Past Postdoctoral Scholars

Dr. Olivia Cook

My research is focused on understanding children’s cognitive development as a function of informal and formal learning environments using a social constructivist approach. Specifically, I am interested in the roles that parents and teachers play in supporting the development of domain-general skills (e.g., self-regulation, metacognition, memory) and domain-specific skills (e.g., STEM learning, mathematics) throughout early childhood (PreK – 3rd Grade).
You can access my CV here.
Follow me on LinkedIn 
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Past Graduate Students

​Dr. Connie Barroso

Dr. Barroso graduated in 2020 and is now an Assistant Professor of Educational Psychology at Texas A&M University!
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Dr. Barroso's research interests include studying students’ math- and science-related interest and achievement from elementary school to college. She is interested in investigating the roles that different cognitive and socio-cognitive, and affective factors play in student achievement and interest in math and science. 

Dr. Rachel Conlon

Dr. Conlon graduated in 2023 and is now a Lecturer in Psychology at Leeds Trinity University in Horsford, England!

Dr. Conlon's research interests include exploring the relationship between gender and academic self-concept in math, particularly in middle and high-schoolers. She is interested in understanding and addressing the gap between girls’ actual math abilities and their perceptions of those abilities, with the ultimate aim of tackling the underrepresentation of women in the STEM community. 

Dr. Elyssa Geer

Dr. Geer graduated in 2021 and is now an Assistant Professor of Early Childhood Studies at the University of Florida. 

Dr. Elyssa A. Geer’s research focuses on the development of spatial cognition in early childhood and its impact on STEM achievement, with an emphasis on understanding the spatial-math link, sex differences in spatial cognition, and the role of cognitive anxieties and executive functions in improving STEM outcomes.

 Dr. Amanda McGraw

Dr. McGraw graduated in 2019 and is now Assistant Professor of Psychology at Jacksonville University!

The goal of Dr. McGraw's research is to better understand malleable factors related to mathematical learning in children and adults. Her research has examined affective and cognitive factors identified as sources of variability in math performance (e.g. math anxiety, working memory), as well as embodied aspects (e.g. finger counting, gesture) of mathematical performance.

Dr. Nandrea Burell ​

Dr. Burrell graduated in 2025!


​Dr. Burrell's research interests include examining the relationship between neighborhood and parental involvement in academic achievement of students from elementary to high school. I’m interested in better understanding the roles and impact these out of school factors can have on students’ academic achievement, perception, and goals. I hope to add to the existing knowledge in this area.

Past Lab Staff

Jamie Dasher
Katelynn Kolb
Kelsie Merritt
Jacqueline Scherr

Matthew Viverito  Program Coordinator  
Christy Allen
Program Coordinator

Past Undergraduate Research Assistants