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Dr. Del Siegle serves as director of the Renzulli Center for Creativity, Gifted Education, and Talent Development. He holds the Lynn and Ray Neag Endowed Chair for Talent Development in the Neag School of Education at UConn, where he was honored as a teaching fellow. Prior to earning his Ph.D., Del worked as a gifted and talented coordinator in Montana. He is past president of the National Association of Gifted Children and has served on the board of directors of The Association for the Gifted. He is also past chair of the AERA Research on Giftedness, Creativity, and Talent SIG. He has been co-editor of the Journal of Advanced Academics and Gifted Child Quarterly. He writes a technology column for Gifted Child Today. Del’s research interests include web-based instruction, motivation of gifted students, and teacher bias in the identification of students for gifted programs. Along with Gary Davis and Sylvia Rimm, he is an author of the popular textbook, Education of the Gifted and Talented (6th and 7th ed.). He is the Director of the National Center for Research on Gifted Education (NCRGE), which replaces the former National Research Center on the Gifted and Talented (NRC/GT).
Dr. Del Siegle serves as director of the Renzulli Center for Creativity, Gifted Education, and Talent Development. He holds the Lynn and Ray Neag Endowed Chair for Talent Development in the Neag School of Education at UConn, where he was honored as a teaching fellow. Prior to earning his Ph.D., Del worked as a gifted and talented coordinator in Montana. He is past president of the National Association of Gifted Children and has served on the board of directors of The Association for the Gifted. He is also past chair of the AERA Research on Giftedness, Creativity, and Talent SIG. He has been co-editor of the Journal of Advanced Academics and Gifted Child Quarterly. He writes a technology column for Gifted Child Today. Del’s research interests include web-based instruction, motivation of gifted students, and teacher bias in the identification of students for gifted programs. Along with Gary Davis and Sylvia Rimm, he is an author of the popular textbook, Education of the Gifted and Talented (6th and 7th ed.). He is the Director of the National Center for Research on Gifted Education (NCRGE), which replaces the former National Research Center on the Gifted and Talented (NRC/GT).
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Dr. Catherine A. Little is a Professor in Educational Psychology at the University of Connecticut. She earned her Ph.D. in Educational Policy, Planning, and Leadership with emphasis in Gifted Education Administration from The College of William and Mary in 2001. She is currently the Project Director for Project SPARK, which was funded by the Javits program in the 2014 competition, and Project LIFT, which was funded by the Javits program in the 2018 competition. In addition Dr. Little previously worked on several other Javits grants, including serving as curriculum coordinator for Project Phoenix (social studies project, awarded 1998) and as co-PI for the SEM-R in the Middle project (reading project, awarded 2008). She was also involved as a curriculum specialist in the early stages of Project Athena (language arts project, awarded 2003).
Dr. Catherine A. Little is a Professor in Educational Psychology at the University of Connecticut. She earned her Ph.D. in Educational Policy, Planning, and Leadership with emphasis in Gifted Education Administration from The College of William and Mary in 2001. She is currently the Project Director for Project SPARK, which was funded by the Javits program in the 2014 competition, and Project LIFT, which was funded by the Javits program in the 2018 competition. In addition Dr. Little previously worked on several other Javits grants, including serving as curriculum coordinator for Project Phoenix (social studies project, awarded 1998) and as co-PI for the SEM-R in the Middle project (reading project, awarded 2008). She was also involved as a curriculum specialist in the early stages of Project Athena (language arts project, awarded 2003).
