AYERS LEADS STEMM EDUCATION AND OUTREACH AT ST. JUDE

 Dr. Kate Ayers believes every student should have the opportunity to see themselves as a scientist. An alumna of the University of Memphis College of Education’s Educational Psychology and Research (EDPR) program, she is bringing that vision to life through her leadership of the STEMM Education and Outreach Program at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

“Dr. Kate Ayers is an outstanding graduate of our Educational Psychology and Research program, and she has accomplished amazing work as Director of STEMM Education and Outreach at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Kate’s research and impactful community efforts are changing the STEMM world by expanding access to related majors and career paths for students and teachers alike,” said Dr. Pam Cogdal, chair of the Department of Counseling, Educational Psychology & Research.

Her path to this role began with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Union University, followed by a master’s in biomedical research with an emphasis in structural biology from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center and culminating with a doctorate in educational psychology and research from the University of Memphis. This unique blend of scientific expertise and academic research fuels her mission to grow the biomedical workforce by breaking down barriers to STEMM careers.

“One of the things I love most about my work is designing learning experiences with students and educators that center STEMM as a tool for care,” said Ayers. “It’s incredibly rewarding to see participants inspired to engage in the authentic practices of science and engineering, gathering data, analyzing results and implementing solutions to problems in their own communities.”

Through partnerships with schools and science educators, Ayers co-develops classroom modules that weave cancer concepts into curriculum. She also founded the St. Jude Science Ambassadors Program, which connects Memphis youth with scientists and helps challenge misconceptions about who can become a scientist.

Her programs already reach hundreds of local students each year. The Afterschool STEMM Clubs, hosted in 20 elementary schools, serve more than 400 fifth-grade students annually, while the High School Research Immersion Program engages 50 high school students from across Memphis, Shelby County and surrounding counties in mentored research projects. As the principal investigator on an NIH SEPA R25 grant, Ayers also connects scientists with professional development in science communication while extending outreach to high school students, creating a pipeline that benefits both researchers and learners.

Mentorship is also central to her work. “Mentoring EDPR students has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my role,” Ayers explained. “It’s not just about building research skills, it’s about helping students develop the confidence, curiosity and professional vision to continue advancing STEMM education in ways that are both rigorous and deeply human-centered.”

Ayers leadership extends beyond St. Jude as a founding member and chair of the Memphis STEM in Medicine Ecosystem, a city-wide initiative ensuring that all Memphis students have access to high-quality STEMM learning opportunities.

Ayers’ work exemplifies how the EDPR program prepares graduates to translate educational research into meaningful community impact, opening pathways for the next generation of scientists and researchers to emerge from Memphis classrooms.