Zhao earned her B.A. in English Language and Literature from Shandong University, China. She completed her M.Ed. from Harvard University Graduate School of Education and her Ph.D. in Educational Psychology and Human Development from the University of Maryland.

What is the focus of your scholarship?

My research bridges cognitive, developmental, and educational psychology, with a focus on relational reasoning, mathematical thinking, and instructional interventions. Specifically, my Zhao’s scholarship aims to inform evidence-based teaching practices and support the development of students’ higher-order thinking.