aboutus
At the Youth Sports Science Institute (YSSI), our team is a dynamic group of professionals bringing together diverse skills and expertise to transform education. Our members include experienced sports scientists, STEM educators, data analysts, and technologists, all dedicated to creating innovative and impactful programs.
With backgrounds in education, athletics, technology, and youth development, our team collaborates to bridge the digital literacy gap and empower students to excel both athletically and academically. This unique blend of talents and perspectives enables us to deliver holistic and engaging learning experiences, driving transformative change and shaping the leaders of tomorrow.
Noma Shields
Founder and Chief Executive Officer
​Noma Shields is the Founder and CEO of the Youth Sports Science Institute, where she integrates technology and data science into youth sports training and development. With a B.A. in Sociology from Grinnell College and as a recipient of the Thomas J. Watson Fellowship—during which she researched the impact of housing displacement on social cohesion in Hungary, India, and South Africa—Noma combines her background in social science with a deep passion for sports and technology.
As a boxing trainer, she brings hands-on experience to her role, further enhancing her expertise in athlete development. Her leadership is marked by a commitment to inclusivity and excellence, driving the Institute to the forefront of sports education and technology. Beyond her role at the Institute, Noma actively advocates for youth development and community engagement, serving as an Associate Board Member of Chicago Cares and the Chicago Council on Global Affairs.
Evelyn Campbell, Ph.D
Program Manager & Consultant
Dr. Evelyn Campbell, Ph.D is a Program Manager at The University of Chicago’s Data Science Institute and Consultant. In her role at YSSI, Evelyn oversees the development and implementation of data strategies, ensuring that data collection, analysis, and visualization align with the Institute’s goals.
At The University of Chicago, she develops and implements curricular content for introductory data science and programming courses and mentors students involved in experiential learning projects. Evelyn holds a PhD in Microbiology from the University of Chicago, where she researched host-microbe interactions and their impact on health and disease.
Peter Fitzpatrick
Artist-Athlete Advisor,
Columbia College Chicago
Peter is the Artist-Athlete Advisor for the Youth Sports Science Institute (YSSI) and currently serves as the Special Advisor for Community Engagement and a Professor of Photography at Columbia College Chicago. His work spans both still and moving images, utilizing a range of analogue and digital technologies. Peter has played a significant role in developing teaching and research programs at institutions such as the Australian National University, the Australian Centre for Photography, and Columbia College Chicago.
His artistic career includes participation in artist residency programs, festivals, education forums, and exhibitions across the globe, including in Australia, China, the Czech Republic, Indonesia, Singapore, New Zealand, and the USA. Peter holds a Master of Fine Arts Research from the College of Fine Arts at the University of New South Wales in Sydney.
Steve McAlister
Artist-Athlete Instructor,
Columbia College Chicago ​
Steve McAlister is the Artist-Athlete Instructor at the Youth Sports Science Institute (YSSI), where he leads drawing and wellness classes that integrate artistic expression with physical and mental well-being. With a background in architecture, Steve brings a distinctive approach to his teaching, blending technical design skills with creative artistry. His experience in architecture informs his ability to guide students in understanding the structural and spatial elements of drawing, while his focus on wellness ensures that his classes promote both artistic growth and holistic health.
Steve’s multidisciplinary expertise allows him to create an engaging and supportive learning environment, where students can develop their artistic abilities alongside their physical and mental fitness.
