Michal Kurlaender, Faculty Director, Professor, School of
Education![](/sites/main/files/imagecache/thumbnail/main-images/kurlaender_michal2.png?1576911912)
Michal Kurlaender investigates students’ educational pathways, in
particular K-12 and postsecondary alignment, and access to and
success in postsecondary schooling. She has expertise on
alternative pathways to college and college readiness at both
community colleges and four-year colleges and universities. In
addition to working with national data, Kurlaender works closely
with administrative data from all three of California’s public
higher education sectors–the University of California, the
California State University and the California Community College
systems. Read more about Michal
Kurlaender.
Scott Carrell, Faculty Affiliate, Professor Emeritus,
Department of Economics ![](/sites/main/files/imagecache/thumbnail/main-images/scott_11_02.jpg?1576911912)
Scott Carrell is a Distinguished Professor Emeritus in the UC
Davis Economics Department and a Professor of Economics at the
University of Texas at Austin. His primary area of research
is in the economics of education. Professor Carrell is a
Research Associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research, a
Research Fellow at Institute for the Study of Labor, and a
Faculty Fellow at the Civitas Institute at UT-Austin. He spent 10
years as an active duty officer in the U.S. Air Force, retiring
from the U.S. Air Force Reserve as a Lieutenant Colonel in 2015.
Read more about Scott
Carrell.
Cassandra Hart, Faculty Affiliate, Professor, UC Davis
School of Education ![](/sites/main/files/imagecache/thumbnail/main-images/hart_3.jpg?1628918167)
Dr. Hart is an associate professor of education policy. She
evaluates the effects of school, state and national education
programs, policies, and practices on overall student achievement,
and on the equality of student outcomes. Hart’s work has focused
on online education in both K-12 schools and community colleges,
school choice programs, school accountability policies, and
effects on students of exposure to demographically similar
teachers. She received her PhD from the School of Education
and Social Policy at Northwestern University in 2011.
Paco Martorell, Faculty Affiliate, Professor, School of
Education![](/sites/main/files/imagecache/thumbnail/main-images/martorell_copy_123.jpg?1576911912)
Francisco (Paco) Martorell joined the School of Education as an
assistant professor in July 2014. He has broad research
interests in both higher education and K-12 policy. Recent
studies include analyses of developmental education in college,
the returns to educational credentials, and the impacts of school
facility investments. Current projects include an examination of
parental preferences for schools, financial aid in community
college, the impacts of college readiness signals, and the
long-run effects of school quality. Read more about
Paco
Martorell.
Sherrie Reed, Executive
Director![](/sites/main/files/imagecache/thumbnail/main-images/sherrie_11_02.jpg?1722969366)
Sherrie Reed is Executive Director at the California Education
Lab. In this role, she directs research and administrative
activities of several federal and foundation grants aimed at
improving the educational experiences and outcomes of
California’s youth. Prior to joining the California
Education Lab, Sherrie served as the Director of Research for New
Tech Network and worked in K-12 education as a special education
teacher, school administrator and charter school developer for
more than 20 years. Sherrie has a Ph.D. in School
Organization and Education Policy from University of
California Davis. Drawing on her history as a school practitioner
and charter school developer, Sherrie’s doctoral research focused
on efforts in school reform. More recently, her research efforts
have focused on school truancy, high school graduation
requirements, and college outcomes. Read more about
Sherrie
Reed.
Jacob Jackson, Director of Research
Partnerships![](/sites/main/files/imagecache/thumbnail/main-images/staff-photo-jacob-jackson-2023_1.jpg?1712877683)
Jacob Jackson is the Director of Research Partnerships at the
California Education Lab. He supports strategic partnerships with
key education leaders, institutions, and foundations who provide
funding for the Lab’s research initiatives. He also researches
student success and education policies across the educational
pipeline. Jacob received a Ph.D. in Education from
University of California, Davis. Before his career in research
Jacob was a middle school and high school mathematics teacher.
