Faculty
Graduate Student Researchers
Derek Cox is a 3rd year Graduate Research Assistant in the Department of Teaching, Learning & Teacher Education (TLTE) in the College of Education and Human Sciences. Previously, Derek taught biology, chemistry, physics, and computer science at the secondary level for 7 years. As Derek aspires to become a teacher educator, his research intends to push teacher education forward by creating knowledge about science teacher education that can be used as a foundation to new innovative, equitable pedagogy. Current research investigates how preservice elementary teachers’ achievement goals align with STEM teaching self-efficacy during their participation in STEM this semester. Derek will proudly present this research at the international National Association for Research in Science Teaching (NARST) conference in March at Sheraton Downtown in Denver, CO.
Azadeh Hassani began her PhD program in the Department of Teaching, Learning, and Teacher Education in Spring 2023, specializing in Innovative Learning Technologies. She holds a master’s degree in Teaching English as a Foreign Language and a bachelor’s degree in Computer Software Engineering.
Azadeh has worked as an IT specialist in the university's IT department and as a graduate research assistant on Art TEAMs, a federally funded grant project, under the supervision of her PhD advisor, Dr. Guy Trainin.
Azadeh’s research lies at the intersection of computer science, artificial intelligence, and teacher education, with a particular focus on the effective integration of generative AI in learning environments. She is interested in how emerging technologies can enhance teacher agency, support computational thinking, and foster creative pedagogies. Through her interdisciplinary work, Azadeh explores the design and evaluation of innovative learning tools to empower both educators and learners.
Azatzhan Baitekov is a Ph.D. Student and Graduate Research Assistan at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, in Teaching, Learning, and Teacher Education Department. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Physics-Informatics (2021) and a master’s degree in Physics (2024) from SDU University, Kazakhstan.
Before joining UNL, Azatzhan taught physics at both the university and high school levels, coordinated educational programs in Physics and Physics-Informatics, and trained students for national and international physics Olympiads. He has also served as a jury member for the International Zhautykov Olympiad and worked with Kazakhstan’s national teams for the International Physics Olympiad (IPhO) and Asian Physics Olympiad (APhO), International Scientific Physics Olympiad (ISPhO, Russia).
His research interests include physics education, STEM education, technology-enhanced learning, and teacher preparation.
Drishti Takoo is a first-year Ph.D. student in the Department of Teaching, Learning, and Teacher Education at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. Originally from Ludhiana, Punjab, India, she holds a Bachelor of Science (Honors) and a Master of Science in Zoology from the University of Delhi, India as well as a Bachelor of Education from Panjab University, India. She has over five years of experience as an elementary science teacher, during which she not only taught science but also contributed to building inclusive classrooms and supporting diverse learners. Beyond classroom teaching, she took on leadership roles such as coordinating grade-level activities, organizing science exhibitions and events, and leading extracurricular initiatives that encouraged creativity and curiosity among students.Her research interests include science education, STEM-based learning, and inclusive teaching practices, with a focus on developing engaging and accessible learning experiences for young learners. Outside of academics, she enjoys playing badminton and exploring her creativity through painting and art.
I am a first-year Ph.D. student in the Teaching, Learning, and Teacher Education (TLTE) department at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. I completed a Bachelor’s in Computer Science, followed by a Bachelor’s in Education and a Master’s in Education. My research interests are in science education, with a focus on effective teaching practices that make science more engaging and accessible for diverse learners.
Fatemeh Ashrafabadi is a second-year Ph.D. student in Innovative Learning Technologies at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. She earned her master’s degree in Teaching English as a Second Language and has a background in language instruction and educational research.
Her research explores the use of emerging technologies—such as virtual reality, augmented reality, and artificial intelligence—to improve educational experiences, particularly in language and literacy learning, as well as in collaborative online international learning (COIL) and virtual exchange initiatives.
Currently, she works as a graduate research assistant in UNL’s VR Sandbox, where she designs and implements immersive learning experiences for students and conducts related research. Fatemeh is especially interested in creating research-based, technology-enhanced environments that promote vocabulary development, literacy skills, and cross-cultural understanding. She also serves as President of the Kappa Delta Pi (KDP) Honor Society, where she leads chapter initiatives, promotes professional development, and supports community engagement in education.