Olubukola Akanbi
Research Associate
OLUBUKOLA AKANBI
Research Associate
Olubukola plays a key role in survey research design, survey testing, data reviews, and compilation and interpretation of data. She uses her research skills to solve complex research problems and uncover pain points, behaviors, and needs. She’s an expert in both quantitative and qualitative research methods.
Before joining Art & Science Group, Olubukola worked as an information specialist at Montgomery College Library, Rockville, and as a Graduate Research Assistant at the University of Baltimore. During her time there, she worked as a design and usability researcher. She also worked in the role of adjunct instructor at the College of Arts and Sciences, University of Baltimore while pursuing her doctorate in Information and Interaction Design.
Beyond the Work
Olubukola is the first child and grew up in Oyo, a city in southwestern Nigeria. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, watching movies, and spending quality time with family and friends. She is blessed with three wonderful children and a lovely husband. Olubukola is inspired by the life, work, and teachings of Dr. David Oyedepo, a preacher and leader. Her favorite travel destination is Cape Town, South Africa.
Education
B.S. Library and Information Studies, University of Ibadan, Nigeria
M.S. Information Science, University of Pretoria, South Africa
D.S. Information and Interaction Design, University of Baltimore
Carter Carter
Research Assistant
CARTER CARTER
Research Assistant
As a member of the Research Team, Carter utilizes his expertise in data analysis to uncover meaningful insights that best characterize clients’ desired needs and goals. He works collaboratively with other Research Team members to ensure high-quality data collection, survey design, and statistical analysis, helping to inform key decision-making processes. Through a combination of quantitative and qualitative research methods, Carter translates complex datasets into actionable findings for research projects and client reports.
Prior to joining Art & Science Group, Carter worked as a Data Analyst at the University of Maryland, where he focused on public health interventions. He has experience cleaning and managing large datasets, conducting exploratory and statistical analyses, and developing research manuscripts on topics including PrEP adherence among Black transgender women, tobacco prevention messaging for LGBTQ+ youth, and youth health behaviors using survey data. His work has contributed to multiple academic publications and public health initiatives aimed at improving health outcomes in underserved communities.
Beyond the Work
Carter grew up moving internationally living in places like Kuwait, the Philippines, Mauritius, and Norway, shaping his global perspectives. Outside of research, he is passionate about community engagement, having volunteered in HIV testing initiatives and harm reduction efforts in Washington, DC. When he’s not working with data, Carter enjoys cooking foods from his many backgrounds, going to the gym, playing recreational soccer with friends, making fragrances, and spending time with his two cats Fig and Fry.
Education
B.S. Family Science, University of Maryland, College Park
B.S. Public Health Science, University of Maryland, College Park
M.P.H. Biostatistics, University of Maryland, College Park
Lara Fields
Research Associate
LARA FIELDS
Research Associate
Lara Fields leads the firm’s qualitative research efforts. With almost a decade of experience supporting research and operations for education and nonprofit organizations, she plays a key role in qualitative research design, data gathering, project management, and analysis and reporting for client projects. Lara understands the important role qualitative data plays in providing context for issues facing higher education and K-12 schools and uses her expertise in qualitative methodologies to illuminate the market-informed strategies that best align with client needs.
Having previously supported A&S as a Research Assistant and then as an Affiliate Consultant, Lara has worked with a wide range of clients including colleges and universities such as Augsburg University, Bates College, Berea College, Bryn Mawr College, Case Western Reserve University, College of Saint Mary, Denison University, Grinnell College, Loyola Marymount University, Ursinus College, Washington University in St. Louis, and Whitman College and independent schools including Mary Institute and Saint Louis Country Day School, Milton Hershey School, The Hockaday School, and The Nueva School.
Before joining A&S in her current role, Lara was an administrator with Baltimore City Public Schools, where she supported the management of district-wide social-emotional learning curriculum, health services, athletics programming, and attendance monitoring initiatives. In addition to her experience in education, Lara has aided research and operations for arts and culture, public history, and international health and development organizations.
Beyond the work:
As a life-long cat lady, Lara enjoys lounging on the couch with her cat, Petra and watching the latest true crime docuseries. Lara is also an avid cook and often experiments in the kitchen with new cuisines and recipes; the spicier the better! When seeking adventure, Lara likes to find hidden karaoke spots around town with friends.
Education
A.B. Anthropology and Classical & Near Eastern Archaeology, Bryn Mawr College
Terry Houser
Executive Director of Research
TERRY HOUSER
Executive Director of Research
Terry Houser has a central role in all research projects from study design to the final presentation of findings to clients. With over fifteen years of experience in higher education research, Terry brings a high level of expertise to each project, while continuing to innovate and refine the firm’s research and statistical methodology. He works directly with project teams to analyze the results of research findings, interpret data, and develop reports. Terry directs all project work from the start of projects, determining the appropriate methodological design and approach for a project, through the analysis of the raw research data that have come in from the field. As the head of the research department, Terry manages, mentors, and trains the other members of the research team and conducts high-level statistical analyses for a wide range of projects, including large-scale survey research, econometric financial aid and retention analyses, and analyses of other client and secondary data. He has particular expertise in coordinating the firm’s advanced simulated decision modeling (SDM) process and results for all major client studies.
