Motivation & Self-Regulation Lab

PATRICIA CHEN

Principal Investigator

Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology 

Deputy Director, Institute for Applied Learning Sciences and Educational Technology

National Research Foundation Fellow

National University of Singapore

Postdoctoral Research Fellow

Department of Psychology

National University of Singapore

Ph.D., Psychology, East China Normal University, Shanghai
Visiting Ph.D. scholar, Psychology, Stanford University
Visiting Ph.D. scholar, Psychology, Ohio State University
M.S., Psychology, East China Normal University, Shanghai

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Rachel's research focuses on how to help people thrive in an uncertain world. She investigates this question through multiple lenses including motivation, lifelong learning, career adaptability, etc. Her recent work examined whether the current educational systems are preparing students well for such a world and what mindsets could help people adapt to uncertainty better. Rachel happens to be a photographer who took her own engagement photos with her husband on their road trip to the Grand Canyon. She also picked up gardening recently and now has more than 30 plants in her collection.

Postdoctoral Research Fellow

Department of Psychology

National University of Singapore

Ph.D., Psychology, National University of Singapore

B. Soc. Sci. (Hons.) Psychology, National University of Singapore

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Xiang Ling is interested in the development of self-control and motivation in children, and the psychological processes that help children succeed in school. Xiang Ling hopes her research will translate into programs that can help level up children from disadvantaged backgrounds. 

Doctoral Student, Department of Psychology

National University of Singapore

​M.A. Mass Communications, Nanyang Technological University

B.A. Communications, National University of Singapore​

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​​I hope to develop psychologically precise interventions in higher education to help students succeed academically. I am interested in the study of mindsets and motivations that drive academic performance. 

YIFAN (CHRISTY) JIANG

Doctoral student, Department of Psychology 

National University of Singapore

M.P.Ed. Professional Counseling, University of Pennsylvania

M.S.Ed. Counseling and Mental Health Service, University of Pennsylvania

B.A. Psychology, Brandeis University

B.A. Economic, Brandeis University

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Christy is interested in studying the role of self-regulation and motivation in predicting academic achievement. She would like to investigate the potential benefits of school-based interventions to promote academic achievement and student well-being. She likes to work with teenagers and families, and has worked as a family-child specialist and mental health counselor, providing individual counseling and facilitating group counseling for clients with mental health issues, especially education-related depression and anxiety. 

TEO QIAO KANG

Doctoral student, Department of Psychology 

National University of Singapore

B. Soc. Sci. (Hons.), Psychology, National University of Singapore

Diploma in Psychology Studies, Temasek Polytechnic

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Qiao Kang got drawn into the field of psychology at the age of 16, and he graduated with a Diploma in Psychology Studies from Temasek Polytechnic. He has worked and volunteered in various organizations such as the Campus Peer Support for Youths, Dyslexia Association of Singapore, Institute of Mental Health, and Singapore Prison Service, before eventually deciding to pursue a career in research. He hopes to be able to make an impact in the lives of learners by advancing knowledge on effective learning practices and psychological well-being, and by refining and scaling up interventions.

DON PEREIRA

Masters student, Department of Psychology 

National University of Singapore

B. Soc. Sci. (Hons.), Psychology, National University of Singapore

Diploma in Game and Entertainment Technology, Temasek Polytechnic

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Don has a background in game programming with a diploma in Game & Entertainment Technology from Temasek Polytechnic. He also did a short 9-week internship at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Boston, MA where he was inspired by a researcher there to pursue Psychology. Don's main research interests lie in passion for work, Human Resources, and employment. He is interested in not only how individuals develop or come to attain their passion for their craft and how individuals maintain and grow within their job over time, but also how individuals deal with burnout or periods of low motivation.

VALENTINO EMIL CHAI

Masters student, Department of Psychology 

National University of Singapore

B. Soc. Sci. (Hons.), Psychology, National University of Singapore

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Valentino harbours an interest in intergroup cooperation and conflict, as well as competition (both intergroup and interpersonal). These interests stemmed from his personal experiences with intense competition as a student and athlete growing up. Despite the current negativity associated with competition, he believes that it can be harnessed to bring out the best in people and is seeking out means to achieve this. His interests outside of research include floorball, reading, and strategy games.

