Students in the MilLab gain first-hand experience in classroom-based research and data management and analysis. Current ODU students and prospective students interested in gaining such experience may contact Tony Perez, Ph.D. at acperez@odu.edu. Prospective Ph.D. students should also visit our Educational Psychology and Program Evaluation (EPPE) program website.

Current Students

Yuanyuan Yue

Yuanyuan Yue is a Ph. D student in Educational Psychology in the Educational Foundations and Leadership department at Old Dominion University. She received a Master’s degree in Sports Leadership at Miami University and a Master’s degree in Educational Psychology at Liaoning Normal University, China. Yuanyuan is interested in the emotional aspects related to student’s learning. She also researches the influences of online learning on student’s achievement motivations.

Wanda Brooks

Wanda is a doctoral student in the Educational Psychology and Program Evaluation program. She studied for her M.S. at Old Dominion University’s Department of Psychology. Her current research interests are in the areas of learning strategies, and motivation interventions in STEM.

Arianna White

Arianna Ph.D. student in Educational Psychology. Arianna received her B.S. in Psychology from William Smith College and anticipates her Master’s degree in Psychological Sciences with a concentration in Organizational Psychology from Old Dominion University in 2017. Her current research interests center around student motivation and learning as well as STEM inclusion and diversity. In her free time, Arianna loves to cook and bake for friends, read novels, listen to podcasts, and discover new restaurants and bars.

Kendra Hall

Kendra is a Ph.D. student in the Educational Psychology and Program Evaluation program. She received a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a Master’s degree in Adult Education and Human Resource Development from James Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA. Kendra’s areas of interest are adult learning, student motivation, and assessment practices.

Lee Golembiewski

Lee is a Ph.D. student in the Health Psychology Program and is co-mentored by Dr. Michelle Kelley and Dr. Tony Perez. Her research interests include Developmental Psychology, Creativity/Aestheticism and the Arts, Social Psychology, Motivation/Personal Identity, Educational Leadership, LGBT studies, and Gifted Education.

Cynthia Meca

Cynthia received her Bachelors degree in Psychology and Masters Degree in Higher Education and Administration from Florida International University in Miami, Fl. Cynthia’s research interests are focused on Hispanic/Latino students’ motivation and STEM degree completion. In her spare time, she enjoys blogging and vlogging about her experiences as a new mother, doctoral student, full-time employee, cooking/baking, crafting, photography, and traveling.

Melissa Colangelo

Melissa received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology in 2017 and her Master’s degree in Psychology in 2020. She is currently working toward her Ph.D. in Educational Psychology at Old Dominion University. Melissa’s research interests include the effects of alcohol and substance use on the academic engagement and achievement of sexual minority college students.

Kcatt Christian

Kcatt is a bachelor’s student in the Psychology program at ODU and hopes to continue with a master’s in psychology in the future. Her current research interests are in how various costs affect motivation. She spends her free time reading research, baking and playing the viola.

MilLab PhD Graduates

Dr. Delaram Asadzadeh Totonchi

Dr. Totonchi received her Ph.D in Education with a concentration in Educational Psychology and Program Evaluation from Old Dominion University in Spring 2021. Dr. Totonchi is currently a Research Scientist in the Motivate Lab at the University of Virginia.

Former Students

 Hannah Ruck

Hannah completed her undergraduate degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with an emphasis in Teacher Preparation (fancy terms for becoming an Elementary School Teacher) and Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction.

Liz Richmond

Liz Richmond was a Master’s Student pursuing an M.S.Ed. in Higher Education. Her background is in psychology with interests in learning theory, motivation, curriculum design, and integrated academic support.