Elisabeth Mesiner has a PhD from the University of Maryland from the department of Teaching & Learning, Policy & Leadership. She holds an MS from in curriculum and instruction with a focus on science education and a BS in social science education from Florida State University. Her research centers around reformed, responsive science instruction, problems of practice, and science teacher identity, particularly with early career science teachers. Prior to her doctoral studies, she was a sixth grade science teacher at a developmental lab school affiliated with Florida State University.