Lisa Trahan

Research leadership development, strategic programs and initiatives 

With a focus on advancing the positive impacts of scholarship on society, Lisa's expertise spans education and outreach, research strategy, and strategic planning. Bringing more than a decade of experience in STEM education and career development, her background encompasses educational research, program development, and program evaluation and assessment across diverse settings, including museums, schools, non-profit organizations, and higher education. In the Office of Research and Innovation, Lisa drives several strategic initiatives aligned with the University's strategic plan. Her portfolio includes leadership development programs for principal investigators, strategic research convenings, and internal funding programs. Previously, Lisa served as the Director of Strategic Initiatives and Assessment at the IDEA Engineering Student Center in the Jacobs School of Engineering. Before UC San Diego, Lisa led efforts to enhance the impact of informal STEM education and outreach as a researcher and program evaluator at UC Berkeley's Lawrence Hall of Science. Lisa earned her Bachelor's in Anthropology with a minor in Education from UC Berkeley and her Master's in Museum Studies from John F. Kennedy University. 

Email: ltrahan@ucsd.edu