Welcome to my About Me page! Below, you will find
information about my research, teaching, advising, and a copy of my
CV.
My research investigates the psychology of statistics. That is, what does it mean to do statistics, and how does one learn to do this?
My primary research interests draw on theories and methods from the cognitive and learning sciences to investigate various aspects of statistical thinking. My theoretical research and my classroom-based research intertwine in my desire to develop a holistic social cognitive theory of statistical thinking. Specifically, I work towards radically reimagining how statistics is taught, in terms of both what is taught and how it is taught.
Most recently I’ve been focusing on incorporating AI into STEM Education, in terms of its implications for reimagining both instruction and assessment. What are the quintessential human skills that students need to have in an AI age and how can AI help students develop these skills?
आचार्यात् पादमादत्ते पादं शिष्यः स्वमेधया। सब्रह्मचारिभ्यः पादं पादं कालक्रमेण च॥ Mahabharata 5:44:9
This saying states that a student’s learning is derived from four sources: their teacher, themselves, their peers, and through time. These four sources do not operate independently - my choices as a teacher are inexorably intertwined with the impact each source has on students.
My goal is thus to support my students’ learning by facilitating a learning environment in which all sources can contribute to students’ growth. To manifest these values in a learning environment, I seek to find the balance between instructional design and learning theory with student-centered design to guide my student interactions and classroom presence.
Specifically, I rely on an excellent team of undergraduate course assistants to help find that middle ground between teachers and students. To learn more about the full Stat 100 Teaching Team, click here.
நான் யார்? [naan yaar] In Tamil, this question made famous by the Saint Sri Ramana Maharishi simply asks, “Who am I?”. Together with the answer from the Yajur Veda, अहम् ब्रह्मास्मि [aham brahmaasmi], “I am Brahman”, this question fuels my drive to try to see myself in everything and everyone, and share my knowledge to help my students realize their immense potential. I teach my students the way I would want my nephews and nieces to be taught statistics. I mentor my TAs and RAs the way I would want my nephews and nieces to be mentored. I strive to see myself in my students, and to help them learn and grow.
I believe my role as an advisor is to unlock the potential within each of my advisees. There are four dimensions along which I seek to support and mentor advisees, which I call the ABCDs of becoming a scholar. A scholar must be autodidactic, believe in themselves, be curious, and be driven.
As an advisor, I share my experiences along these four dimensions with my advisees, and show them how I enact the process of scholarship. I invite them to do the same, and help to mentor them in learning what they love, developing self-confidence, noticing curious intricacies, and driving towards new knowledge.
There are two types of research mentees I take:
For more information, please visit my advising page.