research team

Erin Ottmar (Principal Investigator) is an Associate Professor of Learning Sciences and Technologies at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. She co-developed the game From Here to There with the goal of innovating and promoting math teaching and learning.

Ji-Eun Lee's (Research Scientist) research applies techniques of learning analytics and educational data mining to improve instructional design and student success in mathematics education. She develops data models that identify student behaviors and mathematical strategies, and predict learning outcomes and engagement.

Allison Liu's (Postdoctoral Researcher) research investigates individual and task factors that influence STEM learning across the lifespan, with the goal of informing effective learning practices and interventions. 

Kirk Vanacore's (PhD Student) research interests include learning analytics, education data mining, causal inference in big data analysis, implementation science, and effective pedagogies for neurodiverse populations. 

• Siddhartha Pradhan (Master's student) supports and maintains the infrastructure of the learning systems in this project. 

• Janette Jerusal (undergraduate student) supports IES data management and data analyses. 

• Justine Moy (undergraduate student) supports literature searches and website management. 

• Todeyon Somasse (undergraduate student) supports IES data management and dashboard maintenance. 

Neil Heffernan (Co-PI; Co-Founder of ASSISTments) is a Professor of Computer Science at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. He and Cristina Heffernan develop ASSISTments, an online homework system, that aims to promote learning and research in classrooms.

Anthony Botelho (research scientist) received his PhD in Learning Sciences and Technologies at Worcester Polytechnic Institute.  He contributes to producing and aggregating clickstream data from ASSISTments. 

David Landy (Co-PI; Co-Founder of Graspable Math) is an Assistant Professor of Psychology at Indiana University and a data scientist at Netflix. David's research investigates the mechanisms of numerical and mathematical reasoning. He designs interactive applications, such as Algebra Touch and From Here to There, that promote math thinking through perception and action systems. 

Robert Goldstone (Co-PI) is a Professor of Psychology and Brain Sciences at Indiana University, and his research examines the interactions between perceptual and conceptual learning. He provides guidance on developing learning systems that align with cognitive and perceptual foundations of learning. 

Craig Mason (Co-PI) is a Professor of Education and Applied Quantitative Methods at University of Maine. He will lead the condition randomization and evaluate the efficacy of the interventions in this project. 

Lauren Decker-Woodrrow (Co-PI) is a Senior Study Director at Westat. She coordinates data collection for this project. 

• Jenny Yun-Chen Chan worked as a postdoctoral researcher. She is now an assistant professor at The Education University of Hong Kong (EduHK).  

• Vy Ngo graduated in 2022 (Learning Sciences & Technologies Master's program) and worked as a research project coordinator. 

• Avery Harrison graduated in 2022 (Learning Sciences & Technologies Ph.D. program) and is now a Postdoctoral Research Associate at Purdue University. 

• Hannah Smith (Learning Sciences & Technologies Ph.D. program). 

• Aravind Stalin (master's student) 

• Alisionna Iannacchione (undergraduate student) 

• Cindy Trac (undergraduate student)

• Reilly Norum (undergraduate student)