Qian Zhao

Qian is a fifth-year PhD student in the Quantitative Methods in Education (QME) program at the University of Minnesota. Her research interests focus on measurement and psychometrics, particularly in model fit evaluation and parameter estimation. Qian has experience as a teaching assistant in university-level statistics courses and enjoys helping students develop a deeper understanding of quantitative methods. One of the things she loves most about the Twin Cities is the vibrant cultural scene and the endless opportunities for outdoor activities. Qian enjoys spending time with her family, exploring new places, and spoiling her orange-and-white cat in her free time.

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Jun (Peter) Li

Jun is currently in his sixth year of the QME PhD program, with aspirations to graduate by the end of 2025. His research primarily explores various test item types and innovative scoring methods. One of the aspects Jun cherishes most about the QME program is the unwavering support from the faculty; they are dedicated to helping students navigate both academic challenges and research endeavors. Additionally, the vibrant atmosphere fostered by his peers— the creative writing and doodles on the whiteboards brings joy and inspiration to the shared space. Jun also loves the breathtaking views of the Mississippi River visible from the second-floor windows, which adds a unique touch to the learning environment.

Jichuan Wu

Jichuan is a PhD student in the Quantitative Methods in Education program. His current research focuses on applying methods like generalized linear mixed models, structural equation modeling, and generalized estimating equations to address some real-world issues in educational assessment and policy. He aims to evaluate these modeling approaches and provide some clear guidelines for their application. Jichuan likes the collaborative environment of the QME program and the vibrant community in the Twin Cities. In his free time, Jichuan enjoys exploring local art scenes, hiking, and photography.

Yue Zhao

Yue is a second-year PhD student in QME. Her research interest is applying and developing methods for modeling longitudinal (i.e. repeated measures) data. Yue's first project is about estimating non-normal random effects and random errors for nonlinear random effects models. Besides methodology research, Yue is also actively involved in an NIH-funded study that investigates language development in bilingual children. Being at the U for many years (completing both her bachelor's and master's degree), Yue really enjoys the balance between nature and the city around the twin cities, and the friendliness of people here. In her free time, Yue likes to practice cooking traditional Chinese food, especially dishes based on various kinds of flour/dough.

Pablo Vivas Corrales

Pablo is a Costa Rican statistics educator, dedicated to the creation, development, evaluation, and integration of research, resources, and community of the Statistics Education field in the Latin America region. His research primarily focuses on the teaching and learning process of Statistics in postsecondary education, the role of measurement in Statistics Education, and how students and educators most effectively learn and communicate statistical information through text.