FOO XING YUAN DANIEL

Lab Manager

National University of Singapore

B. A. Psychology, University of Texas at Austin

From growing up in a small developing Asian country like Malaysia to participating in a cultural exchange program in a modern country like the United States, at 18, Daniel had the opportunity to meet many different people from different backgrounds. His interest in Psychology began when he first noticed how at times, individuals who seem so similar tend to behave so differently and yet at other times, individuals who seem so different tend to behave so similarly. Daniel's research interest revolves around motivation, goal pursuits and human behaviors. 

DELPHINNA NEO

Research Assistant

National University of Singapore

B. Soc. Sci. (Hons.) Psychology, National University of Singapore

Delphinna's research interests fall within two topic areas: Goal pursuit and mindsets. Thus far, Delphinna’s work generally focuses on understanding the processes that occur after one gives in to temptations while pursuing his or her goals. Additionally, she also seeks to understand how different mindset can lead to varying behavioral outcomes. During her free time, she enjoys playing strategic board games or reading a good book.

TEO WEN HAO DENNIS

Research Assistant

National University of Singapore

Concurrent Degree Programme, National University of Singapore

Dennis studies strategy attributions and how it influences behaviour compared to other common attributions. He also assists with data manipulation and analysis in the lab. Outside the lab, he enjoys doing philosophy and board gaming with friends

LIM HUI YAN

Research Assistant

National University of Singapore

B. Soc. Sci. (Hons.) Psychology, National University of Singapore

Diploma in Early Childhood Education, Ngee Ann Polytechnic

Diploma Plus in Business, Ngee Ann Polytechnic

Diploma Plus in Korean, Ngee Ann Polytechnic

Hui Yan is immensely passionate about working with young children, and her strong love for them started at the age of 16 when she decided to pursue her dream and study Early Childhood Education in Ngee Ann Polytechnic. From working as a relief teacher in a childcare centre to conducting multiple child studies in various child laboratories, Hui Yan has many experiences interacting with young children. Her main research interest lies in the development of effective learning interventions for young children. Specifically, she is interested in developing strategies that motivate young children to achieve their fullest potential. She believes that every child is unique, and she hopes that her research contribution can make a positive change in the children's lives.

GOH CHANGJUN

Research Assistant

National University of Singapore

B. Soc. Sci. (Hons.) Psychology, National University of Singapore

ChangJun’s interest in research was ignited while working in an international research team during an exchange programme at the University of Mannheim. He is passionate about research topics within educational and I/O psychology, such as cognitive flexibility and collaborative communication. He has also worked on projects related to the education sciences and neuroscience during a 6-month internship at the National Institute of Education. His interests outside of research include reading and cooking.

PRADEEP KRISHNAN

Research Assistant

National University of Singapore

M. Soc. Sci. Political Science, National University of Singapore

Pradeep has a background in Political Science. His research interests include social constructivism and how identities inform social and political behaviour. During his graduate studies, he examined how cognitive heuristics influence the appraisal of national security arguments. Previously, he worked on research projects including Making Identity Count in Asia and Edible Heritage, and was also a Teaching Assistant for a module on the politics and governance of Singapore.

CAROL S. DWECK

Stanford University

GEOFFREY COHEN

Stanford University

NORBERT SCHWARZ

University of Southern California

TIMOTHY A. MCKAY

University of Michigan

DESMOND C. ONG

Agency for Science, Technology & Research (A*STAR)

RICHARD GONZALEZ

University of Michigan

J. FRANK YATES

University of Michigan

FIONA LEE

Stanford University

KRISTIN LAURIN

University of British Columbia

OMAR CHAVEZ

University of Texas at Austin

FREDERIC REN

Stanford University

MADELINE HUBERTH

Stanford University

GREGORY M. WALTON

Stanford University

PHOEBE C. ELLSWORTH

University of Michigan

STEPHEN M. GARCIA

University of Michigan

BRENDA GUNDERSON

University of Michigan

BRIAN COPPOLA

University of Michigan

YUCHING LIN

University of Virginiaa

JOSEPH POWERS

Stanford University

KATHERINE CHENG

Stanford University

SHIRLI KOPELMAN

University of Michigan

CHRISTOPHER G. MYERS

University of Michigan

SANDY LIM

National Universiy of Singapore

ADELINE CHIA

Ministry of Social and Family Development