About

About CERP

The CRA’s Center for Evaluating the Research Pipeline (CERP) mission is to increase diversity in the field of computing research through evaluation and research. The center provides data resources and evaluation services to the computing community. CERP collects data from undergraduate and graduate students in computing through an annual national survey and surveys designed for specific programs. Using these data resources, CERP is able to conduct systematic evaluations of programs and workshops such as CRA-WP’s Grad Cohort workshops, track career paths and outcomes of computing students, and make information on the state of the computing research talent pool available to the computing community.

Our Services

Learn about the type of evaluation and research we provide for the computing community.

Data Buddies

CERP conducts large scale survey research focusing on patterns of entry and persistence in computing research at the post-secondary level. Learn more and get involved!

Join Our Survey Mailing List

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The CERP Team

Burçin Campbell

Director of Data and Evaluation

Burçin Campbell is the Director of CERP. She joined CRA as a Research Scientist at CERP in May 2015 and has been Director since April 2018. Burçin is responsible for overall operations and manages CERP’s data resources and infrastructure as well as analysis activities. Her work provides social science support to the computing community’s efforts for broadening participation.

Prior to joining CRA, she completed her doctoral training in Political Science at Pennsylvania State University. At Penn State, she worked as a researcher on several large scale projects for which she designed and implemented data collection processes, performed analyses, and contributed to dissemination activities.

Heather Wright

Associate Director of Data and Evaluation

Heather Wright serves as the Associate Director of the Center for Evaluating the Research Pipeline (CERP). In her role, Wright leads CERP’s evaluation efforts aimed at broadening participation in computing research and education. Wright also coordinates CERP’s various research initiatives and supports the continued sustainability of the center. She currently holds a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology and two minors in Technical & Business Writing and Women’s Studies. She has been with the CRA since 2013.

Evelyn Yarzebinski

Manager

Evelyn Yarzebinski is a Manager with CRA’s Center for Evaluating the Research Pipeline (CERP). Evelyn’s main responsibility is managing CERP’s survey and evaluation data. She additionally contributes to evaluation reports and research projects.

Prior to joining CRA, she was a Research Associate at Carnegie Mellon University’s Human-Computer Interaction Institute, where she led study planning and data collection, management, and analysis for projects aimed at improving math- and literacy-based educational technologies for children worldwide.

Ama Nyame-Mensah

Senior Research Associate

Ama Nyame-Mensah recently joined the CRA’s Center for Evaluating the Research Pipeline (CERP) as a part-time Research Associate. At CERP, Ama will manage the NSF CISE Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) project in collaboration with the rest of the project team.

Ama has considerable experience providing project management and technical (data) leadership to organizations and teams conducting applied and community-focused research and evaluation. In her free time, Ama speaks, writes, and teaches about the ethical and practical use of data and the importance of designing accessible data experiences.

Ama holds a Ph.D. in Social Welfare from the School of Social Policy & Practice at the University of Pennsylvania and degrees in Urban Affairs & Public Policy (Master of Arts) and Economics (Bachelor of Arts) from the University of Delaware.

Toyamim Rahman

Program Associate

Toyamim is a Program Associate that focuses on BPCnet and related projects at CERP. Prior to joining CRA, he worked for the Chief Diversity Officer and Director of Workforce Development at the New York State Executive Chamber of the Governor.

Toyamim completed his undergraduate studies at The City College of New York and recently received his MPA from John Jay College of Criminal Justice. Toyamim was raised in the World’s Borough, Queens, New York. In his free time, Toyamim enjoys reading, cooking, running, and spending time with his pet rabbit, Chance the Rabbit.

Eniola Idowu

Research Associate

Eniola Idowu is a Research Associate for CRA’s Center for Evaluating the Research Pipeline (CERP). As part of the CERP’s team, she conducts and supports the evaluation for a selection of programs primarily focused on broadening participation in computing at the higher education level.

