Research Team
Dr. Annelies Rhodes
Senior Director of Research
Prior to pursuing her PhD and joining E3 Alliance, Dr. Rhodes was a middle school science teacher for 13 years in Connecticut.
Her research explored teacher quality and educator pathways, especially in STEM subject areas.
Annelies holds a doctorate from The University of Texas at Austin. She also holds a master’s in Educational Leadership and a bachelor’s in Biology.
Rodrigo Lopez
Senior Data Analyst
As a first-generation college graduate, he knows firsthand the educational struggles many students face throughout their educational careers. Working under the Director of Research, Rodrigo is helping to effect positive change in the education of students through the analysis of educational data.
Rodrigo holds a bachelor’s degree in Physics (with honors) and a bachelor’s degree in Astronomy (with honors) from the University of Texas at Austin.
Karly Conroy
Graduate Research Assistant
Karly is a graduate research assistant from the University of Texas at Austin, where she is pursuing her doctorate degree in Education Policy and Planning.
Her research explores appropriate placement and least restrictive environment for students who qualify for special education services.
Prior to pursuing her PhD, Karly was a special education teacher in the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex for six years.
She also holds a master’s degree in Special Education, a graduate certification in Special Education Leadership, and a bachelor’s in Recreation Therapy.
Caylin Cox
Software Developer
Raised by a teacher, Caylin dreams of helping students who share her enthusiasm for Computer Science become better prepared and college ready.
Caylin Cox joined E3 Alliance after graduating from The University of Texas San Antonio, where she earned a bachelor’s in Computer Science with a concentration in Computer Engineering.
Harrison Hopp
Research Analyst
Harrison began his career as a high school math teacher in Dallas, Texas. Having witnessed the transformational role education plays in students’ lives, he is passionate about confronting educational inequities and expanding opportunities for students.
Prior to joining E3 Alliance, Harrison served as Senior Data Analyst for the Office of Student Enrollment at the New York City Department of Education, facilitating and researching the district’s high school admissions process. He also worked as Program Associate for the DC Public Education Fund, where he managed philanthropic investments in DC Public Schools’ strategic priorities.
Harrison is a Teach For America alum. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Economics from UC Berkeley.
Dr. Katherine Merriweather
Research Analyst
Katy’s professional background combines leadership and methodological expertise to realize education as powerful, transformative, and necessary.
Her research centers on educational outcomes and equity, including alternate assessments for students with significant cognitive disabilities, the academic opportunity gap, women’s careers in educational administration, and teacher career persistence.
Prior to joining E3 Alliance, she led and coordinated evaluation teams for portfolios of grants related to early childhood systems building and maternal and child health.
Katy holds a doctorate in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from the University of Kansas. She also holds a master’s in Educational Psychology: Human Development, Culture, and Learning Sciences and a bachelor’s in History (UTeach-Liberal Arts: Social Studies 8-12) from the University of Texas at Austin.
Joshua Scott
Senior Manager of Data Systems
Joshua came to E3 Alliance after being involved in the Austin Community College District’s Student Success Initiative as President of the college’s chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.
His professional experiences range from developing software for legislative analysis to developing ice cream flavors at Amy’s Ice Creams.
Kyle Trojahn
Research Analyst
Kyle’s experiences as a first-generation college student and proud product of public education at the K-12, undergraduate, and graduate levels have instilled in him a deep belief in the transformative power of education. His conviction that education is a powerful tool for socioeconomic mobility inspires his work and commitment.
Kyle began his career at the Department of Education at Washington University in St. Louis to support faculty in their teaching and research endeavors. Before joining E3 Alliance, he held professional policy research roles at RAND Corporation, Princeton University’s Andlinger Center for Energy and the Environment, The University of Texas at Austin School of Architecture’s Department of Regional & Community Planning, and the education and tech policy nonprofit Code.org.
He holds a master’s degree in government (specializing in American politics and quantitative methodology) from The University of Texas at Austin and a bachelor’s degree in political science and international relations from Truman State University (with Phi Beta Kappa honors).