Faculty and Leadership
Ryan Heitz, Founder and Head of School, Computer Science
Ryan’s career has spanned a range of fields, including environmental science, computer programming, Geographical Information Systems and education. A Northern Virginia native, Ryan’s interest in science bloomed at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology. Later, as an undergraduate at the University of Virginia, Ryan’s environmental science research took him to the eastern shores of Virginia where he tested sediment flows to explore sea level rise. He was interested in a career in teaching, but decided to pursue science first. His graduate research in environmental science led him to Brazil where he built electronic systems from scratch. With the help of a NASA grant, Ryan ran an array of environmental tests with equipment that he built. He pried open Palm pilots, pieced together atmospheric sensors and designed protective housing units. The “Maker” in Ryan was fully born.
After graduate school, Ryan worked and managed GIS projects for more than a decade. He decided he wanted to start ideaventions® with his wife, Juliana, after teaching hands-on science with his son, Daniel, and other homeschooled students. He saw an opportunity to create a place where students had the freedom to really explore science, like he had in high school. “I wanted to create an environment where children could experiment and try different things,” he says. To this day, he still gets incredibly excited about the challenge and thrill of experimental design. “One of my favorite things in the world is designing an experiment,” he says.
Ryan’s career has spanned a range of fields, including environmental science, computer programming, Geographical Information Systems and education. A Northern Virginia native, Ryan’s interest in science bloomed at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology. Later, as an undergraduate at the University of Virginia, Ryan’s environmental science research took him to the eastern shores of Virginia where he tested sediment flows to explore sea level rise. He was interested in a career in teaching, but decided to pursue science first. His graduate research in environmental science led him to Brazil where he built electronic systems from scratch. With the help of a NASA grant, Ryan ran an array of environmental tests with equipment that he built. He pried open Palm pilots, pieced together atmospheric sensors and designed protective housing units. The “Maker” in Ryan was fully born.
After graduate school, Ryan worked and managed GIS projects for more than a decade. He decided he wanted to start ideaventions® with his wife, Juliana, after teaching hands-on science with his son, Daniel, and other homeschooled students. He saw an opportunity to create a place where students had the freedom to really explore science, like he had in high school. “I wanted to create an environment where children could experiment and try different things,” he says. To this day, he still gets incredibly excited about the challenge and thrill of experimental design. “One of my favorite things in the world is designing an experiment,” he says.
Dr. Sarah Ciupek, Biology, Chemistry and Neuroscience
Sarah completed her PhD in neuroscience at Baylor College of Medicine, in Houston, Texas. There, she studied spatial navigation in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. She participated in a variety of teaching opportunities while she was there, such as leading breakout groups about medical science for high-school students on Saturday mornings, creating a boot camp for incoming neuroscience students, and leading labs as a Teaching Assistant for an undergraduate neuroscience course at Rice University. Now, she is excited to be using her science knowledge to teach the next generation at Ideaventions. She is also excited to be back on the East Coast, having grown up in Maryland and attained her Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County.
Outside of the classroom, Sarah is most likely to be found watching or participating in some form of the musical arts, such as playing the harp or singing a cappella. She also enjoys hanging out at the Smithsonian.
Dr. Sarah's publications include:
Sarah completed her PhD in neuroscience at Baylor College of Medicine, in Houston, Texas. There, she studied spatial navigation in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. She participated in a variety of teaching opportunities while she was there, such as leading breakout groups about medical science for high-school students on Saturday mornings, creating a boot camp for incoming neuroscience students, and leading labs as a Teaching Assistant for an undergraduate neuroscience course at Rice University. Now, she is excited to be using her science knowledge to teach the next generation at Ideaventions. She is also excited to be back on the East Coast, having grown up in Maryland and attained her Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County.
Outside of the classroom, Sarah is most likely to be found watching or participating in some form of the musical arts, such as playing the harp or singing a cappella. She also enjoys hanging out at the Smithsonian.
Dr. Sarah's publications include:
- Progressive Functional Impairments of Hippocampal Neurons in a Tauopathy Mouse Model
- Force sensor in simulated skin and neural model mimic tactile SAI afferent spiking response to ramp and hold stimuli
- Skin Relaxation Predicts Neural Firing Rate Adaptation in SAI Touch Receptors
- Axl-/- mice have delayed recovery and prolonged axonal damage following cuprizone toxicity
Kofi Dennis, Music and Creative Drama
Kofi is a drummer, performer, and educator. He earned a degree in Early Childhood Education at the Komenda Teaching College, University of Cape Coast in Ghana, West Africa, and a degree in Theater Arts (creative dramatics) from the School of Performing Arts at the University of Ghana. Before moving to the United States in 1995, Kofi taught academics and led performing arts programs at schools, correctional facilities, orphanages, and child-care centers in Ghana. He also starred in radio and stage theaters, television and video productions in Ghana.
