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Rita Blaik

Director of Education at California NanoSystems Institute at UCLA

Rita Blaik: Materials Scientist, Educator, and Artist

Rita Blaik is an experienced Materials Scientist & Engineer (PhD) who specializes in developing and teaching STEM and STEAM education programs.1 She currently serves as the Director of Education at the California NanoSystems Institute (CNSI) at UCLA.1

Career Highlights

  • Director of Education at the California NanoSystems Institute at UCLA (October 2019 - Present)
  • Manager of Education at the California NanoSystems Institute at UCLA (September 2016 - October 2019)1
  • Adjunct Professor and Consultant at ArtCenter College of Design (September 2015 - Present)1
  • Associate Director of the UCLA Sci|Art NanoLab Summer Institute (March 2016 - December 2016)1

Education

  • PhD in Materials Science from the University of California, Los Angeles (2008 - 2015)1
  • Bachelor of Science in Materials Science from the University of California, Irvine (2003 - 2008)1

Expertise

  • Developing nanoscience-centered educational programs for K-12, public outreach, high school summer programs, and professional development1
  • Guiding the design and implementation of science laboratory spaces and developing new science minor programs1
  • Teaching transdisciplinary courses on topics like nanotechnology, sensing, materials science, and sustainability1

Outreach and Honors

  • Explaining the science behind Marvel characters' superpowers in a video series hosted by the UCLA California NanoSystems Institute2
  • Recipient of the National Science Foundation Integrative Graduate Education Research Traineeship on Clean Energy for Green Industry at UCLA1

Rita Blaik's diverse background in materials science, education, and art allows her to make complex scientific concepts accessible to a wide range of audiences, from K-12 students to the general public.234 Her LinkedIn username is ritablaik.

Highlights

Mar 28 · linkedin

I’m #hiring! We're looking for an experienced scientist or STEM educator to work with us as an Education Manager. Come work with me at UCLA to deliver cool STEM educational opportunities across Southern California and beyond. It's a great job for a STEM PhD graduate looking for a job in education within academia. It's also great for any teachers or evaluators looking to work within higher ed and outreach. Know anyone who might be interested? #education #nanotechnology

Jan 23 · linkedin

JOB REPOSTING / SIGNAL-BOOSTING: The California NanoSystems Institute (CNSI) at UCLA is looking for a new Director of Entrepreneurship and Commercialization.

This person will manage strategic initiatives that support the CNSI Incubator, Accelerator, and Entrepreneurship Program. These efforts will include: seeking financing including venture capital investing (e.g. seed or early-stage); marketing; overseeing education programs that train students in technology commercialization, entrepreneurship, and industry interactions; and, fostering the development of the CNSI's innovation/start-up ecosystem.

Could this be you or someone you know? Visit the UCLA Career Opportunities website and search for requisition number 31954.

#ucla #entrepreneurship #innovation #incubator #startup #commercialization #accelerator #stem #cnsiatucla

Related Questions

What are some of the notable projects Rita Blaik has led at the California NanoSystems Institute?
How does Rita Blaik integrate art and science in her educational programs?
What inspired Rita Blaik to transition from materials science research to education?
Can you provide examples of the public outreach programs Rita Blaik has developed?
How does Rita Blaik's work at the ArtCenter College of Design influence her role at CNSI?
Rita Blaik
Rita Blaik, photo 1
Rita Blaik, photo 2
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Experience

Director Of Education at California NanoSystems Institute at UCLA (October 2019 - Present)
Manager of Education at California NanoSystems Institute at UCLA (September 2016 - October 2019), Adjunct Professor and Consultant at ArtCenter College of Design (September 2015 - Present), Associate at Buckminster Fuller Institute (August 2011 - March 2012)

Education

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Materials Science from University of California, Los Angeles (2008 - 2015), Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Materials Science from University of California, Irvine (2003 -

Location

Los Angeles, California, United States