About Us
Leadership
Ola Ozernov-Palchik, Ph.D. is a developmental cognitive neuroscientist who advances the use of AI for literacy assessment and data-driven literacy instruction. She is Research Faculty at Boston University’s Wheelock College of Education & Human Development, where she serves as Associate Director of Translational Research for the AI and Education Initiative and Founder and Director of the Evidence-Based AI in Learning (EVAL) Industry Collaborative. At MIT, she is a Research Scientist at the McGovern Institute for Brain Research.
Author of more than 30 publications in Nature Communications*, NeuroImage, and NeurIPS, Ozernov-Palchik’s research investigates the neurocognitive mechanisms underlying language and reading comprehension in both typical development and dyslexia. She has led large-scale school-based and remote randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and translational research initiatives that bring rigorous science into classrooms to improve early screening and data-driven literacy instruction.
She is a national thought leader on AI’s role in education, advising philanthropies and EdTech innovators, speaking at major conferences, and designing a graduate program that prepares educators to critically evaluate and implement AI responsibly.
*in revision
Mary Bready is the project coordinator on the Evidence-Based AI in Learning (EVAL) Industry Collaborative. In this role, she is supporting the launch of the EVAL Industry Challenge by coordinating logistics, managing partner communications, and contributing to the design of evaluation and submission processes. She is excited about the potential of AI to be used to support children’s academic and cognitive development.
Before coming to BU Wheelock, Ms. Bready earned her MA in Child Study and Human Development from Tufts University, where she studied literacy development and research methodology. She brings both research coordination and classroom experience to the EVAL team, having previously managed large-scale literacy research initiatives and taught in early childhood and out-of-school-time programs for seven years.
Advisory Board
Maryanne Wolf, Ed.D., Director, Center for Dyslexia, Diverse Learners, and Social Justice, UCLA
A world-renowned cognitive neuroscientist and author of Proust and the Squid and Reader, Come Home, Dr. Wolf is an international authority on the reading brain and the effects of technology on literacy development. Her work integrates neuroscience, education, and ethics, illuminating how digital media reshapes comprehension and empathy. She advises EVAL on bridging neuroscience and AI to promote equitable, deep reading and learning in the digital age.
Chris Barton, Founder and CEO, Shazam; Investor and Philanthropist in Technology for Good
The founder of Shazam, one of the earliest large-scale AI applications acquired by Apple, Chris Barton brings decades of experience at the intersection of innovation and impact. His leadership in human-centered technology and data ethics informs EVAL’s approach to responsible AI in education. He contributes expertise in scaling evidence-based technology solutions while maintaining social responsibility and accessibility.
Yoky Matsuoka, Ph.D., Executive Officer of Panasonic, Global and Innovation Executive
Dr. Yoky Matsuoka is a technology and AI leader bridging academia and Silicon Valley to develop transformative solutions to empower people to be who they want to be. Dr. Matsuoka co-founded Google X, served as CTO/VP at Google/Nest, and helped lead Apple’s health initiatives to shape human-centered intelligent systems. Before her work in Silicon Valley, she was a pioneer in the intersection of robotics, AI, and neuroscience as a professor at Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Washington. She is a founder of YokyWorks Foundation, focused on technology tools for early intervention for dyslexia. She earned her Ph.D. and S.M. from MIT, and her B.S. from UC Berkeley. She was featured as one of Forbes “50 over 50” women in tech & innovation, and Inc. Top Female Founders in 2023. She lives with one husband, four children, two dogs, two cats, two horses, and one pig.
Nathan Jones, Ph.D., Commissioner, Institute of Education Sciences (IES); Associate Professor of Special Education, Boston University Wheelock College of Education & Human Development
Dr. Jones is a national leader in education research and policy, serving as Commissioner at the U.S. Department of Education’s Institute of Education Sciences (IES), where he oversees research, evaluation, and data initiatives that shape evidence standards nationwide. He is also affiliated faculty with the Wheelock Educational Policy Center (WEPC) and a founding member of the BU Faculty of Computing & Data Sciences. His work bridges rigorous quantitative science with practical implementation to improve learning outcomes at scale. He provides EVAL with strategic guidance on research design, methodological rigor, and the development of transparent, policy-relevant evidence frameworks for AI and learning technologies.