Since joining the firm in 2007, Terry has worked on large-scale research projects for a wide range of clients, including colleges and universities—such as Agnes Scott College, Dartmouth College, University of Chicago, Chicago-Kent College of Law, The Catholic University of America, Claremont McKenna College, Hendrix College, University of Richmond, Haverford College, University of Michigan, and the University of Virginia—and independent schools—such as The Buckley School, Norfolk Academy, The Nueva School, Philips Brooks School, Woodberry Forest School, and Milton Hershey School. Terry also plays a key role in conducting data analyses for studentPOLL, the firm’s national omnibus poll surveying college-bound high school students about their attitudes and behavior regarding the college search process.
Before joining the firm, Terry served as a research assistant and interviewer for the American Institutes for Research (AIR), where he played a key role in a longitudinal survey of Baltimore third graders focused on analyzing the effectiveness of a classroom-based intervention program implemented in several first-grade classrooms in the city.
Beyond the Work
When not enjoying America’s pastime, watching “dem’ O’s” at Camden Yards, Terry’s favorite pastime is finding new places to explore and playing disc golf. But no activity can compete with spending time with his amazing wife and daughter, and their dog, Ginny Hendricks—as they listen to his collection of vinyl or cassette tapes, or play with his retro gaming consoles from his youth.
Education
B.S. Psychology / Sociology, James Madison University
M.S. Predictive Analytics, Northwestern University
Leilani Martinez
Research Assistant
LEILANI MARTINEZ
Research Assistant
As a member of the Research Team, Leilani utilizes her experience with data analyzation to compose stories that best characterize clients’ needs and goals. Leilani leverages her written and oral communication skills through collaboration with other Research Team members to ensure quality data is received via surveys and informed conclusions are made to best serve our clients.
Prior to joining the Art & Science Group just six months after graduating college, Leilani interned with the National Institute of Standards and Technology during as an undergraduate. At NIST, she worked on the production and publication of cybersecurity guidance for the world of research in higher education as well as informed recommendations to folks working with voting technology.
Beyond the Work
Leilani was born a Los Angeles Dodgers fan due to her father’s upbringing on Guam; the tiny island in Micronesia where only LA sports were available arriving as video tapes via boat at least one day after any sporting event. Outside of her love for the boys in Dodger blue, Leilani is an avid music fan. At the University of Maryland, she was a radio host and has over 100 concerts under her belt. During baseball’s off-season or when there aren’t any concerts to attend Leilani likes nothing more than to snuggle up with her cats, Yoshi and Tsuki, and knit.
Education
B.S. Social Data Science, University of Maryland, College Park
Neal Patterson
Research Associate
NEAL PATTERSON
Research Associate
Neal plays a key role in compiling and interpreting data to develop reports. He specializes in the areas of survey testing, data entry, analysis of data on client competition, and the development of research presentations. He works closely with the project team to ensure that presentations address the specific needs of the clients. Neal also updates and curates the firm’s numerous databases which catalog the firm’s vast analytical material from the past 30 years.
Neal first joined the firm in 2018 after many years working in the fields of public relations, financial communications, and freelance writing. He soon discovered that his research skills, eye for detail, and ability to analyze and provide perspective on raw data were perfectly suited to the world of quantitative research analysis.
Prior to joining the firm, Neal spent over a decade writing about food and pop culture. He’s co-authored three books on Maryland cuisine and a collection of short stories.
Beyond the Work
Neal spends most of his free time reading (mysteries and science fiction are favorites, but also history and biographies). When he is feeling crafty, Neal likes to build models and create custom action figures. He and his wife love cooking and keeping up with the Baltimore restaurant scene.
Education
B.A. English, University of Baltimore
Lisa Simmons
Research Manager
LISA SIMMONS
Research Manager
Lisa has a wealth of experience using quantitative and qualitative data to understand complex problems and provide informed recommendations to businesses and nonprofits situated at the intersections of higher education and community initiatives. Transforming data and findings into evidence-based perspectives and recommendations is her favorite part of the work. As Research Manager, she helps write, design, build, and analyze data from surveys, and also, conducts qualitative interviews and focus groups, and contributes to other ad-hoc research projects in support of secondary research initiatives at the firm.
Before joining Art & Science Group, Lisa spent 10 years managing all aspects of large-scale survey projects with K-12 and higher education stakeholders and private industry partners as a research faculty member at Auburn University. The projects focused on external and program evaluations that supported the increase of educational access and outcomes for disadvantaged student populations through STEM-based programming. Previously, she also worked at a high-security juvenile detention center that used data and research to inform treatment and release from incarceration.
Lisa is an affiliated faculty member at Auburn University and has served in multiple leadership roles in professional associations such as the American Evaluation Association and the Southeast Evaluation Association.
Beyond the Work
When not lost in complex data tables, Lisa can be found seeking out new places to walk or ride bikes with the family rescue dogs, Sophie, a husky mix, and Phoebe, a corgi mix. An ardent supporter and devotee of National Sandwich Day, she honors and celebrates the day appropriately every November 3rd and continues to demonstrate her devotion to sandwiches while tailgating with friends and family and cheering on the Tigers at Auburn games.
Education
B.A. Psychology, Auburn University
M.A. Developmental Psychology, Teachers College, Columbia University
Ph.D. Educational Psychology and Program Evaluation, Auburn University