About the Lab - University of Houston
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About the Lab 

The Identity & Academic Motivation Lab, or I AM Lab, researches how students’ identity (how they view themselves and their social groups) affects their motivation in school, from preschool through college. We want to learn more about social influences on students’ interest in science, technology, engineering and math. The lab is directed by UH College of Education Assistant Professor Allison Master. 

Lab Leadership 

amaster-about3.jpgAllison Master, Ph.D.  
Lab Director and Assistant Professor 
amaster@uh.edu
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Allison Master is an assistant professor in the Department of Psychological, Health, & Learning Sciences at the University of Houston College of Education. She earned a Ph.D. in developmental psychology from Stanford University in 2011 and a B.A. in psychology from Yale University in 2003. Her research interests include social-psychological processes that form the foundation of motivation and identity from early childhood through adulthood, as well as how cues to identity may affect stereotyping and other social judgments and behaviors. Currently she is investigating how stereotypes affect students’ interest in STEM fields. 

Lab Members 

Kahyun Lee  Kahyun Lee
Graduate Student Assistant
Kahyun Lee is a Ph.D. student in measurement, quantitative methods, and learning sciences at the University of Houston College of Education. She is interested in applying quantitative methods, such as SEM and multilevel modeling, to address psychological and educational topics. Specifically, she aims to explore mindsets, enhancing motivation in STEM fields, and reducing stereotypes associated with them.


jhompson-circle.png  Jennifer Thompson
Researcher
Jennifer Thompson received her B.B.A in Management from Texas A&M. Prior to joining the I AM Lab, she worked as a research assistant in the Nittrouer Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Lab and conducted research on diversity trends within academia, with her focus being primarily on the geosciences. She now serves as a research study coordinator with the I AM Lab.


Paul Turcotte  Paul Turcotte
Graduate Student
Paul Turcotte is a Ph.D. student in measurement, quantitative methods, and learning sciences at the University of Houston College of Education. His research foci include the effect of belonging on motivation for women pursuing STEM.





Lab Alumni

yasmine-pic-circle-use.pngDr. Yasmine Al Abdul Raheem
Dr. Al Abdul Raheem earned her Ph.D. in the measurement, quantitative methods, and learning sciences program at the University of Houston College of Education in 2022. She is currently a Research Specialist in the Milwaukee Public School District.




taylorpic2.pngTaylor Alexander
Dr. Alexander earned her Ph.D. in the measurement, quantitative methods, and learning sciences program at the University of Houston College of Education in 2023. She is a quantitative researcher at Digital Promise. 






suppanutpic.pngSuppanut Sriutaisuk
Dr. Sriutaisuk earned his Ph.D. in the measurement, quantitative methods, and learning sciences program at the University of Houston College of Education in 2022. He is a Quantitative Psychology faculty member at Chulalongkorn University in Thailand. 




daijiazipic.pngDaijiazi Tang
Dr. Tang earned her Ph.D. in the measurement, quantitative methods, and learning sciences program at the University of Houston College of Education in 2023. She is a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Michigan. 





kristi-pic-circle-use.pngDr. Krysti Turnquest
Dr. Turnquest earned her Ph.D. in the measurement, quantitative methods, and learning sciences program at the University of Houston College of Education in 2022. She is a principal user experience researcher at Optum (a business of UnitedHealth Group) and a lecturer at the UH COE.




Aledrian Kemp
Aledrian Kemp majored in human development and family studies and nonprofit leadership at the University of Houston.

Craig Maddox
Craig Maddox is a research coordinator at the University of Washington.

Lizzy Stier
Lizzy Stier was a research coordinator in the I AM Lab at the University of Washington. Lizzy is a data analyst with Baltimore's Promise who enjoys exploring different approaches for fostering confidence, resilience, and empathy in young people.

Mackenzie Tennison
Mackenzie Tennison is a research coordinator and graduate student at the University of Washington.