the Senior Vice President and Provost and Assistant Clinical Professor of Cell Biology & Molecular Genetics at the University of Maryland, College Park (UMD). Dr. Killion joined the University of Maryland in 2013 after serving as an Assistant Professor of Biology at Delaware Valley University where they drove discovery and inquiry-based reform efforts in the first-year Biology curriculum. Prior to this role, they helped grow the University of Texas Freshman Research Initiative, a model that informed and inspired the UMD FIRE program. Their research interests and capacities include learning analytics and data science focused on higher education administration, decision-making, and reform.
Dr. Jennifer Lieb
Dr. Jennifer Lieb joined the University of Maryland in August 2023 from Northeastern University in Boston, where she served as an associate director of the Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR) and Fellowships. She holds a Ph.D. in politics from Princeton University and previously taught political science at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts. Her interests include active learning pedagogies and holistic approaches to advising.
Dr. Carol Vieira
Dr. Carol Vieira is an Assistant Program Director of The First-Year Innovation & Research Experience (FIRE). Prior to this role, Dr. Vieira was a member of the FIRE faculty leading a molecular biology-focused research stream, Found in Translation. She holds a Ph.D. in Biological Sciences from the University of Maryland, College Park. Her interests include active learning pedagogies and incorporating ethics in research training.
Dr. Carinna Ferguson
Dr. Carinna Ferguson is an Assistant Director of the Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR) and also serves as an Assistant Director and Assistant Clinical Professor for the First-Year Innovation & Research Experience (FIRE) at UMD. She joined the OUR team in August 2023 after obtaining her Ph.D. in Learning Sciences and Human Development from West Virginia University where she worked in the WVU Office of Undergraduate Research. Her current research focuses primarily on mentorship and undergraduate research experiences.
Ashley Harper
Ashley Harper is the Coordinator for the Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR). She joined the OUR team in March 2024 with professional experience that consists of over 10 years in marketing and management. Ashley is a graduate of Towson University and obtains her B.S. degree in Health Education and Promotion. With a passion for Higher Education coupled with her diverse professional background, Ashley is enthusiastic and committed to assist the OUR team in the innovation and implementation of undergraduate research experiences.
FIRE Faculty Leaders
The First-Year Innovation & Research Experience (FIRE) is an essential part of OUR's offerings. While FIRE Faculty Leaders are not directly involved in the operation of OUR on a daily basis, their experience, knowledge, and commitment to creating and sustaining large-scale undergraduate research experiences are essential to OUR's culture and community.