Sanford PROMISE Team

Liz McMillan, MA
Liz is the Curriculum Education Coordinator at Sanford Research. She comes to The Sanford PROMISE from several years teaching middle school science in Flandreau, SD. Liz is from Denver, Colorado where she earned degrees in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the University of Denver and a degree in Science Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Colorado at Denver.  She enjoys working with teachers and students in our region and is your point of contact whenever you'd like to use the community lab space. Email her at Elizabeth.McMillan@sanfordhealth.org or call 605-312-6417.
 
 
Betty Poppens, EdD
Betty is the Education Program Coordinator at Sanford Research working with graduate, undergraduate, and Sanford Promise students.  At USD, she completed a BS in Medical Technology, Masters of Professional Accountancy and Doctorate of Education.  Betty joined Sanford Research in January of 2003.  For information about the Community Lecture Series, Science Discovery Days, and the High School Student Shadow Program, contact Betty.Poppens@sanfordhealth.org  or call 605-312-6590.
 
 
Pete Vitiello, PhD
Pete is an Associate Scientist in the Children’s Health Research Center at Sanford Research and Assistant Professor in the Department of Pediatrics at the Sanford School of Medicine, University of South Dakota.  He received a BS in Biology at Lafayette College.  At the University of Rochester, Pete completed a PhD in Toxicology and a postdoctoral fellowship studying Lung Development and Injury in the Department of Pediatrics. Contact Pete at Peter.Vitiello@sanfordhealth.org.
 
 
Jill Weimer, PhD
Jill is an Associate Scientist in the Children’s Health Research Center at Sanford Research and Assistant Professor in the Department of Pediatrics at the Sanford School of Medicine, University of South Dakota.  Before joining the Children’s Health Research team at Sanford, she completed a BS and PhD in neuroscience at the University of Rochester and a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill in the Neuroscience Center. Email Jill at Jill.Weimer@sanfordhealth.org.