SPARC is led by Professor
Kevin Gee who specializes in evaluating how schooling
conditions, policies, and programs can promote the wellbeing of
youth who are often overlooked and underserved in the broader
educational policy landscape.
SPARC develops actionable insights based on rigorous analysis of
administrative data, both at the state and national levels. The
center collaborates with key organizations who address critical
educational issues impacting children both locally in California
and nationwide, including the Collaborative for Educational
Excellence and Attendance Works.
Graduate Student Researchers
Sally Hang is a
Ph.D. student in the developmental psychology program at UC
Davis. Broadly, her research interests involve utilizing the
biopsychosocial model to investigate health biomarkers and using
novel ways such as computational methods and technology to
measure stress and well-being in underserved populations.
Geneva Jost is a
Ph.D. student in the Developmental Psychology program at UC
Davis. She completed her Bachelor’s in biology and global studies
at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Before coming
to Davis, Geneva taught high school science in Washington D.C.
and studied cognitive development in the context of urban
education systems at Johns Hopkins and Harvard University.
Geneva’s research examines the sources and effects of stress on
adolescent development and explores structural solutions to
support student health and well-being in schools.
Tseng M. Vang is a
Ph.D. student in Human Development at the University of
California, Davis. His major research interests include
understanding antecedents and outcomes associated with school
belonging in adolescence and emerging adulthood.
Undergraduate Student Researchers
Peter Yu is a
senior undergraduate student at UC Davis graduating in June with
a B.S. in Computer Science and minor in Education. He is
interested in improving the quality of computer science education
for all students and enjoys solving algorithmic problems.