In the United States, Kofi has educated and entertained as a drummer, storyteller, singer, and dancer at venues such as the Kennedy Center, Discovery Theater, the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, and Wolf Trap. He has taught creative drama at the Montessori School of Northern Virginia in Annandale for the past 11 years and has been a Wolf Trap Teaching Artist since 1998. He is recognized as a master teacher and presenter of West African Culture. He has worked with World Children’s Choir to lead an African drumming for peace initiative and performs as half of the duo Anansegromma.
Learn more about Kofi at Play for Concepts.
Kofi is a drummer, performer, and educator. He earned a degree in Early Childhood Education at the Komenda Teaching College, University of Cape Coast in Ghana, West Africa, and a degree in Theater Arts (creative dramatics) from the School of Performing Arts at the University of Ghana. Before moving to the United States in 1995, Kofi taught academics and led performing arts programs at schools, correctional facilities, orphanages, and child-care centers in Ghana. He also starred in radio and stage theaters, television and video productions in Ghana.
In the United States, Kofi has educated and entertained as a drummer, storyteller, singer, and dancer at venues such as the Kennedy Center, Discovery Theater, the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, and Wolf Trap. He has taught creative drama at the Montessori School of Northern Virginia in Annandale for the past 11 years and has been a Wolf Trap Teaching Artist since 1998. He is recognized as a master teacher and presenter of West African Culture. He has worked with World Children’s Choir to lead an African drumming for peace initiative and performs as half of the duo Anansegromma.
Learn more about Kofi at Play for Concepts.
Nicholas "Nick" Franson, Engineering
Nick earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Maryland, College Park. While in college, he gained a strong foundation in robotics, computer programming, and product design and also received an Engineer-in-Training certification. Additionally, Nick held research internships at engineering laboratories on campus and at the National Institute of Standards and Technology. After graduation, Nick entered the mechanical contracting field, designing and overseeing the construction of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems.
After spending four years in the hustle and bustle of the mechanical contracting industry, Nick realized that the office environment does not allow for the thrill of discovery and innovation that had initially captured his interest in engineering. Following a desire to teach sparked by his time as a camp counselor and tutor, Nick decided to pursue a career that would allow him to share his passion and excitement for engineering and perhaps even ignite that same excitement in others. Outside of the classroom, you can find Nick cooking, hiking, camping, and playing soccer and disc golf.
Nick earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Maryland, College Park. While in college, he gained a strong foundation in robotics, computer programming, and product design and also received an Engineer-in-Training certification. Additionally, Nick held research internships at engineering laboratories on campus and at the National Institute of Standards and Technology. After graduation, Nick entered the mechanical contracting field, designing and overseeing the construction of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems.
After spending four years in the hustle and bustle of the mechanical contracting industry, Nick realized that the office environment does not allow for the thrill of discovery and innovation that had initially captured his interest in engineering. Following a desire to teach sparked by his time as a camp counselor and tutor, Nick decided to pursue a career that would allow him to share his passion and excitement for engineering and perhaps even ignite that same excitement in others. Outside of the classroom, you can find Nick cooking, hiking, camping, and playing soccer and disc golf.
Hugh Gardner, Upper School History
Hugh Gardner, a former military intelligence analyst, has been teaching history for over 20 years primarily to home-schooled and gifted students. Hugh is known for his dynamic and interactive lectures. Through his love of continual learning and discovery, extensive bibliographies, superior replica, reproduction and authentic period weapons, accoutrements, and artifacts, as well as posters, maps, music, artwork and historical games, Hugh brings history to life.
Hugh Gardner, a former military intelligence analyst, has been teaching history for over 20 years primarily to home-schooled and gifted students. Hugh is known for his dynamic and interactive lectures. Through his love of continual learning and discovery, extensive bibliographies, superior replica, reproduction and authentic period weapons, accoutrements, and artifacts, as well as posters, maps, music, artwork and historical games, Hugh brings history to life.
Rachel Marrion, Humanities and Physical Education
Rachel has been fortunate enough to travel to many places throughout her life. Born in England, Rachel has spent time living in four different continents: Europe, Australia, North America, and Africa; she now calls Arlington, VA home. Rachel has been working in the education field in some capacity for the past 10 years. She double-majored at Catholic University of America in both Education Studies and Politics. While there, she also played DIII softball and still enjoys a variety of sports today, including coaching softball, volleyball, soccer, and basketball. She later went on to graduate school at The George Washington University where she received her Masters in Education, with a focus in teaching Social Studies.