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Dr. James C. Kaufman is a Professor of Educational Psychology at the University of Connecticut. He is the author/editor of more than 45 books, including Creativity 101 (2nd ed., 2016) and the Cambridge Handbook of Creativity (2nd ed., 2019; with Robert Sternberg). He has published more than 300 papers, including the study that spawned the “Sylvia Plath Effect,” and three well-known theories of creativity, including (with Ron Beghetto) the Four-C Model of Creativity. He is a past president of Division 10 of the American Psychological Association. James has won many awards, including Mensa’s research award, the Torrance Award from the National Association for Gifted Children, and APA’s Berlyne and Farnsworth awards. He co-founded two major journals (Psychology of Aesthetics, Creativity, and the Arts and Psychology of Popular Media Culture). He has tested Dr. Sanjay Gupta’s creativity on CNN, appeared in the hit Australia show Redesign Your Brain, and narrated the comic book documentary Independents. He wrote the book and lyrics to Discovering Magenta, which had its NYC premiere in 2015.
Dr. James C. Kaufman is a Professor of Educational Psychology at the University of Connecticut. He is the author/editor of more than 45 books, including Creativity 101 (2nd ed., 2016) and the Cambridge Handbook of Creativity (2nd ed., 2019; with Robert Sternberg). He has published more than 300 papers, including the study that spawned the “Sylvia Plath Effect,” and three well-known theories of creativity, including (with Ron Beghetto) the Four-C Model of Creativity. He is a past president of Division 10 of the American Psychological Association. James has won many awards, including Mensa’s research award, the Torrance Award from the National Association for Gifted Children, and APA’s Berlyne and Farnsworth awards. He co-founded two major journals (Psychology of Aesthetics, Creativity, and the Arts and Psychology of Popular Media Culture). He has tested Dr. Sanjay Gupta’s creativity on CNN, appeared in the hit Australia show Redesign Your Brain, and narrated the comic book documentary Independents. He wrote the book and lyrics to Discovering Magenta, which had its NYC premiere in 2015.
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Dr. Betsy McCoach is co-Principal Investigator and Associate Director for the National Center for Research on Gifted Education. She has extensive experience in multilevel modeling, instrument design, and latent variable modeling. She is the founder and Program Chair of the annual Modern Modeling Methods conference. Dr. McCoach has co-authored over 100 peer-reviewed journal articles, book chapters, and books, including Instrument Design in the Affective Domain and Multilevel Modeling of Educational Data. She was editor of Gifted Child Quarterly (2012-2017). Dr. McCoach has served as co-Principal Investigator and research methodologist for several federally-funded IES and NSF projects. Dr. McCoach is a member of the IES Stats/Methods review panel.
Dr. Betsy McCoach is co-Principal Investigator and Associate Director for the National Center for Research on Gifted Education. She has extensive experience in multilevel modeling, instrument design, and latent variable modeling. She is the founder and Program Chair of the annual Modern Modeling Methods conference. Dr. McCoach has co-authored over 100 peer-reviewed journal articles, book chapters, and books, including Instrument Design in the Affective Domain and Multilevel Modeling of Educational Data. She was editor of Gifted Child Quarterly (2012-2017). Dr. McCoach has served as co-Principal Investigator and research methodologist for several federally-funded IES and NSF projects. Dr. McCoach is a member of the IES Stats/Methods review panel.
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Dr. Christopher Rhoads is a co-Principal Investigator for the National Center for Research on Gifted Education. He is currently an Associate Professor in the Department of Educational Psychology at the University of Connecticut. His research interests focus on methods for improving causal inference in educational research, particularly in the areas of experimental design and the analysis of multi-level data structures. Dr. Rhoads is now, or has been in the past, a member of research teams conducting evaluation, development and efficacy grants in the areas of educational technology, math education, gifted education, community college persistence rates, and housing and child welfare. These projects have been funded by the National Science Foundation, the Institute of Education Sciences and the Federal Administration for Children and Families. Dr. Rhoads also serves on the advisory boards for several IES and NSF funded projects. He is a regular presenter at the IES funded Summer Research Training Institute for Cluster Randomized Trials. He has published articles in Journal of Educational and Behavioral Statistics, Journal of Research on Educational Effectiveness, and British Journal of Mathematical and Statistical Psychology and is acknowledged as an outstanding peer reviewer for two scholarly journals.
