Residency Summary
Between September 2023 to April 2025, I have been involved in:
Research, Writing, Presenting
1. Systematic Literature Review on Immersive Virtual Reality (IVR) in K-16 STEM Education (ongoing project)
Research Assistant | Syracuse University
Output: Co-authored manuscript under preparation for journal submission
This project focused on examining the use and impact of immersive virtual reality (IVR) in STEM education. I collaborated with Dr. Xiaoxia "Silvie" Huang to conduct a systematic review of 52 empirical studies. We explored learning contexts, instructional design strategies, and learning outcomes associated with IVR use in K-16 education. This project aligns with my research interest in technology-enhanced learning and instructional design, particularly in leveraging IVR to improve student engagement and learning performance.
2. Systematic Literature Review on College Students’ and Faculty’s Perceptions of Generative AI (GAI) in Higher Education
First Author & Researcher | Syracuse University
Output: First-author conference paper accepted for presentation at AERA 2025 Annual Meeting
This project investigated how students and faculty perceive the use of Generative AI technologies in higher education. Working independently and collaboratively with Shuyu Wang (PhD student at the University of Connecticut), I analyzed 37 empirical studies using the UTAUT framework to examine factors influencing GAI adoption. This project reflects my growing expertise in AI integration in education and addresses emerging issues related to AI ethics, data privacy, and instructional use in higher education settings.
3. Systematic Literature Review on Using Eye-Tracking to Measure Cognitive Load and Anxiety in IVR Learning Environments (ongoing project)
Research Assistant | Syracuse University
Output: Co-authored conference paper accepted for presentation at AERA 2025 Annual Meeting
This project explored the use of eye-tracking technology in immersive virtual reality (IVR) learning environments to measure cognitive load and anxiety. Under the supervision of Dr. Xiaoxia "Silvie" Huang, I conducted systematic literature searches and analyzed relevant data to identify research trends and effective practices. This work reflects my research focus on IVR-based learning Environments, cognitive load theory, and the application of objective methods (e.g., eye-tracking, EEG) for measuring learning processes.
4. Community-Engaged Research Project on Enhancing STEM Learning for New American Youth through Immersive Digital Storytelling (ongoing project)
Research Assistant | Syracuse University
Output: Co-authoring a manuscript for future journal publication
This project aims to enhance STEM learning and motivation for New American youth through culturally relevant and place-based immersive digital storytelling. I contributed to instructional design tasks, including developing lesson plans, learner guides, and teacher guides. I also supported the development of an AI-powered chatbot for personalized learning support. This project demonstrates my interest in applying instructional design strategies and emerging technologies to support diverse learners and promote equity in STEM education.
Professional Service
1. Brown Bag Series (ongoing)
Organizer | Syracuse University
On behalf of IDD&E, I have had the honor to run the ‘Brown Bag’ series collaborating with Yabei Chen since Jan 2024 The ‘Brown Bag’ series is an hour-long virtual session with an expected audience of about 10-20, made up of graduate students from IDD&E and School of Education. Our goal is to provide students with a dynamic and tangible experience that facilitates a connection between their academic pursuits and professional endeavors in the future. The ‘Brown Bag’ series aims to build awareness of the broad array of career opportunities present within and outside the Instructional Design spectrum.
2. Syracuse University Micron Day Exhibition – IVR Nature Trail Demonstration
Student Assistant | Syracuse University School of Education
As part of Micron Day at Syracuse University, I assisted the School of Education's exhibition and supported Dr. Xiaoxia "Silvie" Huang in presenting her immersive virtual reality (IVR) nature trail design. I guided local high school students from the Syracuse community in using the Oculus Quest VR headset to experience the IVR nature trip, which was designed to promote place-based environmental learning. This experience helped strengthen my communication skills in engaging with K-12 students and the local community.
3. Graduate Assistant | Syracuse University Project Advance (SUPA)
Syracuse University | 09/2023 – 05/2024
Served as a Graduate Assistant supporting academic and administrative operations within the SUPA program. Provided assistance in program coordination, and online course design, and facilitated resource management for dual-enrollment courses. This experience contributed to my professional development in higher education service, administrative support, and instructional design.
Teaching
1. Co-Mentoring Undergraduate Students (SOURCE Program)
Doctoral Student Mentor | Syracuse University
03/2024 – Present
As part of this research project supervised by Dr. Xiaoxia “Silvie” Huang, I co-mentored four undergraduate research assistants who participated in a systematic literature review on using eye-tracking technology to measure cognitive load and anxiety in VR learning environments. My responsibilities included assigning research tasks, providing guidance on literature search and screening procedures, and answering students' questions throughout the research process. I also supported them in organizing and analyzing relevant data and provided feedback on their work to ensure research quality. This mentoring experience allowed me to develop my leadership, communication, and project management skills while fostering undergraduate students' research abilities and engagement in educational technology research.
2. Guest Facilitator for EDU 603 Introduction to Qualitative Research
Instructor & Facilitator | Syracuse University
Summer Semester 2024
As part of the EDU 603: Introduction to Qualitative Research course in Summer 2024, I served as a guest facilitator for one class session, teaching master’s and doctoral students about qualitative interview techniques. I designed and prepared the class content over the course of one week, developing teaching slides and planning interactive learning activities. During the two-hour class, I guided my peers in learning practical strategies for conducting interviews, building rapport with participants, and managing ethical considerations in qualitative research. This experience allowed me to apply my instructional design skills to a higher education teaching context and helped me develop my teaching, facilitation, and communication skills in guiding graduate students in research practices.
Development, Consultation, and Project Management
1. AI Chatbot Development Project for Fostering Undergraduate Students' Creative Thinking (ongoing project)
Instructional Design Consultant & Research Collaborator | Syracuse University
01/2025 – Present
I served as an instructional design consultant on a project led by Shuyu Wang (PhD student at the University of Connecticut), which aimed to develop an AI-powered chatbot to support undergraduate students’ creative thinking. I provided design recommendations grounded in instructional design principles to help shape the chatbot’s learning structure, user interaction, and pedagogical features. In addition, I co-led the first phase of the project by conducting a meta-analysis literature review to investigate how generative AI has previously been used to foster creativity in educational contexts. Our findings laid the foundation for the chatbot’s design and were presented at the APA Division 10 Conference in March 2025. This experience reflects my ability to bridge theory and practice in instructional design and contribute to early-stage development and research planning.
General Professional Participation
1. Participation in IDD&E Faculty Hiring Process
Student Representative | Syracuse University
I participated as a student representative in the IDD&E faculty hiring process for a new teaching professor position. My responsibilities included attending campus visit activities, meeting with faculty candidates, and supporting their visit experience. I engaged in informal discussions with candidates, joined meals with them, and attended their teaching and research presentations. After participating in these activities, I provided feedback and reflections to the search committee from a student perspective.
2. Participation in Research Seminars
Participant | Syracuse University Libraries Research Seminar Series
I attended several research seminars organized by Syracuse University Libraries, which focused on the applications of immersive virtual reality (IVR) and artificial intelligence (AI) in education. These seminars provided valuable opportunities to engage with faculty, researchers, and practitioners discussing the integration of emerging technologies in teaching and learning. Through active participation in the seminars, I deepened my understanding of current research trends, instructional applications, and ethical considerations of using IVR and AI in educational settings.