The LEAP (Learning, Exploring, and Advancing Psychometrics) Lab was established in 2021 and is located in the Mary Frances Early College of Education at the University of Georgia. We are a team of researchers interested in psychometrics, educational measurement and assessment, and quantitative methodologies with a focus on applications in educational research. We emphasize the L-E (learning and exploring) in all lab activities, including applied and methodological research, qualitative fieldwork, professional development, conference travel, and interviews with various scholars. Contact me if you are interested in getting involved with the lab.
Name: Matthew Madison (Lab Director; he/him/his)
Research interests: diagnostic measurement, longitudinal measurement, K - 12 assessment
Hobbies: golf, basketball, exercise, puzzles, true crime
Hometown/country: Columbia, South Carolina, United States
Contact: mjmadison@uga.edu
Name: Nancy Alila (she/her/hers)
Education: B.Sc. in Mathematics and Economics (Karatina University, Kenya); M.Sc. in Applied Statistics (West Chester University of Pennsylvania)
Program: Ph.D. in Quantitative Methodology
Research Interests: Bayesian statistics, structural equation modeling, diagnostic classification models, the application of machine learning and data mining techniques in psychometric research
Hobbies: exercising, traveling, reading, and playing tennis
Hometown/country: Migori, Kenya
Contact: nancy.alila@uga.edu
Name: Ashley Heady (she/her)
Education: B.S. In Supply Chain, Information, and Analytics (Purdue University); M.Ed. in Measurement and Evaluation (Teachers College, Columbia University)
Program: Ph.D. In Quantitative Methodology
Research Interests: item response theory, psychometrics, and diagnostic classification models
Hobbies: weather watching, card games, cooking, sewing, & traveling
Hometown/Country: Arlington, Indiana, United States
Contact: ashley.heady@uga.edu
Name: Beltrán Pantoja De Prada (he/him/his)
Education: B.A. in Mathematics Teaching (Universidad Alberto Hurtado, Chile), M.Ed. in Learning Assessment (Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile)
Program: Ph.D. in Quantitative Methodology
Research Interests: educational measurement, diagnostic classification models
Hobbies: reading, drawing, watching tv shows.
Hometown/country: Santiago, Chile
Contact: bpp09644@uga.edu
Diagnostic Instrument for Teachers' Content and Pedagogical Content Knowledge of Numbers and Operations (2024 - 2028). Institute of Education Sciences.
Generalized, Multilevel, and Longitudinal Psychometric Models for Evaluating Educational Interventions (2022 – 2026). Institute of Education Sciences.
CT-STEM Pop-Ups4All: An RPP for Agile Learning (2020 – 2024). National Science Foundation.
Native STEM Portraits: A Longitudinal, Mixed-Methods Study of the Intersectional Experiences of Native Learners and Professionals in STEM (2020 – 2025). National Science Foundation.
A Family of Diagnostic Models for Evaluating Learning Progressions (2019 – 2024). National Science Foundation.
Doubly Mixture Psychometric Models for Modeling Learning Progressions (2021 – 2023). UGA Faculty Seed Grants.
Sergio Haab, M.A. 2023; Doctoral student, University of Iowa
Lientje Maas, Ph.D. 2023 (Utrecht University); Psychometric Researcher, CITO, The Netherlands
Selay Zor, Ph.D. 2023; National Education Expert, Ministry of Education, Turkey
Armani Morris, M.A. 2024; Research Associate II, McREL International
Ye Yuan, Ph.D. 2024; Associate Psychometrician, Graduate Management Admission Council
Madeline Schellman, Ph.D. 2024; Research & Psychometric Services Analyst, Navvy Education
Oluwatosin Adeleye, M.A. 2025; Assessment Specialist, Action Behavior Centers
Al Moore, M.A. 2025; Educational Research Consultant
Anastasia Kreisel, M.A. 2025 (expected); Academic Coordinator, Northeastern University