Nicholas Sorensen is a principal researcher at AIR. His research is primarily focused on dropout prevention and helping struggling students succeed across the transition to high school. His work emphasizes the role of social psychological interventions, strategies to support success in algebra and mathematics, and use of early warning systems ...
Jessica Heppen, a nationally recognized expert in education research, policy, and practice, is the president & CEO of AIR. Dr. Heppen been with AIR for 20 years and, in that time, has held several key roles during her tenure.
Robert Nathenson is a senior researcher at AIR. He has over 10 years of experience in the execution of rigorous econometric and behavioral science techniques to applied policy questions in the postsecondary education, pre-k-12 education, and health fields. Dr. Nathenson regularly conducts research using both experimental and quasi-experimental designs. His ...
Peter Rehder is a researcher at AIR. His work is focused on helping communities, practitioners, and policymakers build systems and programs that support healthy development and well-being for children and families, especially those who have traditionally been underserved or marginalized. He has extensive expertise in social and emotional development, developmental ...
Kelly Wells is a principal technical assistance consultant at AIR, with almost two decades of direct experience providing training and technical assistance to state and local education and mental health agencies to develop a comprehensive approach to school mental health. Wells currently leads all the training and technical assistance (TTA) ...
Kathleen L. Pfannenstiel is a senior researcher at AIR and provides technical assistance and professional development to states and school districts with an emphasis on improving results for students with disabilities. Dr. Pfannenstiel is the principle investigator for an Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) model demonstration grant. She works ...
Katie Ports is a principal researcher in the Human Services division at AIR with over 20 years of experience in social science research. Dr. Ports is a nationally known subject matter expert on the science of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and the public health approach to violence prevention.Dr. Ports conducts ...
Xan Young is a principal technical assistance consultant at AIR. She directs the Violence Prevention Technical Assistance Center (VPTAC), funded by the Prevention Practice and Translation Branch, in the Division of Violence Prevention at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). VPTAC provides comprehensive training and technical assistance (TTA) ...
Manolya Tanyu is a community psychologist and prevention researcher with 15 years of expertise in evaluation of school- and community-based interventions to prevent risk behaviors and promote youth development and well-being. A core aspect of her work is understanding the interrelationships across the settings (i.e., human serving systems, communities, schools, ...
Jordan Rickles is a principal researcher at AIR. Dr. Rickles has fifteen years of education research and evaluation experience, including work within the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) and the University of California National Center for Research on Evaluation, Standards, and Student Testing (CRESST). He specializes in research design ...