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Katherine Ehlert, Ph.D.

Education

• Ph.D., Engineering and Science Education, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, August 2020
• M.S., Mechanical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, August 2013
• B.S., Mechanical Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, May 2010

Licensure and Certifications

Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI)
Human Subjects Protection Certification

Engineering Training
Ohio, 2010

Teaching Experience

Lecturer | Clemson University | Fall 2020, Spring 2021

Programming and Problem Solving, 3 credits, 72 students in two sections (Spring 2021)

• Instructor for First-year MATLAB programming and Excel skills course
• Supported students in gaining programming and class management skills
• Mentored and managed six undergraduate teaching assistants

Engineering Skills and Disciplines, 2 credits, 89 students in two sections (Fall 2020)

• Instructor for First-year Introductory Engineering course via virtual/in-person hybrid instruction
• Developed homework solutions, developed and refined course exams and solutions
• Supported students in exploring engineering majors and making a major selection

Foundations of Mechanical Systems, 3 credits, 30 students (Fall 2020)

• Instructor for Junior-level Mechanical Engineering course via virtual/in-person hybrid instruction
• Developed all lecture material, homework solutions, course exams, and solutions

Graduate Teacher Of Record | Clemson University | Fall 2019, Spring 2020

Fundamentals of Machine Design, 3 credits, 47 students each term

• Instructor for Junior-level Mechanical Engineering course
• Developed all lecture material, homework solutions, course exams and solutions
• Managed the abrupt transition from in-person instruction to virtual instruction in March 2020

Guest Lecturer | Clemson University | Fall 2018

Statics and Dynamics for Mechanical Engineers, 5 credits, approx. 115 students in lecture

• Instructed two, 2-hour Statics & Dynamics classes of approximately 90 students using the SCALE-UP model (Student-Centered Active Learning Environment for Undergraduate ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú)

Auxiliary Teaching Support | Clemson University | Fall 2017

Statics and Dynamics for Mechanical Engineers, 5 credits, approx. 115 students

• Provided instructional support for Statics & Dynamics course during class time
• Implemented one-on-one tutoring sessions documenting students’ conceptualizations of Shear and Moment in beams in bending
• Managed a two-hour exam review session for students related to Shear and Moment

Graduate Teaching Assistant | Cornell University | Fall 2011, Fall 2012

Analysis of Mechanical and Aerospace Structures, 3 credits lecture, 1 credit recitation, approx. 120 students in lecture, 40 students in recitation

• Authored and presented weekly recitation lessons related to Junior-level Material Mechanics course
• Supported student athletes by creating additional learning materials while on travel for competitions
• Facilitated weekly office hours for homework and exam preparation
• Guest lecturer while the professor was on travel

Education Research Experience

Post-Doctoral Researcher | Clemson University | 2021

Grant Title: CAREER: Empowering Students to be Adaptive Decision-Makers

• Conducted psychometric analysis on previously collected data
• Coauthored journal publications related to analysis
• Assisted in mentoring graduate students in additional research projects

Graduate Research Assistant | Clemson University | 2016 - 2019

Grant Title: CAREER: Empowering Students to be Adaptive Decision-Makers

Position: Part-time Graduate Researcher, August 2017 - February 2018; Full-time Graduate Researcher, February 2018 - August 2019

• Managed data from multiple deployments of a survey
• Developed and analyzed student pathways through the first-year engineering curriculum
• Performed exploratory (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) to evaluate the stability of the self regulated decision-making instrument
• Improved and refined the self-regulated decision-making instrument

Grant Title: Student Perspectives on Researcher Identity and Transformation of Epistemologies (SPRITE)

Position: Full-time Graduate Researcher, January 2016 - February 2018

• Managed three deployments of a survey with open and closed-ended items at six separate institutions
• Analyzed 113 unique entries of quantitative data using standard statistical practices including cluster analysis, MANOVA, ANOVA, and pairwise comparisons
• Recruited 16 participants for one-hour interviews discussing their research experiences and their views of knowledge and from where it comes
• Analyzed 22 qualitative interviews using a constructivist grounded theory approach
• Co-constructed in-depth memos summarizing each participant’s research experience and our analysis of the interview

Technical Experience

Test Engineer, Integrated Reconstitution Drug Delivery Devices | Unilife Corp. | 2015