Kristyn Manoukian, M.Sc., Program Director, The Learning Agency
With experience across nonprofits, government, and philanthropy in the United States and internationally, Ms. Manoukian leads strategy, development, and operations for evidence-driven education initiatives. She previously served as Director of Strategy and Development at Teach For Armenia and worked in the United Nations Resident Coordinator’s Office in Yerevan. She advises EVAL on partnership development, funding approaches, and implementation planning for multi-stakeholder evaluations that advance equitable learning outcomes.
Educator Advisor Board
Nancy Blair
Nancy Blair is the co-founder of the AIM Institute for Learning and Research and AIM Academy, an independent school dedicated to providing educational opportunities to children with language-based learning disabilities such as dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia. Her work bridges the gap between research and classroom practice through AIM’s partnerships with Haskins Global Literacy Hub and the Florida Center for Reading Research. She is a leader in teacher training and is a Level I Wilson Trainer. She previously served on the New York City Department of Education’s Literacy Advisory Council. In November 2022, Nancy and co-founder Pat Roberts received the International Dyslexia Association’s Excellence in Leadership Award for their significant contributions to reshaping education for individuals with learning differences and teacher training on literacy through AIM Pathways.
Nancy Duggan
Nancy Duggan is the co-founder and executive director of Decoding Dyslexia Massachusetts and also serves as the executive director of the YokyWorks Foundation. She is a school counseling professional, Orton-Gillingham reading therapist, and educational consultant and has led professional development in reading, dyslexia, and learning disabilities. Currently, she is a member of Massachusetts’ Early Literacy Expert Panel.
Megan Gierka
Megan Gierka, Ed.D. is the Head of Implementation Strategy at the AIM Institute for Learning & Research, where she translates literacy research into actionable solutions for educators and policymakers. A former public school teacher, Title I reading specialist, and instructional coach, she brings deep practitioner insight to large-scale systems change. Megan has co-authored professional learning courses with leading reading researchers, co-developed the Animated Alphabet with Dr. Linnea Ehri, and partnered with state education departments in Maryland, Mississippi, and North Dakota to design and sustain structured literacy initiatives. Her work focuses on transforming evidence-based reading research into scalable, equitable, and lasting improvements in literacy education.
Brian McMahon
Brian McMahon, Ph.D. brings over 20 years of experience in education, with the last 12 years focused on accountability and data-driven problem solving. As the leader of a department overseeing accountability measures, assessment systems, artificial intelligence, and data/information services, he empowers stakeholders at all levels to develop systems that leverage data to drive continuous improvement. Dr. McMahon is particularly proud of creating a robust data ecosystem in Power BI employing machine learning and other AI tools, which, alongside a locally designed, prescriptive school improvement system, has been instrumental in the district earning an A grade from the Florida Department of Education for the third consecutive year. Under his leadership, the district has achieved the highest growth rate in the state since 2018-2019 and is now ranked 5th statewide. Dr. McMahon also serves on the Board of Directors for the United Way of Indian River County and on the National Assessment Advisory Board for Curriculum Associates. His research interests are in educational early warning systems and has published work in the area. Above all, he is most proud of his wife, Christina, and their four children: Grace, Eliana, Jack, and Lilia.
Joan Mele-McCarthy
Dr. Mele-McCarthy is a speech-language pathologist and the executive director of The Summit School, an independent school serving children with dyslexia and other learning differences. In her clinical work, she has provided services to children with communication disorders, reading difficulties, and executive function challenges. She also brings a policy background, having done work on the No Child Left Behind Act and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA 2004) and having served as a Senior Policy Advisor and Special Assistant to the Assistant Secretary of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services (OSERS) in the U.S. Department of Education. Her publications include peer reviewed articles and book chapters related to policy for federal education legislation, students with disabilities, and English Learners with disabilities.