Alexandria Hurtt, Research Fellow
Alexandria Hurtt is a Research Fellow at the California Education
Lab at the University of California, Davis. Her research
interests include college access and readiness, examining the
role of school inputs on students’ trajectories. Prior to her
role at the Lab, she worked at a charter school in New Jersey
helping to develop English curriculum for middle school students.
She holds a Ph.D. in Education with an emphasis in School
Organization and Educational Policy and a master’s degree in
Education from the University of California, Davis and a
bachelor’s degree in Political Science from The College of New
Jersey.
Elizabeth Zeiger Friedmann, Research
Fellow ![](/sites/main/files/imagecache/thumbnail/main-images/friedmann_betsey_crop2.jpg?1576911912)
Betsey Friedmann is a Research Fellow at the California Education
Lab and Wheelhouse Center. She received her Ph.D. in Education
with an emphasis in School Organization and Educational Policy
from the University of California, Davis. Her research focuses on
issues related to college access and success, including financial
aid and transfer pathways from community colleges. In addition to
her work at University of California, Davis, Betsey also lectures
at California State University, East Bay. She holds a
bachelor’s degree in Economics from University of California,
Berkeley and a master’s degree in Education from California State
University, East Bay.
Kramer A. Dykeman, Research
Fellow ![](/sites/main/files/imagecache/thumbnail/main-images/kramer_11_02.jpg?1576911912)
Kramer A. Dykeman is a Research Fellow and Data Manager at
the California Education Lab. Kramer received their Ph.D. in
economics in the Department of Economics at the University of
California, Davis. Their research interests include the
economics of education and labor economics, with a particular
interest in college readiness, educational effectiveness, and the
effect of educational systems on historically underrepresented
students. Prior to attending UC Davis, Kramer was a research
associate at the Public Policy Institute of California and taught
at San Francisco State University. They hold a
bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in Economics from San
Francisco State University.
Robbie Linden, Research Fellow![](/sites/main/files/imagecache/thumbnail/main-images/screen_shot_2021-04-22_at_5.36.47_pm.png?1619138258)
Robbie Linden is a research fellow at Wheelhouse and an affiliate
of the California Education Lab. In this role, he conducts
quantitative analyses on student outcomes in the California
Community Colleges. His completed reports include an evaluation
of how the Student-Centered Funding Formula affected student
financial aid receipt and a description of how student enrollment
patterns changed following the onset of the COVID-19
pandemic. Robbie holds a PhD in Education and master’s in
Agricultural and Resource Economics from UC Davis and a
bachelor’s in public policy from the University of
Michigan.
Kairo Weber, Project Manager ![Kairo Weber](/sites/main/files/imagecache/thumbnail/main-images/kairo_weber_0447_crop_1.jpg?1667863396)
Kairo Weber is a Project Manager for the California
Education Lab and Wheelhouse. He assists with research and
administrative activities across the two centers. He is a
qualitative researcher with experience doing in-depth interviews
and data coding, with his original work published in Sex
Roles: “Gender
Confirmation Work, Rest, and Symbolic Boundaries in
(Trans)Gender Support Groups.” Kairo holds a B.A. degree
in sociology and a minor in human rights from University of
California, Davis and graduated summa cum laude.
Karina Jimenez, Administrative
Assistant ![](/sites/main/files/imagecache/thumbnail/main-images/image_50802177_0.jpg?1709165418)
Karina Jimenez is the Administrative Assistant for the California
Education Lab and Wheelhouse. She assists with research and
administrative activities across the two centers. Before working
for the School of Education, Karina worked as a Peer Advising
Counselor and Special Projects Assistant for the UC Davis Center
for Educational Opportunity Program. Karina holds a B.A. degree
in History and two minors in English and Latin American and
Hemispheric Studies from the University of California, Davis, and
graduated with High Honors.