After college, Rachel spent almost three years living in Cameroon, West Africa, primarily as a Peace Corps volunteer, and then later, as part of a non-profit organization fighting against mistreatment of young girls and women. It was her experience in Cameroon that developed her passion for teaching her students how to become global citizens. Most recently, she has spent the last couple of years teaching humanities to 6th graders at an independent school in Northern Virginia.
Rachel is an active technology user for both communications and in the classroom. She holds a DC Teaching License.
Rachel has been fortunate enough to travel to many places throughout her life. Born in England, Rachel has spent time living in four different continents: Europe, Australia, North America, and Africa; she now calls Arlington, VA home. Rachel has been working in the education field in some capacity for the past 10 years. She double-majored at Catholic University of America in both Education Studies and Politics. While there, she also played DIII softball and still enjoys a variety of sports today, including coaching softball, volleyball, soccer, and basketball. She later went on to graduate school at The George Washington University where she received her Masters in Education, with a focus in teaching Social Studies.
After college, Rachel spent almost three years living in Cameroon, West Africa, primarily as a Peace Corps volunteer, and then later, as part of a non-profit organization fighting against mistreatment of young girls and women. It was her experience in Cameroon that developed her passion for teaching her students how to become global citizens. Most recently, she has spent the last couple of years teaching humanities to 6th graders at an independent school in Northern Virginia.
Rachel is an active technology user for both communications and in the classroom. She holds a DC Teaching License.
Erin Seroka, Physics and Upper School Mathematics
Erin joins us from the University of Maryland, where she completed her MS in Physics, working on experimental atomic physics. At the University of Maryland, she has held teaching assistant positions, mentored undergraduate research, tutored in physics and mathematics, and contributed to the Joint Quantum Institute as a science writer. She received her BS in Physics, with minors in Mathematics and Chemistry, from Le Moyne College in Syracuse, New York. She speaks Russian and German and multiple programming languages. Erin brings a depth and love for physics and mathematics to the classroom! Outside the classroom, Erin enjoys contra dancing, cross-stitching, and going for walks in the woods.
Erin's thesis: Partial-transfer absorption imaging of 87Rb Bose-Einstein condensates
Erin joins us from the University of Maryland, where she completed her MS in Physics, working on experimental atomic physics. At the University of Maryland, she has held teaching assistant positions, mentored undergraduate research, tutored in physics and mathematics, and contributed to the Joint Quantum Institute as a science writer. She received her BS in Physics, with minors in Mathematics and Chemistry, from Le Moyne College in Syracuse, New York. She speaks Russian and German and multiple programming languages. Erin brings a depth and love for physics and mathematics to the classroom! Outside the classroom, Erin enjoys contra dancing, cross-stitching, and going for walks in the woods.
Erin's thesis: Partial-transfer absorption imaging of 87Rb Bose-Einstein condensates
Allan Michaels, Lower School Mathematics
Allan holds a Bachelor of Science in Physics from Mary Washington University and has 15 years of math teaching experience at Prince William County Schools. He holds a middle-school math and science teaching license for Virginia. He brings a broad range of teaching experience having taught both gifted students, students with learning differences, as well as single-gender (boys) classes.
Outside of the classroom, Mr. Allan was the Vex Robotics design coach and was the chess club sponsor. Known for making his own manipulatives and games, we're thrilled to have him join the team. Most recently, Mr. Allan and his co-teacher won the Virginia Department of Education Excellence in Co-Teaching Demonstrations Site Initiative to mentor, provide resources and materials to other schools, including videos on co-teaching methods.
Allan holds a Bachelor of Science in Physics from Mary Washington University and has 15 years of math teaching experience at Prince William County Schools. He holds a middle-school math and science teaching license for Virginia. He brings a broad range of teaching experience having taught both gifted students, students with learning differences, as well as single-gender (boys) classes.
Outside of the classroom, Mr. Allan was the Vex Robotics design coach and was the chess club sponsor. Known for making his own manipulatives and games, we're thrilled to have him join the team. Most recently, Mr. Allan and his co-teacher won the Virginia Department of Education Excellence in Co-Teaching Demonstrations Site Initiative to mentor, provide resources and materials to other schools, including videos on co-teaching methods.
Rob Nelson, Fine Arts and Photography
Rob brings over 35 years of teaching experience in art and photography in secondary public schools. Rob holds a Master of Arts in Fine Arts and a Bachelors of Science degree in education from West Virginia University. "I have always had a special desire to see beyond the surface, beyond the obvious. I believe that everything contains a point that satisfies the artist's drive to touch and embrace. I enjoy the challenge to make the complex simple, to make opposites compatible, and to see treasures in the common place. I try to instill in my students the desire to become more aware of what they see and to express what they feel when they see."
