In the Limeri Lab, we study undergraduate biology education. 

We are Discipline-based Biology Education Researchers. This interdisciplinary field draws on lessons from social psychology, educational psychology, and STEM education fields to study and improve undergraduate biology education. We focus on students' and instructors' beliefs about abilities, how we measure these beliefs, and how they impact well-being, persistence, and success in science. We work to identify instructional strategies for building supportive and positive classroom climates to foster student resilience and success.

Lab Updates

May 2026: The lab is leaving Texas Tech University and moving to the University of Rhode Island

With deeply mixed feelings, the Limeri lab is leaving Texas Tech University. I, PI Limeri, have loved my position, colleagues, and students at TTU for five years. I am heartbroken that Chancellor Creighton and the Board of Regents has implemented illegal, politically motivated censorship of my teaching and research. The censorship has made it impossible for me to responsibly do my job educating students and conducting high-quality, ethical research at TTU. I simply cannot ask graduate students to join or even stay with me in a place where their first amendment rights are violated and their education is limited, ideological, and censored.

At the same time, I am so excited and grateful to have the opportunity to join the dedicated community at the University of Rhode Island as an Assistant Professor this fall. I am humbled by the top-tier researchers who are welcoming me as their newest colleague and I am excited for the opportunity to serve the URI student population. I look forward to joining a supportive community of people dedicated to complete and honest education and rigorous research in all fields of study. I am excited to start this new chapter of my career 🤩

April 2026: Incoming doctoral student Nolan Sedillo was awarded a Graduate Research Fellowship from the NSF! 

Nolan will pursue research related to how Learning Assistants benefit from the role. He joins good company with current doctoral students Mason Tedeschi and Noah Courtney also being GRFP Fellows. Congratulations, Nolan!

April 2025: All 7 undergraduate researchers in the lab presented posters at the annual TTU Undergraduate Research Conference!

April 2025: Doctoral student Noah Courtney was awarded a Graduate Research Fellowship from the NSF! 

Noah will pursue research examining effective community college education. Congratulations Noah!

Feb 2025: The Texas Tech Annual Biological Sciences Symposium (TTABSS) was a great success! 

Mason Tedeschi (doctoral candidate) was the lead organizer and the symposium featured Dr. Melissa Aikens as a keynote speaker. Three undergraduates presented their work as poster presentations!

April 2023: Doctoral student Mason Tedeschi was awarded a Graduate Research Fellowship from the NSF! 

He will pursue research examining the experiences of neurodivergent STEM students. Congratulations Mason!