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STEAM Story Fellows Program

STEAM Story Fellows Program

The STEAM Factory is teaming up with The Story Collider to host the SP26 STEAM Story Fellows Program. 

Why is Storytelling Important?

True, personal stories are a powerful form of communication and public engagement. They are uniquely effective at inviting audiences to explore unfamiliar and intimidating territory, and leave with new perspectives, lasting personal connections, and the desire to return for more. Relative to other forms of information sharing, stories can foster science engagement among non-expert audiences, lead those audiences to perceive scientists as more authentic, and promote perspective-getting, which is an important precursor of attitude change. 

Who is The Story Collider

The Story Collider is a nonprofit organization with a mission to reveal the vibrant role that science plays in all our lives through the art of personal storytelling. Whether through educational workshops, live shows, or their podcast that has been downloaded more than 14 million times - The Story Collider’s array of programming is connected through a common thread, their belief that true, personal stories about science create connection, increase empathy and understanding, and transform both the listener and the teller.

2026 STEAM Story Fellows

  • Gia Barboza-Salerno, Assistant Professor, Health Behavior and Health Promotion
  • Kelsea Best, Assistant Professor, Civil, Environmental and Geodetic Engineering
  • Larissa Boie, Post Doctoral Scholar, Physics
  • Bridge Henebry, Senior Outreach and Engagement Coordinator, Psychiatry
  • Elena Kalodner-Martin, Assistant Professor, English
  • Gala Korniyenko, Lecturer, City and Regional Planning
  • Telesilla Kotsi, Assistant Professor, Operations and Business Analytics 
  • Cara Lawson, Assistant Professor, Agricultural Communication, Education and Leadership
  • Chia-Hua Lin, Research Scientist, Entomology
  • Jesse Plascak, Associate Professor, Cancer Prevention and Control
  • Wayne Schlingman, Associate Professor, Astronomy
  • Megha Sehgal, Assistant Professor, Psychology
  • Dominic Stecula, Assistant Professor, Communication
  • Krystal Taylor, Associate Professor, Mathematics 
  • Matthew Wolkoff, Post Doctoral Scholar, Veterinary Biosciences

STEAM Story Fellows Showcase

Mark your calendars for the STEAM Story Fellows Showcase on March 10 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Wild Goose Creative. More details to come!

Questions? Contact us at steamfactory@osu.edu.