Dr. David I. Upegui is an Assistant Teaching Professor of Education and the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) Science Supervisor in the Education Department. A champion of culturally sustaining pedagogies and equity-driven inquiry, Dr. Upegui's work bridges the gap between educational theory, rigorous laboratory science, and community-centered social justice. At Brown, he designs and teaches graduate-level coursework for secondary science teacher candidates, supervises clinical residencies, and teaches undergraduate courses exploring the systemic policies and practices that shape urban education.
Dr. Upegui’s research focuses on the intersection of evolutionary biology and social justice. He is the co-author of Integrating Racial Justice into Your High School Biology Classroom: Using Evolution to Understand Diversity (Routledge, 2023) and has published numerous peer-reviewed articles and book chapters advocating for science classrooms that empower historically marginalized students and Multilingual Learners (MLLs).
Before joining the Brown faculty full-time, Dr. Upegui spent over sixteen years as a celebrated science teacher, content lead, and induction coach at Central Falls High School, where he founded the school’s competitive Science Olympiad team. His classroom-based leadership has been recognized with the nation’s highest honors, including the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST), the National Association of Biology Teachers (NABT) Evolution Education Award, and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Rhode Island State House in 2023. He also served on the College Board's AP Biology Development Committee, advising on national equity and access.
Dr. Upegui earned his Ph.D. in Education from the joint program at the University of Rhode Island and Rhode Island College, where his doctoral dissertation explored Social Justice and Evolutionary Biology: A Natural Fit.
