As a director of SRI’s Center for Education Research & Innovation, Jonas leads a team of approximately 75 researchers in conceptualizing, designing, and conducting research, evaluation, and evidence-based technical support projects to inform policy and practice across the P20W spectrum. Since 2006, Jonas has led and overseen research across diverse topics including strengthening academic and non-academic supports for student transitions to postsecondary education and workforce, enhancing and evaluating the use of technology in education, improving mathematics instruction, and strengthening early childhood programs and policy. With experience conducting rigorous research, developing tools for program leaders and policymakers to facilitate data use and program improvement, and communicating information to diverse audiences, Jonas has demonstrated success leading large programs that integrate research, capacity building and dissemination activities to create new evidence and facilitate the use of evidence-based practices across the educational pipeline, including preschool, K12, higher education and workforce. Jonas currently serves as Director of the IES-funded Regional Educational Laboratory (REL) Appalachia. REL Appalachia staff partner with educators and policymakers in Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia to support a more evidence-based education system.

Jonas earned a BA degree in psychology from the University of Maryland, an MS degree in experimental psychology from Lehigh University, and a PhD in experimental psychology from Duke University.

Key projects

1. Regional Educational Laboratory, Appalachia
2. Statewide Evaluation of Career and Technical Education Programs
3. Evaluation of the ESEA Title I – Part C Migrant Education Program