I am interested in how individual differences in personality influence the ways in which people approach and interact with concepts and ideas. I am particularly interested in developmental issues that arise as children transition through the educational system and gain knowledge and beliefs about how the world works. I hope that this work can inform the discussion of how to best help children achieve to their full potential. To accomplish this goal, I am exploring the dynamic relation between children and their learning environment, and how the unique characteristics of the individual child influence personal, academic, and social growth over time. I use a variety of methods to explore these topics including structural equation modeling, longitudinal data analysis, and behavior genetics. Currently, I am interested in ways that gender impacts thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and trajectories of identity development.