Doctoral Student Profiles | Teachers College, Columbia University

A Graduate School of Education, Health & Psychology

Meet Our Doctoral Students

Teachers College is proud to showcase the diverse and talented group of doctoral student scholars within our academic community.

Brianna Baker

Ph.D. Student, Counseling Psychology

Dissertation Advisor: Marie L Miville

Brianna A. Baker (she/her/hers) is a 5th year doctoral candidate in the Counseling Psychology Ph.D. program at Teachers College, Columbia University. Currently, she is a Predoctoral Fellow in Clinical and Community Psychology at Yale School of Medicine. Brianna is an APA Minority Fellow and a Robert Wood Johnson Health Policy Research Scholar. Her interdisciplinary program of research employs mixed-methods approaches to examine the social determinants of health (ex: racism, sexism), which negatively affect the psychological health of Black youth and their families. With a focus on prevention science and strengths-based approaches she evaluates and develops sustainable and effective programs that promote positive psychological functioning in communities and families. She holds expertise in community and stakeholder partnerships and engagement to collaborate on large-scale implementation and evaluation projects.

Counseling & Clinical Psychology

Priscila Silva Santana (She/Her/Hers)

Ed.D. Student, Music and Music Education

Priscila Santana is a curator, conductor, educator, and scholar. She is the Programming Manager for the iconics SummerStage Festival and the Charlie Parker Jazz Festival in New York City. Beyond SummerStage, she has been a guest curator for Global Fest at Lincoln Center, Brazilian Week, the Municipal Theatre of São Paulo, among others. Frequently speaking at international conferences in Morocco, Cape Verde, Canada, Brazil, etc. In 2025, she was a mentor at the Festival Academy from the European Festivals Association.

As a scholar, she focuses on leadership, cultural policies, and Black feminist studies in higher music education and serves as the research assistant for the Latin Studies Curriculum. Priscila conducts with the International Brazilian Opera Company and serves as a volunteer coordinator for the Kilomba Collective, a coalition of Black Brazilian women in the U.S. Originally from Bahia, Brazil, she now lives in New York City and is the proud mother of Sofia Eloah.

Arts & Humanities First-Generation College Student Student-Parent

Chengyuan Yao (He/Him/His)

Ph.D. Student, Measurement and Evaluation

I am currently a second-year Ph.D. student in Measurement, Evaluation, and Statistics at Teachers College, Columbia University in New York City, where I am fortunate to be advised by Dr. Renzhe Yu and am a member of the AEQUITAS Lab. Previously, I earned a B.A. in Applied Mathematics with Minors in Data Science and Education from UC Berkeley. My research centers on Responsible AI, with a specific focus on Educational Data Science and Algorithmic Fairness. Please find more information on my personal website. https://ycy2619.github.io/ycy-columbia.github.io/

Human Development

Sirui Liu (She/Her/Hers)

Ph.D. Student, Kinesiology

A junior mechanical engineer, a junior bioengineer, a junior neuro-rehabilitation physician...
But a professional badminton player, crocheter, and baker ：-）

Biobehavioral Sciences First-Generation College Student

Diego Tavares (He/Him/His)

Ph.D. Student, Social-Organizational Psychology

Organization & Leadership First-Generation College Student

Katie Conroy (She/Her/Hers)

Ed.D. Student, Science Education

Dissertation Advisor: Felicia Mensah

Katie Conroy is a doctoral candidate in the Science Education program at Teachers College, Columbia University. She is a graduate student assistant for the Interdepartmental Doctoral Specialization in Teacher Education, working under program director Professor Felicia Moore Mensah. Additionally, Katie has been a course assistant for various courses in the Science Education program at Teachers College, Columbia University. Her current research interests include the effectiveness of science teacher education programs for pre-service science teachers, specifically the recruitment, retention, preparation, and professional development of Black women science teachers. Upon completing her doctoral degree, Katie hopes to become a scholar-educator, centering BIPOC voices and experiences in science teacher education preparation.

Mathematics, Science & Technology First-Generation College Student

Ashley Beccia (She/Her/Hers)

Ed.D. Student, Applied Linguistics

Dissertation Advisor: ZhaoHong Han

I’m an Ed.D. candidate in Applied Linguistics at Teachers College, specializing in second language acquisition (SLA). My research focuses on child SLA, task-based language teaching, and complex dynamic systems theory. My dissertation investigates task complexity and learner agency in young learners’ task performance.

At TC, I’ve supported the TC-Tunisia Foreign Language Teacher Education Transnational Project (2021–22), teaching certificate programs at the Center for International Foreign Language Teacher Education (2024–present), and the TC-NTNU Professional Development Program in EMI (2025–present). I teach graduate courses in applied linguistics at TC and The City College of New York and serve as Editor-in-Chief of Studies in Applied Linguistics & TESOL.

I'm a former NYC Teaching Fellow and hold a New York State Professional Certificate in TESOL. I taught English as a New Language and served as English Language Learner Coordinator at P.S. 91 Bronx (2016-2021).