Dr. Christopher Rhoads is a co-Principal Investigator for the National Center for Research on Gifted Education. He is currently an Associate Professor in the Department of Educational Psychology at the University of Connecticut. His research interests focus on methods for improving causal inference in educational research, particularly in the areas of experimental design and the analysis of multi-level data structures. Dr. Rhoads is now, or has been in the past, a member of research teams conducting evaluation, development and efficacy grants in the areas of educational technology, math education, gifted education, community college persistence rates, and housing and child welfare. These projects have been funded by the National Science Foundation, the Institute of Education Sciences and the Federal Administration for Children and Families. Dr. Rhoads also serves on the advisory boards for several IES and NSF funded projects. He is a regular presenter at the IES funded Summer Research Training Institute for Cluster Randomized Trials. He has published articles in Journal of Educational and Behavioral Statistics, Journal of Research on Educational Effectiveness, and British Journal of Mathematical and Statistical Psychology and is acknowledged as an outstanding peer reviewer for two scholarly journals.
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Dr. Joseph S. Renzulli (Emeritus) is a leader and pioneer in gifted education and applying the pedagogy of gifted education teaching strategies to all students. The American Psychological Association named him among the 25 most influential psychologists in the world. He received the Harold W. McGraw, Jr. Award for Innovation in Education, considered by many to be “the Nobel” for educators, and was a consultant to the White House Task Force on Education of the Gifted and Talented. His work on the Three Ring Conception of Giftedness, the Enrichment Triad Model and curriculum compacting and differentiation were pioneering efforts in the 1970s, and he has contributed hundreds of books, book chapters, articles, and monographs to the professional literature, many of which have been translated to other languages. Dr. has received more than $50 million in research grants and several million dollars of additional funding for professional development and service projects.
Dr. Joseph S. Renzulli (Emeritus) is a leader and pioneer in gifted education and applying the pedagogy of gifted education teaching strategies to all students. The American Psychological Association named him among the 25 most influential psychologists in the world. He received the Harold W. McGraw, Jr. Award for Innovation in Education, considered by many to be “the Nobel” for educators, and was a consultant to the White House Task Force on Education of the Gifted and Talented. His work on the Three Ring Conception of Giftedness, the Enrichment Triad Model and curriculum compacting and differentiation were pioneering efforts in the 1970s, and he has contributed hundreds of books, book chapters, articles, and monographs to the professional literature, many of which have been translated to other languages. Dr. has received more than $50 million in research grants and several million dollars of additional funding for professional development and service projects.
Dr. Renzulli established UConn’s annual Confratute Program with fellow Educational Psychology Professor Sally Reis. This summer institute on enrichment-based differentiated teaching has served more than 35,000 teachers from around the world since 1978. Dr. Renzulli also established the UConn Mentor Connection, a summer program that enables high-potential high school students to work side by side with leading scientists, historians, and artists and other leading edge university researchers. He is also the founder along with Dr. Reis of the Joseph S. Renzulli Gifted and Talented Academy in Hartford, Connecticut which has become a model for local and national urban school reform for high potential/low income students.
His most recent work is an online personalized learning program that provides profiles of each student’s academic strengths, interests, learning styles, and preferred modes of expression. This unique program also has a search engine that matches multiply coded resources with student profiles. Teachers also use the program to select and infuse high engagement enrichment activities into any and all standardized curriculum topics.
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Dr. Sally M. Reis (Emeritus) is the co-Principal Investigator and co-Project Director of the Project 2e-ASD: Strategies for Gifted Students with ASD. She is an Endowed and Board of Trustees Professor in Educational Psychology at the University of Connecticut. She oversees the project, coordinating all activities in support of the project objectives and supervising the project team. She previously worked on several other Javits grants, including serving as a principal investigator for the SEM-R and the SEM-R in the Middle Grades Project (reading project, awarded 2008). She holds the Letitia Neag Morgan Chair in the Neag School of Education where she also served as Principal Investigator of The National Research Center on the Gifted and Talented (1990-2013). She has authored and co-authored more than 250 articles, books, book chapters, and monographs and technical reports. She is a past President of the National Association for Gifted Children and received the Distinguished Scholar and Service Award from that organization.
