SoTL Specialists

Student partnerships are at the heart of the work we do at ISoTL. The uniqueness of our SoTL Seed Program is founded on the expertise of several graduate students, who work closely with faculty on their SoTL inquiries. As Lock et al. (2021) suggest, such partnerships “enhance teaching and learning practices, as well as foster greater student engagement in higher education and create opportunities for students to develop their scholarly capacity” (p. 1). At ISoTL, we believe that the distinctive nature of our student-faculty partnerships in SoTL is integral to SoTL practice at UBC, and serves as a model for how SoTL inquiries can be taken up at both the local and international level. 

Learn more about the SoTL Specialist experience by viewing a video summarizing their views on personal and professional growth.

Lock, J., Johnson, C., Hill, L., Ostrowdun, C., & da Rosa dos Santos, L. (2021). From Assistants to Partners: A Framework for Graduate Students as Partners in SoTL Research. Teaching & Learning Inquiry, 9(2), n2.

  • Ariane Faria

    arianefs [at] mail.ubc.ca

    PhD student, Curriculum & Pedagogy

    Ariane is a Ph.D. student at the University of British Columbia’s Department of Curriculum and Pedagogy. Her research interests include math classroom practice and curriculum implementation to improve opportunities to learn for students with different backgrounds. During her Ph.D. program, she is particularly interested to understand how learning studies and variation theory can support British Columbia math teachers to make decisions in the specific context of their classroom practices.

  • Charlo Dufresne-Camaro

    chcamaro [at] student.ubc.ca

    PhD Student, Computer Science (UBCO)

    Charlo’s research interests focus on human-computer interactions and visual perception, specifically for information visualization in augmented reality. His research involves conducting psychophysical experiments, and developing new visual interfaces better suited for augmented reality users. Charlo holds a M.Sc. in Computer Science from the University of Toronto, as well as a B.Eng. in Electrical Engineering from Université Laval.

  • Danielle Burrell-Kim

    danielle kim profile image

    danielle.kim [at] ubc.ca

    PhD student, Language & Literacy Education

    Danielle completed her MA in Teaching English as a Second language at UBC, and she teaches English for Academic Purposes in a higher education context in the U.S. Her research interests include language ideologies and gender socialization and performance in education. In addition, she extends these topics to games studies research, examining how language ideologies and hegemonic notions of gender are represented in video games and media.

  • JungAh Lee

    PhD student, Special Education

    JungAh Lee is sub-specialized in MERM and has been involved in research projects to enhance educational outcomes and mental health for diverse student populations. Her master’s work explored the effects of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) on elementary students’ academic interests and social dynamics in inclusive classrooms. Following up on this study, JungAh is currently interested in the Learner Agency of youth with high-incidence disabilities. 

  • Leilani Forby

    leilani forby profile image

    lforby [at] psych.ubc.ca

    PhD student, Cognitive Psychology

    Leilani received a Master’s in cognitive science from UBC, and a Master’s in clinical psychology from Pepperdine University. Prior to her studies at UBC, she was as a behavior interventionist for children and adolescents with varying disabilities, and a behavioral coach in programs that provided social skills training for autistic individuals. Through her research, Leilani hopes to help autistic individuals achieve their personal, academic, and professional goals.

  • Matty Jullamon

    matty jullamon profile image

    mjullamon [at] alumni.ubc.ca

    PhD student, Human Development, Learning, & Culture

    Matty’s research interests include critical thinking and inquiry-based learning in the science classroom. Prior to joining ISoTL, she worked as a research associate for a non-profit organization, where she conducted quantitative research to investigate the impact of a literacy-based program on student learning outcomes. She received her B.A in psychology from Whitman College and her M.A in Cognitive Studies in Education from Teachers College, Columbia University.

  • Rachel Lin

    PhD student, Special Education (High Ability)

    Rachel is currently pursuing a Ph.D. that explores students’ perceptions of failure experiences. Her other research and professional interests include developing higher-order thinking skills, making tools for inclusion and equity in the classroom, and fostering positive classroom and school culture. Rachel is a longtime Vancouverite and UBC student. She did her B.Sc. in Behavioural Neuroscience and M.A. in Special Education at UBC, and holds a M.S. in Neuroscience and Education from Teachers College, Columbia University.  

  • Rosie David

    rosa.david [at] ubc.ca 

    PhD student, Language & Literacy Education

    Rosie holds a Master of Arts in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) from Portland State University. She has served as the Chair of TESOL International’s Supporting Students with Disabilities and as the Associate Editor of the Latin American Journal of Content & Language Integrated Learning. Rosie is deeply committed to developing equitable learning environments. She is specifically interested in the educational experiences of historically marginalized students, specifically focusing on disability justice.

  • Yue Guo

    yue guo profile image

    yueguo90 [at] student.ubc.ca

    PhD Student, Special Education (Learning Disabilities)

    Yue’s research includes academic assessment and intervention for children with/at risk of learning disabilities, in the area of literacy development in particular. Through her research, she hopes to empower children with learning difficulties to meet their full potential and support their families and teachers. With her previous diverse linguistically and culturally teaching experiences, Yue is passionate about working with students with varying special needs to help them develop academic and social skills.

  • Yue Mao

    yue mao profile image

    yue.mao [at] ubc.ca

    PhD student, Measurement, Evaluation & Research Methodology

    Yue is interested in conducting educational research in a scientific manner. So she delves into quantitative methodologies in her study at UBC. Her research in substantive areas surrounds academic and vocational interests, and decision-making (e.g., choosing college majors, entrepreneurial intention). She received her master’s and bachelor’s degrees in Education from Zhejiang University, China.