Graduate Student Researchers
Emily Alonso, PhD Student, School of
Education![](/sites/main/files/imagecache/thumbnail/main-images/headshot_0.jpg?1628918585)
Emily Alonso is a second year Ph.D. student in Education with a
concentration in School Organization and Educational Policy. Her
research interests primarily focus on community college education
and include issues surrounding access to meaningful work-based
learning opportunities, online learning, and equity. Emily brings
nearly a decade of experience working closely with nonprofit
organizations in the education and workforce development space
across the state. Emily earned a Master’s in Public
Administration from University of Southern California and a
Bachelor’s of Science in Community and Regional Development from
University of California, Davis, after transferring from
community college.
Audrey Boochever, PhD Student, School of
Education![](/sites/main/files/imagecache/thumbnail/main-images/audrey_boochever.jpg?1672857711)
Audrey Boochever is a Ph.D. student in the School of Education at
UC Davis with a designated emphasis of Computational Social
Science. She is currently researching the impact of career and
technical education (CTE)- focused dual enrollment on student
outcomes. Other research interests include transformative and
restorative justice in schools, teacher and principal
diversity and student-teacher ethnoracial matching, and the
application of quantitative methods to critical race theory
(QuantCrit). Prior to graduate school, she taught math at Overton
High School, a Title 1 school in Memphis, TN, through Teach For
America and was a senior data analyst at Aspire Public Schools.
She has a B.S. in International Agriculture and Rural Development
(Economics concentration, Chinese minor) from Cornell University
and a M.S in Agricultural and Resource Economics from UC
Davis. When Audrey is not working at the California Education
Lab, she is an instructor at Mount Tamalpais College at San
Quentin State Prison and is an independent education and program
evaluation consultant.
Jill Huynh, PhD Student, School of
Education![](/sites/main/files/imagecache/thumbnail/main-images/jill_sq.jpg?1606862378)
Jill Huynh is a Ph.D. student in School Organization &
Educational Policy. Building on a decade of professional
experience at colleges and universities, Jill’s research
questions revolve around issues of diversity, equity, and
inclusion in higher education. Jill obtained a Bachelor of
Arts in Sociology and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology at
the University of Washington and earned her EdM in Higher
Education at Harvard University.
Stephanie Luna-Lopez, PhD Student, School of
Education![](/sites/main/files/imagecache/thumbnail/main-images/headshot_2.jpg?1710263315)
Stephanie Luna-Lopez is a Ph.D. student at the UC Davis School of
Education studying School Organization and Educational Policy
with a designated emphasis in Computational Social Science. Her
research interests include college aspirations, access to higher
education information, college choice, and social networks.
Stephanie’s research is currently focused on the experiences of
first-generation students and rural communities. Stephanie
is a Central Valley native and holds a bachelor’s degree in
Ethnic Studies with a double minor in Education and Public
Policy from UC Berkeley and a master’s degree in Social Science
from UCLA.
Teresita Martinez, PhD
Student, School Organization & Educational
Policy ![](/sites/main/files/imagecache/thumbnail/main-images/teresita_martinez_dsc_4579.jpg?1669144332)
Teresita Martinez is a first-year Ph.D. student in the School
Organization and Educational Policy program. Teresita is
committed to interrogating funding structures and systems in
local and state governments that result in persistent
underinvestment of marginalized communities. Prior to attending
UC Davis, Teresita worked with the Community College Research
Center (CCRC) and served as a fellow at HCM Strategists and the
California Student Aid Commission (CSAC). She holds a MA in
Economics and Education with an emphasis in Education Policy from
Teachers College, Columbia University, a BA in economics and a
minor in education from the University of California, Los
Angeles, and a Graduate Certificate in Applied Policy and
Government from Sacramento State.
Mayra Nunez Martinez, PhD Student, School of
Education![](/sites/main/files/imagecache/thumbnail/main-images/screen_shot_2021-08-13_at_10.31.55_pm_0.png?1667870789)
Mayra is a fourth-year Ph.D. student studying Education with
an emphasis in School Organization and Educational Policy at UC
Davis. Her research interests focus on examining the educational
inequities impacting college access, retention, and completion
for Latina/o/x students in rural
areas. Mayra previously worked as a high school biology
teacher and college access advisor in California’s South San
Joaquin Valley. She received her bachelor’s degree in Biology
with a minor in Nutrition from the University of Pennsylvania.
