Dave Wolczyk
David Wolczyk is the Director of the University of Washington Math Science Upward Bound (UW STEMsub) Program. He started in TRIO 20+ years ago as a Tutor and Instructor at Columbia College in Chicago and since then has been an Instructor for the University of Washington Upward Bound (UB) Program and the Science and Technology Coordinator for UW UB and TRIO Training grants. He has taught courses on a wide variety of Science, Technology, and test-prep topics and pioneered the first Computer Assembly and Design course for TRIO students in 2001.
A TRIO Trainer since 1998, he has trained TRIO Staff from around the country on new techniques and best practices for using technology. He was a principal architect of the highly regarded UW TRIO Training online training, and has been a member of the TRIO Quest Advisory Committee since 2000. He studied Biology as an undergraduate, Evolutionary Genetics in graduate school, and spent a year abroad as a Watson Fellow in Europe conducting independent research on Acid Rain. Published works include articles in the Journal of Educational Opportunity, Genetics, and Science.
Dave loves spending his free time with his family or escaping to the mountains for skiing, hiking, cycling, or climbing.
Helen Chyz
Helen Chyz is the Academic Advisor for UW Math Science Upward Bound (UW STEMsub). It is her goal that every STEMsub student will graduate high school ready to attend the best fit college for them. This includes not just being accepted to college, but understanding more about the systems of higher education that exist. Helen has experience working in college admissions, where she evaluated student applications, attended college fairs, and even visited some of the STEMsub high schools! She earned a Master’s degree from the University of Washington in Leadership in Higher Education, where she primarily focused on college access and higher education pathways. Helen brings these perspectives to the college prep course which she teaches during Summer Academy. During the school year, she advises students on getting ready for college, applying to colleges, writing skills, and other academic needs.
Outside of the office, she enjoys spending time with her family and her dog, Zoe!
Jana Chieu
Jana Chieu is the Counseling Services Coordinator with UW Math Science Upward Bound (UW STEMsub) and has been involved with the program since it started, in 2013. As the Counseling Services Coordinator, Jana helps with the day to day operations of the UW STEMsub program. She is an alumna of the first cohort of the UW STEMsub program and graduated from the University of Washington – Bothell campus with a Bachelor’s degree in Health Studies and minors in Health Education & Promotion and Consciousness, Creativity & Science. Jana also has a Master’s degree in Nutrition from The National University of Natural Medicine.
When Jana is not working with UW STEMsub, she enjoys a very active lifestyle partaking in activities such as tennis, hiking, and swimming.
Jonathon Brown
Jonathon Brown is the Curriculum Coordinator with UW Math Science Upward Bound (UW STEMsub). In this role, Jonathon provides tutoring in math and science and advising to STEMsub students at their high schools. He also teaches classes at the Summer Academy. Jonathon has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Louisville in addition to a Master’s degree in Teaching from Columbia University. He is enthusiastic about making all students feel successful in math and science, and he has had the opportunity to teach all grades from 6-12 across the globe in places like Alaska, New York City, Seattle, and Mozambique.
When not working at UW STEMsub, Jonathon enjoys pickleball, cryptic crosswords, and travel.
Emmy Ngo
Emmy Ngo is a Student Office Assistant for UW Math Science Upward Bound (UW STEMsub) and has been involved with the program since 2018. Emmy is graduating this year with a B.S. in Data Visualization at the University of Washington. As an Office Assistance, she supports the UW MSUB staff on program activities/projects with her background as an alumna of the program.
Emmy enjoys her free time with her Golden Retriever named Kali, watching k-dramas, or trying new cafes in Seattle! 🐕🍵
Summer 2026 Instructors
Shabab Ahmed
Shabab Ahmed is a Section Instructor with UW STEMsub for Summer 2026. Shabab studies Economics as a PhD student and has a Master’s degree in Applied Mathematics from UW.
When Shabab is not busy trying to complete his PhD, he enjoys watching and playing a variety of sports like soccer, tennis and squash.
Aaron Banh
Aaron Banh (he/him) is a Mathematics Tutor for UW STEMsub, and is also a Mathematics and Photography Instructor during Summer Academy. Aaron is a recent graduate from the University of Washington with a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and also currently works in live events and as a barista around Seattle.
Aaron loves spending his free time listening to music, biking and reading, but not at the same time.
Joseph Bringman
Joseph Bringman is returning this year as the Latin instructor for UW STEMsub Summer Academy. He completed both his BA and PhD in Classics at the University of Washington and is currently a lecturer in the Classics Department. During his time at UW, Joseph has taught multiple Latin courses at all levels, and he is excited to share his love of Latin with STEMsub students this summer.
Outside of teaching, Joseph enjoys learning new languages, watching Jeopardy!, studying philosophy, and writing novels set in the ancient world.
