Broadly, I study cognitive, affective, and motivational factors that explain variation in human performance. I am particularly interested in interdisciplinary research that incorporates multiple levels of analysis across different populations and contexts to gain a better understanding of the complexities of human cognition. Under the guidance of Dr. Sian Beilock, my doctoral research in the Department of Psychology at the University of Chicago examined how and when anxiety relates to less-than-optimal learning and performance in mathematics by identifying behavioral, physiological, and contextual factors associated with math-related anxiety and performance in the laboratory and classroom settings.
Continuing to pursue my interest in how students learn, my postdoctoral research, under the guidance of Dr. Vinod Menon in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Stanford University, uses advanced functional neuroimaging tools to better understand neurocognitive mechanisms that underlie children’s mathematical learning. My goal in research is not only to address basic questions about cognition, but also to extend its application to various aspects of our society, including teaching and learning in the classroom.
Ph.D. in Psychology (Cognition), 2017
The University of Chicago
M.A. in Social Sciences, 2011
The University of Chicago
B.A. in Psychology with Concentration in Neuroscience, 2009
Grinnell College
My goals for teaching are to help students get excited about the topics they learn and to enable them to become independent learners who acquire knowledge and skills that are useful beyond the academic setting. By practicing various ways that facilitate student-centered active learning, I am committed to creating a collaborative environment where each student engages in and contributes to learning in the classroom. I have taught Cognitive Psychology as a stand-alone instructor and Psychological Research Methods, Cognitive Psychology, and Psychological Statistics as a teaching assistant at the University of Chicago. As a mentor, I am dedicated to providing resources and support for research, teaching, and career development to those who are becoming independent scholars and teachers. I have served as Chicago Center for Teaching Fellow (mentor for graduate students) and Undergraduate Psychology Program Preceptor (mentor for undergraduate students) at the University.