Rob brings over 35 years of teaching experience in art and photography in secondary public schools. Rob holds a Master of Arts in Fine Arts and a Bachelors of Science degree in education from West Virginia University. "I have always had a special desire to see beyond the surface, beyond the obvious. I believe that everything contains a point that satisfies the artist's drive to touch and embrace. I enjoy the challenge to make the complex simple, to make opposites compatible, and to see treasures in the common place. I try to instill in my students the desire to become more aware of what they see and to express what they feel when they see."
Dr. Mariana Pavon Eternod, Biology and Chemistry
Mariana earned her PhD in Biochemistry from the University of Chicago, then spent three years as a postdoctoral fellow at the National Institutes of Health. Her research focused on how our cells behave differently in the context of disease, from cancer to viral infection. Mariana participated in science outreach activities throughout her research career, teaching after-school science programs at local elementary schools. She eventually decided to devote herself full-time to science education and is excited to be working at Ideaventions and Ideaventions Academy. Mariana loves hearing “Science is fun!” in the classroom. In her free time, you’ll find Mariana playing with her twin boys, exploring the Smithsonian museums, and baking.
Dr. Mariana's publications include:
Mariana earned her PhD in Biochemistry from the University of Chicago, then spent three years as a postdoctoral fellow at the National Institutes of Health. Her research focused on how our cells behave differently in the context of disease, from cancer to viral infection. Mariana participated in science outreach activities throughout her research career, teaching after-school science programs at local elementary schools. She eventually decided to devote herself full-time to science education and is excited to be working at Ideaventions and Ideaventions Academy. Mariana loves hearing “Science is fun!” in the classroom. In her free time, you’ll find Mariana playing with her twin boys, exploring the Smithsonian museums, and baking.
Dr. Mariana's publications include:
- Overexpression of initiator methionine tRNA leads to global reprogramming of tRNA expression and increased proliferation in human epithelial cells
- Vaccinia and influenza A viruses select rather than adjust tRNAs to optimize translation
- Profiling non-lysyl tRNAs in HIV-1
- tRNA over-expression in breast cancer and functional consequences
- A Role for tRNA Modifications in Genome Structure and Codon Usage
- Leucine-tRNA Initiates at CUG Start Codons for Protein Synthesis and Presentation by MHC Class I
- Genome-wide analysis of N1-methyl-adenosine modification in human tRNAs
- HIV-1 Modulates the tRNA Pool to Improve Translation Efficiency
- Codon-usage-based inhibition of HIV protein synthesis by human schlafen 11
Anne Sharp, Literature, Upper School English and Journalism
Anne brings over 20 years of teaching experience in secondary public schools, and in independent teaching programs. She's a graduate of The College of William & Mary and currently serves of the Board of Trustees for The College of William & Mary Foundation. Anne is also a member and consultant for the Northern Virginia Writing Project. Anne brings excitement to literature and is passionate about giving kids the opportunity to publish their written work.
Anne brings over 20 years of teaching experience in secondary public schools, and in independent teaching programs. She's a graduate of The College of William & Mary and currently serves of the Board of Trustees for The College of William & Mary Foundation. Anne is also a member and consultant for the Northern Virginia Writing Project. Anne brings excitement to literature and is passionate about giving kids the opportunity to publish their written work.
Juliana Heitz, Co-Founder, Director of Admissions, Economics and Entrepreneurship
Juliana grew up in Northern Virginia, after moving to the US from Venezuela when she was seven, and attended Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, where she met Ryan (Heitz). After high school, Juliana traveled north to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology where she received bachelor’s degrees in Economics and Management. She started in management consulting after graduation and for more than a decade, she was in charge of business operations and project management for major corporations. Her day-to-day work ran the gamut of the business world, including managing multi-million dollar budgets, complying with changing accounting standards and, of course, meeting aggressive system implementation deadlines. But after years of success, Juliana was ready to tackle something new. That new challenge came to her when she couldn’t find innovative science classes that challenged and engaged her gifted, math-science kids. Most parents might go out and buy a microscope or science kit. But Juliana and Ryan knew they could do something more, something that would make an impact in the community, and that grew to be Ideaventions Academy.
Juliana grew up in Northern Virginia, after moving to the US from Venezuela when she was seven, and attended Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, where she met Ryan (Heitz). After high school, Juliana traveled north to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology where she received bachelor’s degrees in Economics and Management. She started in management consulting after graduation and for more than a decade, she was in charge of business operations and project management for major corporations. Her day-to-day work ran the gamut of the business world, including managing multi-million dollar budgets, complying with changing accounting standards and, of course, meeting aggressive system implementation deadlines. But after years of success, Juliana was ready to tackle something new. That new challenge came to her when she couldn’t find innovative science classes that challenged and engaged her gifted, math-science kids. Most parents might go out and buy a microscope or science kit. But Juliana and Ryan knew they could do something more, something that would make an impact in the community, and that grew to be Ideaventions Academy.
