Robert Bajor

About Robert Bajor

When I was 11, I wanted to play computer games with my friends, but my family couldn’t afford a computer. So, rather than settle for the hand life had dealt me, I got a computer assembly book from the library, collected recycled computer parts in my neighborhood, and built my own. This formative experience set the pace for the rest of my personal and professional life- As a scientist, I helped develop cancer diagnostic tools and mono-clonal antibody-based treatments. I also helped develop a microbiological-based remediation technique for radioactively contaminated soil- As a science educator, I empowered historically underserved communities (like mine) by bridging the learning gap and sharing my passion for science- As a technical project manager, I built world-class, state-recognized ecosystems of competency-based, research-supported digital micro-credentials from the ground up. https://microcredentials.digitalpromise.org - As a digital credentialing evangelist I honored and unified learning achievements and recognition through secure, personalized, and interoperable digital credentials for learners- As the VP for Product Innovation at HigherEd Partners I fueled socioeconomic mobility for traditional, non-traditional, and lifelong learners worldwide by bridging skills gaps and providing access to cutting edge, equitable learning experiences and verifiable recognition-As the founder of Micro-credential Multiverse I will leverage my extensive background in micro-credentials, skills, learning pathways, and structured data to unite learning experiences with career opportunities for learners worldwide. I have broad experience in research, data visualization, communications, marketing, analytics, project management, product management, program management, software development, design, leadership, and more. I\'m a scrappy, gritty, collaborative individual and fastidious learner who understands that information requires emotion to scale and ideas (like organisms) thrive in environments with rich diversity and discourse - that\'s why we call them \"lifecycles\".**Fun Facts:**- I volunteered as an EMT - I\'m an Eagle Scout - I was a varsity swimmer and soccer player - My family started the first magicians guild in the United States (NJ)- I\'m a self-published author - 🤘 I co-founded a company in college (Jagazine)- I was a sponsored skateboarder - I received a citizenship award from former president George W. Bush - 🥁 I play the drums Banner Photo via Photo by Michael Durana, Unsplash

Experience

1. Advisor, Digital Credentialing

   Scistarter

   Jan 2021 — Present · Brooklyn, NY, US

   SciStarter is a globally acclaimed, online citizen science hub where more than projects, searchable by location, topic, age level, etc, have been registered by individual project leaders or imported through partnerships with federal governments, NGOs, and universities. As a research affiliate of NCSU and ASU, and a popular citizen science portal, SciStarter hosts an active community of close to registered citizen scientists and millions of additional site visitors. Hundreds of citizen science projects use SciStarter\'s NSF-supported APIs to help citizen scientists earn credit for their participation in their SciStarter dashboard, across projects and platforms. These features enable SciStarter\'s partners (libraries, schools, museums, Girl Scouts and more) to catalyze customized citizen science pathways and track and support the progress of their communities through SciStarter. SciStarter also supports researchers in managing projects, including best practices for engaging participant partners. As an advisor I helped the SciStarter team add verifiable, digital credentialings to their citizen science program that identifyies and celebrates emerging citizen scientists.

Education

• Rutgers University

  Bachelor of Science (B.S.), Biology/Biological Sciences, General

  2006 — 2009