Grow to Learn
Shiyi Chen
Associate Professor
University of Idaho
Shiyi is an Associate Professor of Child Development at the School of Family and Consumer Science at the University of Idaho. She earned her Ph.D. in Educational Psychology at Florida State University and started her career as a university faculty in 2019. Shiyi specializes in various quantitative (e.g., multilevel modeling, SEM, mediation, and moderation analysis) and qualitative (e.g., grounded theory and case study) research methods.
Shiyi's research program focuses on the joint effect of children's emergent metacognition and teacher-child interaction on early science teaching and learning.
When Shiyi is not working, she enjoys exploring the beautiful northwest mountains with her pup, Eggy.
Michaela Green
M.S. Student
Graduate Research Assistant
University of Idaho
My name is Michaela Green and I'm a graduate student studying childhood development at the University of Idaho. I received my bachelor's degree in Psychology, and my research thus far has focused on young children's metacognition and externalizing behavior. I'm currently expanding my research to include teacher-child relationships and disruptive behavior in the classroom. I aspire to be a child clinical psychologist to explore and treat children's psychopathology and create interventions that target disadvantaged communities. In my free time I like to journal, scrapbook, go thrifting, and spend time with loved ones.
Ashlyn Wallace
M.S. Student
Graduate Research Assistant
University of Idaho
Hello! My name is Ashlyn Wallace. I grew up in the Lewis-Clark Valley, so Moscow has always felt like home to me. I was a member of the University of Idaho Women’s Basketball team for four years, where I played as a shooting guard. I earned my undergraduate degree in Child Development at the University of Idaho, and I am currently in my first year of my master's program in Child Development under the guidance of Dr. Shiyi Chen.
My long-term goal is to take on a leadership role as a director in an early childhood education setting. I first discovered my passion for working with children during my sophomore year of college, when I began taking child development courses. Since then, I have been committed to fostering safe, nurturing environments where children can learn, grow, and thrive.
Rebecca Sermeno
Ph.D student
Graduate Research Assistant
University of Idaho
My name is Rebecca Sermeno. I am currently a graduate student at the University of Idaho working towards my Ph.D. degree in Curriculum and Instruction. I graduated with my Bachelor’s degree from Lewis-Clark State College in Early Childhood Education. My goal is to work with and help children and families. Outside of school, I enjoy spending time outdoors like hiking and swimming. I also enjoy painting, crocheting and other crafts.
Nikki Hodge
Research Coordinator
Former Graduate Research Assistant
University of Idaho
​Nikki is a research coordinator with undergraduate degrees in English, Animal Science, and Psychology and a master’s degree in Family Consumer Sciences. Her master’s thesis was on the relationship between child problem behavior and parental stress. Nikki is also a certified yoga instructor with an interest in investigating how yoga could be beneficial to children’s behavior and metacognition. She has ~10 years experience working as a substitute teacher, primarily in special education classrooms. Because of this experience, Nikki is especially interested in assisting children with autism spectrum disorder and ADHD to face life’s challenges with more ease. When not working, Nikki enjoys spending time with her family and immersing herself into a good story through reading, writing, and watching movies/shows. She also travels, hikes, kayaks, plays video games, and practices yoga.
Ozlem Oner
Ph.D. Student
Graduate Teaching Assistant
University of Idaho
Ozlem earned her BA and MA degrees in Psychology, as well as a post-graduate degree in Autism and Behavioral Science. She has been working with children and young adults with autism since 2014 and became a Board-certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) in 2017. Currently in her fourth year of a Ph.D. program specializing in autism spectrum disorder and related disorders, she also serves as a graduate assistant. Her research interests focus on the importance of early diagnosis and evidence-based interventions in neurodevelopmental disorders, educational neuroscience research, and teacher-scientist collaboration in this emerging field.
Eggy
Eggy is Shiyi's colleague in her home office and the official mascot of the lab. He researches anything edible and is passionate about interrupting meetings.
Lab Alumni
Ashley Jelliffe
Undergraduate Research Assistant
University of Idaho
My name is Ashley Jelliffe and I am currently a sophomore at the University of Idaho studying Child Development and Family Relations. My goal is to become a Child Life Specialist or anything that deals with children and medicine. When I am not doing schoolwork, you can find me anywhere outdoors. I love camping, hiking, and fishing.
Abril Correa
Undergraduate Research Assistant
University of Idaho
My name is Abril Correa, and I am a first-generation third-year student at the University of Idaho studying Psychology and Child Development with a Minor in Spanish. Upon graduating and attaining my bachelor's degree, I want to attend graduate school and pursue a career as a Clinical Child Psychologist and specialize in Developmental Trauma. I am currently concluding my research as McNair Scholar with Dr. Shiyi Chen on “Self-Image of Adult Children of Alcoholics,” which has allowed me to engage in research on parental alcoholism and self-image helping me learn and build new skills. When I am not working on schoolwork, you can find me enjoying time with my friends around the Palouse!