Cassandra Merritt, PhD Student, Department of
Economics
Cassandra Merritt is a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of
Economics at University of California, Davis. She is a labor
economist with primary interests in education institutions and
their programs, especially in relation to the changing landscape
of labor markets and work. Her recent projects investigate the
impact of innovations in secondary math education and college
advising. Prior to UC Davis, Cassandra served as a field
economist for the Bureau of Labor Statistics. She holds a
master’s degree in Economics from the University of Edinburgh and
a bachelor’s degree in Mathematical Business Economics from
Hofstra University.
Jaime Ramirez-Mendoza, PhD Student, School Organization &
Educational Policy ![](/sites/main/files/imagecache/thumbnail/main-images/jrm_headshot.jpg?1667870816)
Jaime Ramirez-Mendoza (he/him/él) is a second-year Ph.D. student
at UC Davis studying School Organization and Educational Policy.
His personal experience navigating the education system as a
first-generation, low-income, bilingual Latino sparked his
research interest in centering racial equity to analyze college
affordability, access, and success for historically excluded
populations, and bridge said research to policy. Previously,
Jaime worked to advance racial equity policies in college
affordability as a Policy Analyst at The Education Trust, and has
experience providing holistic advising to students via Upward
Bound, the Educational Opportunity Program, and Destination
College Advising Corps. A native of Smith River, CA, Jaime holds
a master’s degree in Higher Education from Harvard and a
bachelor’s degree in Chicanx Studies and Managerial Economics
from UC Davis.
Christina Sun, PhD Student, Department of
Economics![](/sites/main/files/imagecache/thumbnail/main-images/image_6487327.jpg?1675786224)
Christina Sun is a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Economics
at UC Davis. Christina’s research covers applied microeconomics
and behavioral economics. More specifically, she works in the
economics of education, discrimination and stereotyping, and
belief formation and updating within those contexts. Some of her
current projects study the peer effects of immigrant students on
the long-run outcomes of U.S.-born students and the impact of
gender stereotypes on belief updating. Christina holds a
bachelor’s degree in Economics and Mathematics from the State
University of New York at Binghamton.
Wenni Yang, PhD Student, Department of
Economics![](/sites/main/files/imagecache/thumbnail/main-images/wenni.jpeg?1673570675)
Wenni Yang is a Ph.D. student in the Department of Economics at
University of California, Davis. Her fields of interests are
economics of education, labor and development. Topics she is
interested in include peer effects, aspirations, skill formation
and social mobility. She holds a master’s degree in Economics
from Fudan University and a bachelor’s degree in Economics from
East China Normal University.
Alumni and Affiliated Researchers
Sara Adan, Senior Data Specialist![](/sites/main/files/imagecache/thumbnail/main-images/sara_adan.jpg?1576911912)
Sara Adan is a Senior Data Specialist at the Success Center
housed within the Foundation for California Community Colleges
where her current work focuses on leveraging system student data
to help the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office
meet its strategic priorities and shine a light on inequities
within the community college system. Prior to joining the Success
Center, Sara worked or consulted for a variety of organizations
including the Public Policy Institute of
California, Mendocino County Office of
Education, California Community Colleges Chancellor’s
Office, California Competes, and The Century Foundation. She is a
proud community college alum who holds a PhD in
Education with a concentration in School Organization and
Educational Policy from the University of California, Davis,
a master’s in Public Policy and Administration from Sacramento
State University, and a bachelor’s of science in Applied
Psychology from New York University.
