Glona Lee-Poon, PhD
Postdoctoral Scholar at the University of California, Irvine
Specializing in Developmental/Educational Psychology
Hello!
My name is Glona and I am currently a postdoctoral scholar at the University of California, Irvine. I study child/adolescent development, social/cultural influences, and individual differences based on one's social background (e.g., race/ethnicity, gender). Currently, my research focuses on examining the role of parents and teachers in shaping adolescents' STEM motivational beliefs across diverse populations.
Child/Adolescent Development
In my research, I examine one's academic development at the intersection of their social background by utilizing developmental theories, such as situated expectancy-value theory. Currently, my research focuses on testing individual differences in STEM motivational belief development and educational outcomes. By doing so, my work challenges some of the long-held stereotypes, such as the leaky STEM pipeline metaphor or greater declines in motivational beliefs in those marginalized in STEM.
Social/Cultural Influences
Also, I investigate the contextual factors that function as potential challenges or supports for academic development. For example, I have examined the misfit between youths' developmental needs and the context (i.e., stage-environment misfit) or structural barriers often encountered by marginalized groups (e.g., negative teacher relationships). I have also examined the contextual supports that can help adolescents to overcome institutional challenges, such as parent support.