Rockville Science Center Staff
Abdeladim Elhamdani, Ph.D.
Manager
As a manager of the Rockville Science Center, Abdel develops programs, science projects, and classes that target the whole community - from elementary school students to seniors. Abdel is a neuroscientist who studied the molecular mechanisms underlying the release of chemicals and the recycling of vesicles cargo containing the chemicals in neuroendocrine and brain cells (Neurons). He received a B.S. in Biochemistry, a master’s degree in pharmacology and pharmaceutical chemistry, and a Ph.D. in Neuroscience from the University Louis Pasteur, Strasbourg, France.  Abdel served as a Postdoctoral Fellow at Northwestern University, Assistant professor at Wayne State University, Research Fellow at NIH, and was a Senior Scientist and Project Manager at EPFL (Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne), Switzerland.
Howard Lichtman
Program Coordinator
Howard is the Rockville Science Center’s Program Coordinator. He plans and organizes many of the Center’s programs at the storefront and in the community. Howard has a BS degree in Computer and Information Science from the University of Maryland Global Campus. Early in his career he worked as a medical and life science technician, in the areas of hematology, clinical chemistry, tissue culture, electron microscopy, and neurotransmitters. He made a career change to Information Technology and worked over 15 years at a defense contractor where he designed and built IT infrastructure solutions, provided IT help desk support, and IT management for an international corporate conference center.
Alison Chacon
Marketing Associate
As our Marketing Associate, Alison works hard to get word out to the community about the Rockville Science Center and all the exciting events and classes that we offer. Her biggest projects have included redesigning the RSC Newsletter, launching our new website and increasing our visibility on social media. Alison earned a BS degree in Microbiology from the University of Maryland, College Park. After a brief stint working in the food safety industry, she decided to focus on her true passion - writing and editing - and put her skills to work in the nonprofit world, first in the public health arena and then for a faith community as Communications Director. She is thrilled to be back in the world of science helping to spread the news about the Rockville Science Center and all it has to offer to our community!
Makerspace Staff
Evan Keto
Makerspace Manager
Evan manages the Makerspace, a community space where anyone can learn, design, and create. After graduating from Poolesville High School’s Global Ecology program, Evan earned a B.S. in Environmental Science & Policy from the University of Maryland, College Park, and an M.S. in Forestry from North Carolina State University. During his career, he has created and grown a variety of successful programs in nonprofit, small business, and government settings. Evan has a lifelong love for making a wide range of things, including a trebuchet, an award-winning educational garden, and tablet-woven bands. He is excited to help people from all backgrounds and skill levels see their ideas come to life!
Elvira Felix
Community Outreach Coordinator
Elvira is a seasoned communications and outreach specialist with over 15 years of experience advancing science, technology, and innovation through strategic storytelling and community engagement. From managing digital campaigns for USAID’s science diplomacy initiatives to producing sciencec-based educational content for organizations like the EPA and AAAS, she has consistently championed public understanding of science across diverse audiences. As Community Outreach Coordinator for the Makerspace and Tool Library, Elvira brings her passion for accessibility, STEM equity, and creative programming to foster meaningful connections between underrepresented communities and hands-on learning.
Patrick Hixenbaugh
Operations Coordinator
Patrick makes the Makerspace and Tool Library run smoothly, safely, and sustainably. He manages daily operations, plans and organizes many of the safety, training, and logistics workflows at the Makerspace. He is a graduate of UMBC with a B.S. in Chemistry, and a graduate of the Montgomery Scholars Program at Montgomery College with an A.S. in Environmental Science and Policy, and a Certificate in Geographic Information Systems and Cartography. Patrick has worked in a variety of jobs, including sustainability, environmental education, aquatics, and recreation. He is also a CPR trainer, yoga instructor, mountain biker, backpacker, rock climber, musician, and open-source technology enthusiast. He is excited to bring his love for science, technology, and education to the Rockville community!
Virginia Ibarra
Operations Coordinator
Virginia makes the Makerspace and Tool Library experience safe, organized, and welcoming. She manages daily operations, supervises volunteers, streamlines administrative systems, and develops user-friendly guides for our tools. She earned her B.A. in Design and Studio Art from American University and later specialized in UX/UI through advanced certifications. She has worked as a graphic designer for the Smithsonian Institution and several museums in the Washington, DC area, and served as adjunct faculty in the design program at the Corcoran School of Art and Design. For the past decade, she has focused on UX/UI, designing interactive experiences for national museums and improving mobile and desktop products at Capital One. She now leads workshops for women integrating movement, meditation, yoga, QiGong, and art.