Dr. Kate Ayers
Director of STEMM Education & Outreach, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
Through intentional school partnership, Dr. Ayers works with school and science educators to cocreate science learning modules that integrate cancer concepts into classroom curricula. In addition, she established the St. Jude Science Ambassadors Program, which connects Memphis youth to diverse scientists to dispel misconceptions about who can be a scientist, and also led the development of two after-school clubs. Ayers is a founding member and chair of the Memphis STEM in Medicine Ecosystem, which aims to address area inequities in STEM education. She holds a doctorate in educational psychology and research from the University of Memphis, a master’s in biomedical research with an emphasis in structural biology from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, and a bachelor’s in chemistry from Union University.