Minahil Asim, PhD, Assistant Professor, University of
Ottawa![](/sites/main/files/imagecache/thumbnail/main-images/minahil_116_023.jpg?1673995574)
Minahil Asim is an Assistant Professor of Education Leadership
and Program Evaluation at the University of Ottawa. She studies
education reforms and policies focused on improving learning
outcomes and educational trajectories for disadvantaged students
in low- and middle-income countries. Her research attempts to
advance knowledge on how 1) educational leadership and management
and 2) direct support in school or at home can improve
student progression and learning. Previously, she was a
Postdoctoral Fellow at the Ontario Institute for Studies in
Education (OISE), University of Toronto. She earned her Ph.D. in
Education Policy from the University of California, Davis.
She also holds a master’s degree in International
Comparative Education (ICE) from Stanford University and a
bachelor’s degree in Economics at the Lahore University of
Management Sciences.
Briana Ballis, PhD, Assistant Professor, University of
California Merced![](/sites/main/files/imagecache/thumbnail/main-images/ballis_briana_crop2.jpg?1576911912)
Briana Ballis is an Assistant Professor of Economics at
the University of California Merced. Her interest
is economics of education. Specifically,
she studies the long-run impacts of special education
placement and how peers influence educational investments. She
has also worked as a research analyst at Research
Triangle Institute (RTI) working on projects related to
Medicare and Medicaid. Prior to earning her Ph.D. in
Economics from the University of California, Davis,
she holds a master’s degree in Economics and a bachelor’s
degree in Economics and International Relations from Boston
University.
Claudia Escobar, Associate Director of Learning and
Research, Wheelhouse UC Davis![](/sites/main/files/imagecache/thumbnail/main-images/claudia_11_02.jpg?1576911912)
Claudia Escobar is a research fellow at Wheelhouse: The Center
for Community College Leadership and Research. She served
as a graduate student researcher with the California
Education Lab and UC Davis Office of Diversity, Equity, and
Inclusion. She is a former researcher and policy analyst for the
UC Office of the President. Claudia
received her Ph.D. in School Organization and
Education Policy at the UC Davis School of Education in
2020. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Government from
Claremont McKenna Collee and a Masters of Public Policy from
University of Chicago. She is the first in her family to
obtain a bachelor’s and master’s degree and now
a doctorate.
Michel Grosz, PhD, Economist, Federal Trade
Commission![](/sites/main/files/imagecache/thumbnail/main-images/grosz_michel_crop2.jpg?1576911912)
Michel Grosz is an economist at the Federal Trade Commission. He
received his Ph.D. in Economics in 2017 from the University of
California, Davis. Michel is a labor economist whose research
primarily focuses on community colleges and career-technical
education. Previously, Michel worked as a senior analyst at Abt
Associates and as a research associate at the Urban Institute.
Michel earned a bachelor’s degree in Economics from Pomona
College.
Oliver Hannaoui, Research Analyst, Federal Reserve
Bank of New York ![](/sites/main/files/imagecache/thumbnail/main-images/oliver.jpg?1675112405)
Oliver is a recent graduate of the University of California,
Davis where he majored in Economics and Statistics. He is
currently a Research Analyst at the Federal Reserve Bank of New
York where he works on international macroeconomics and
finance projects. His research at the California Education Lab
focuses on using causal techniques to identify the effect of
financial aid on college attendance, performance, and
persistence, specifically for nontraditional students. After
completing his program at the NY Fed, he intends on pursuing a
Ph.D. in either Economics, Statistics, or Applied Mathematics.
Ambar Hernandez Negrete, Postdoctoral Researcher,
University of California Davis![](/sites/main/files/imagecache/thumbnail/main-images/amber_11_02.jpg?1576911912)
Dr. Ambar Hernandez Negrete is a postdoctoral
researcher at the University of California, Davis, within the
Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior department. She holds a
Ph.D. in Education and B.S. in Community and Regional Development
from the University of California, Davis. Currently,
Dr. Hernandez Negrete is conducting research that seeks
to increase racial equity for students of color in STEM fields.
Dr. Hernandez Negrete’s own research is at the
intersections of policy, racial justice, and civic engagement.
