Our Team
David Simpson
Associate Dean for Diversity and Inclusion
David Simpson is the associate dean for diversity and inclusion. In this role, he oversees the Eberly College of Science’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion, which supports students, faculty, and staff through initiatives and programs to promote inclusive excellence. David works closely with many offices within the college, including human resources, undergraduate and graduate education, academic advising, science engagement, and more, to increase equity and a sense of belonging across the college.
Prior to joining Penn State, David was the special assistant to the provost for faculty success, provost initiatives coordinator for inclusive excellence, and an assistant professor in the Biological Engineering program at Wentworth Institute of Technology (WIT). During this time, David created multiple initiatives to engage students, faculty, and staff in DEI programs, including the GROW Framework (an equity-minded approach to support development) and the Equity in Learning initiative (a data-informed strategy to remove equity gaps in teaching and learning).
Before coming to WIT, he was the associate director for the Veterinary Institute for Regenerative Cures, director of the Regenerative Medicine Laboratory, and an assistant adjunct professor at the University of California, Davis. While at UC Davis, David helped to build a stem cell program at the School of Veterinary Medicine and taught classes in regenerative medicine. Prior to UC Davis, he was a senior scientist with Capricor Therapeutics and assisted in leading research and development strategies for the company’s therapeutic pipeline.
David earned his doctorate from the joint Biomedical Engineering program at Georgia Tech and Emory University. His thesis work focused on the development of tissue-engineering strategies to enhance cell delivery to cardiac tissue. His current research interests include the development and deployment of equity-minded teaching and learning strategies to support student success.
120 Ritenour Building
University Park, PA 16802
Telephone: 1-814-863-8900
dls6748@psu.edu
Samia Cooperider
Samia Cooperider is the Director of Undergraduate Equity Programs in the Eberly College of Science at Penn State University. In this role, she recruits and supports undergraduate students across the college, including those who participate in university scholarship programs and students within First-Year in Science and Engineering (FISE) living learning community. While supporting students, she creates and implements programming to engage students about and across difference, promote respectful dialogue, and create change for a better good.
Samia earned her Master of Science in College Student Personnel Administration from Illinois State University and her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Criminal Justice from University of Illinois.
Contact Info
115 Ritenour Building
University Park, PA 16802
Telephone: 1-814-863-5960
sxc1060@psu.edu
Aaron Mattingly
Dr. Aaron Mattingly-Daniels is the Director of Graduate Equity Programs in the Eberly College of Science. In this role, he recruits and supports both prospective and current graduate students across the college in alignment with diversity and inclusion initiatives. This includes support for conferences, the Graduate School Open House, Summer Research Opportunities Program, as well as developing inclusive academic and professional programming for graduate students throughout the year. Dr. Mattingly-Daniels earned his Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences at the University of California, San Francisco his Bachelor of Science in both Biochemistry and Biology at Virginia Tech.
Contact Info
117 Ritenour Building
University Park, PA 16802
Telephone: 1-814-863-8900
aaron.mattingly@psu.edu
Sophie Lelei
Sophie Lelei serves as a Graduate Assistant for the Office of Diversity and Inclusion in the Eberly College of Science. In this capacity, she supports undergraduate students in their daily educational and scholarly pursuits, including organizing student programs, workshops, and cultural month events. Additionally, she provides guidance to the undergraduate program assistants in the First-Year in Science and Engineering (FISE) living-learning community.
Sophie is currently a second-year MS/PhD student in the Geography program. She earned a B.S. in Data Sciences from Penn State.
Contact Info
116 Ritenour Building
University Park, PA 16802
Telephone: 1-814-865-5767
sul1056@psu.edu
How to Contact Us
Telephone: 1-814-863-5960
Email: sci-diversity@psu.edu
Climate and Diversity Feedback Form
Do you know of any climate- or diversity-related issues that should be addressed by the college’s Climate and Diversity Committee? We want to hear from you!