Andrew Grillo-Hill

Overview

Andrew Grillo-Hill (he/him) is a nationally known STEM program evaluator and applied educational researcher. As a senior research associate with the science and engineering team, he helps program and educational product developers improve the effectiveness of their work. Grillo-Hill’s research interests are in STEM education, the application of new educational technologies, and access and equity in these areas. Grillo-Hill works extensively on formative and summative evaluations of technology in K–12 classrooms along with secondary and post-secondary STEM educational programs. Grillo-Hill has experience evaluating programs and products from think-a-louds with individual students to overseeing nationwide randomized controlled trials (RCTs). 

Grillo-Hill currently co-directs the STEM Evaluation Unit, a portfolio of science evaluation projects funded by NSF, NASA, ED, and private foundations. Grillo-Hill also directs the research for virtual reality (VR) EdTech products. Grillo-Hill has served as PI and Co-PI on various IES and NSF studies to develop and test innovative online assessments for middle school students.  

Before joining WestEd, Grillo-Hill conducted research in biophysical neuroscience and managed educational outreach programs in San Francisco public schools at UC, San Francisco. One of these programs received the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring in 2011. 

Education

• PhD, biology and biomedical sciences, neuroscience program, Washington University
• AB, biochemistry, Occidental College

Select Publications

Grillo-Hill, A., Beliakoff, A., Jackson, B., Cornfield, O., Rego, M., Matlen, B., Moorjani, A., & Kpodjie, G. (2023). Learning exponential functions with immersive virtual reality. WestEd. 

Brenner, D. G., Matlen, B. J., Timms, M. J., Gochyyev, P., Grillo-Hill, A. A., Luttgen, K., & Varfolomeeva, M., (2017). Modeling student learning behavior patterns in an online science inquiry environment. Technology, Knowledge, and Learning, 22, 405–425. 

Nielsen, K., Smith, R., Grillo-Hill, A., Caldera, P., Johnson, C., & Gibson, L. (2008). Example of complementary professional development for teachers and scientists: Current science seminar series. In E. Dolan (Ed.), Education outreach and public engagement (pp. 58–61). New York, NY: Springer. 

Honors, Awards, and Affiliations

NSF Panel Reviewer, 2020, 2022, and 2024 

Member of American Evaluation Association 

Member of American Educational Research Association