• Grdina, M.J. (2009, November). The Awesome Task of Evaluation: Who Holds the Responsibility? Educational Leadership, 67(3).
• “Site Specificity in the Singlet Oxygen/Trisubstituted Olefin Reaction,” with L.M. Stephenson and M. Orfanopoulos, J. Amer. Chem. Soc. 101, 275 (1979).
• “A Convenient Synthetic Sequence for the Stereoselective Deuterium Labeling of Olefins in the Allylic Position,” with L.M. Stephenson and M. Orfanopoulos, J. Org. Chem. 44, 2936 (1979).
• “Stereochemical Dependence of Isotope Effects in the Singlet Oxygen - Olefin Reaction,”with L. M. Stephenson and M. Orfanopoulos, J. Amer. Chem. Soc. 101, 3111 (1979)
• “Concerning Zwitterionic Perepoxides or Diradical Intermediates in the Singlet Oxygen - Olefin Ene Reaction,” with L. M. Stephenson and M. Orfanopoulos, Tetrahedron Letters, 4351 (1979).
• “The Mechanism of the Ene Reaction Between Singlet Oxygen and Olefins,” with L. M. Stephenson and M. Orfanopoulos, Accts. Chem. Res. 13, 419 (1980)
• “Onium Ylide Chemistry. 1. Bifunctional Acid” Base Catalyzed Conversion of Heterosubstituted Methanes into Ethylene and Derived Hydrocarbons. The Onium Ylide Mechanism of the C1 - C2 Conversion,” with George Olah, et. al., J. Amer. Chem. Soc. 106, 2143 (1984).

• Science Education
• Preparation and Professional Development of Science Educators
• Informal Science Education
• Physics in Philadelphia
• Diversity Discourse in On-Line Courses

• Drexel University, Goodwin College of Professional Studies, School of Education
  Associate Clinical Professor (2003-present)
• Springside Chestnut Hill Academy
  Kleckner Scientist in Residence (2012)
• Montclair Public Schools (Montclair, NJ)
  Supervisor, Math & Science (2002-03)
• Kinnelon Public Schools (Kinnelon, NJ)
  Lead Teacher, Math/Science & Technology (1999-2002)
• Kinnelon Public Schools
  Teacher, Chemistry and Physics (1986-1999)
• Woodbury High School (NJ)
  Teacher, Chemistry and Physics (1983-86)
• Crossroads School for the Performing Arts and Sciences (Santa Monica, CA)
  Teacher, Chemistry and Physics (1982)
• University of Southern California, Hydrocarbon Research Institute
  Postdoctoral Research Assistant (1980-81)
• Oberlin College
  Visiting Assistant Professor, Chemistry
• Notre Dame College
  Assistant Professor, Chemistry (1974-79)

Presentations:

• Rethinking Learning: Teacher Educators Reflect on Teaching Diversity Online. 33rd Annual Ethnography in Education Research Forum, Feb. 2012.

• Looking in the Mirror: Instructors’ Reflections on the Multicultural Countenance of Online Courses. 21st Annual International NAME Conference, Nov. 2011.

• Physics at the Art Museum. Philadelphia Museum of Art Educator Series, April 2011.

• Physics at the Art Museum; Physics at Franklin Square Playground. Philadelphia Science Festival Presentations, April 2011.

• The Creative Educator. Keynote Address for the Pennsylvania Coalition of Public Charter Schools, Oct. 2010.

I joined the faculty of the School of Education of Drexel University in 2003. My journey to the School of Education is a little unique in that I did not study education in graduate school. My PhD is in organic chemistry. This degree led to a long career as a science educator on the high school and the college levels and administrative curricular work in New Jersey public schools.

When I came to Drexel, I continued my projects and interest in how learning science can take place in informal settings. While a high school physics teacher, I used grant money from the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation to explore Physics on Fifth Avenue. Most recently, through a grant from Subaru of America, I developed Physics at the Art Museum, an app that explores the role of science in art.

I currently live in Philadelphia and spend time doting on two beautiful grandchildren and perfecting ballroom dancing skills. I took up ballroom dancing six years ago and have gone to several competitions. It is my way of exercising and exploring the physics of dancing!