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!
Meghan Koegler
Senior Instructor
Meghan graduated from University of Dayton with a bachelor’s in education, concentrating in natural sciences. She taught third grade in Dayton for several years, then after moving to Columbus taught middle school science. One of her favorite experiences teaching was heading the school science fair. She loves helping students with the scientific method. In her free time, she loves to travel, read, and spend time with her family.
Meenakshi Kappagantula
Instructor
Meenakshi is a 2nd year Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering student at Case Western Reserve University. She was acknowledged as a Summa Cum Laude graduate from the Olentangy High School as well as an AP Scholar with Distinction. She has pursued Classical Kuchipudi for 14 years and has attained the honours of Natya Tarangini from Guru Parampara School of Arts after completing her Ranga Pravesam. She now is an Undergraduate Research Assistant and a member of the Pi Beta Phi fraternity for women. In her free time she loves to play video games, read, and listen to/play music!
Lii Whitaker
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.
Jovanna Lige
Assistant Instructor
Jovanna is a sophomore at Olentangy Berlin High School. She enjoys teaching children more about STEM, and aspires to attend Harvard Law after college. When not hanging out with her friends or family, she may be found on the track.
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.
