Ann Bessenbacher
Senior Research Associate and Lead Data Scientist
Evaluation and Learning Research Center (ELRC)
Education Administration
About
Ann has over 20 years of experience in data management and analysis, particularly as it relates to educational research and evaluation. She has served as primary data scientist for projects funded by a wide array of public and private organizations, including NSF, NIH, CDC, U.S. DOE, USDA, USAID, DHHS, Lily Endowment, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Kresge Foundation, and Lumina Foundation. She has also acted as the technology steward for a science gateway for 15 years and has both deep knowledge of the power of these sites and experience deploying that power to facilitate understanding of data science by novices from both STEM and non-STEM backgrounds.
Ann lives with her husband on a small hobby farm West of campus. In her free time, she takes care of their pets, reads, gardens, and makes chocolates.
Education
- B.S. in Mathematics/Computer Science, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 1997
- B.S. in Industrial Management, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 1997
Career Experience
- 2021-Present Senior Research Associate and Lead Data Scientist, Evaluation and Learning Research Center, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
- 2017-2021 Data Scientist, Evaluation and Learning Research Center, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
- 2007-2016 Project Coordinator, Discovery Learning Research Center, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
- 2001-2007 Data Query Specialist, Space Management and Academic Scheduling, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
- 2000-2001 Data Operations Manager, National Snow and Ice Data Center, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO
- 1999-2000 Senior Operations Technician, National Snow and Ice Data Center, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO
- 1998-1999 Ingest Distribution Technician, National Snow and Ice Data Center, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO
- 1998-2008 Webmaster and Consultant, Department of Foods and Nutrition, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
- 1997-1998 Statistical Research Analyst, Department of Foods and Nutrition, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
- 1993-1997 Extension Assistant, Department of Foods and Nutrition, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
Awards & Honors
- 2024 Bravo Award, College of Education, Purdue University
- 2019-2020 CADRE Fellowship, Indiana University Libraries
- 2014 Sunrise Award, Office of the Vice President for Research Purdue University
- 2013 “Science” Editor’s Choice selection for Education — 9/6/2013 Adedokun, O.A., Bessenbacher, A., Parker, L.C., Kirkham, L. & Burgess, W.D. (2013). Undergraduate Research Experiences: Modeling Relationships among Program Outcomes. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 50(8), 940-951
- 2006 NASA Group Achievement Award for the EOSDIS Data Center Customer Support Team
- 2000 Employee of the Year Award, National Snow and Ice Data Center, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO
Professional Affiliations/Memberships
- 2019 – Current, Data Visualization Society
- 2017 – Current, American Evaluation Association
- 2016 – Current, Science Gateways Community