Finalists, Mentors and Judges
The 2023 3M Young Scientist Challenge Finalists and State Merit Winners have been announced!
Today’s Innovators
Get to know the diverse personalities of students, 3M Mentors, and others who have contributed their unique talents to the 3M Young Scientist Challenge. Use the tabs below to explore exciting ideas and inspirations from previous years’ challenges.
Amy Gensemer
Senior Director, K12 Digital Instruction
Amy has 20 years of educational experience in Science, Technology, and Engineering in the classroom and now serves as the Senior Director for K-12 Digital Instruction at Discovery Education.
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Dr. Caroline Ylitalo
Division Scientist
Dr. Caroline Ylitalo is a Division Scientist in the Personal Safety division Lab at 3M Company.
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Dr. Mahfuza Ali
3M Corporate Scientist
Dr. Ali is the inventor of several material technologies including specialty thermoplastic and pressure sensitive adhesive polymers, antistatic quaternary monomers and polymers, ink-receptive and paint blocking polymers and surface modification.
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Dr. Mary Caruso Dailey
3M Product Development Specialist
Dr. Caruso Dailey is currently working on adhesives for electronics bonding in 3M’s Industrial Adhesive and Tapes Division.
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Dr Gilles Benoit
Lead AI & Machine Learning Specialist
Dr. Gilles Benoit has been at 3M for 17 years and is currently a lead AI & Machine Learning Specialist in the Transportation & Electronics Business Group.
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Michael O’Toole
Coordinator of Science Curriculum
As the Coordinator of Science Curriculum for St. Vrain Valley Schools, Michael O’Toole is interested in promoting STEM Education and the use of technology in the classroom.
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Dr. Alireza Kashef-Asgari
3M Global New Product R&D Manager, Powered & Supplied Air Respiratory Lab
Dr. Kashef-Asgari leads the development of innovative respiratory products, that protect the health and safety of millions of workers, all over the world.
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LeAnn Simmerman
Teacher and STEM Coach
As an educator, LeAnn serves students and educators in grades K-12. LeAnn is Co-President of the Tennessee Association for the Gifted, an affiliate of the National Association for Gifted Children.
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Tonya Woolfolk
Coordinator of Science, K-5
Tonya Woolfolk is a passionate science educator with many exploratory experiences that began in elementary school, which nurtured her passion for science.
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Dr. Satish Jagnandan
Administrator of Math and Science
Dr. Satish Jagnandan is currently the Administrator of Math and Science (K-12) at MountVernon City School District.
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Dr. Cindy Moss
Vice President of STEM Initiatives
Dr. Moss holds a bachelor’s degree in zoology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, master’s degree in science from Syracuse University and doctorate in science curriculum and instruction from the Curtin Institute of Technology in Perth, Western Australia.
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Dr. James M. Jonza
3M Scientist
James completed his undergraduate studies in environmental and polymer chemistry at the State University of New York College of Environmental Sciences and Forestry and received his Ph.D. in polymer science and engineering from the University of Massachusetts.
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Dr. Delony Lager-Anderson
New Product Development Specialist
Dr. Langer-Anderson invents products for the healthcare industry, using science and imagination to make products more comfortable, durable or easy to use, helping people feel better every day.
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Brian Butler
National Science Teaching Association District Director
Originally from Virginia, Brian holds a specialist degree as well as an MAT degree from Georgia College and a B.S. in meteorology from the University of Oklahoma where his love for science was enhanced by the ability to chase tornadoes!
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Christine Tucci Osorio
Superintendent
Christine serves on the Executive Board of the Association of Metro Area School Districts (AMSD) and serves as a board member for the Search Institute. She is dedicated to sharing leadership experiences with others and has worked with the American Association of School Administrators (AASA) to mentor and coach fellow school superintendents in Puerto Rico.
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Casey Rimmer, M.Ed.
Innovation & EdTech Coordinator
Casey is an experienced Technology Facilitator with a history of working in the education management industry with experience in E-Learning, K-12 Education, Classroom Management, Lesson Planning, and Educational Technology. She received her Masters Degree focused in Curriculum and Instruction, Technology Leadership from Concordia University, Portland.
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Arny Leslie
STEM Educator
Since 1996 Arny has taught in the Lake Washington School District in Redmond, Washington. He spent thirteen years at Redmond Junior High teaching ninth grade science, punctuated by three years out of the classroom as a full-time new teacher mentor.
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Dr. Joe Oxman
3M Corporate Scientist
Currently a corporate scientist with 3M’s Oral Care Division, Dr. Oxman has worked at 3M for 34 years and has 99 issued patents.
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Dr. Andrea Washington
Chief Instructional Officer
Dr. Andrea "DeeDee" Washington is a veteran educator who has served for more than 27 years in multiple roles including curriculum facilitator, principal, personnel director, associate superintendent, and classroom teacher.
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Dr. Candace Singh
Superintendent
As an educator in San Diego County for close to 30 years, Dr. Singh is well-known and respected for her work as a turnaround principal and superintendent.
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Dr. Brian Barnhart
Superintendent
Dr. Barnhart is in his sixteenth year as Superintendent of Western Springs School District #101 in Western Springs, IL, a 1500 student, pre-K through Grade 8 district in the near-west suburbs of Chicago.
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Dr. Holly Sullivan
Director of Science and Health
Following an 18 year teaching career, Dr. Sullivan now serves as the Coordinator of Science, Health and Physical Education for Lexington County School District One in Lexington, SC.
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Dr. Olester Benson, Jr.
Corporate Scientist
Dr. Benson is currently a Corporate Scientist in the 3M Corporate Research Process Laboratory and is a graduate of the University of Colorado.
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Jacqueline Samuel
STEM Science Curriculum Coordinator
As an educator, she has studied conservation efforts in Ireland, served as an fellow for the Teachers for Global Classrooms, and helped develop instructional strategies for teachers in Jakarta and Ogan Ilir, Indonesia.
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