Dr. Zander received an M.S. degree in mathematics from the University of Colorado and a M.S. and Ph.D. in computer science from Colorado State University. She has worked in the software industry at Hewlett-Packard and IBM, and her interests include object-oriented programming and design, programming languages, and computer science education. After her original Ph.D. work in Distributed Artificial Intelligence, she was drawn to the education aspect and currently focuses on Computer Science Education research. Her primary research group includes colleagues from the US, Sweden, and Wales.
Before becoming a founding faculty member of CSS, Dr. Zander spent many years shaping the minds of students, teaching mathematics and computer science at the University of Maine, Colorado State University, and Seattle University. At Seattle University her students rewarded her efforts by voting her outstanding faculty awards. In 2002, Dr. Zander received the University of Washington's highest teaching honor, the Distinguished Teaching Award.