Staff Members
Staff Members
Carrie Beth Miller Smith
Franchise Owner
Carrie Beth Miller Smith holds multiple degrees from MIT, a master’s degree from Harvard, and has spent 27+ years working professionally in IT. She is currently employed as an Executive Director at JP Morgan Chase bank. Additionally, Carrie spent 9 years working as a tutor in STEM fields and 15+ years serving as an independent school textbook evaluator for McGraw-Hill. After 14 years of service with Delaware County, Carrie recently retired as a dual foster/adoptive mother. She was privileged to add to her family five times through adoption with her late husband and co-founder, Robert Wesley Smith, and looks forward to being your family-friendly STEM learning provider.
Matthew Marsh
Center Director
Matt is a true renaissance person, holding degrees and certifications in Applied Technology, Ecotourism, Adventure Travel, Phlebotomy, and as an EMT. He has spent almost a decade and a half teaching children in hands-on science and camp experiences, including children with special needs. Matt is constantly researching fun new ways to build and enjoy science and technology projects, which usually involves some sort of gloriously messy but well-controlled and -designed experiment in our lab. In his spare time he enjoys kayaking, climbing, Frisbee golf, building bicycles, and rehabilitating old houses.
Deena Fenske
Assistant Center Director
Deena has been a part of the Stemtree family since 2020, joining the Lewis Center location in October 2023, and has more than 10 years overall experience working with children! She graduated from Ohio State University in 2019 with her Bachelor's degree in Psychology, and has a background in child development and STEM. She is currently working on her Master's at Wright State University for School Counseling. Deena loves getting to know each and every one of the Stemtree kids and has a true passion and devotion to helping them learn and grow!
Sai Kondapalli
Senior Instructor
Sai is a second-year undergraduate pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Biology, with a focus on pre-med studies at The Ohio State University, where he has a growing interest in healthcare, research, and cardiology. Outside the classroom, he is actively involved in club cricket as well as the cricket team at Ohio State, which has taught him the value of teamwork, discipline, and resilience. He also has experience tutoring students in English and math, which has strengthened his communication skills and deepened his passion for learning and helping others. He is also part of other organizations through volunteering efforts at Red Cross, Mount Carmel, OSU Wexner, and Friendship Village Senior living.
Lii Whitaker
Senior Instructor
Lii is a recent graduate of Olentangy High School, set to attend Oberlin College and Conservatory in the coming academic year. Lii is a recipient of a National Merit Scholarship, as well as the Ohio Seal of Biliteracy in Spanish and plans to study biology, mathematics, and music in college. Outside of academics, Lii enjoys playing the viola, hiking, and playing with their dog. They also spend a lot of their time making things by sewing, painting, and working in their carpentry shop. Lii enjoys working with students of all ages, especially when it comes to passing on their love for STEM subjects.
Maureen Nafula
Assistant Instructor
Maureen Nafula is a junior at Hayes High School. Aspiring to enter the STEM field, she has joined many science programs and entered leadership roles, such as her position as Treasurer in the Unity Community Center’s STEAM Club. Maureen’s free time is typically spent crocheting and doing other grandma activities, though she does make time for family, friends, and Marvel projects.
Claire Bowman
Marketing Events Coordinator
Claire Bowman holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Communications from Ohio University. Claire brings her bubbly personality and love of helping children to coordinate public events for Stemtree of Lewis Center. In her spare time, she loves watching baseball and softball, and is passionate about pursuing the cure for Type 1 Diabetes.
