Claudia McLaughlin Ludwig

Claudia McLaughlin Ludwig is the Director of Systems Education Experiences (SEE). SEE is an education program that began in the Baliga Lab and now extends throughout ISB. Her research focuses on enabling high-quality STEM experiences for secondary students and teachers through systems biology research. To accomplish this, she establishes interdisciplinary teams of scientists, engineers, teachers and students to learn about current systems research. The team then translates that research into curriculum, activities, lab kits, and new training experiences for others.

Current projects include Immuno-oncology Spatial Multiomics, Microplastics in the Arctic, Systems Medicine, and elucidating the Rules of Life.

In 2004, Ludwig began working at ISB during the summers while teaching Biology and Chemistry at International School in Bellevue, WA during the academic year. This active collaboration led to the publication of two curriculum modules and the inception of a new way of providing professional development, internships and novel curriculum. This program, coined Systems Education Experiences, quickly became a necessity for many teachers and students. In response, in 2007, Ludwig joined ISB formally to advance these vital efforts. Since that time, a total of 12 modules have been published with 7 more in development, leading to as many as 2 million students using SEE’s resources each year.

In addition to directing Systems Education Experiences and establishing interdisciplinary teams, Ludwig also helps other research institutes implement effective training programs for students. She also creates and edits content on the widely used SEE website, leads curriculum dissemination efforts, and trains students and teachers around the world through workshops, webinars, presentations, and direct correspondence.

Ludwig graduated from Loyola University Chicago, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology and a Master’s Degree in Education with additional emphases on chemistry, curriculum and instruction. She achieved her National Board Teaching Certification in 2005 and has maintained it since. She currently serves on the Puget Sound Biotech Advisory Committee and is the Co-Chair of the National Institutes of Health’s Cancer Systems Biology Consortium Education and Outreach Working Group. Prior to teaching in Washington State, Ludwig taught in the Chicagoland area and worked as a social worker for people with developmental disabilities.

MEd, Curriculum and Instruction, Loyola University Chicago

BS, Biology, Loyola University Chicago

National Board Certified Teacher for Adolescence and Young Adults in Science

STEM education in informal and formal settings; collaborative curriculum development; high school instruction; applied systems thinking; STEM education program creation, management, and sustainability;  teacher professional development;  inclusive, developmental mentee-mentor relationships.

Seattle’s Association for Women in Science Award for Excellence in Science Outreach in 2017