Who We Are

Dr. Ermer holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from California State University, Northridge, earned in 1985. He furthered his education with a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering in 1987 and completed his Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering at the University of Southern California in 2001. Currently, John serves as the Principal Engineering Fellow at Raytheon Technologies (RTX).

Dr. Ermer has supported the California State Science Fair for 20 years. He served as a judge from 2005 to 2019 and has been the Director of Judging for Behavioral/Environmental Sciences since 2020.

Harry Evry is an Adjunct Professor of Multimedia, Visual Effects, App, Game & VR Development at California Lutheran University. He has contributed as a developer, producer, and creative/technical lead for renowned entities, including Amazon, Disney, Entech, Indiana Jones, Jurassic Park, Magic Castle, Matel, Lorimar, Paramount, Seagate, SmartSound, Spaceland, SpinLaunch, Star Trek, Transformers, Universal Studios, and Warner Bros.

Mr. Evry has actively engaged with the California State Science Fair for 14 years. His involvement began as a student participant and medalist in 1981, 1982, and 1983. Later, he transitioned into a role as a judge, offering his expertise from 2014 to 2019. Harry has served on the Board of Directors since 2019.

Dr. Gelfand earned his BS in Mathematics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1970, followed by an MS in Biological Sciences from the University of California, Santa Barbara, in 1973. He furthered his academic pursuits with a Ph.D. in Biochemistry from the California Institute of Technology in 1980. He is a biochemist and science instructor at Charles R Drew University.

Dr. Gelfand has supported the California Science and Engineering Fair for 31 years. His involvement began in 1994 serving as judge and in 2020 assumed the role of Director of Judging for Life Sciences.

Dr. Gould earned his BS in Physics from Stanford University in 1973, followed by an MS and Ph.D. in Physics from Cornell University in 1979. He currently serves as a Professor of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Southern California. 

Dr. Gould has supported the California Science and Engineering Fair for 42 years. His journey began as a judge in 1983, then served as Director of Judging from 1986 to 1991, followed by the role of Chair of the Fair in 1992 and 1993. Dr. Gould has been the Chief Information Officer and Director of Student Affairs for the fair since 1994 and currently serves as Board President.

Dr. Peters earned her BS in Physics from California State University, Long Beach, in 1964, and furthered her academic pursuits with an MS and Ph.D. in Astronomy from UCLA in 1974. Currently serving as a Professor (Research) of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Southern California.

Dr. Peters has supported the California Science and Engineering Fair for 26 years. She serves as judge from 1999 to 2002, and assumed the role of Director of Judging for Physical Sciences in 2003, a position she continues to hold to the present day.