Biography

I am an educational psychology researcher investigating how dynamic systems—cultural, institutional, and technological—shape identity development, access, and academic success in higher education. My work examines how students navigate and transform learning environments, and how mentorship, undergraduate research experiences, and emerging technologies (VR, AR, AI) influence learning, social capital, and organizational capacity.

Grounded in developmental psychology and the learning sciences, I study complex educational and organizational systems using mixed methods, human-centered frameworks, and interdisciplinary collaboration. I have contributed to NSF- and NIH-funded projects, combining advanced quantitative and qualitative approaches to translate complex data into actionable insights, disseminated to international academic, policy, and EdTech audiences.

As a Ph.D. candidate at Texas A&M University, I bring over five years of experience leading large-scale, interdisciplinary research projects, with more than $120K in competitive funding secured. My expertise spans survey design, multilevel modeling, interviews and focus groups, thematic analysis, and data visualization. I am deeply committed to mentorship, having designed research experiences for 20+ undergraduate students, guest lectured in multiple courses, and held leadership roles, including president of the Latinx Graduate Student Association.

My mission is to advance evidence-based strategies that leverage the strengths and assets inherent in diverse educational contexts, build resilience and capacity, and cultivate high-performing students and organizations. More about my work can be found at https://linktr.ee/SamanthaDyanneAguilar.