Dr. Sally M. Reis (Emeritus) is the co-Principal Investigator and co-Project Director of the Project 2e-ASD: Strategies for Gifted Students with ASD. She is an Endowed and Board of Trustees Professor in Educational Psychology at the University of Connecticut. She oversees the project, coordinating all activities in support of the project objectives and supervising the project team. She previously worked on several other Javits grants, including serving as a principal investigator for the SEM-R and the SEM-R in the Middle Grades Project (reading project, awarded 2008). She holds the Letitia Neag Morgan Chair in the Neag School of Education where she also served as Principal Investigator of The National Research Center on the Gifted and Talented (1990-2013). She has authored and co-authored more than 250 articles, books, book chapters, and monographs and technical reports. She is a past President of the National Association for Gifted Children and received the Distinguished Scholar and Service Award from that organization.
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Dr. E. Jean Gubbins (Emeritus) is a Professor in the Department of Educational Psychology at the University of Connecticut. Through grant funding from the United States Department of Education for The National Research Center on the Gifted and Talented (1990–2013), Dr. Gubbins implemented quantitative and qualitative research studies in culturally, linguistically, and economically diverse communities focusing on the curricular strategies and practices in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) high schools, reading and mathematics education in elementary schools, professional development, and gifted education pedagogy for all students. She is Co-Director of the Renzulli Center for Creativity, Gifted Education, and Talent Development and Associate Director and Co-Principal Investigator of the National Center for Research on Gifted Education. She is involved in implementing multi-year studies focusing on exemplary practices in identification and programming for gifted and talented students.
Dr. E. Jean Gubbins (Emeritus) is a Professor in the Department of Educational Psychology at the University of Connecticut. Through grant funding from the United States Department of Education for The National Research Center on the Gifted and Talented (1990–2013), Dr. Gubbins implemented quantitative and qualitative research studies in culturally, linguistically, and economically diverse communities focusing on the curricular strategies and practices in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) high schools, reading and mathematics education in elementary schools, professional development, and gifted education pedagogy for all students. She is Co-Director of the Renzulli Center for Creativity, Gifted Education, and Talent Development and Associate Director and Co-Principal Investigator of the National Center for Research on Gifted Education. She is involved in implementing multi-year studies focusing on exemplary practices in identification and programming for gifted and talented students.
Dr. Gubbins is Principal Investigator of a grant funded by the Javits Gifted and Talented Students Education Program entitled Thinking Like Mathematicians: Challenging All Grade 3 Students. The team developed a unit on algebraic thinking, multiplication, and division for students in general education classrooms that will support and challenge their current and future mathematical understandings. Currently, the team is focusing on providing professional learning opportunities for research participants on how to develop pre-differentiated and enrichment curriculum on fractions for grade 3 students. In addition, she is Co-Principal Investigator for the Javits grant entitled Project BUMP UP Building Up Mathematics Proficiency Utilizing Push-in with students in grades 4–5.
Dr. Gubbins has conducted over 50 program evaluations for school and organizations around the country. Research, evaluation, and teaching interests stem from prior experiences as a classroom teacher, teacher of gifted and talented students, evaluation consultant, and professional developer. She teaches graduate courses in gifted education and talent development related to identification, programming, curriculum development, and program evaluation.
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Stephanie Huntington joined the Renzulli Center as a Program Assistant in 2019. Prior to joining the Renzulli Center team she graduated from the University of Connecticut in 2006 with a degree in psychology. She earned her teaching certificate in elementary education from Southern Connecticut State University and taught 6th grade for many years. Stephanie currently works on a variety of projects including Confratute and other Center events.
