Katrina Halasa earned her Ph.D. in Education and Master’s Degree in Biology at The University of Akron. She has been with Akron Public Schools since October of 1995.  She taught Biology, Chemistry, Human Anatomy, Forensics and Environmental science. Since 2006, she has been the Science and Health Learning Specialist for K-12. She leads the science and health curriculum and assessment work, and has provided over 700 professional development workshops.

She brought over 2 million dollars in STEM Grants initiatives over the years. While at North High School, she was a member of the School Improvement Program team that restructured students’ pathways to advanced coursework, which resulted in the school to be designated a Bronze Award as one of America’s Best High Schools by the U.S. News and World Report. Her work in growing STEM opportunities has been recognized in 121 STEM Excellence Governor’s Awards and INSIGHT INTO DIVERSITY magazine’s 2020 Inspiring Programs in STEM Award. She has created a multitude of opportunities for students to conduct research, solve real-world problems, build bridges, plant gardens, launch rockets, or even hatch chickens.