Tiffany DeRuyter's current research is looking at the effects of the environment on school readiness in young children. She received a master’s degree in Education from Jones International University and a bachelor's degree in Cultural Anthropology and Linguistics from the University of Montana. Tiffany is a licensed teacher in Alaska and Oregon and has worked with students in grades Pre-K-12 since 2001. From 2012-2018 she managed the Alaska Summer Research Academy, Changing Alaska Science Education, and Building Infrastructure Leading to Diversity programs at the University of Alaska Fairbanks.