Stephanie Huntington joined the Renzulli Center as a Program Assistant in 2019. Prior to joining the Renzulli Center team she graduated from the University of Connecticut in 2006 with a degree in psychology. She earned her teaching certificate in elementary education from Southern Connecticut State University and taught 6th grade for many years. Stephanie currently works on a variety of projects including Confratute and other Center events.
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Lisa M. Muller is the Executive Program Director for the Renzulli Center for Creativity, Gifted Education, and Talent Development. Lisa earned a Master’s degree in forensic psychology, and she has worked at the University of Connecticut since completing her undergraduate degree there. She joined the team at the Renzulli Center in 1999. Lisa is responsible for a wide range of duties within the Renzulli Center and associated projects, including grant projects, outreach activities, and office management. Lisa also holds the primary responsibility for implementing a grant program from the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation focused on a summer residential learning experience for talented high school students from across the country.
Lisa M. Muller is the Executive Program Director for the Renzulli Center for Creativity, Gifted Education, and Talent Development. Lisa earned a Master’s degree in forensic psychology, and she has worked at the University of Connecticut since completing her undergraduate degree there. She joined the team at the Renzulli Center in 1999. Lisa is responsible for a wide range of duties within the Renzulli Center and associated projects, including grant projects, outreach activities, and office management. Lisa also holds the primary responsibility for implementing a grant program from the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation focused on a summer residential learning experience for talented high school students from across the country.
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Siamak Vahidi is an Administrative Program Support staff for the Renzulli Center. He has been working for the Center since 1993.
Siamak Vahidi is an Administrative Program Support staff for the Renzulli Center. He has been working for the Center since 1993.
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Anthony Gambino is a Postdoctoral Research Associate with the National Center for Research on Gifted Education at the University of Connecticut. He earned his M.A. and Ph.D. in Educational Psychology (Research Methods, Measurement, and Evaluation program) at UConn. His areas of expertise/research include causal inference, research and evaluation methodology, multilevel and structural equation modeling, and measurement theory.
Anthony Gambino is a Postdoctoral Research Associate with the National Center for Research on Gifted Education at the University of Connecticut. He earned his M.A. and Ph.D. in Educational Psychology (Research Methods, Measurement, and Evaluation program) at UConn. His areas of expertise/research include causal inference, research and evaluation methodology, multilevel and structural equation modeling, and measurement theory.
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Dr. Kelly Kearney is a Research Associate with Project LIFT. Dr. Kearney completed her Ph.D. in Educational Psychology with emphasis in Gifted and Talented Education at the University of Connecticut in 2014. Dr. Kearney’s background includes working with teachers and students in school-based and out-of-school programs, and her research has included focus on resilience in advanced learners from underserved populations. She was a Research Associate with Project SPARK, coordinating the efforts of multiple schools in project implementation, facilitating PD and data collection efforts, and supporting dissemination and writing. Dr. Kearney will coordinate project management and implementation for Project LIFT, including recruiting and communicating with school personnel, supervising graduate assistants, and reporting project progress and findings.
Dr. Kelly Kearney is a Research Associate with Project LIFT. Dr. Kearney completed her Ph.D. in Educational Psychology with emphasis in Gifted and Talented Education at the University of Connecticut in 2014. Dr. Kearney’s background includes working with teachers and students in school-based and out-of-school programs, and her research has included focus on resilience in advanced learners from underserved populations. She was a Research Associate with Project SPARK, coordinating the efforts of multiple schools in project implementation, facilitating PD and data collection efforts, and supporting dissemination and writing. Dr. Kearney will coordinate project management and implementation for Project LIFT, including recruiting and communicating with school personnel, supervising graduate assistants, and reporting project progress and findings.
