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Dr. Alexandra Rose is a science communication and education professional at the University of Colorado Boulder, where she serves as both the Broader Impacts Manager and a Science Communication Specialist with CU Science Discovery. She also holds academic appointments with the Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research (INSTAAR) and the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. Her work is centered on bridging the gap between scientific discovery and public understanding by helping researchers communicate effectively and by designing meaningful, impactful educational programs.Ìý

Academic Background and Early CareerÌý

Dr. Rose earned her Ph.D. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from the University of California, Santa Cruz. Her doctoral research focused on the life history of tree swallows and incorporated volunteer citizen scientists to collect data across broad geographic regions. Before pursuing her Ph.D., she worked as a field biologist with the and the . She also served as Program Manager for —experiences that grounded her career in both field research and community engagement.Ìý

Broader Impacts and LTER CoordinationÌý

In her current role, she collaborates with STEM faculty to design, implement, and evaluate Broader Impacts activities that align with their research. She helps scientists connect their work to K-12 classrooms, families, and informal learning environments. She also serves as the Education and Outreach Coordinator for two National Science Foundation-funded Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) sites: the in Colorado and the McMurdo Dry Valleys LTER in Antarctica. Through this work, she focuses on communicating the long-term effects of climate change and human activity on sensitive ecosystems to diverse audiences.Ìý

Educational Initiatives and OutreachÌý

Dr. Rose leads several programs aimed at building data literacy and encouraging place-based inquiry:Ìý

• : She helps lead this regional program focused on snow science, watershed dynamics, and the importance of snowfall in the Rocky Mountains, in collaboration with Wild Bear Nature Center, CU Science Discovery, and the Niwot Ridge LTER program.ÌýÌý

• Crest View BioBlitz: Each year, she organizes this event, where all 4th graders at Crest View Elementary in North Boulder work with volunteer researchers to explore and document biodiversity in their schoolyard.ÌýÌý

• Eco Pen Pals: She supports this cross-site LTER Network program that connects 5th graders from different regions, encouraging them to exchange postcards, share observations about their habitats, and ask questions of peers across the country. The program reaches about 400 students annually from places like Virginia, New Mexico, Puerto Rico, Massachusetts, Colorado, and Alaska.ÌýÌý

• Data-Driven Art: She enjoys using creative approaches to engage learners, especially those less drawn to science, notably through the Data+Art+Science for Youth Fellowship (DASY) and the Niwot Ridge Tempestry Project, where students visualize a century of temperature change through fiber art.ÌýÌý

Graduate Instruction and MentorshipÌý

Dr. Rose is committed to mentoring the next generation of scientists. She teaches the EBIO 6100 graduate seminar, where she guides students in translating complex research into compelling narratives for policymakers, funders, and the public. A highlight of the course is the Reverse Science Fair, where graduate students present their research to—and are evaluated by—high school students at Northglenn High School. She also supports mentorship opportunities by coordinating applications for the (RECCS) program, connecting Niwot LTER researchers with community college mentees.Ìý

Professional Leadership and RecognitionÌý

In addition to her outreach and teaching work, she manages LTER Network operations for two sites, including website oversight and the development of evaluation tools for impact projects. In 2024, she was honored, alongside her colleague Stacey Forsyth, with the ARIS Enduring Achievement Award for their long-standing contributions to the Broader Impacts community. She is currently participating in the Organizational Research Impact Capacity (ORIC) program, where she contributes to strengthening CU Boulder’s systems for assessing and communicating research impact.