As director, Laura guides the STEM Accelerator’s efforts to advance pedagogical innovation, strengthen teaching assessment and peer evaluation practices, and contribute to the growing body of STEM education research. She will help refocus and expand the Accelerator’s impact on student outcomes, with particular emphasis on instructional quality and teaching excellence. Lukes will oversee core initiatives, mentor graduate students engaged in STEM education and discipline-based education research, and support faculty and graduate teaching assistants through professional development. She will also represent the Accelerator in university initiatives and public-facing efforts, lead workshops addressing the evolving landscape of science education, and pursue external funding to grow the Accelerator’s reach.