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Dr. Susan Dulong Langley is a postdoctoral research associate at the University of Connecticut for Project BUMP UP. She is a former teacher of the gifted in Massachusetts. She served as president of the Massachusetts Association for Gifted Education, and as the parent representative and governance secretary for the National Association for Gifted Children. Susan’s research interests include identification, services, and program retention for culturally and linguistically diverse gifted learners.
Dr. Susan Dulong Langley is a postdoctoral research associate at the University of Connecticut for Project BUMP UP. She is a former teacher of the gifted in Massachusetts. She served as president of the Massachusetts Association for Gifted Education, and as the parent representative and governance secretary for the National Association for Gifted Children. Susan’s research interests include identification, services, and program retention for culturally and linguistically diverse gifted learners.
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Dr. Clarissa Rodrigues is a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Connecticut’s Neag School of Education. She completed her Ph.D. in Educational Psychology at the University of Connecticut in 2023. Her background and research focus on Latinx family engagement, special education, and equity in education. She previously worked as a graduate research assistant on Project LIFT supporting data collection and analysis and delivery of professional learning.
Dr. Clarissa Rodrigues is a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Connecticut’s Neag School of Education. She completed her Ph.D. in Educational Psychology at the University of Connecticut in 2023. Her background and research focus on Latinx family engagement, special education, and equity in education. She previously worked as a graduate research assistant on Project LIFT supporting data collection and analysis and delivery of professional learning.
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John Burrell is a third-year doctoral student at the Renzulli Center for Creativity, Giftedness, and Talent Development at the University of Connecticut. He takes a mixed methods approach to his research. John currently serves as a research assistant on Project EAGLE, a $2.9 million project developing a dynamic approach to equitably identify gifted English Learners (ELs). John’s research interests include executive functions and study skills, mathematical education, self and identity, and conceptions of giftedness and talent development. In line with his belief that research and teaching are mutually reinforcing endeavors, John serves on the faculty of the Andover Summer Program at Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts. John has nine years of experience teaching middle school and high math, science, and study skills.
John Burrell is a third-year doctoral student at the Renzulli Center for Creativity, Giftedness, and Talent Development at the University of Connecticut. He takes a mixed methods approach to his research. John currently serves as a research assistant on Project EAGLE, a $2.9 million project developing a dynamic approach to equitably identify gifted English Learners (ELs). John’s research interests include executive functions and study skills, mathematical education, self and identity, and conceptions of giftedness and talent development. In line with his belief that research and teaching are mutually reinforcing endeavors, John serves on the faculty of the Andover Summer Program at Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts. John has nine years of experience teaching middle school and high math, science, and study skills.
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Julie Delgado is a Ph.D. candidate in Educational Psychology at the University of Connecticut dual majoring in Giftedness, Creativity, and Talent Development and Special Education. She is currently serving as a graduate research assistant on Project 2e-ASD, conducting research on the impacts of professional learning for secondary educators working with academically talented students with autism spectrum disorder. Delgado received her BA from the University of Montana in Elementary Education with areas of emphasis in Mathematics and Psychology (2005) and her MA in Curriculum and Instruction with a Mathematics Major (2013) from the University of Texas, Arlington. She taught elementary general education in Montana for 15 years before beginning her Ph.D. programs. Her research interests involve underserved populations, emphasizing students who are twice-exceptional and from lower socioeconomic backgrounds.
Julie Delgado is a Ph.D. candidate in Educational Psychology at the University of Connecticut dual majoring in Giftedness, Creativity, and Talent Development and Special Education. She is currently serving as a graduate research assistant on Project 2e-ASD, conducting research on the impacts of professional learning for secondary educators working with academically talented students with autism spectrum disorder. Delgado received her BA from the University of Montana in Elementary Education with areas of emphasis in Mathematics and Psychology (2005) and her MA in Curriculum and Instruction with a Mathematics Major (2013) from the University of Texas, Arlington. She taught elementary general education in Montana for 15 years before beginning her Ph.D. programs. Her research interests involve underserved populations, emphasizing students who are twice-exceptional and from lower socioeconomic backgrounds.
