MAERYTA MEDRANO, AIA, LEED® AP
Owner, Founder & President
Maeryta is one of the country’s most imaginative and creative exhibit designers. A licensed architect, she specializes in holistic design solutions that integrate exhibits with the building and site. She has a deep understanding of the impact of design on learning and is a leader in designing learning environments for families. Before founding Gyroscope, Maeryta was a designer at Boston’s Museum of Science.
TASHA LEVERETTE
Owner, Chief Action Officer
Tasha Leverette is an owner and Chief Action Officer, joining the studio in 2010. She is a leader who is committed to asking and resolving the hard questions that move both the firm and field forward. Tasha’s forward thinking, creative problem-solving and management complement her skills as a designer. This approach results in innovative and diverse projects, such as MOXI in Santa Barbara, CA; Kidspace Children’s Museum in Pasadena, CA; and the Louisiana Children's Museum. Tasha’s education in architecture was focused on cultural institutions, with a Masters’ thesis looking at design opportunities in the age of information.
TIM PHILLIPS
Owner, Chief Creative Officer
Tim Phillips is an owner and principal, joining the studio in 2009. He works with a design philosophy based on interdisciplinary learning and active research developed through collaboration on numerous public and community projects. Trained as an architect in the UK, he is also a sound artist, musician and inventor. Tim brings a hands-on style and a passion for building and testing things to all his museum design projects along with a unique ability to synthesize complex requirements with high design aspirations. He has served as Senior Designer for many of Gyroscope’s major projects including the Museum of Exploration & Innovation (MOXI) in Santa Barbara, the Louisiana Children’s Museum in New Orleans, the Thinkery in Austin, and the Museum of Art & History in Santa Cruz.
RON DAVIS, LEED® AP
Principal
Ron Davis has been a designer at Gyroscope since 2001. He has served as Lead Designer on Skyline at the Chicago Children’s Museum, Fort Collins Museum of Discovery, St. Louis Science Center Outdoor Agricultural Exhibition, Bishop Museum Science Adventure Center in Honolulu, and many others. Prior to joining Gyroscope, Ron was associate artistic director for Antenna Theater, an experimental theater company. His production, Etiquette of the Undercaste, was installed at the Smithsonian Institution. Ron’s work has appeared in Time Magazine, Communications Arts, ID Magazine, and MacWorld.
EMILY LEIGHTON
Senior Exhibit Designer
Emily is an exhibit designer with over 10 years experience creating interactive spaces for public and private institutions. She works with clients to tell a meaningful story through engaging and beautiful spaces. She has degrees in Interior Architecture, Museum Studies and Art History. Her site specific approach responds to community needs and she is particularly interested in Universal Design practices. Her user-focused approach has been brought to life in projects like SESI Labs in Brasília, Brazil; the deYoungster Studios at the deYoung Museum; and the Color of Life Exhibit at the California Academy of Sciences.
LAURA MACIAS
Designer & Content Developer
Laura Macias is a science communicator and designer who is dedicated to projects that are infused with strong calls to action. With a M.A. in Museum Studies and a background in illustration, public art and the biological sciences, her design philosophy is rooted in stimulating education in a concise and visually enticing way. Before joining Gyroscope, Laura executed several national conservation campaigns in collaboration with the Nature Conservancy, NOAA, and Xerces Society while working as an artist assistant and graphic designer for an art studio focused on science illustration.
CHRIS WANG
Senior Exhibit Designer
With over 17 years of experience, Chris is a passionate designer, educator, and builder with projects around the world ranging from science centers to museums to corporate spaces. His process prioritizes community collaboration, sustainability, and technology integration to create engaging environments. He also works alongside educators on STEM/STEAM programs and specializes in developing hands-on learning experiences for kinesthetic learners. Prior to joining Gyroscope, Chris was the Senior Designer at the Tech Museum, led production on Apple Retail Store development, and operated his own summer camps!
ALIYA ROBIN
Junior Graphic Designer
As a forever-student, Aliya thrives when sharing her love of learning. Her design focuses on encouraging others to think critically and explore the world around them. Before coming to Gyroscope, she worked for 4 years as a K-12 educator. Aliya uses her background in education, BA in Art History, and training in graphic design to create meaningful and playful visuals that enhance the learning experience.
CHUCK HOWARTH
Vice President Emeritus
Chuck Howarth is a former museum president with over 30 years of experience in exhibition research, development, and management. Chuck started his career as an educator and exhibit developer at the Museum of Science in Boston, MA, later serving as Associate Director for Education and Exhibits. He was then recruited to serve as founding president of Liberty Science Center in New Jersey. He took that organization from earliest vision through opening. He joined Gyroscope in 1993 and since that time has been lead planner and principal in charge for dozens of projects on a wide range of topics.
CHARLIE
Wooficial Team Builder
Charlie provides pawsitive team building. Known for her chill demeanor and unbridled affection, Charlie is also a vocal proponent of open communication (barking) and close studio collaboration.