Eniola holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology and Master of Public Health in Health Behavior Health Promotion from the University of Arizona. Prior to joining the CRA CERP team, she worked in the evaluation field within variety of sectors including research/evaluation firms, academic institutes, and non-profits. Eniola worked as an Evaluation Associate for a research and evaluation firm where she gained experience with designing and implementing a variety of complex evaluation projects addressing behavioral health disparities, state’s substance use crises, sexual health education, and school-based mental health systems. During her graduate school training, Eniola supported the Office of Curricula Affair’s evaluation in curriculum modification in medical school settings to improve diversity, equity, and inclusion in teaching practices. She is passionate about using a DEI lens in all aspects of research and evaluation to address access, intersectionality, and equity within underserved populations to achieve their educational and wellness goals. In her free time, Eniola enjoys Pilates, reading, listening to music, and journaling.

Brendan Kane

Research Associate

Brendan Kane is a Research Assistant for the CRA’s Center for Evaluating the Research Pipeline (CERP). He is responsible for supporting the day-to-day activities of CERP and ensuring program operations proceed smoothly and effectively.

Brendan holds a Bachelor’s degree from Emerson College in Journalism. Prior to joining CRA, Brendan worked at multiple survey research firms where he gained experience in survey management, data analysis, and data visualization. In his free time, he likes to read, go to the movies, and take his bike out for a ride.

Jasmine Batten

Research Associate

Dr. Jasmine Batten (she/her) is a Research Associate at the CRA’s Center for Evaluating the Research Pipeline (CERP). In her role, she manages the annual Taulbee survey and supports the evaluation of various programs aimed at broadening participation in computing within higher education. Dr. Batten earned her Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science in 2019 from Florida International University (FIU) and her Ph.D. in Computer Science in 2024 from FIU. Before joining CERP, she was a research assistant in Dr. Monique Ross’s LEARN-CS lab at Florida International University in Miami, FL. During her Ph. D. program, she was awarded the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship (GRF), which supported her research endeavors around broadening participation in computing.

Dr. Batten is passionate about improving computing education to support minoritized students in pursuing computing degrees and occupations. Specifically, Dr. Batten’s research interests center on understanding the factors that influence the persistence and retention of female and minoritized students in computing degree programs through mixed-methods research. She is particularly interested in how pedagogical practices and classroom cultures impact students’ sense of belonging in computing at the intersection of gender, race, and ethnicity. Dr. Batten is passionate about improving computing education to support minoritized students in pursuing computing degrees and occupations. Dr. Batten has published in various computing and engineering education conferences in journals during her undergraduate and graduate school years. She has also volunteered as a moderator, judge, and reviewer at several conferences.

In her free time, she enjoys knitting (while watching TV), reading, and practicing yoga

Andres Purpuro

Program Assistant

Andres Purpuro is Program Assistant for CRA’s Center of Evaluating the Research Pipeline. His responsibilities are to assist with general CERP communications and administrative tasks.

Andres recently received a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Political Science from the College of the Holy Cross where he gained strong analytical and research skills. Prior to this role, he worked at the Initiative for a Competitive Inner City, a non-profit that brings together small businesses across the nation. In his free time, he likes to go fishing, work out, and watch movies.

Advisory Committee

Dorian Arnold – Emory University
Tracy Camp – Ex Officio, Computing Research Association
Burçin Campbell – Ex Officio, Computing Research Association
Carla Corroto – Otterbein University
Wendy DuBow – National Center for Women in Technology (NCWIT)
Ann Gates – University of Texas – El Paso, Computing Alliance of Hispanic Serving Institutions (CAHSI)
Kinnis Gosha – Morehouse College, Institute for African American Mentoring in Computing Science (iAMMCS)
Ran Libeskind-Hadas – Claremont McKenna College
Kathryn McKinley – Google
Sepi Hejazi Moghadam – Google
Christine Ong – CRESST
Gary Silverstein – Westat
Heather Wright – Ex Officio, Computing Research Association

Support and Constituents

CERP’s work is supported through National Science Foundation awards CNS-1246649, DUE-1431112, DUE-1821136, and direct CRA contributions.

CERP may be reached at:

Computing Research Association Headquarters
1828 L Street, NW, Suite 800
Washington, DC 20036-4632
Tel: 202-266-2935
Fax: 202-667-1066