The Finelli Lab

  • A group having fun at the ASEE ERM Brouhaha

The Finelli Lab aims to influence the practice of engineering education by (1) researching faculty teaching practices and their impact on student learning and (2) establishing a more inclusive ecosystem for undergraduate engineering education. The lab fosters a supportive and flexible environment in which students develop their skills as researchers by designing research projects; collecting and analyzing data; exploring issues related to diversity, equity, and inclusion; writing and critiquing manuscripts; presenting work to the group for feedback; and mentoring masters and undergraduate student researchers. Ideal lab members should be self-directed, self-motivated, and curious; should embrace diversity and inclusion; should be open to learning new ideas about engineering education research; and should be eager to explore multiple perspectives.

Former team members

  • Postdoctoral researchers
    • Maartje Van den Bogaard (2021-2022). Now Associate Professor of Teacher Education at University of Texas El Paso.
    • David Reeping (2020-2021). Now Assistant Professor at University of Cincinnati.
    • Aaron Johnson (2016-2019). Now Assistant Professor in Aerospace Engineering at University of Michigan
    • Jessica Swenson (2018-2019). Now Assistant Professor at University at Buffalo
    • Laura Hirshfield (2014-2016). Now Lecturer in Chemical Engineering at University of Michigan
    • Golnoosh Rasoulifar (2015)
    • Julianne Vernon (2014-2015)
  • Graduate students research assistants
    • Gabriel Draughon, civil engineering (2017-2023). Now Assistant Teaching Professor of Engineering Fundamental at Michigan Technological University
    • Laura Carroll, engineering education research (2018-2023). Now Education Research and Assessment Analyst in the Trefny Institute at Colorado School of Mines
    • Caroline Crockett, electrical & computer engineering (2017-2022). Now Assistant Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering Engineering at University of Virginia
    • Vanessa Holmes, higher education (2020)
    • Rachel Vitali, mechanical engineering (2016-2019). Now Assistant Professor in Mechanical Engineering at University of Iowa
    • Jessica Hernandez, higher education (2019)
    • Shivani Sakri, aerospace engineering (2019)
    • Matt DeMonbron,  higher education (2013-2018). Now at Southern Methodist University
    • Sarah Bork, electrical and computer engineering (2017-2018)
    • Jessica Cañas, higher education (2015-2016)
    • Rob Bielby, higher education (2010-2012)
    • Matt Holsapple, higher education (2008-2012)
    • Brian Burt, higher education (2010-2012)
    • Eunjong Ra, higher education (2010-2011)
    • Ethan Eagle, aerospace engineering (2011)
    • Kelly Walczak, higher education (2009-2010)
    • Janel Sutkus, higher education (2007-2008)
    • Honor Passow, higher education (2003-2005)
    • Matt Mayhew, higher education (2003-2004)
  • Undergraduate students
    • Elizabeth Strehl, biomedical engineering (2020)
    • Max Blackburn, electrical and computer engineering (2017-2019)
    • Candace Wiwel, naval architecture and marine engineering (2017-2018)
    • Magel Su, materials science engineering (2017)
    • Julia Kerst, electrical and computer engineering (2016)
    • Hanna Pfershy, biomedical engineering (2016)
    • Charlotte Sawyer, industrial and operations engineering (2014)
    • Ameen Al-Khafaji, electrical and computer engineering (2011-2012)
    • Martha Neubauer, chemical engineering (2011-2012)