• Developed device characterization tests for drug delivery products
• Contributed to the development of an inspection program for incoming devices based on geometric dimensioning and tolerance (GD&T) requirements
• Supported the development and refinement of the Design Verification Plan (DVP)

Associate, Biomedical Engineering Practice | Exponent, Inc. | 2013 – 2015

• Created custom testing programs to characterize medical devices, consumer products, or raw materials on electromechanical and servo-hydraulic MTS Test Systems
• Specialized in testing and characterizing biological, biologically derived, or biologically inspired materials
• Implemented new testing capabilities based on ASTM standards including F2077, F543, D6797
• Summarized characterization findings in technical reports, memos, and presentations for proactive design improvement, regulatory compliance, or litigation support
• Managed, trained, and advised six different undergraduate co-operative education students from Drexel University on an annual basis
• Implemented, adjusted, and executed OSHA safety training programs (biohazard/blood borne pathogens, chemical, shop, and radiation safety) for 3,000 sq. ft. laboratory space with over 25 regular users as Site Safety Officer

Graduate Reseacher | Cornell University | 2010 – 2013

• Created testing programs on an MTS servo-hydraulic machine to perform uniaxial compression, compressive fatigue, and three-point bending on human and animal bone
• Evaluated statistical simulations using R to determine the probability of microscopic damage occurring in sections of bone viewed by a microscope
• Designed multiple test fixtures for mechanical loading protocols using SolidWorks
• Mentored multiple undergraduate mechanical engineering students in undergraduate research endeavors

Technical Skills

Proficiencies: Dedoose Mixed-Methods Research Software, R Statistical Software, MATLAB, ANSYS, MTS Mutipurpose Test Suite, MTS Multipurpose Elite, MTS Sensor Calibration, SolidWorks, Scanco MicroCT system, Fluroscope operation

Competencies: SQL interfaces, metal machining, Java

Publications

Refereed Journal Publications

• Ehlert, K. M., Orr, M. K. (2020). "A Systematic Approach to Selecting the Number of Factors in Q Methodology." In preparation: Journal of Mixed Methods Research
• Kajfez, R.L., Lee, D. M., Ehlert, K. M., Faber, C. J., Kennedy, M. S., Benson, L. C. (2020). "A Mixed Methods Approach to Better Understand Identity: Examples from a Study of Undergraduate Researcher Experiences Using Surveys and Interviews". Accepted: Studies in Engineering Education’s Special Issue on Theory and Methods in Engineering Education.
• Faber, C. J., Kajfez, R.L., Lee, D. M., McAlister, A. M., Ehlert, K. M., Kennedy, M. S., & Benson, L. C. (2020). "Undergraduate engineering students’ perceptions of research and researchers." J. Eng. Educ., vol. 109, pp 780 – 800.
• Matheny, J. B., Slyfield, C. R., Tkachenko, E. V., Lin, I., Ehlert, K. M., Tomlinson, R. E., Wilson, D. L., & Hernandez, C. J. (2013). Anti-resorptive agents reduce the size of resorption cavities: a three dimensional dynamic bone histomorphometry study. Bone, 57(1), 277-283.
• Slyfield, C. R., Tkachenko, E. V., Fischer, S. E., Ehlert, K. M., Yi, I. H., Jekir, M. G., O’Brien, R. G., Keaveny, T. M., & Hernandez, C. J. (2012). Mechanical failure begins preferentially near resorption cavities in human vertebral cancellous bone under compression. Bone, 50(6), 1281-1287.

Refereed Conference Proceedings (Presenting Author Underlined)