Alongside youth, Dr. Hernandez Negrete analyzed the
policy discourse used to ban the Mexican American Studies program
in Tucson, Arizona for her dissertation research.
Kelsey Krausen, PhD, Senior Engagement Manager, West
Ed![](/sites/main/files/imagecache/thumbnail/main-images/krausen_kelsey_crop2.jpg?1576911912)
Kelsey Krausen, PhD is a Senior Engagement Manager with the
Strategic Resource Planning and Implementation Team at WestEd.
Her areas of expertise include accountability systems, education
finance, and systems improvement. From Oakland, California,
Krausen’s work focuses on improving outcomes for students in
underserved communities through strategic and equitable resource
allocation. With experience as a qualitative research, educator,
and systems improvement coach, Krausen has worked on a range of
research projects including research for the Student Centered
Funding Formula Oversight Committee, development of Oklahoma’s
Resource Allocation Review Process, and an evaluation of
Differentiated Assistance in California. Krausen also led the
school finance research that brought to light the “Silent
Recession”: a nationwide phenomenon in which school districts
face financial pressures despite increasing levels of school
funding. Krausen has a PhD in School Organization and Educational
Policy from the University of California, Davis, an MA in Public
Administration from San Francisco State University, and a BA in
Literature from the University of California, San Diego.
Alice Li, Economist, Department of
Justice ![](/sites/main/files/imagecache/thumbnail/main-images/li_alice_crop.png2_.jpg?1576911912)
Alice is currently an Economist with the Antitrust Division at
the Department of Justice. Her current research focus is on
remedial education policies and its effect on community college
student outcomes. Previously, Alice worked at an
economic consulting firm for two years. Alice graduated from
UC Davis with an Economics PhD in June 2022. She holds a Bachelor
of Arts in Economics and Mathematics from the University of
Virginia.
Lester Lusher, PhD, Associate Professor, University of
Hawaii at Manoa![](/sites/main/files/imagecache/thumbnail/main-images/lusher._lester_crop2.jpg?1576911912)
Lester Lusher is an Associate Professor in the Department of
Economics at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Lester’s research
centers around a broad array of topics in education, including
understanding the importance of monetary incentives, commitment
devices, teaching assistants, and sleep cycles on student
achievement. Lester’s studies leverage both natural and
experimental variation. His work has received support from
several external foundations, including the Russell Sage
Foundation, the National Science Foundation, and the Abdul Latif
Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL) North America. He earned his
Ph.D. in Economics in June 2017 from the University of
California, Davis.
Justin Luu, PhD, Researcher, American Institutes for
Research ![](/sites/main/files/imagecache/thumbnail/main-images/image_15.png?1709241328)
Justin Luu is a Researcher at the American Institutes for
Research where his work primarily focuses on school
accountability and postsecondary pathways. His dissertation
explores and examines policies in the state of California that
aim to improve college readiness and access. Prior to pursuing
his PhD at UC Davis, he worked as a quantitative research analyst
with the Center for Research on Education Outcomes (CREDO) based
at Stanford University. There, his research focused on evaluating
charter schools and measuring school quality. Justin holds a
Ph.D. in School Organization and Education Policy and a
bachelor’s degree in economics from UC Davis.
Joanna Mathias, Senior Research Associate,
WestEd![](/sites/main/files/imagecache/thumbnail/main-images/mathias_thorp_joanna_crop23.jpg?1576911912)
Joanna Mathias (she/her) is a Senior Research Associate with the
Strategic Resource Planning and Implementation Team at WestEd.
Her projects include analyses of the effect of California’s
school finance and accountability reform on student achievement
and the equity impacts of fiscal autonomy for schools. She is an
experienced policy researcher with expertise in the economics of
education, education policy, and econometrics. She has previously
worked in partnership with the California Department of
Education, advocacy groups, and private funders to answer
pressing questions on access to educational opportunities. As a
first-generation college student and community college alumna,
Mathias is broadly interested in the role of education in
intergenerational social mobility, with an emphasis on
postsecondary transitions. Mathias holds a PhD in School
Organization and Education Policy from the University of
California at Davis, and an MS in Economics from North Carolina
State University.
