Learning.
About Us
Rooted in Community, Growing for the Future
The SL4E Ecosystem
Science Literacy for Excellence (SL4E) is more than an educational program; it is a community-driven ecosystem. We believe that true scientific excellence begins with understanding the land beneath our feet and the languages spoken in our homes. By braiding together academic rigor with traditional ecological knowledge, we empower the next generation of environmental advocates.
Engaging.
Sustaining.
SEMILLAS
The Seeds
Focusing on the foundational curiosity of multilingual youth. We provide the “seeds” of scientific inquiry through place-based learning and cultural storytelling.
SEMBRAR
The Sowing
The active work of community engagement. We “sow” knowledge by taking science out of the classroom and into the Gulf Coast marshes, forests, and local neighborhoods.
SL4E
The Harvest
The result of our labor: Excellence. We prepare students to be leaders in environmental science, ensuring they have the literacy and the voice to advocate for their world.
Multidisciplinary Interests
Meet the Team
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Dr. Katerina Sergi
Rearcher at the Social Science Research Center at Mississippi State University
Dr. Lourdes Cardozo-Gaibisso is an Assistant Professor of TESOL and Linguistics in the Department of English at Mississippi State University and a Research Fellow at the Social Science Research Center, where she leads the Science Literacy for Excellence (SL4E) Research Collaboratory. A systemic functional linguist, her scholarship focuses on advancing science literacy for multilingual learners through research on teaching and learning, science teacher education and professional development, and the design and interpretation of assessments for multilingual students in science contexts. Dr. Cardozo-Gaibisso is a National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) Gulf Research Program Early Career Research Fellow (2024–2026). She earned her Ph.D. from the University of Georgia and has prior academic and research experience in Uruguay, bringing an international and multilingual perspective to her work in language, literacy, and science education.
Dr. Lourdes Cardozo-Gaibisso
Assistant Professor of TESOL and Linguistics at Mississippi State University
Matthew Lentz is a senior meteorology student at Mississippi State University studying wildfire climatology, climate modeling, and weather risk communication. His research focuses on how diverse communities, particularly international students, perceive and respond to severe weather warnings. Through interdisciplinary research and data-driven analysis, he aims to improve weather communication and help communities better prepare for climate and extreme weather risks.
Matthew Lentz
Undergraduate Research Assistant at
Mississippi State University
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Matthew Miller
Undergraduate Research Assistant at
Mississippi State University
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Morgan Neal
Undergraduate Research Assistant at
Mississippi State University