• Ehlert, K. M. , Orr, M. K. Documenting Student Perceptions of Learning on Co-op. Presented at the Conference for Industry and Education Collaboration, Orlando, FL, January 2020.
• Ehlert, K. M. , Rucks, M., Martin, B. A., Desselles, M., Grigg, S. J., Orr, M. K. Expanding and Refining a Decision-Making Competency Inventory for Undergraduate Engineering Students. Presented at the Frontiers in Education Conference, Cincinnati, OH, October 2019.
• Lee, D. M., McAlister, A. M., Ehlert, K. M. , Faber, C. J., Kajfez, R. L., Creamer, E. G., Kennedy, M. S. The Use of Structured Memo-Writing in a Mixed-Methods Grounded Theory Study. Presented at the Frontiers in Education Conference, Cincinnati, OH, October 2019.
• Ehlert, K. M. , Rucks, M., Martin, B. A., Orr, M. K. Predictors of Matriculation in Intended Major in a First-Year Engineering Program. Presented at the American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference & Exposition, Tampa, FL, June 2019.
• Kajfez, R. L., Lee, D. M., Ehlert, K. M., St. Germain, A., Benson, L. C., Creamer, E. G., Kennedy, M. S., Faber, C. J. Work in Progress: A Mixed Methods Approach to Better Understand Researcher Identity. Presented at the American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference & Exposition, Tampa, FL, June 2019.
• Ehlert, K. M. , Orr, M. K., Grigg, S. J. Work in Progress: What's your major? First-year engineering students’ confidence in their major choice. Presented at the First-Year Engineering Education Conference, Glassboro, NJ, July 2018.
• Orr, M. K., Ehlert, K. M., Rucks, M. Towards the development of a revised decision-making competency instrument. Presented at the American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference & Exposition, Salt Lake City, UT, June 2018.
• Chasmar, J., Ehlert, K. M. Cluster analysis methods and future time perspective groups of second-year engineering students in a major-required course. Presented at the American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference & Exposition, Salt Lake City, UT, June 2018.
• Ehlert, K. M. , Faber, C. J., Benson, L. C., & Kennedy, M. S. Utilizing cluster analysis of closed-ended survey response to select participants for qualitative data collection. Presented at the American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference & Exposition, Columbus, OH, June 2017.
• McAlister, A. M., Lee, D. M., Ehlert, K. M., Kajfez, R. L., Faber, C. J., & Kennedy, M. S. Qualitative coding: An approach to assess inter-rater reliability. Presented at the American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference & Exposition, Columbus, OH, June 2017.
  *Awarded Best Paper in the Student Division
• Kajfez, R.L., McAlister, A. M., Faber, C. J., Ehlert, K. M., Lee, D. M., Benson, L. C., & Kennedy, M. S. Exploring undergraduate engineering researchers’ identities and epistemologies: Who are they and what do they believe? Presented at the American Education Research Association Annual Conference, San Antonio, TX, April 2017.
• Benson, L. C., Kennedy, M. S., Ehlert, K. M. , Vargas, P. M., Faber, C. J., Kajfez, R. L., & McAlister, A. M. Understanding undergraduate engineering researchers and how they learn. In IEEE Frontiers in Education Conference, October 2016.
• Kennedy, M. S., Lanier, S. K., Ehlert, K. M., High, K. A., Pegues, K. K., & Sharp, J. L. Understanding the role of knowledge related to financial resources on decisions to attend graduate school. In IEEE Frontiers in Education Conference, October 2016.

Refereed Posters

• Ehlert, K. M., Orr, M. K. Comparing Grouping Results between Cluster Analysis and Q-Methodology. Presented at the Frontiers in Education Conference, Cincinnati, OH, October 2019.
• Orr, M. K., Martin, B. A., Rucks, M., Ehlert, K. M. Empowering Students to be Adaptive Decision-makers: Progress and Directions. Presented at the American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference & Exposition, Tampa, FL, June 2019.
• Ehlert, K. M., Orr, M. K. Documenting Student Perspectives of Learning While on Co-op. Presented at the American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference & Exposition, Tampa, FL, June 2019.
• Benson, L.C., Faber, C. J., Kajfez, R. L., Kennedy, M. S., Ehlert, K. M., Lee, D. M., McAlister, A. M., & Porter, T. Engineering student perspectives on research and what it means to be a researcher. Presented at the American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference & Exposition, Salt Lake City, UT, June 2018.
• Benson, L. C., Faber, C. J., Kajfez, R. L., Kennedy, M. S., Ehlert, K. M., Lee, D. M., & McAlister, A. M. SPRITE: Investigating undergraduate engineering students’ research identity and epistemic cognition. Presented at the American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference & Exposition, Columbus, OH, June 2017.
• Benson, L. C., Kennedy, M. S., Faber, C. J., Kajfez, R. L., Lee, D. M., Ehlert, K. M., McAlister, A. M., & Vargas, P. M. Assessing undergraduate engineering students’ researcher identity and epistemic cognition. Presented at the American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference & Exposition, New Orleans, LA, June 2016.
• Hernandez, C.J., Yam, K., Li, B., Li, T., Ehlert, K.M. The effects of post-irradiation aging and wet storage on cortical bone allograft strength. Presented at the Orthopaedic Research Society National Meeting, San Antonio, TX, January 2013.
• Ehlert, K.M., O’Brien, R.G., Hernandez, C.J. Statistical power in measures of microscopic tissue damage in cancellous bone. Presented at the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research National Meeting, San Diego, CA, September 2011.
• Slyfield, C.R., Tkachenko, E.V., Fischer, S.E., Ehlert, K.M., Yi, I.H., Jekir, M.G., O’Brien, R.G., Keaveny, T.M., Hernandez, C.J. Microscopic tissue damage forms preferentially near resorption cavities in human vertebral cancellous bone. Presented at the Orthopaedic Research Society National Meeting, New Orleans, LA, January 2010.

