Dr. Pearson leads the Educational Research Team (ERT), whose labor is sub-contracted through Rice. Dr. Pearson was an original founding author of the STRIDES Alliance grant and PI from the project's inception in July 2019 until accepting a position as Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at the University of Texas Dallas in July 2021. While the ERT is subcontracted through Rice, the direction of their research is independent. Communications about ERT-related matters can be directed to Ms. Roth, the administrative assistant who works with Dr. Pearson, at helen.roth@utdallas.edu.