AI in Learning, Humans in Charge.

I am a Ph.D. candidate in Purdue University’s Learning Design and Technology program, co-advised by Dr. Victoria Lynn Lowell (Walker) and Dr. Marisa Exter . I earned my master’s degree in Instructional Systems Technology at Indiana University Bloomington , where I was advised by Dr. Curtis J. Bonk . My research examines how generative AI reshapes learner agency, authenticity, and equity across learning contexts. I build this agenda through learning analytics, mixed-methods inquiry, measurement, and design-based research, drawing on behavioral data and person-centered methods to understand how learners differ in their engagement with AI. My work combines empirical research with design practice: I develop educational tools, translate theory into usable learning designs, and draw on three years of teaching and program experience at Indiana University Bloomington. Recent work has been recognized with the Global Smart Education Innovation Prize for the PA-SDA Scale🏆 (2025) and the AECT Outstanding Journal Article Award for a collaborative study with Intel Labs on AI-mediated learning🏆 (2025).

A question runs through all of it: how can AI-mediated learning environments preserve and even amplify human agency, authentic learning, and instructional quality? My work addresses this across four connected strands:

Methodology

I build this agenda through synthesis, measurement, empirical inquiry, and design translation, moving from field-level questions about AI-mediated learning to real educational settings where judgment, ownership, and fairness are at stake.

Systematic Reviews

Map patterns, gaps, and conceptual shifts across large bodies of GenAI, assessment, and learning research.

Design-Based Research

Build and iteratively refine learning tools in authentic educational settings, including apps, tutoring systems, and AI-supported environments.

Mixed-Methods Studies

Combine surveys, interviews, interaction traces, and performance data, applying learning analytics and person-centered profiling to understand how learners and instructors work with AI across contexts and over time.

Measurement & Validation

Develop and validate frameworks and instruments for studying agency, self-directed learning, and AI-mediated educational processes.

News & Activity

Apr 2026

Launched Ask Belle: Codebase to Course — a five-module mini course on building a bounded AI chatbot assistant, from real code to a shippable product. Also released the Ask Belle Site Chatbot skill as an open-source Codex skill for planning grounded chatbots on personal websites.
Apr 2026

New paper in International Journal of Artificial Intelligence in Education: A Systematic Review of Language Educators' Practices and Development with GenAI — synthesizing how language teachers adopt, integrate, and develop professionally with generative AI.
2025

Launched AI for Education Resource Library — a curated open library of videos, tools, and practical resources spanning teaching, instructional design, AI literacy, and higher education.
Mar 2026

Our chapter "AI-Generation Literacy" is now published in The Palgrave Encyclopedia of Computer-Assisted Language Learning. We introduce a 4I framework (Identify, Interact, Interpret, Integrate) for building AI-generation literacy competencies.
2026

Awarded the Dean's Dissertation Fellowship — Purdue University College of Education, in support of dissertation completion.
2026

Honored to receive the Frank B. DeBruicker Graduate Award in Educational Technology — a competitive scholarship for Purdue LDT graduate students, awarded based on academic merit and research productivity.
Feb 2026

Invited to speak on Conducting Systematic Reviews at Purdue's Psychometric Investigation Lab (PUPIL) workshop and the GIST Professional Development Series at Indiana University (Feb 19, online, with Xiyu Wang).
Feb 2026

Guest lecture at IU's R678: Emerging Learning Environments alongside Dr. Xiaojing Kou and Dr. Curtis Bonk — sharing findings from multiple studies on GenAI and self-directed learning.
Oct 2025

Presented 3 papers at AECT 2025 in Las Vegas: AI authenticity and academic integrity; AI-integrated XR in language learning; and nontraditional students' ChatGPT engagement.
2025

Submitted Spencer Vision Grant — Transforming Online Learning Through AI Presence: Equitable Support of Non-Traditional Students ($74,729, 2025–2026). Lead PI: Victoria Lowell (Purdue). I initiated the concept and served as lead writer.
2025

Submitted Spencer Small Grant — Global Language Learners Using GenAI Tools ($50,000, 2025–2027). Lead PI: Victoria Lowell (Purdue). Co-led study design and evaluation plan as lead writer.
2025

Received Purdue travel grants supporting conference presentations at AERA, AECT, and other venues: Graduate Student Hackney Travel Award, Graduate Student Travel Award, LDT Travel Support Program, and PGSG Grant (Purdue Graduate Student Government).
2025

Global Smart Education Innovation — Research Innovation Prize for the PA-SDA Scale paper, presented at the Global Smart Education Conference at Beijing Normal University. Cash prize: RMB 20,000 (awarded with research team).
2025

AECT Systems Thinking & Change Outstanding Journal Article Award for "An Early Investigation of Collaborative Problem Solving in Conversational AI-Mediated Learning Environments" (Computers & Education: AI, Intel Labs collaboration).
Mar 2025

New paper in System: Development and Validation of the PA-SDA Scale — measuring personal attributes in AI-integrated self-directed learning.
Feb 2025

Systematic review in Computers & Education: AI: Two Years of Innovation — synthesizing empirical GenAI research in education (2022–2024).
Jan 2025

Paper in British Journal of Educational Technology: nontraditional students' ChatGPT interaction, engagement, self-efficacy, and performance.
Aug 2024

Paper in IEEE Transactions on Learning Technologies: Reconceptualizing SDL in the Era of Generative AI.
2024

Contributed to two competitive NSF proposals as co-author: NSF IMPACT — Immersive, Personalized, and Accessible Cybersecurity Training ($3,200,000, Texas A&M led); and NSF SEED — Securing the Future of Agriculture Through Cybersecurity Education ($1,000,000, UNO & Texas A&M led). Both rated competitive and invited for revision.
2024

Received Purdue travel grants supporting conference presentations: Graduate Student Hackney Travel Award, Graduate Student Travel Award, LDT Travel Support Program, and Graduate School Travel Grant.
2023

NSF T3-CIDERS Collaborative Research Grant ($1,000,000 total, 2023–2027). Awarded to research team on cyberinfrastructure training and workforce development.
2023

Dean's Doctoral Fellowship ($61,463, 2023–2027) — Purdue University College of Education.
2023

Spencer Small Grant finalist — Exploring Inventions in Self-Directed Language Learning ($50,000). Team: Curtis Bonk (Lead PI), Belle Li, Xiaojing Kou (Indiana University). I served as project lead and primary writer.
2023

Received Purdue travel grants for conference presentations: Graduate Student Travel Award and LDT Travel Support Program.

Beyond the CV

Yoga teacher certification — Certified yoga instructor 🧘