| 2012 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | Postdoc |
| 2011 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State Universtiy | PhD-Molecular Entomology |
| 2006 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | BS-Biological Sciences |
Dr. Atance’s research interests center on assessing the effectiveness of educational interventions in medically-underserved communities. An example of such an intervention is VCOM—CC’s Summer Enrichment Experience. This week-long summer program was designed to foster an interest in science and medicine in local high school students. Preliminary assessment of the program, in a paper published in the JAOA, demonstrated that the SEE program was successful in increasing participant interest in science and medicine. The next step, a longer-term goal, is to assess whether SEE is successful in directing participants toward the study of science and medicine in college and beyond.