What Works

Dr. Bertley oversees both research-based projects as well as program development and implementation including: Gender, Adult Learning and Community Engagement; K-12 Professional Development; Learning Technologies, Youth Programs (STEM Scholars, Partnerships for Achieving Careers in Technology and Science (PACTS) and The Franklin Institute’s magnet high school, Science Leadership Academy).  Dr. Bertley also oversees the PECO Energizing Education Program (PEEP) and founded and directs the Color of Science™ which highlights the fantastic contributions of women and persons of color to modern day science and engineering.  In addition to these STEM educational programs, Frederic directs the prestigious Franklin Awards Program, the long-running Journal of The Franklin Institute and the Institute’s international educational efforts including projects in Africa and South America.

Dr. Bertley has a strong record in academia, studying Physiology, Mathematics, and the History of science as an undergraduate student.  After finishing his B.Sc., he obtained a Ph.D. in Immunology, both degrees from McGill University. Highly relevant to his position at The Franklin Institute is his formidable background in applied science, science education, and a passion for distilling complex science concepts to digestible pieces for a wide and inclusive audience.

After graduating from McGill, Dr. Bertley turned his attention to the problem of the lack of healthcare and basic vaccines in developing nations including Haiti and The Sudan where he managed multinational teams in Haiti and Sudan.  Continued this focus by joining a vaccine research group at Harvard Medical School studying HIV.  In addition, Dr. Bertley has lectured or taught classes in several STEM disciplines at the undergraduate and post-graduate levels.  Currently, he is a Research Affiliate at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and serves as the Goodwill Ambassador to Senegal for Science Education and Innovation. 

Dr. Bertley has lectured on a variety of science and education topics at universities, colleges, cultural institutions and government agencies throughout the world. He has keynoted or been an invited speaker at several distinguished institutions including The United Nations, The White House, the US Department of Interior, the National Academy of Sciences and the National Science Foundation here in the U.S., as well as in Canada, the Caribbean, South America, Europe, and Africa.  Dr. Bertley has received numerous honors some of which include: Dell Inc. Inspire 100 World Changers, Harvard Medical School Dean’s Service Award, Philadelphia Business Journal’s 40 Under 40, Philadelphia Business Journal’s 2014 Minority Business Leader Award, The President’s Award (Merck), and a Mid-Atlantic, National Academy of Television and Science EMMY™.

OGTV has launched its "What Works” STEM Diversity study in partnership with Access Marketing, and technology partner VCI.  OGTV is seeking partnerships with STEM interested organizations to help us find out what will successfully increase the number of minority students who engage in STEM education and go onto become STEM leaders and innovators in corporate and community with a greater chance to become job creators and contributors to our 21s century Global economy.  For more information, to join the study, or to be a sponsor of this study email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 202-469-3423