Matt Naven, PhD, Assistant Professor, Washington and
Lee University ![](/sites/main/files/imagecache/thumbnail/main-images/matt_11_02.jpg?1576911912)
Matt is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Economics at
Washington and Lee University. His primary research interests are
public economics, labor economics, and the economics of
education. His research focuses on the effects of institutions,
public policies, and external forces on student outcomes, with
particular interest in increasing college access for low-income
students. Prior to earning his Ph.D. in economics from the
University of California, Davis, Matt grew up in Omaha, Nebraska
and completed bachelor’s degrees in Economics and Spanish at
Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Carolina Ramirez, PhD, Education Policy Analyst, San
Francisco Unified School District![](/sites/main/files/imagecache/thumbnail/main-images/pxl_20221104_175437360.portrait59_copy.png?1675310732)
Carolina completed her doctorate in December 2019 and
subsequently worked as a researcher and data analyst with the
Education Trust—West (ETW). She is currently an Education Policy
Analyst for San Francisco Unified School District. Her past work
spans the P-16 spectrum and includes issues like: P-16 basic
needs, remediation/developmental education, dual enrollment,
parenting college students’ needs, teacher recruitment and
retention within primary and secondary grades, dual language
learners, academic self-concept, undergraduate enrollment
patterns, and undergraduate persistence. Currently based in
Oakland, Carolina was raised in California’s San
Joaquin Valley. She has a young family and spends her weekends at
playgrounds, beaches, and petting zoos across the greater Bay
Area.
Anna Marie Ramos, Senior Associate, Social Policy
Research Associates (SPR)![](/sites/main/files/imagecache/thumbnail/main-images/anna_marie.jpeg?1576911912)
Anna Marie is a Senior Associate at Social Policy Research
Associates (SPR), where she contributes to equity-focused
evaluations of education- and community-based programs. Prior to
joining SPR, her research explored a variety of college access
policies in California, inclusive of how basic needs challenges
and related institutional resources influence students’
educational trajectories. Anna Marie previously worked at MDRC,
the Campaign for College Opportunity, and the American Council on
Education. She holds a Ph.D. and a master’s degree from UC Davis,
as well as a bachelor’s degree from the University of San
Francisco.
Derek Rury, Postdoctoral Researcher, University of
Chicago ![](/sites/main/files/imagecache/thumbnail/main-images/screen_shot_2021-11-02_at_9.33.21_am.png?1635871162)
Derek Rury is a postdoctoral researcher at the University of
Chicago’s Harris School of Public Policy. Derek’s work focuses on
the economics of education, particularly how students’ and
parents’ beliefs influence their educational decisions and
outcomes. He also studies the labor market consequences of those
decisions as well as how educational institutions shape the way
students think and behave. Derek completed his PhD in economics
at the University of California at Davis in 2021.
Silvia Tovar, PhD Student, School of
Education ![](/sites/main/files/imagecache/thumbnail/main-images/silvia.png?1667870276)
Silvia is a Ph.D. student in the School of Education at UC Davis
with an emphasis on School Organization and Educational Policy.
She has spent 30 years as an educator, serving children in
various roles as a teacher, reading specialist, program
facilitator, assistant principal, and principal. Silvia’s
experiences encompass grades K-12, which include being the
founding principal of one of the first STEM high schools in the
state. She is a credentialed bilingual teacher and holds a clear
administrative credential in California.
Iwunze Ugo, Research Fellow, Public Policy Institute of
California ![](/sites/main/files/imagecache/thumbnail/main-images/iwunze_ugo.jpg?1701220099)
Iwunze Ugo is a research fellow at the Public Policy Institute of
California. His work focuses on assessments, accountability, and
funding in PK-12 education as well as college readiness and
college preparatory experiences like dual enrollment. He holds a
PhD in economics from the University of California, Davis
and a bachelor’s degree in Economics and Mathematics from
the University of California, Santa Barbara.
