Quantitative Methodology

Meina Bian is a doctoral student in the quantitative methodology program, from Beijing/China, with research interests in Diagnostic Classification Modeling, Item Response Theory, Diagnostic/Formative Assessment Design, and statistical educational testing, across various designed conditions via machine learning embedded methodological methods. In her free time, she likes to listen to music and explore programming based on newly acquired computational languages and techniques.

Annessia J. Bullard is an M.Ed. student in the quantitative methodology program. In addition to the QM program, she’s a Ph.D. candidate in the gifted and creative education program. Annessia is from Atlanta, GA, and earned a Bachelor of Arts from Spelman College, a Master of Science from Central Michigan University, and a Graduate Certificate in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion from the University of Georgia. Annessia aspires to become a tenure-track assistant professor. Her graduate training centers on equity for gifted/advanced learners and nurturing STEM identity within students of color. Outside of academics, she’s known as a “gym rat” and is passionate about Lupus awareness.

Zack is a PhD student in Quantitative Methodology. He received his bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Georgia and then completed a Master of Arts in Teaching while concurrently teaching 6th grade social studies. He returned to his hometown of Atlanta, Georgia where he taught 9th and 12th grade social studies for 3 years. Zack is interested in fourth generation assessment models, diagnostic classification models, and education law and policy as it relates to assessment.

Sergio Haab is a master’s student in the Quantitative Methodology program. He received his bachelor’s in Statistics from UGA and decided to stick around to stay close to his family in Gwinnett County. Due to his extensive work with high school students, Sergio is interested in streamlining standardized testing at all levels (local to national). To achieve this goal, he’s currently working on a modification to the bifactor model that can provide a broader assortment of vital results. The eventual dream is to streamline the process so that students in honors or gifted programs are not required to take standardized assessments far less rigorous than their current coursework as it’s both a drain on class time and mental health/fatigue. When not involved in academics or research, Sergio spends the majority of his time either Ballroom dancing or snuggling with his cat.

Anastasia Kreisel is a master’s student in the quantitative methods program. She is from Lawrenceville, Georgia, and received her bachelor’s degree in psychology and performing & media arts from Cornell University. Her research interests include higher education administration, college admissions, and college choice. She hopes to one day help colleges make data informed improvements to their admissions processes. In her free time, she likes to spend time with her dogs, go out to dinner with friends, and work on crafts.

Jing Li is a Ph.D. student at UGA in the Quantitative Methodology (QM) program. She comes from the Northeast of China- Liao Ning province. She received her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Michigan State University in 2018 and her master’s degree in educational psychology from Miami University (Ohio) in 2021. She is passionate about educational measurement and Rasch Measurement Theory. She hopes to become a university professor and conduct research on educational measurement. In her free time, she enjoys planting vegetables, hiking, and cooking.

Allen Moore is a master’s student from Forsyth County, GA in the quantitative methodology program. He received his bachelor’s degree in statistics from UGA in 2020, following a lifelong passion for numbers and analysis. His research centers around exploring the process and effects of retrofitting diagnostic classification models to item response theory data, with the ultimate goal of broadening the practical applications of DCMs. Outside of research, Allen enjoys playing Dungeons & Dragons, reading up on politics and current affairs, playing strategy PC games, and hanging out with his cat, Ollie.

Armani Morris is a master’s student in the quantitative methodology program. She graduated with a degree in psychology from Spelman College. Her research interests include educational measurement, students with disabilities, and culturally relevant assessment. When not engaged in academic work, Armani enjoys dance, cooking, exercising, and graphic design.

Yawei Shen has recently graduated from the quantitative method program with a Ph.D. degree under the supervision of Dr. Shiyu Wang. She also holds master’s degrees in quantitative method program and statistics from UGA. Her research interests are computerized adaptive testing and educational data mining. She is currently an associate research scientist at Pearson and works on developing and maintaining state-level linear and adaptive assessments. In her free time, she enjoys stretching yoga, energetic Zumba, all types of music, and books. In addition, she loves hot pots, barbecues, coffee, and ice cream.

Madeline Schellman is a doctoral student in the QM program UGA. She earned bachelor’s degrees in psychology and applied mathematics from UGA. Her research focuses on diagnostic measurement, measuring misconceptions, item development and management. In her spare time, Madeline plays and coaches soccer, trains in mixed martial arts, and plays with her pets.

Cony is a Ph.D. student in the Quantitative Methodology program. She received her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the Universidad de Chile and currently she is finishing her master’s thesis in the Quantitative Methodology. Her research interest includes topic models, mixture models, estimation methods, and model selection indices. Her current work includes investigating the use of machine learning techniques to retrieve more information about examinees thinking from constructed response items. Aside from the academic life, she enjoys swimming and painting.

Yanyan Tan is a doctoral student in the Quantitative Methodology program. She received her Master’s degree in Statistics from UGA. Her research interests are Diagnostic Classification Models, Learning Models, and Computerized Adaptive Testing. In her free time, she enjoys listening to music, watching movies, walking and learning new things.

Cigdem Toptas is a doctoral student in the quantitative methodology program. She received her bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in mathematics. Her research focuses on Rasch measurement theory, invariant measurement, and international comparative assessment. In her free time, she likes taking photos, walking, and knitting.

Jordan Wheeler is a fourth-year doctoral candidate in the quantitative methodology program. He earned his master’s degree in mathematical statistics from the University of Nebraska – Omaha and his bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Nebraska Wesleyan University. His research focuses on the utility of topic models, a family of statistical and machine learning models used to analyze textual data, within educational measurement contexts. In his free time, he enjoys being active, reading, listening to music, and watching sports.

Ye Yuan is a doctoral student in the Quantitative Methodology program with interests in Rasch modeling, unfolding IRT models, and diagnostic classification models. She received her master’s degree in teaching and learning from Ohio State University. Her current work involves attitude measurement and formative assessment. In her free time, she likes reading, playing the erhu, and going swimming.

Selay Zor is a doctoral student in the quantitative methodology program. She was born and raised in Izmir, Turkey. She received her master’s degree in QM from UGA and a bachelor’s degree in mathematics education from Balikesir University, Turkey. Her research interests include diagnostic classification models and differential item functioning. She loves spending time with family and friends, traveling and exploring new cities, hiking and playing tennis.