Invited Workshops, Symposia, and Colloquia

Faber, C. J., McCave, E. J., Benson, L. C., Ehlert, K. M., “ERM Presents! An Introduction to Research Methods in Engineering Education”, Workshop, co-sponsored by the Biomedical Engineering and Educational Research Methods Divisions, American Society for Engineering Education Conference, Columbus, OH (June 2017).

Grants and Fellowships

Graduate Research Grant | January 2019 | $8,000

Cooperative and Experiential Education Divisions (CEED) of the American Society of Engineering Education (ASEE)

Research grant to support dissertation work documenting student perceptions of learning while on co-op.

Graduate Travel Grant | June 2018, July 2018, June 2019, October 2019, January 2020 | $3,750 Total

Clemson University Graduate Student Government, Clemson, SC

Supports graduate students’ professional development by providing a financial award for travel to a conference or workshop. Each award is $750 for domestic travel.

Honors and Awards

Outstanding Graduate Reseacher | May 2020
Department of Engineering and Science Education, Clemson, SC

Graduate Research Fellowship, Honorable Mention | April 2010, 2011, 2012
National Science Foundation, Washington D.C.

Fred Hale Vose Prize | May 2010
Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH

Professional Development

• Upstream from Impact – Frameworks for Improving Research Quality Workshop
  June 2018
• Communities of Practice and Social Learning
  May 2017
• NSF ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú That Support Engineering Education Research
  October 2016
• Tips for Turning Good Ideas into Competitive National Science Foundation Engineering Education Research CAREER Proposals: A Grant Writing Workshop
  October 2016
• Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis Workshop
  February 2016
• Women’s ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉúhip Conference
  February 2016

Service

Service To The Profession

• Journal of Engineering Education, Manuscript Reviewer. National
  (August 2017 – Present)
• American Society for Engineering Education, Conference Reviewer. National.
  (February 2016 – Present)
• Assoc. for the Tutoring Profession, Awards Committee Member. National
  (October 2016 – May 2018)
• Frontiers in Education, Conference Reviewer. National
  (October 2016 – Present)
• American Society for Engineering Education, Conference Session Moderator. National
  (June 2016, June 2017, June 2018)
• Frontiers in Education, Conference Session Moderator. National
  (October 2016)

Service To The University

• Graduate Student Government Graduate Travel Grant Committee, Awards Chair, Clemson University
  (May 2019 – May 2020)
• Graduate Student Government Graduate Travel Grant Committee, Member, Clemson University
  (September 2017 – May 2019)
• Graduate Student Government, Senate Secretary, Clemson University
  (September 2018 – May 2019)

Service To The Department

• Engineering Education Gradate Student Exchange, Organizer, Engineering and Science Education Department, Clemson University
  (August 2019 – May 2020)
• Graduate Student Government, Senator, Engineering and Science Education Department, Clemson University
  (September 2017 – May 2020)
• American Society for Engineering Education Conference Booth, Chair, Engineering and Science Education Department, Clemson University
  (April – June 2016, April – June 2017)

Memberships

• American Society for Engineering Education
• Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honors Society
• The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi