Our Team

Director

Dr. Cristina D. Zepeda

Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology and Human Development

Research Interests: Dr. Zepeda’s research examines how students navigate their learning and pinpoints ways to improve their learning experiences. Using self-regulated learning theories as a guide, she focuses on how to support students use of metacognition (e.g., monitoring and controlling one’s thoughts) and cognitive learning strategies (e.g., retrieval practice, self-explanation) as well as ways to help them adopt beneficial motivational beliefs, values, and goals (e.g., achievement goals, self-efficacy, utility values). In her free time, she loves spending time with her family and working on projects around the house.

CV || GoogleScholar || Website

Graduate Students

Sarah Shaw 

M.S. in Curriculum and Instruction from University of Wisconsin, Madison

B.S. in Recreation from Indiana University, Bloomington

Xinran (Wendy) Wang

M.S. in Cognitive Psychology in Context

B.A. in Psychology from the University of California, Los Angeles

Xinran (Wendy) Wang received her master’s student in the Cognitive Psychology in Context Master’s program at Vanderbilt University. Wendy has a broad interest in cognitive psychology. Her undergraduate experience in Teaching and Learning Lab at UCLA inspired her passion for improving students’ learning experience and outcomes in hard-to-learn subjects. Her current  interests involve understanding the profound interplay between metacognition, motivation, and the art of mastering new knowledge. Wendy is thrilled to be a part of the Advancing Learning lab to explore self-regulated learning!

 

Masters Student

Serena Luo

B.A. in Psychology from the University of Rochester, minor in Brain and cognitive science

Serena Luo is a first-year master’s student in the cognitive psychology in context master’s program at Vanderbilt University. Her research interest will be the multifaceted interplay between metacognition, learning processes, and emotions. She is super excited to become a member of the Advancing Learning lab and anticipates exploring more about metacognitive support and interventions.

 

Project Coordinator

Steve Wang

Steve is a senior at Vanderbilt University double majoring in Cognitive Studies and Psychology with a minor in Data Science. He works actively in mental health advocacy on campus and nationally and has a passion for mental health care. His work in the Advancing Learning Lab has inspired a passion for student learning and motivation. He hopes that his work in the Advancing Learning Lab will help him pursue a graduate degree in Clinical Psychology, where he hopes to work locally in underserved schools to support student mental health and wellness. He is so excited to continue his work in the lab and explore different aspects of self-regulated learning!

 

Research Assistants

Lingfei (Fay) Cao

B.S. in Psychology from Ohio State University

Lingfei(Fay) Cao is a first-year master’s student in Cognitive Psychology in Context Master’s program at Vanderbilt University. She currently works as a Master’s student in the Children’s Learning Lab and is interested in understanding the relationship between self-regulated learning strategies in Math and educational interventions. She is more than willing to become a member of the Advancing Learning Lab and expects to explore more about motivation and interventions.

Kaicheng (Josh) Zhang

B.A. in Education and Pedagogy from Zhejiang University

Kaicheng (Josh) Zhang is currently in his first year of the master’s program in Quantitative Methods at Vanderbilt University. His research interest includes students’ metacognitive ability in learning process, as well as parent-child interaction in informal learning settings. He is so excited to be a part of the Advancing Learning Lab and make more explorations of human’s learning process.

 

Undergraduate Research Assistants

Gauri Agarwal

Gauri Agarwal is a first year at Vanderbilt with a keen interest in Psychology, particularly biopsychology and mental/cognitive disorders. She hopes to pursue one of the fields as a career and is very excited to join ALL. This will be her first time participating in research, and she is looking forward to working with other inspiring colleagues at the lab. She is also involved in the Hustler on campus. In her free time, Gauri likes to dance, listen to K-pop, and play with her pet!

 

Jie (Joey) Cang

Joey is a sophomore at Vanderbilt University majoring in Cognitive Studies and Child Development with a minor in Data Science. Her previous work in student learning and her own educational experiences have established her interest in educational equity promotion. She hopes to pursue a career with NGOs that focus on enhancing educational opportunities and resources. Being part of the Advancing Learning Lab would provide her with a great opportunity to deepen her understanding of academic research and further explore ways to improve student learning.

Mae Monette

Mae is a junior at Vanderbilt University double majoring in Psychology and Asian Studies, with a minor in Data Science. She is so excited to learn more about student motivation and learning strategies, especially as it is relevant to her work as a Learning Assistant for General Psychology. She hopes this research experience will help her gain a better understanding of what she wants to pursue in graduate school and her future career. She looks forward to being a part of the lab and deepening her passion for psychology!

 

Madison Peroutka

Madison is a sophomore at Vanderbilt University and is majoring in Child Development and Medicine, Health, and Society. When she is not doing her own schoolwork, you’ll probably find her helping any of her five younger siblings complete theirs! Her personal interest in study methods led her to join the Advanced Learning Lab. She has recently discovered a passion for developmental psychology and is excited to explore its impact on students’ learning. Madison is very grateful to be a part of this lab!

 

Alexis Richmond

Alexis is a senior at Vanderbilt University double majoring in Psychology and Child Development. After taking an Educational Psychology course her freshman year, Alexis developed a strong passion for helping students become the best learners they can be. She has experience working in the Stress and Early Adversity Lab (led by Dr. Kathryn Humphreys) and the Children’s Learning Lab (led by Dr. Bethany Rittle-Johnson). Both of these experiences have allowed her to explore and refine her research interests to specifically focus on motivational factors related to student learning. Alexis is beyond excited to further explore these interests in the Advancing Learning Lab.

 

Faculty Collaborators

Dr. Cynthia Brame
Assistant Professor of the Practice of Biological Sciences
Vanderbilt University

Dr. Andy Butler
Associate Professor of Education and Psychological and Brain Sciences
Washington University in St. Louis

Dr. Thomas Clements
Senior Lecturer of Biological Sciences
Vanderbilt University

Dr. Kelley Durkin 
Research Assistant Professor of Teaching and Learning
Vanderbilt University

Dr. Heather Johnson
Associate Professor of the Practice of Science Education
Director of Secondary Education, Department of Teaching and Learning
Vanderbilt University

Dr. Yeo-eun Kim
Assistant Professor of Educational Psychology
Florida State University

Dr. Tim Nokes-Malach
Professor of Psychology and Learning Sciences and Policy
Senior Scientist, Learning Research & Development Center
University of Pittsburgh

Dr. Bethany Rittle-Johnson 
Professor of Psychology and Human Development
Vanderbilt University

Dr. Chris Rozek 
Assistant Professor of Education and Psychological and Brain Sciences
Washington University in St. Louis

Lab Alumni

Undergraduate and Post-Baccalaureate Alumni

Evy Mattson, Cassidy Ditkoff, Grace West, & Alyssa Coladipietro