Adriana Cimetta, PhD, MPH, is an Associate Research Professor and Director of the Center for Educational Assessment, Research, and Evaluation (CEARE) in the Department of Educational Psychology. Her expertise is in culturally responsive, mixed methods research and evaluation, educational measurement and assessment, STEM and early childhood evaluation, and organizational change. Her research focuses on understanding and the dynamics and processes of learning and development based on the unique and diverse backgrounds and experiences of young children and students of all ages. One aspect of her research examines the family, child, and societal characteristics that impact school readiness and health outcomes in early childhood. Another aspect of her research investigates the impact of STEM education and undergraduate research experiences in creating equitable educational opportunities to a diverse population of students. Specifically, she investigates sense of belonging, self-efficacy, identity, relationships, and institutional policies that impact students, especially underrepresented minoritized groups, retention in STEM majors and persistence in college. The processes through which outcomes are achieved, their sustainability, and variability across different populations are important components in her research and evaluation projects.