Arts & Humanities

Giovanny Paz (He/Him/His)

Ed.D. Student, Mathematics Education

Giovanny Paz is a first-year doctoral student in Mathematics Education at Teachers College, Columbia University. His research focuses on bilingual and culturally responsive instruction in mathematics, with a particular interest in how code-switching supports multilingual learners’ comprehension and engagement. He is also exploring international perspectives in mathematics education, especially in Latin American contexts, to better understand how language and culture shape math instruction. Prior to his doctoral studies, Giovanny taught high school ESL mathematics and led classroom-based research on bilingual strategies. He is committed to advancing equitable and inclusive practices that bridge research and real-world teaching, both in the U.S. and abroad.

Mathematics, Science & Technology First-Generation College Student

Dylan Parrilla-Koester (He/Him/His)

Ed.D.C.T. Student, Music and Music Education

Dylan Parrilla-Koester is a doctoral candidate in Music and Music Education at Teachers College, Columbia University, his research focuses on college athletic bands, higher music education policy, and democracy in education. He serves as Assistant Director of Bands at Tulane University where he teaches and conducts the athletic and concert bands. Prior to Tulane, he taught the award winning bands and orchestras at Hoover High School in Glendale, CA., and he has served on the faculty of St. Thomas University in Miami Gardens, FL. Dylan’s drill designs and music arrangements have been performed by high schools and universities across the country including the University of Colorado, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and Tulane University. Ensembles under his direction have performed at high profile events and national TV productions such as American Idol Season 21 and the 2023 Goodyear Cotton Bowl.

Arts & Humanities First-Generation College Student

Dorsa Fahami (She/Her/Hers)

Ed.D. Student, Curriculum and Teaching

Dissertation Advisor: Maria Paula Ghiso

I am passionate about utilizing my expertise in dual language education and teacher training to create continuous educational opportunities that will allow current and preservice DLBE teachers to develop more equitable classrooms. My current research interests focus on the intersections between dual language education, identity development, and constructions of race within Latine communities.

My research interests include: bi/multilingual education, teacher education, curriculum and instruction, Latine identity development, Latin American educational theory, LatCrit, Critical Race Theory, Figured Worlds Theory and CHAT. I have experience in the following methods: interviews, focus groups, surveys, observations, and multimodal visual methods.

Curriculum & Teaching

Chamarra Coward (She/Her/Hers)

Ph.D. Student, Mathematics Education

Chamarra A. O. Coward is a PhD student in Mathematics Education focused on advancing culturally relevant pedagogy. Her dissertation centers on designing a rubric to enhance student engagement and success. With over 13 years of experience as a high school math teacher, she bridges theory and practice, integrating research into classroom instruction. As a Math for America (MƒA) Master Teacher Emeritus, she has shared her expertise through professional and leadership activities, including mentoring early career teachers. Chamarra also serves as an NSF Graduate Research Assistant, supporting students’ mathematical understanding through coding and robotics. She is dedicated to making mathematics accessible, relevant, and reflective of students' cultural experiences.

Mathematics, Science & Technology First-Generation College Student

Zhe Zhang

Ph.D. Student, Special Education: Deaf and Hard of Hearing

Zhe Zhang is a Ph.D. candidate in the Special Education: Deaf and Hard of Hearing program at Teachers College, Columbia University. His research focuses on the emotional health, self-advocacy, and cultural influences of special needs populations, particularly children and older adults. As a certified hearing specialist, he has several years of experience supporting Deaf and Hard of Hearing students in the NYC public school system. His research aims to develop effective interventions and support strategies through quantitative analysis and case study approaches. Zhe is committed to contributing to the field of special education and improving the lives of individuals with special needs. Through his research and practice, he seeks to promote inclusive education and support the well-being of diverse populations.

Health Studies & Applied Educational Psychology First-Generation College Student

Ben Atzmon

Ph.D. Student, Cognitive Science in Education

Ben E. Atzmon received his bachelor of arts in psychology with combined studies of qualitative and quantitative research methods from Richmond, the American International University in London, and is currently pursuing his Ph.D. in cognitive science in education at Teachers College, Columbia University. He is interested in how STEM college students’ problem solving choices and motivations are impacted by failure experiences in the STEM classroom environment.

Human Development First-Generation College Student

Adrianna Keener-Denoia (She/Her/Hers)

Ph.D. Student, Kinesiology

Doctoral student researcher contributing to an NIH-funded R01 clinical trial and an intervention pilot study evaluating the feasibility, implementation potential, and effectiveness of digital health–enabled behavioral interventions for cardiac patients. I also support a quality improvement initiative within the NYP Department of Rehabilitation Medicine that applies implementation science and digital health strategies to reimagine the delivery of cardiac rehabilitation.

Biobehavioral Sciences

Francheska Jimenez (She/Her/Hers)

Ph.D. Student, Higher and Postsecondary Education

Francheska is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Higher & Postsecondary Education at Teachers College, Columbia University. Her research interests include intersectional identity development and social/cultural capital of Queer students of color, sense of belonging, access for minoritized students, and Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs). Additionally, she is a Doctoral Research Fellow for Teacher's College Center for Technology & School Change working on the Center's WELCOME Project, focusing on the qualitative research aspects of the evaluation. Francheska also has a M.A. in Higher Education Administration and B.A. in English from Stony Brook University. She has a culmination of professional experience at New York University, Columbia University, K-12 schools in Harlem, and non-profit organizations.

Organization & Leadership First-Generation College Student