Presenters
Dr. Mark Bertolami, Marin McCullough, and Dr. Molly Atkinson, University of North Texas, TX, USA.
Abstract
Neurodiversity describes the limitless neurological variations among humans, with notable examples including Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and Dyslexia. The Neurodiversity Paradigm is a philosophical stance on neurodiversity that celebrates the diversity of human cognition and emphasizes the value of alternative cognitive perspectives; however, research investigating neurodiversity in chemistry education is extremely limited. To address this gap, our qualitative study explores the experiences of neurodivergent chemistry majors in lecture settings across the chemistry curriculum, using online semi-structured interviews with participants from across the United States. We examined six aspects of the lecture to understand how they influence student learning. Our work uses interpretative phenomenological analysis, a participant-oriented approach that seeks to understand how participants make sense of their lived experiences, while also recognizing the researcher role in interpreting those perspectives. Our research focuses on: 1) What are the unique experiences of neurodivergent chemistry majors in lecture settings across the chemistry curriculum? and 2) How do specific aspects of the lecture shape how neurodivergent chemistry majors learn? This research provides rich descriptions of neurodivergent lecture experiences to help educators design more inclusive lectures and inspire systemic change to better support neurodivergent students across the chemistry curriculum.
Presenter Biographies
Mark Bertolami Ph.D. Candidate · University of North Texas
Mark Bertolami earned his M.S. in chemistry from the University of Washington in 2022 and is a Ph.D. candidate at the University of North Texas studying neurodivergent identity and lecture experiences. He works with Marin McCullough under the guidance of Dr. Molly Atkinson. He plans to graduate in spring 2027 and to pursue a teaching-focused assistant professor position.
Marin McCullough Undergraduate Researcher · University of North Texas
Marin McCullough is an undergraduate chemistry major at the University of North Texas with minors in biology and mathematics. Her insights and dedication have been instrumental in advancing this project through data analysis. She plans to graduate in spring 2027 and to pursue an industry career in medicinal chemistry.
Molly Atkinson, Ph.D. University of North Texas
Dr. Molly Atkinson advises this research at the University of North Texas. Mark Bertolami and Marin McCullough work under her guidance on neurodivergent identity and lecture experiences in the chemistry curriculum.