Oloyede Mary Funke is a science educator, researcher, author, visual storyteller, and creator with over four years of experience in education. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry Education from the Federal University of Oye-Ekiti, Nigeria, and a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction with a concentration in Science Education from Virginia Tech.

Her professional experiences span K–12 teaching, educational mentorship, and student success initiatives. She served as a Mentor with Teach For Nigeria, where she supported educational opportunities for underserved communities. She later worked as a Graduate Assistant at Virginia Tech, contributing to tutoring programs and outreach initiatives that promote college access and STEM engagement.

Mary has taught science and chemistry and co-taught forensic science at the middle and high school levels. Her research interests include STEM education, science education, artificial intelligence in education, curriculum and instruction, and educational equity.

Beyond academia, Mary is passionate about visual storytelling, content creation, mentorship, and community engagement. Through her work, she seeks to bridge research and practice while creating meaningful learning experiences that empower learners and communities.