Lab Members

Anastasia Chouvalova (she/her)

email: achouval [at] ttu.edu | View Anastasia's CV

I hail from a small suburban community in the Greater Toronto Area in Canada and yes, if you’re wondering, one of my motivations to relocate to Texas was for the warmer and drier weather! Having gone through the rigorous and competitive academic curriculum of Biomedical Sciences at the University of Guelph, I realized that while I had a profound interest in human health and cognition, my core passion lies in improving the quality and outcomes of higher education. As an undergraduate student, I was involved in a collegiate committee aiming to improving biological undergraduate education and I was exposed to many challenges faced by the biological education field. Through my graduate studies, I plan to focus on the study of mindset in both STEM undergraduate instructors and students, and my greatest hope is that this will help formulate some powerful solutions to the challenges of undergraduate biology education. The field of psychometrics and research instruments always intrigued me, but also posed an enigma: How are valid and reliable tools developed for use in both research and in industries? 

Frankly, I always regarded methods research as a very challenging endeavor, but one that I had a growth mindset for! I am excited to weave my doctoral studies with my prior experience in neuroscience, cognitive psychology, social psychology, interdisciplinary research, and qualitative research to develop effective mindset interventions for STEM faculty and students. I could not be happier with my decision to join the Limeri Lab and to embark on my post-graduate journey under the guidance of Doctor Limeri. 

In my spare time, I enjoy cross-country running, hiking, watching rhythmic gymnastics, and catching up on political news. As you can see from my not-so-professional profile photo, I am a naturalist and I love indulging in the Japanese-inspired art of “forest-bathing”! 

If you ever wish to chat with me, please do not hesitate to reach out to me at achouval [at] ttu.edu

Mason Tedeschi (he/they)

mtedesch [at] ttu.edu

I grew up near Boston, Massachusetts, went to high school in the Berkshire area, and then college in Sarasota, Florida, so Lubbock seems to be my next stop as I continue to move around the country. 

As an undergraduate at New College of Florida, I pursued biology and biopsychology coursework. Meanwhile, I explored my interest in education through undergraduate research projects, as well as my time serving as a Student Writing Assistant, Peer Leader, and member of the college’s Education Policy Committee. I officially joined the Discipline-Based Education Research community through a Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) at Rochester Institute of Technology, where I helped develop novel statistical analyses of student persistence, retention, and success. That project gave me the hands-on experience that motivated me to continue to pursue science education research. I’m incredibly grateful to have found my way to the Limeri Lab as a doctoral student, and to work with the other lovely people you see on this page. 

I am interested in strength-based approaches to understanding students’ experiences and identities, and particularly how we can better support the success of students who identify as neurodivergent or as having learning disabilities. I also would like to learn more about how academic cultures and environments shape students’ beliefs about their abilities, and how students draw from their beliefs to pursue success. 

When I’m not in the lab, I enjoy taking walks outdoors, rock climbing, reading (mainly fantasy and science fiction), and cooking.

Noah A. Courtney (he/him)

noah.a.courtney [at] ttu.edu | View Noah's CV

I am from Forest Hill, Maryland (Go Ravens), but my non-traditional academic journey has taken me all over the globe! Following an active-duty career in the US Coast Guard, I returned to my hometown and discovered my interest in science at Harford Community College. I dove into biology headfirst and spent a semester learning to be a scientific diver at the University of Alaska Southeast!

After graduating, I transferred and completed my undergraduate degree in Biology at Cornell University. While attending Cornell, I discovered biology education research and my interest in community college biology education. While I miss the snow in upstate New York, I am excited to be a Ph. D. student at Texas Tech! In the Limeri Lab, I am building my skills and knowledge in discipline-based education research while pursuing my passion for supporting community college biology students!

Outside the lab, you can find me at the best coffee shops in town, playing chess at a mediocre level, or learning how to be a cat dad! I am also an advocate for student-veterans, an academic mentor, and a chef (in my own kitchen). If you ever wish to chat, I’d love to hear from you at noah.a.courtney [at] ttu.edu!

Nolan Sedillo

nosedill [at] ttu.edu | View Nolan's CV

I’m from Austin, Texas, and I’m completing my undergraduate degree in Cell and Molecular Biology at Texas Tech University. My love for science started early while reading my mom’s anatomy textbooks, where I became fascinated by cells and excited about explaining what I was learning to others. That early curiosity pushed me to pursue challenging, upper-level science courses at TTU in search of answers to the questions I had as a kid flipping through anatomy diagrams.

I jumped headfirst into opportunities to deepen my understanding, which eventually led me to become a Learning Assistant. It was there that I realized how much I love teaching and how powerful it can be to help students experience the excitement that comes with learning in STEM. Through my work as a Learning Assistant, I found the Limeri Lab and was met with a community that values curiosity, collaboration, and thinking deeply about how people learn science. Experiences like these have shaped how I think about education, community, and what it means to be a lifelong learner. They also showed me the value of being part of learning communities that mentor, teach, and support students as they navigate STEM for the first time.

It’s no wonder that I now plan to pursue a Ph.D.; I’ve always been jumping from one question to the next in the pursuit of understanding science in a way that only advanced learning can provide. I’m excited to stay at Texas Tech to fulfill that by continuing to grow as both a researcher and educator.

When I’m not in the lab, you can usually find me staying active, playing anything from baseball to rock climbing, or talking science with just about anyone who will listen. I also train for marathons with my Australian Shepherd, and in my free time, I enjoy playing instruments, watching new shows, and teaching as a lifeguard instructor.

If you ever wish to chat, feel free to reach out to me at nosedill [at] ttu.edu.

Dr. Rosario Marroquín-Flores (she/her)

Assistant Professor, Department of Biology, James Madison University

email: marroqra [at] jmu.edu | View Dr. Marroquín-Flores' CV | Faculty web page

Dr. Marroquín-Flores was a postdoctoral associate in the lab from 2022-2024 and is now an Assistant Professor at James Madison University. Dr. Marroquín-Flores' research applies a critical lens to teaching and learning in STEM, with the goal of creating more equitable learning environments that better support diverse learners. Current projects include developing a measure of Community Cultural Wealth, the wealth of knowledge and cultural assets that diverse students use to be successful in educational contexts, and exploring service-learning as an alternative form of STEM learning where students can bring their values and sociocultural experiences into the classroom.

Dr. Anisha Navlekar (she/her)

Assistant Professor of Practice, Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University

email: anisha.navlekar [at] ttu.edu | View Dr. Navlekar's CV  |  Faculty web page 

Dr. Navlekar was a postdoctoral associate in the lab from 2022-2023 and is now an Assistant Professor of Practice in the Department of Biological Sciences at Texas Tech University. Drs. Navlekar and Limeri still collaborate together on research projects, mentoring students in research, and teaching the introductory biology course sequence for majors at TTU.