Cynthia FinelliProfessor
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Cynthia Finelli
Cynthia FinelliProfessor, EECS & EducationDirector, Engineering Education Researchhttps://orcid.org/0000-0001-9148-14929148-1492Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
(734) 764-0244 4413 EECS Building
  • A group having fun at the ASEE ERM Brouhaha

The Finelli Lab

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.

This document, The Finelli Lab: Improving the college experience for STEM students, provides answers to some frequently asked questions about the lab, work expectations, communication and feedback, funding and research choice, graduation time, and professional development.

Current team members

Lea Marlor

Lea Marlor, EER PhD Candidate; Sept 2019 – present

Lea is a Ph.D. candidate in Engineering Education Research. She’s worked on projects relating to online active learning, active learning within community colleges, instructor training in active learning, and the inclusion of sociotechnical content in technical courses. She earned a B.S. in materials science and engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and a M.S. in Engineering Education Research from the University of Michigan. Her hobbies include travel, anything outdoors, and spending time with her dog, Moose. 

Xiaping Lei

Xiaping Li, EER PhD Candidate; Sept 2021 – present

As a member of Finelli’s research group, Xiaping has participated in projects applying change theories to explore STEM instructors’ adoption of active learning in online settings, studying the role of teaching practices in neurodiverse engineering students’ college experiences, and investigating how a digital tool supports inclusive teamwork in engineering. Holding degrees in Hydrology, Water Resources Engineering, Geological Sciences, and Educational Studies, she is passionate about photography, multimedia design, travel, handcraft arts, and delicious food.

Nolgie Oquendo-Colón (he/him), EER PhD Candidate; Jan 2022 – present

Nolgie is a Ph.D. candidate in Engineering Education Research. He has a B.S. and M.S. in Industrial Engineering with a Minor in Project Management from the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez. His research interests span neurodivergent students, engineering cognition, teaching and learning, and cognitive science. Nolgie’s research is dedicated to enhancing the academic success of engineering college students with attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) by exploring students’ experiences, faculty perceptions, and the role of instructional methods. When he’s not working on his research, Nolgie enjoys diving into a good book, a good cup of coffee, and binge-watching Hoarders. 

Karen Nortz, EER PhD Student; Sept 2024 – present

Karen is a PhD student in the Engineering Education Research program at the University of Michigan. She earned her B.S. in civil engineering from Cornell University in May of 2024. She first gained interest in engineering education when she worked as a facilitator for a supplemental math course. Later in her undergraduate career, she had the opportunity to do research on women’s self-efficacy beliefs. In her free time, Karen enjoys baking, crocheting, and reading.

Serena Fan, undergraduate; Dec 2023 – present

Serena is a third year B.S.E. student majoring in computer science with special interests in DEI in engineering education, emotion AI technologies, and creative writing. 

Musabbiha Zaheer, undergraduate; Dec 2023 – present

Musabbiha is a third year undergraduate student majoring in computer engineering. She is passionate about engineering education, particularly in researching methods to encourage engineers to proactively engage with sociotechnical issues and embrace their responsibilities toward public welfare. She also has special interests in computer architecture and developing equity-centered software. In her free time, she enjoys reading and spending time with her sisters.

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
    • Gracie Judge, electrical and computer engineering (2021 – 2023)
    • 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)