Featured Faculty & Graduate Students

Why did you choose a career at Purdue’s College of Education?
I enjoy the staff and they have been extremely supportive. I thoroughly enjoy teaching students and learning from them.

Describe a research or project you have completed.
Assistive Technology is an area of interest. I have created many solutions and continue to work on ideas that help students with access difficulties.

Are there any recent or forthcoming publications you are excited about?
I enjoy presenting webinars and providing consultations to K-12 staff in the areas of Assistive Technology, Augmentative & Alternative Communication, and access for students with orthopedic access difficulties.

What do you enjoy doing when you’re not conducting research?
I enjoy running and handyman/remodeling. I’ve run marathons in 49 states and need Hawaii to complete my goal!

Why did you want to come to Purdue?
Purdue has a great reputation and after meeting the faculty here, I feel lucky to be a part of such an excellent education community.

Describe a recent research project.
Currently, I’m working on a research project with a professor at IU Indianapolis who is looking into how AI can benefit special education, specifically in blockchain technology uses for Individual Education Plans (IEPs).

Are there any recent or forthcoming publications you are excited about?
With two colleagues from IU Indianapolis, I just finished writing a chapter for the Handbook for Educating Students with Disabilities: Implications and Strategies. The title of the piece is “(How) Do We Ask?: Unlearning Mainstream Disability Axiology, Epistemology, and Ontology to Inform Asset Pedagogies”.

What do you enjoy doing when you’re not conducting research?
Playing pickleball and snowboarding!

How would you briefly describe your research interests?
I chose to have a career at Purdue’s College of Education due to the emphasis on high quality teacher education and community engagement. I think it is imperative in higher education that we train high quality teachers, but that we also engage with the community, doing with and not for.

Briefly describe a research or project you have completed.
My research focuses on supporting students with significant support needs in the transition from high school into employment. Currently, I am working on a project to determine the work-related transition assessments that exist in supporting the career development of students with significant support needs.

Are there any recent or forthcoming publications you are excited about?
Currently I just had a publication published in which we interviewed employers about their successful hiring practices regarding employees with disabilities. https://journals.sagepub.com/eprint/HKNXE6ZQUW7GFAEI3QKN/full

What do you enjoy doing when you’re not conducting research?
It seems that school is a hobby of mine since I keep going back to it and now I’m in higher education, haha. Outside of school and research, I love exploring. Specifically, local and unique breweries, or traveling and exploring other states and countries.

Where are you from, and what did you do prior to your PhD program?
I am from China. Before starting my PhD, I earned my Bachelor’s degree from Soochow University and my Master’s degree from Tongji University.

Why did you choose Purdue and your area of concentration?
I chose Purdue because it is an internationally renowned university with rich academic resources. My focus is on special education, particularly using technology to support students with autism and learning disabilities.

What are your areas of research interests? What led to your interest in these areas?
My research interests are in educational technology, specifically in applying it to special education. My interest in these areas stems from a desire to help students with autism and learning disabilities.

Tell us about your prior research experience?
Yes, my previous research has centered on educational technology, exploring how it can enhance learning experiences for students.

Where do you hope to be in five years?
In 5 years, I hope to be in Indiana, successfully working toward completing my degree in the United States.

What advice do you have for other new fellow graduate student researchers?
Take full advantage of the resources at Purdue and stay focused on your research goals.

Where are you from and what did you do prior to your PhD program?
I have a diverse professional background, including experience as a German-Chinese interpreter and translator in both Shanghai and Singapore. Subsequently, I have worked as a Chinese language teacher in both Singapore and Syracuse, NY. Prior to my doctoral study, I have worked as a TA in the Fayetteville-Manlius School District in Syracuse, NY.

Why did you choose Purdue and your area of concentration?
I selected Purdue as the institution for my doctoral study due to its reputation as a leader in the field of education. The GER2I in the College of Education at Purdue has earned a reputable status in the realm of gifted education worldwide. The faculty consists of renowned scholars who possess extensive knowledge and experience in the field. Additionally, my advisor’s research aligns with my personal research interests. Lastly, the diverse cultural atmosphere among the international student body at Purdue provides a source of inspiration for me.

What are your areas of research interest? What led to your interest in these areas?
My research encompass a range of topics, including the study of creativity and related topics, examination of social-emotional issues affecting gifted adolescents, exploration of alternative identification methods that do not rely on IQ or other cognitive assessments, and investigation of underachievement among gifted female students, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds. My passion for the field of gifted education was fostered while serving as a Chinese language teacher in Singapore. During that time, I had the opportunity to work closely with gifted students and became aware of their unique academic and social-emotional needs. I observed that some of these gifted students were at risk due to a lack of appropriate educational support. This experience motivated me to further explore the needs of gifted students and seek ways to help them reach their full potential and make meaningful contribution to society.

What have been the highlights of your research experience so far?
As a novice in the field of gifted education, I have been actively working on several research projects that align with my research interests. My current projects include exploring underachievement among gifted female students from financially impacted families in the aftermath of the pandemic, examining the potential social-emotional impact of the pandemic on gifted adolescents, and investigating gifted students’ perspectives on the influence of ChatGPT and other AI applications. I hope that my research will make a dent in the field, no matter how small.

Where do you hope to be in five years?
In five years, I see myself as a tenure-track assistant professor at a leading research university, where I can continue to advance the field of gifted education through my research, teaching, and engagement. My goal is to make a meaningful impact on the lives of gifted individuals and the broader community through my dedication and commitment to this field.

What advice do you have for your fellow graduate student researchers?
I would like to share a valuable lesson that I have learned from my advisor with my fellow graduate student researchers. It is utmost important to maintain a balanced work-life equilibrium and to prioritize one’s commitments. It is essential to constantly reflect on what truly holds significance in one’s life, and to allocate one’s time and resources accordingly. By doing so, one can cultivate a harmonious and fulfilling existence, both professionally and personally.