ABE Tampa Team

Dr. Luanna Prevost is an Associate Professor in the Department of Integrative Biology at the University of South Florida. Her research focuses on STEM undergraduate assessment and faculty and graduate student professional development. She is also interested in how student-centered programs can be designed to support underrepresented undergraduates in ecology.

Carolina Sarmiento is a microbial ecologist from Colombia, interested in studying plant-microbial interactions in tropical trees, focusing on seed-infecting fungi. Carolina joined the ABE Tampa team as a Laboratory Technician in March 2020 and now is also the ABE Tampa Site Coordinator. She loves being able to spread knowledge through the ABE program and believes that science education can be used as a tool for making the world a better place.

Dan McFarland retired after more than forty years in public education. As science supervisor for Hillsborough County Public Schools, he had the opportunity to be part of the team bringing ABE to HCPS. He has taught AP, IB, honors, co-taught and regular biology. He taught chemistry, anatomy and physiology, environmental science, physical science, life science, and earth science. He is passionate for inclusion and supportive of bringing lab experiences like ABE to under-represented groups. Dan has been active with STEM Fair and other academic competitions. 

Joanna Idafibia is a doctoral student in the Integrative Biology Department at the University of South Florida with research focus in biology education. She joined the ABE-Tampa team in Spring, 2024 and she is eager to contribute to the success of the ABE program and help drive its mission forward.

Sama Shokr is a Biomedical Sciences undergraduate student at the University of South Florida with aspirations of attending medical school. She is especially interested in molecular biology and enjoys hands-on-lab experiences that bring science to life. As a volunteer with the Amgen Biotech Experience, she hopes to support STEM education and inspire future scientists.

Steven Nguyen is an undergraduate at the University of South Florida majoring in Biomedical Sciences and Biomedical Anthropology. He is an aspiring physician who is interested in the fields of cardiology, neurology and many more. He is excited to apply his love for teaching and science through ABE program.