Our Team

Our Team


vicki
Research Associate and Program Manager

Weijing Zhang is a master’s student in the International and Comparative Education Program at Teachers College, Columbia University. With a background in secondary education from the University of Sydney, she has extensive experience teaching English, French, and Business Studies in public schools across Australia. Her classroom experience has shaped her interest in how language pedagogy and educational policy interact to support students’ social and emotional development. At Teachers College, she has continued to integrate practice with research, coordinating cross-cultural programs that bring together educators and researchers from China and the United States.

jingya
Doctoral Fellow

Jingya is currently pursuing her PhD degree in Education Leadership at Teachers College, Columbia University. Her research focuses on advancing educational equity through school leadership and teacher development in under-resourced contexts. Her work examines how principals, district leaders, and teachers can collaboratively promote school improvement by fostering transformative leadership, curriculum leadership and integration of technology in school administration. 

Zhihuan Shao
Doctoral Fellow

Zhihuan Shao is a doctoral candidate in the Mathematics Education Program at Teachers College, Columbia University. His research interests focus on mathematics learning anxiety and the integration of new technologies in mathematics education. He is committed to exploring how to help students understand and overcome the emotional and psychological barriers when learning mathematics by integrating new technologies, such as artificial intelligence and digital tools. His academic work aims to combine traditional teaching methods with cutting-edge educational technologies to create a more inclusive and effective learning environment and promote students' learning experiences and outcomes.

You Wang
Communication and Event Coordinator

You Wang graduated with a Master’s degree in Communication and Education from Teachers College, Columbia University, in May 2024. She also holds a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education. Her research focuses on the effective integration of new media and education, exploring how modern technology can enhance learning experiences and educational outcomes. Currently, You Wang serves as a Communication and Event Coordinator, combining her background in media and education to create impactful communication strategies and events.

Renda
Doctoral Fellow

Renda Sun is a doctoral student in Science Education at Teachers College, Columbia University, where his research explores the integration of generative AI into climate change education. He serves as a research associate at both the Center for Sustainable Futures (CSF) and the Development, Ecopsychology, & Wellness (Dew) Lab at Teachers College. He is also a Global Thought Leadership Fellow, jointly supported by Columbia University and UNICEF.

Beyond Columbia, Renda is a research fellow at the International Centre for UNESCO ASPnet (ICUA), promoting youth engagement in sustainable development across global communities. He also collaborates with Cornell University’s Civic Ecology Lab as a course coordinator and teaching assistant, supporting large-scale MOOCs on climate change, environmental, and nature education that reach thousands of learners worldwide.

Yunyi
Research Associate

Yunyi is a graduate student in Psychology in Education at Teachers College, Columbia University. Her experience includes tutoring, curriculum design, and industry work in merchandising analytics. She has volunteered with schools and NGOs in China and the US, and contributed to research in educational psychology and cognitive science. She brings interdisciplinary training, cross-cultural experience, and strong analytical and communication skills to her work in psychology and education.

Chen Wang
Art Program Manager and Research Associate

Dr. Chen Wang is an international award-winning pianist who has been giving performances in numerous countries. She is a Vice President of the arts of the Young Global Leadership Foundation with its UN NGO special consultative status (New York), a Vice Chairman and guest artist of Australian International Culture Industries (Sydney), a signed artist with Ivory Classics (California), a Piano Instructor at Teachers College, Columbia University, a Steinway Piano Teacher, and an Arts Education Program Manager at the Center on Chinese Education. In 2018, she received the Global Youth Leadership Award at the United Nations Headquarters. In 2022, she initiated the Journey to Love and Peace Piano world concert tour, which started at Carnegie Hall and had support from United Nations NGOs and international organizations. Besides, Wang is a dedicated teacher who has helped her students achieve admission to prestigious universities and conservatories in China and the United States.

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