Meet the Team
Michael D. Toland, Ph.D.
Executive Director
David Dueber, Ph.D.
Research Assistant Professor
David Dueber started as a Postdoctoral Researcher in The Herb Innovation Center at the University of Toledo before moving into his current role of Research Assistant Professor. He earned a Ph.D. in Quantitative and Psychometric Methods from the University of Kentucky in 2020. Prior to his current appointment at THInC, Dueber worked as a Postdoctoral Scholar at the University of Kentucky and as an independent statistical consultant before that. He has experience with (quasi-)experimental design, large-scale data, multilevel modeling, latent variable modeling, and scale development.
Dueber's methodological research interests stem from issues encountered in his applied work. He is currently interested in developing and testing mechanisms for performing power analysis for multilevel structural equation models, assessing differential item functioning and measurement non-invariance, estimating the biasing influence of measurement error, and decision-making regarding the treatment of subscores.
Staff
Rachel Brown
Graduate Assistant
Rachel Brown is a master's student studying Early Childhood Education and gaining licensure to teach K-5th-grade education from the University of Toledo's LAMP Program. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Rhetoric and Public Address from Hilldale College. She has worked in the charter and private school sectors of education as a substitute teacher. Rachel is interested in exploring how beneficial AI can be in education, particularly in literacy and tutoring, after she graduates and plans to either become a teacher, pursue a career in education policy, or go into a Ph.D. program.
Melike Gokmen, M.A.
Graduate Assistant
Melike Gokmen is a dedicated doctoral student in the Educational Psychology program at the University of Toledo. Melike completed her master’s degree in School Counseling from North American University. With over 14 years of experience as a science teacher and college counselor in K-12 charter schools, Melike has a deep passion for fostering students’ academic and mental growth. She thrives on one-on-one interactions, building meaningful connections with each student she teaches. Melike is advancing research on the long-term impact of early parent-child relationships on adult mental health. She is currently working as an adjunct professor, teaching multiple branches of psychology courses. She brings her expertise to higher education, while also contributing as a research assistant.
Angie Keene, M.Ed.
Graduate Assistant
Angie is a doctoral student in the Foundations of Education – Research and Measurement program minoring in higher education at the University of Toledo. She earned her master’s degree in educational research and measurement from the University of Toledo and her bachelor’s degree in psychology from George Mason University. She worked as a certified pharmacy technician at the University of Toledo Medical Center and an intern completing a research practicum with the department of psychology at the University of Toledo while a master’s student. Angie completed a research internship for her doctoral program with THInC before joining the team as a research assistant. She enjoys learning and practicing qualitative and quantitative approaches to research in the social sciences and has interest in further expanding her skills in data science and psychometrics. Her research interests include abnormal psychology and psychological test development, student attrition in higher education and the transition to independent research for graduate students, and ethical and responsible use of AI in education.
Kimberlie Kowalka Todd, M.Ed.
Graduate Assistant
Kimberlie Kowalka Todd is a doctoral student in Philosophical and Social Foundations of Education and Peace Education at UToledo. She has earned an MEd in Art Education through the LAMP Program at the University of Toledo and a BA in Studio Art at Northern Illinois University. Kimberlie has worked as a Graduate Administrative Assistant in the College of Graduate Studies and as a Research Assistant for Literacy Everywhere! Project. She is a Visual Art Specialist at a K-12 separate facility behavioral school, with 13 years of experience in the classroom. Her research interests include distributive justice as it relates to the effects of school funding, educational goals, and the quality of pedagogy and curriculum made available to different student populations.
