Dr. Kristina Otero

VICE PRESIDENT OF EDUCATION

Dr. Kristina Otero is the Vice President of Education at the Aldrin Family Foundation. In her role, Dr. Otero works with teachers and school districts to develop curriculum, conduct research, and ensure the Aldrin Family Foundation programs are successful in classrooms. Beyond the Aldrin Family Foundation, Dr. Otero is a Courtesy Research Associate at University of Central Florida and a Visiting Research Scholar at University of Texas El Paso.

Dr. Otero has a Ph.D. in Science Education from the University of Central Florida. Her research interests in space education include student self-efficacy, STEM career interests, science teacher preparation, and educator professional development. She also has graduate certificates in Advanced Quantitative Methodologies from the University of Central Florida and in Commercial Space Studies from the Florida Institute of Technology. Her undergraduate degree is from the Florida Institute of Technology.

Dr. Otero has taught high school life sciences and undergraduate general science and science teaching methods courses. Prior to her roles in education, Dr. Otero was a marine mammal trainer for over a decade, through which she connected the public to marine and environmental conservation.