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Talbot Hook is a fourth-year doctoral candidate in the Giftedness, Creativity, and Talent Development program. He received his BA in History and East Asian Studies and his Master of Arts in Teaching with endorsements in World History, Chinese, and English as a Second Language. He worked for six years at a rural Iowan school, teaching courses in technology, Spanish, and ESL, prior to matriculating at UCONN. He splits his time between Project Bump Up and Project EAGLE. He also does TA work for EPSY 5710: Introduction to Gifted Education and Talent Development. His research interests are in mindfulness, technology, and conceptual issues in gifted education.
Talbot Hook is a fourth-year doctoral candidate in the Giftedness, Creativity, and Talent Development program. He received his BA in History and East Asian Studies and his Master of Arts in Teaching with endorsements in World History, Chinese, and English as a Second Language. He worked for six years at a rural Iowan school, teaching courses in technology, Spanish, and ESL, prior to matriculating at UCONN. He splits his time between Project Bump Up and Project EAGLE. He also does TA work for EPSY 5710: Introduction to Gifted Education and Talent Development. His research interests are in mindfulness, technology, and conceptual issues in gifted education.
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Shelby Jones is a research graduate assistant on Project EAGLE at the Renzulli Center for Creativity, Gifted Education, and Talent Development. She is currently pursuing her Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction at the Neag School of Education. Shelby holds a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics and a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Mathematics Education. Her work with Project EAGLE aligns with her academic interests and professional passion for mathematics education, giftedness, and equity. She is focused on the role of language in learning, reflecting her commitment to fostering inclusive and advanced educational opportunities.
Shelby Jones is a research graduate assistant on Project EAGLE at the Renzulli Center for Creativity, Gifted Education, and Talent Development. She is currently pursuing her Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction at the Neag School of Education. Shelby holds a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics and a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Mathematics Education. Her work with Project EAGLE aligns with her academic interests and professional passion for mathematics education, giftedness, and equity. She is focused on the role of language in learning, reflecting her commitment to fostering inclusive and advanced educational opportunities.
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Shana Lusk, M.A. is a doctoral student serving as a research assistant on Project Focus and Project LIFT (Learning Informs Focused Teaching). She received her M.A. in Curriculum and Instruction with a concentration in English as a Second Language from Arizona State University. Shana has worked as a speaker for the non-profit notMYkid educating students about Safe Dating and Healthy Relationships. She is a former classroom teacher with experience meeting the diverse needs of general education students and English learners as well as serving as a site coordinator for gifted pull-out services. She has worked to ensure that the strengths of English learners are recognized and accounted for. During her time as a teacher, she was selected as a Javits-Frasier Scholar (National Association for Gifted Children) to advocate for and develop the gifts and talents of culturally and linguistically diverse students. Shana’s research interests include text analytics and sentiment analysis, culture, indigenous populations, gifted English learners, perceptions, teacher preparation, and longitudinal outcomes.
Shana Lusk, M.A. is a doctoral student serving as a research assistant on Project Focus and Project LIFT (Learning Informs Focused Teaching). She received her M.A. in Curriculum and Instruction with a concentration in English as a Second Language from Arizona State University. Shana has worked as a speaker for the non-profit notMYkid educating students about Safe Dating and Healthy Relationships. She is a former classroom teacher with experience meeting the diverse needs of general education students and English learners as well as serving as a site coordinator for gifted pull-out services. She has worked to ensure that the strengths of English learners are recognized and accounted for. During her time as a teacher, she was selected as a Javits-Frasier Scholar (National Association for Gifted Children) to advocate for and develop the gifts and talents of culturally and linguistically diverse students. Shana’s research interests include text analytics and sentiment analysis, culture, indigenous populations, gifted English learners, perceptions, teacher preparation, and longitudinal outcomes.
