Kristine Peterson

College of Engineering

Engineering Education

Kristine Peterson is a graduate student in Engineering Education at Utah State University where she combines her passion for teaching, inclusion, and accessibility in STEM. During her undergraduate studies in Biological Engineering, she honed her teaching skills as a teaching assistant and undergraduate teaching and research fellow, supporting courses such as Mechanics of Materials and Heat and Mass Transport. Kristine is known for making learning fun by using memes and creative food metaphors to simplify complex concepts, making them more relatable and applicable to students' daily lives. Her dedication to teaching STEM extends beyond the classroom through her leadership in the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) since 2021. She has organized several award-winning outreach events, introducing over 1,600 K-12 students to hands-on engineering activities, with a focus on engaging rural and Indigenous communities. Diagnosed with Crohn's disease in 2020, she has become a champion for accessibility and advocates for individuals with disabilities in engineering. With eight years of research experience in biomaterials and pharmaceuticals, Kristine has published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences and presented her work at national conferences. Her unique approach integrates art, graphic design, and advocacy to make STEM more engaging and accessible for all.