Kunmanee (Mac) Bubphamanee
Kunmanee (Mac) Bubphamanee is teaching a study section with UWSTEMsub for the first time. She earned her bachelor degree in geology and a minor in astronomy at the University of Colorado at Boulder. Now she is working toward her Ph.D. in Earth and Space Sciences and Astrobiology at the University of Washington. Her research combines biology, chemistry, geology and oceanography to study ancient bacteria to search for clues about whether life could exist on other planets. At UW STEMsup, she wants to show students just how many directions a STEM career can take you.
When she is not in the lab, you can find her sketching, painting with watercolor or climbing at the bouldering gym. SHE LOVES CORGI.
Gust Burns
Gust Burns grew up in Tacoma where he participated as a teenager in the city’s amazing music and graffiti scenes of the 1990s, playing jazz, punk, and rap music. He has lived in Seattle since 2001, where he makes work as a theorist and researcher in the critical humanities, continues to work as a musician, and teaches English at Edmonds College. He is a father and a husband.
Julian Cassano
JJulian is excited to join the UW Math Science Upward Bound (UW STEMsub) program as the 2026 Animal Physiology elective instructor. Julian completed a BS in Cellular Biology and Biochemistry at UC San Diego before completing an MS in Ecology at Colorado State University, where he researched honeybees. Having previously taught biology courses at Seattle University, Shoreline College and the University of Washington, Julian is a passionate STEM educator excited for his second summer teaching Animal Physiology with the STEM Summer Upward Bound program.
In his free time, you can find Julian backpacking, snowboarding, playing soccer, or curling up with a good book and reading to his beloved cat Tomato.
Nathan Cheung
Nathan Cheung completed his PhD at UW this past year in Math. He got his undergraduate degree in applied math at UCLA. Nathan has had the opportunity to teach math classes at both UW and SeattleU, and will be moving to Lexington to teach at the University of Kentucky in the fall. This is his second summer with STEMsub!
In his free time Nathan enjoys biking, surfing, snowboarding, and watching baseball.
Christina Gianella-Nicolaides
Christina Giannella-Nicolaides is a Data Science/Machine Learning Elective Instructor for UW STEMsub. Born and raised in Los Angeles, she earned her bachelor’s degree in Applied Mathematics, with a minor in Disability Studies, from UC Berkeley. She then made her way farther north and is currently pursuing a PhD in Applied Mathematics at the University of Washington.
Outside of school, Christina grew up practicing various martial arts and is currently training in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. She also enjoys hiking, windsurfing, browsing bookstores, reading, and watching movies.
Erin Jedlicka
Erin received her undergraduate degree was in Chemistry through the United States Naval Academy. After graduation she was stationed at Naval Station Everett and moved out to the beautiful Pacific Northwest! After her time in the Navy, Erin returned to graduate school and studied materials for solar cells and LEDs. Erin completed her Ph.D. in Chemistry at the University of Washington in 2021 and transitioned into teaching 7th grade science. She recently completed her Master’s in Teaching through the University of Washington.
Casey Johnson
Casey Johnson is an accomplished STEM educator, mathematics specialist, and educational consultant with more than 20 years of experience in K–12 education, higher education, instructional technology, and professional development.
Mr. Johnson holds a Master of Science in Education with a concentration in Technology Education from Jackson State University and a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology (Electronics), with a minor in Mathematics. He has also completed doctoral coursework in Educational Leadership and Administration
A strong advocate for equity and access in STEM education, Mr. Johnson has led programs supporting minority youth, coordinated community-based educational initiatives, and facilitated culturally responsive STEM learning opportunities. He is certified in Washington, Mississippi, and Texas and brings extensive expertise in educational software, data analysis, networking, electronics, and emerging instructional technologies.
Mr. Johnson is passionate about empowering students and educators through innovative teaching practices, technology integration, and data-driven decision-making that promote academic success and lifelong learning.
German Rojas
German is an elective instructor and taught Neuroscience: Neuroplasticity summer of 2025 and is teaching Neuroscience once again summer of 2026!
Katie Sie
Katie (she/her) is a Bioengineering PhD student at the University of Washington. She received her bachelor’s in Bioengineering and Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from the University of California, Berkeley. Her research is focused on developing biomolecular structure prediction models and improving discovery of aptamers for therapeutic applications.
In her free time, Katie enjoys crafting, exploring the outdoors, and eating.
K.C. Smith
SOON!
Ryan Talusan
Ryan Talusan is a Section and Bioengineered Nanomaterials Instructor for UW STEMsub for Summer 2026. He is a Ph.D. candidate in Bioengineering focusing on biomaterials for women’s health and vaccines. He also holds a Bachelor’s in Bioengineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. During his undergraduate career, he TA’d for General Chemistry and taught historically underrepresented high school students from Chicago math, chemistry, and physics under the CPASS Foundation.
In his free time, Ryan loves to cook, sew, and dance. His main styles of dance are hip-hop, popping, and locking. He has participated in numerous dance competitions and cyphers around the Seattle Area, and he is always ready to battle!
Katie Wyers
SOON!