Melissa Collins, Ph.D.

Melissa Collins leads several research and evaluation studies within the Research Group. Her work focuses on understanding how individual, sociocultural, pedagogical, and contextual factors interact to influence STEM dispositions and learning outcomes for a wide range of populations and across diverse learning experiences. Prior to joining the Lawrence Hall of Science, she worked on a variety of educational research and evaluation initiatives, including programs on developing early math and literacy skills, improving K–12 formative assessment strategies, and supporting social development for children with disabilities. She received her B.A. in Psychology from Harvard College and her Ph.D. in Applied Developmental and Educational Psychology from Boston College, where she conducted research on the foundations of early mathematics and the factors predicting kindergarten readiness for children across a range of socioeconomic and cultural contexts.