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Shannon McDonald holds a B.A. in English Literature, a two-year post-baccalaureate certificate in secondary education, and a M.A.T in Gifted Education & Equitable instruction. As former English/language arts public school educator in Washington State, Shannon’s desire to support the needs of advanced learners was realized when working with students in a highly capable contained classroom setting. Currently she works with her advisor, Dr. Catherine Little on Javits’ funded project Focus and volunteers with the Connecticut Association for the Gifted.
Shannon McDonald holds a B.A. in English Literature, a two-year post-baccalaureate certificate in secondary education, and a M.A.T in Gifted Education & Equitable instruction. As former English/language arts public school educator in Washington State, Shannon’s desire to support the needs of advanced learners was realized when working with students in a highly capable contained classroom setting. Currently she works with her advisor, Dr. Catherine Little on Javits’ funded project Focus and volunteers with the Connecticut Association for the Gifted.
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Shuyu Wang is a second-year Giftedness, Creativity, and Talent Development Program doctoral student. She received her M.A. from Hainan Normal University in Curriculum and Instruction and her M.S. from Missouri State University in Educational Technology. She had one and a half years of work experience in ICT-supported instructional design and teacher training programs. Her research focuses on human creativity in fanfiction and the collaborative creative between human and generative artificial intelligence.
Shuyu Wang is a second-year Giftedness, Creativity, and Talent Development Program doctoral student. She received her M.A. from Hainan Normal University in Curriculum and Instruction and her M.S. from Missouri State University in Educational Technology. She had one and a half years of work experience in ICT-supported instructional design and teacher training programs. Her research focuses on human creativity in fanfiction and the collaborative creative between human and generative artificial intelligence.
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Jimmy Wilson is a 2nd year doctoral student in Educational Psychology at UConn’s Renzulli Center for Creativity, Talent Development and Gifted Education. He has taught creative writing, English, and ESL in rural and urban Title 1 schools in Texas for the past decade and has his M.Ed. from Southern Methodist University. He currently works with his advisor, Dr. Catherine Little, on the Javits’ funded Project Focus investigating high quality discourse, and as the emerging scholar in residence for the podcast Fueling Creativity in Education. He is also a fellow for NSF TRANSCEND educational neuroscience PhD training program. At 6’8” he is easy to spot and always willing to chat about his research interests on creativity, equity, and neurodiversity, or his adorable dog, Luke.
Jimmy Wilson is a 2nd year doctoral student in Educational Psychology at UConn’s Renzulli Center for Creativity, Talent Development and Gifted Education. He has taught creative writing, English, and ESL in rural and urban Title 1 schools in Texas for the past decade and has his M.Ed. from Southern Methodist University. He currently works with his advisor, Dr. Catherine Little, on the Javits’ funded Project Focus investigating high quality discourse, and as the emerging scholar in residence for the podcast Fueling Creativity in Education. He is also a fellow for NSF TRANSCEND educational neuroscience PhD training program. At 6’8” he is easy to spot and always willing to chat about his research interests on creativity, equity, and neurodiversity, or his adorable dog, Luke.
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Mei Zheng is a third-year doctoral student in the Giftedness, Creativity, and Talent Development program. She received her M.A. from Pace University in General Psychology. She is a research assistant for the center’s Integrated Subject Acceleration study and currently works collecting information about subject acceleration practices across various districts. Her research focuses on people’s beliefs about creativity and cross-cultural differences. She is also interested in the relationship between meaning and creativity.
Mei Zheng is a third-year doctoral student in the Giftedness, Creativity, and Talent Development program. She received her M.A. from Pace University in General Psychology. She is a research assistant for the center’s Integrated Subject Acceleration study and currently works collecting information about subject acceleration practices across various districts. Her research focuses on people’s beliefs about creativity and cross-cultural differences. She is also interested in the relationship between meaning and creativity.