Pat Roberts
Patricia Roberts is the co-founder of the AIM Institute for Learning and Research and AIM Academy, an independent school dedicated to providing educational opportunities to children with language-based learning disabilities such as dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia. Her work bridges the gap between research and classroom practice through AIM’s partnerships with Haskins Global Literacy Hub and the Florida Center for Reading Research. At West Chester University’s Lab School, she trained teachers to translate research into the classroom. She also founded the Primak Educational Foundation, Early Learning Associates, and PTS Learning Systems. She previously served on the New York City Department of Education’s Literacy Advisory Council. In November 2022, Pat and co-founder Nancy Blair received the International Dyslexia Association’s Excellence in Leadership Award for their significant contributions to reshaping education for individuals with learning differences and teacher training on literacy through AIM Pathways.
Luisa Sparrow
Luisa Sparrow is a special education teacher at the Oliver Hazard Perry School in Boston Public Schools and is the 2025 Massachusetts Teacher of the Year. She teaches fifth and sixth graders with significant intellectual disabilities in a multi-grade, self-contained classroom and designed her school’s inclusive Cooking Club to create accessible environments where everyone feels a sense of belonging. Sparrow began her teaching career in the Rio Grande Valley as a Teach For America corps member, and worked as an educator in Costa Rica and Delaware before moving to Massachusetts. She is a Teach Plus alum and an inaugural member of the Education Week Magazine Teacher Advisory Panel. Sparrow holds National Board Certification as an exceptional needs specialist and supports Boston teachers who are pursuing National Board Certification through the Boston Public Schools/Boston Teachers Union National Board Program.
Institutional Foundation
The Evidence-Based AI in Learning (EVAL) Industry Collaborative is anchored at Boston University, bringing together the strengths of the Wheelock College of Education & Human Development, the Hariri Institute for Computing, and the AI & Education Initiative.
- Wheelock College provides deep expertise in educational research across literacy, mathematics and science education, special education, early childhood, social-emotional learning, and multilingual education, as well as strong partnerships with schools and policymakers.
- The Hariri Institute contributes cutting-edge computational and data science capabilities, fostering cross-disciplinary collaborations that apply AI to pressing societal challenges.
- The AI & Education Initiative bridges these strengths, advancing research at the intersection of AI, learning, and equity.
Together, these institutions provide the foundation for EVAL’s mission: combining rigorous research, educational science, and advanced computational methods to ensure that AI technologies in education are effective, ethical, and equitable.
Our Solution
The Evidence-Based AI in Learning (EVAL) Industry Collaborative was created to help close the gap between rapid innovation and rigorous evidence. Rather than slowing innovation, we aim to strengthen it through partnership. By working directly with EdTech companies, we provide the research infrastructure and expertise that can demonstrate impact, build trust, and accelerate adoption in schools.
Through these partnerships, EVAL helps companies to:
- Embed rigorous evaluation into the product cycle, so tools are tested not only for novelty but for real-world learning outcomes.
- Translate decades of educational and cognitive science research into AI design and evaluation. For example, we draw on evidence from literacy research on how children learn to read, from mathematics education on how students develop reasoning, and from implementation science on how to support teachers in adopting new practices.
- Engage educators, students, and families as co-designers, ensuring products are relevant, equitable, and grounded in classroom realities.
- Generate trusted evidence that helps schools, districts, and policymakers make informed decisions.
Our goal is to create a process—similar to an “FDA for Education”—that supports innovation while ensuring AI technologies are effective, ethical, and equitable. By building this bridge between research, cognitive science, and industry, EVAL empowers companies to scale solutions that truly improve learning for all students.
From Vision to Practice
EVAL is more than a call for responsible innovation — it is a practical framework for action. We bring together expertise from education, cognitive science, and implementation research with cutting-edge methodologies to evaluate AI in education at scale. By combining rigorous research design with close collaboration across schools, districts, and industry, we ensure that generative AI tools are tested not only for whether they work, but for whom they work, and under what conditions.
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