Juliet Wahleithner, PhD, Associate Professor, Fresno
State![](/sites/main/files/imagecache/thumbnail/main-images/juliet_wahleithner_web800_crop2.jpg?1673986942)
Juliet Michelsen Wahleithner is an Associate Professor of
Literacy Education in the Literacy, Early, Bilingual, and Special
Education Department at Fresno State University, where she also
serves as the Assistant Director of Teacher Education. In that
role, she helps to oversee Fresno State’s 14 educator preparation
programs. Juliet also serves as the Director of the San Joaquin
Valley Writing Project, the local site of the National Writing
Project, and the Associate Executive Director of the California
Writing Project. She is an affiliate faculty member of the
Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership at Fresno State.
Juliet’s research focuses on teacher development and the teaching
and learning of literacy. Prior to earning her Ph.D. in Education
from University of California, Davis, Juliet taught high school
and served as a district level instructional coach in Lodi
Unified.
Jackson Yan, Postdoctoral Researcher, University of
Texas, Austin ![](/sites/main/files/imagecache/thumbnail/main-images/jackson_yan.png?1576911912)
Jackson is a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Texas,
Austin. He received his Ph.D. in Education with an emphasis in
School Organization and Educational Policy from the University of
California, Davis. His research interests are focused on
community college students and their transfer pathways to a
four-year college. Jackson has previously taught English
composition as an adjunct faculty member at Foothill-De Anza and
Skyline Community Colleges. He holds a master’s degree in English
from San Francisco State University and a bachelor’s degree from
UC Davis.
Baiyu Zhou, Senior Associate, Charles River
Associates
Baiyu Zhou is a Senior Associate at Charles River Associates, an
economic consulting firm. She received her Ph.D. in Economics
from UC Davis in 2024, where her dissertation focused on
evaluating education policies in global contexts using
natural experiments. Baiyu holds a Bachelor’s degree in
Economics and Mathematics from Colgate University.
Undergraduate Research Assistants
Alumni
Nayeli Figueroa, Psychology, Minor in Human Development and
Education, Class of 2022
Erin Olafsson-Goldberg, Psychology, Minor in Education, Class of
2022
Erick Lopez, Political Science – Public Service, Class of
2021
Maggie Garzon Trujillo, History, Class of 2021
Keely Johnson, Psychology, Class of 2021
Okuny Awow, Molecular and Medical Microbiology, Class of 2023
Jamaih Belk, Chemical Engineering, Class of 2023
Zeke Spooner, Environmental Toxicology, Class of 2023
Nicole Lei, Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior, Class of 2022
Jose Samano Catalan, Psychology, Class of 2022
Carlos Rendon, Neurobiology, Physiology & Behavior, Class of 2022
Madison Ganas, Political Science and International
Relations, Class of 2021
Sarika Robinson, Neurobiology, Physiology & Behavior, Minor in
Education, Class of 2021
Lorena Diaz, Psychology, Class of 2021
Natalie Ken, Economics, Minor in Political Science and
Technology Management, Class of 2021
Jennie Read, History, Class of 2021
David Railton Garrett, Biological Psychology, Class of 2021
Diyana Khurana, Mathematical Analytics & Operations
Research and Economics, Class of 2021
Anna Verdiguel Gillet, Evolution, Ecology, and
Biodiversity, Minor in Education, Class of 2020
Vincent Fateh, Biomedical Engineering, Minor in Technology
Management, Class of 2020
Aydin Schwartz, Economics, Class of 2020
David Correa, Class of 2019
Kristen Cui, Class of 2019
Joseph Melkonian, Class of 2019
Grace Beattie, Managerial Economics, Class of 2018
Madeline Garcia, Political Science, Class of
2017
Victoria Gutierrez, Psychology, Class of 2017
Sophie Mcguinness, Economics, Class of 2017