Pamela Olivia Gilchrist, Ph.D., is an education researcher and practitioner whose scholarship and professional work focus on STEM and computing education, emerging technologies, workforce and talent pathways, career-connected learning, and cross-sector partnerships. She serves as Director of K–12 Programs at Virginia Tech and founding director of the K-12 Innovation Lab. She is also affiliated with Virginia Tech’s School of Education in STEM Education.

Gilchrist develops research-informed initiatives that connect education, emerging technologies, and the future of work. She works across K-12 education, higher education, industry, government, nonprofit organizations, and communities. Her work includes artificial intelligence and data science, engineering, robotics, aviation and unmanned systems, and other emerging areas of STEM and computing.

A central focus of Gilchrist’s work is bridging research and practice through engaged scholarship. She advances career-connected learning, educator professional learning, and experiential education. She develops partnerships that strengthen pathways from early STEM learning to postsecondary education and careers. These pathways support talent development, lifelong learning, workforce participation, and civic engagement.

Her scholarship and research-informed practice examine how educational systems and cross-sector partnerships can prepare learners and educators for technological and workforce change. Her research interests include STEM and computing education, emerging technologies in education, workforce and talent pathways, career-connected learning, engaged scholarship, cross-sector partnerships, and the adoption and diffusion of educational innovations.

Gilchrist’s work extends across local, national, and international contexts. Her leadership and professional service span educational institutions, professional associations, community organizations, and cross-sector networks. She works to strengthen educational and workforce ecosystems and expand pathways to learning and opportunity.

Gilchrist earned her Ph.D. in Educational Research and Policy Analysis from North Carolina State University. She holds a Master of Education in Instructional Technology and a Bachelor of Science in Middle Grades Education.