Research

Check out the Academic Motivation and Social Influence tabs in the menu on the top left to learn more about my contributions to academic research!

My Research Interests

Most of my research has revolved around theories of developmental, social, and cognitive psychology. Developmental theories are a fascination of mine, especially those of motivation, goal orientation, self-regulation, and academic self-efficacy. I am also intrigued by social perspectives, especially of how the interworking and external processes of humans determine their selected behaviors and perceptions of the world. Much of my efforts in research are associated within fields of college-aged development, COVID-19 related social effects, and cognitive relations and decision making abilities, yet my curiosities also linger in the realm of behavioral neuroscience–particularly in the treatment of Broca's aphasia through means of music therapy.

Master's Thesis Abstract:

College Students' Autonomy, Self-Regulation, and Academic Self-Efficacy During COVID-19

The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) forced college students to endure challenges that were unusual in the typical university environment. As self-determination theory, self-regulated learning theory, and social cognitive theory would suggest, college students’ need for satisfaction of autonomy and the ability to apply self-regulation may have been neglected due to COVID-related stressors (SDT; Ryan & Deci, 2000; SRLT; Zimmerman, 2012; SCT; Bandura, 2005). College students from a university (N = 94) participated in an online survey regarding their autonomy, self-regulated learning abilities, academic self-efficacy, and COVID-related stress. Using a moderated mediation model, the current study predicted that self-regulated learning would mediate the relationship between college students’ autonomy and academic self-efficacy (H1). For moderation, the relationship between autonomy and academic self-efficacy was expected to depend on the level of students’ COVID-related stress (H2). Within the mediation, this study found that autonomy predicted self-regulated learning (H1A), self-regulated learning predicted academic self-efficacy (H1B), and autonomy predicted academic self-efficacy (H1C). For this moderated mediation, the results indicated partial support of the study’s hypotheses: H1 was supported, but not H2. As seen through the findings within this study, as well as supported by previous literature, autonomy support is a vital component of student’s academic success. College instructors play a crucial role in providing autonomy and self-regulation support to their students. When students feel autonomous, they can apply the necessary skills of self-regulation to achieve academic self-efficacy.

Keywords: autonomy, self-regulation, COVID-related stress, academic self-efficacy

Cannabis Entrepreneurs Project

Grant Project Manager | Cannabis Entrepreneurs Project

To determine the success of cannabis entrepreneurs, this study provided crucial information to those who aim to promote their business and job growth within the legal cannabis industry. Through means of quantitative and qualitative research, I was entrusted as the grant project manager. My duties were to assist in data collection, interview research assistant candidates, recruit research participants within the legal cannabis industry, supervise undergraduate research assistants, conduct oral interviews with participants, create a scheduling system for meetings and particiapnt interviews, and organize online files and spreadsheets.

Academic Motivation & Resilience Lab

Lab Manager | Academic Motivation and Resilience Lab

As the previous lab manager and graduate research assistant, my responsibilities included communicating with undergraduate research students to provide mentorship to improve their literature review capabilities, understanding of statistical analyses, and enhancement of their presentation skills. Explaining findings in layman's terms is a valuable component that supports the readers' understanding of the observed content. My role was also as the lab's liaison, and I facilitated research-related opportunities and campus announcements through verbal and virtual communication with students. Along with this, I provided clarity on research expectations, and answered any questions research assistants may have had.

Social Influence Lab

Graduate Research Assistant | Social Influence Lab

Through the examination of public and personal influnce of social interactions, this lab focused on individual decision making behavior based upon social experiences and interactions. Further, the research conducted in this lab explores social reactions to negative behaviors and the reasonings behind such actions. Studies I have worked on observed how one’s beliefs, culture, and age play a role in an individuals decision making abilities. I assisted on studies related to the COVID-19 pandemic and its aftermath effects, particularly how the pandemic has impacted one’s decision making, anxiety, mask wearing, social distance behavior, and more.

Western Psychological Association

2022 Conference | Portland, OR

2021 Conference | Virtual

Memberships

Member | The International Honor Society in Psychology

Member | National Society of Leadership and Success

Google Sites

Report abuse