Lab Members

Benjamin Heddy is an associate professor at the University of Oklahoma in the Science of Psychology, Data And Research in Educational (SPDRE) program. Benjamin received his Ph.D. in Urban Education from the University of Southern California. Currently, he teaches undergraduate and graduate courses on the topics of motivation, cognition, learning theory, human development and research methods. His research program focuses on cognitive and motivational aspects of learning; including engagement, academic emotions, interest development, and further specializing in the investigation of learning activities that occur in everyday experience. As a second related line of research he studies the mechanisms of conceptual, emotion, and attitude change. His research has been published in Science Education and Psychology Today. Benjamin is currently serving as the president of The Scholarly Consortium for Innovative Psychology in Education (SCIPIE). 

Nazmul Hasan Bappi is a PhD student in the Science of Psychology, Data, and Research in Education (SPDRE) at the University of Oklahoma. He earned an M.A. in English Language Teaching (ELT) and a B.A. in English Studies. His research interests are broadly centered on motivation and educational measurement.

Mehjabin Bhuiyan is a doctoral student in the Science of Psychology, Data, and Research in Education (SPDRE) program at the University of Oklahoma. Prior to that, she received a B.A. degree in English, an M.A. degree in Linguistics, and a Post-Graduate Diploma in Educational Leadership and School Improvement. Her research interests include self-regulation, conceptual change, artificial intelligence (AI) in motivation among students.

Tianqi Zu is a master student in Science of Psychology, Data and Research in Education (SPDRE) program at the University of Oklahoma. Her research interests include motivation, learning, and interest development in emerging adults.

Meggie Fang is earning her master’s degree in the Science of Psychology, Data, and Research in Education program at the University of Oklahoma (OU). She also completed her undergraduate in Health and Exercise Science. Her research interests lie at the intersection of advocating for more academic and social support for the well-being of non-traditional students and exploring how campus environment affect learning and engagement. 

Chloé Daves is a doctoral student in the Science of Psychology, Data, and Research in Education (SPDRE) at the University of Oklahoma. Prior to beginning her studies here, Chloé earned her M.S. in Educational Psychology and B.A. in Psychology at Oklahoma State University.  Her current research focuses on the self-perceptions of ADHD students, particularly examining the perceptions of competence and relatedness in educational settings.

Maisha Farzana Mumu is a PhD student in the Science of Psychology, Data, and Research in Education (SPDRE) program at the University of Oklahoma. She earned her M.A. in Developmental Education with specialization in Learning Support and her B.A. in Political Science with a minor in International Studies from Texas State University. Her research centers on motivation among underrepresented student populations, with a particular focus on the role of social-emotional support in shaping cognitive engagement, resilience, and academic success.

Braden Nguyen received his bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Arkansas - Fort Smith. He is now pursuing a Ph.D. in Science of Psychology, Data, and Research in Education along with serving as a graduate assistant within the Department of Educational Psychology. Braden’s research interests include: motivation, learning, and methodological approaches in education.

Muhammad Asif is a PhD candidate in Science of Psychology, Data, and Research in Education (SPDRE) program. Muhammad has completed his Master’s in Cognitive Psychology from University of Oklahoma. His research interests include cognitive and social biases in educational context. Particularly, his focus is on the factors influencing grading bias among teachers.

Kokab Khalilipaji is a doctoral student of Learning Experience Design and Technology (LXDT) in the department of Educational Psychology. She has majored in English Literature, B.A. degree, and Educational Psychology, masters degree. She has been a counselor and teacher for more than eight years, working on learning problems and combining psychological theories and teaching methods to have better learners.

Jakob Gowell is a doctoral student in the Science of Psychology, Data, and Research in Education (SPDRE) program within the Department of Educational Psychology. Prior to coming to OU, Jakob received an M.A.T. in English Education from Bard College and a B.A. in English Literature from Grinnell College, worked as a senior field instructor at a wilderness therapy program, and served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Cameroon. Jakob’s interests include the study of motivation from a Self-Determination Theory perspective with particular interest in exploring new candidate forms of basic psychological need support; the motivational implications of educational technologies and course structures; and downstream impacts of direct-care mental healthcare workers’ own need satisfaction on need-provisioning.

Huiting Zhou is a doctoral student and graduate research assistant in Learning Sciences program with the Educational Psychology department at OU. Huiting began her academic journey at Hainan Normal University in China, where she earned her bachelor's degree in Applied Psychology. She obtained the teaching credentials in Mental Health Education and gained valuable internship experiences in primary and secondary schools in China. After completing her undergraduate studies, Huiting ventured to the United States to pursue a Master's degree in Learning Sciences at OU. Her current research interests revolve around the complex issues of cyberbullying and online harassment.