Our Team

Jasmine Begeske, MFA, Ph.D.

CREATE Founding Co-Director, ACTION Lab PI

Dr. Jasmine Begeske is an artist, researcher, and teacher educator. She is a Clinical Assistant Professor in Special Education at Purdue University with a research and teaching focus on inclusion and accessibility for students with disabilities. She teaches courses in Universal Design for Learning (UDL), Culturally Responsive Teaching (CRT), serving students with extensive support needs, assistive technology, and Positive Behavioral Interventions and Support (PBIS). Her research centers on access and accessibility to arts education for vulnerable populations, where she explores developing and individualizing creative assistive technology solutions for improved accessibility to learning. Her artistic practice includes experimental printmaking and participatory arts projects that include individuals with disabilities as makers. She formerly served as a P-12 Special Education and Visual Arts teacher and has 15+ years of experience preparing future teachers.

Sedigheh Fathollahzadeh, Special Education Doctoral Student

Sedigheh holds an undergraduate degree in Fine Arts and a Master’s degree in Fine Arts and Art Education. For the past ten years, she has taught art to students of all ages in schools, universities, and the private sector. Her research interests focus on how art-based initiatives can be integrated into new forms of media in order to address systemic inequalities, promote public dialogue, and empower marginalized populations.

Patricia El Horr de Moraes

Patricia El Horr de Moraes is a Ph.D. student in Special Education at Purdue University. She holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree in psychology, with a focus on Applied Behavior Analysis. She is currently pursuing her BCBA credential while working as a Research Assistant. Her research interests lie in early childhood development, autism, social skills, and socioemotional development. Patricia is an active member of the Purdue Behavioral Research (PBR), Purdue Autism Research Center, the Association for Behavior Analysis International, and the Indiana Division for Early Childhood.

Maddie Patrick

Maddie Patrick is an undergraduate student majoring in Elementary Education with a concentration in high ability. She fell in love with education at a young age, and wants to continue to improve opportunities for students to be creative in the ways they learn, specifically in upper-elementary to early middle school. Behind the scenes, Maddie is the biggest Purdue Basketball fan under the sun, especially watching the games with her friends and family.

David Jackson, M.S., CCC-SLP

Lecturer

David Jackson is a Lecturer in Special Education at Purdue University, classes include Assistive Technology, Special Education Knowledge for General Education and Field Supervision for Student Teachers in Special Education. He is passionate about helping students improve access to learning through Universal Design for Learning, Accessible Educational Materials (AEM) and Assistive Technology solutions. He is a Speech-Language Pathologist and worked in K-12 for over 21 years and for a state funded Assistive Technology Organization for 4 years.  He provided services to students with complex communication needs, severe disabilities, orthopedic impairments, and autism.  He loves to create materials and solutions to help students succeed and access the academic curriculum using 3D printed solutions, adapting toys/materials, and creating solutions with readily available materials.

Samira Bashiru, Special Education Doctoral Student

Samira holds an undergraduate degree in Early Childhood Education and a Master’s degree in Special Education. Her research focuses on the experiences of immigrant students and English Learners receiving special education services in the U.S education system. She is also interested in how assistive technology and devices could be used to support the learning of students with disabilities in developing countries.

Bryson Duff

3D Printer Technician

Major: Mechanical Engineering Technologies

Year: Sophomore

Bryson joined us late last fall. He is originally from Wilmington, Delaware. Bryson is interested in automotive design and hopes to dive into the automotive industry after he graduates. Bryson enjoys working on cars, sim racing, pickleball, and cooking. He is currently working on bringing the ability to 3D print to our community and can’t wait to help students and faculty bring their ideas and imagination to life.

Jake Jenkins, Undergraduate Research Assistant

Major: Special Education/Elementary Education 
Year: Sophomore

Jake joined the lab in Fall of 2022. He is originally from West Lafayette, Indiana, and is interested in continuing to graduate school in the future. In his free time, Jake enjoys creative writing, cooking, and taking naps. He is currently working on a qualitative project examining teacher-student relationship building.

Emma Jones, Undergraduate Research Assistant

Major: Elementary Education 
Year: Sophomore

Emma joined the lab in the Fall of 2022. She is originally from Henryville, Indiana, and is interested in going to graduate school in the future to become a school counselor. In her free time, Emma enjoys attending Purdue sporting events, hanging out with friends, and reading.

David Ray Miranda, Special Education Doctoral Student

David holds an undergraduate degree in Psychology and a master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis. His research focuses on evaluating behavioral interventions for students with disabilities and how we can integrate student preferences and choices.

Jordan Potter, Undergraduate Research Assistant

Major: Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences 
Minors: Psychology & Human Development and Family Studies

Jordan joined the lab in Fall of 2022. She is from West Lebanon, Indiana. Jordan is planning on going to graduate school in Fall of 2023 to receive her Masters in Speech Pathology. In her free time, she enjoys taking care of her houseplants, crocheting, and embroidery. She is currently working on a qualitative project examining teacher-student relationship building.

Riley Tague, Undergraduate Research Assistant

Major: Psychological Sciences
Year: Freshman

Riley joined the lab in Fall of 2023. She is originally from Zionsville, Indiana, and is planning on going to graduate school in the future. In her free time, Riley enjoys hiking/backpacking, reading, traveling, and spending time with family.

Charissa Voorhis, Special Education Doctoral Student

Charissa holds an undergraduate degree in Early Childhood Education and Exceptional Needs and a master’s degree in Special Education with a concentration in Applied Behavior Analysis. Her research interests involve coaching of pre-service and in-service teachers to improve the use of evidence-based practices related to challenging behavior in the classroom.

Yuting Zhang, Undergraduate Research Assistant

Major: General Education 

Yuting joined the lab in Fall of 2022. She is from China. She is planning on exploring educational policies and practices after graduating. She is interested in learning how to create a more inclusive classroom, as well as international education policies. She is currently working on an educational research project examining how to build a better teacher-student relationship.