ELRC is very pleased to introduce the newest members to our staff!

Damilola Seyi-Oderinde, PhD is a Research and Evaluation Associate at the Evaluation Learning and Research Center (ELRC) in the College of Education at Purdue University. She earned her Ph.D. in Psychology of Education from the University of the Free State, South Africa and has almost a decade of experience working in various capacities within the higher education industry. As a Lecturer at Ekiti State University, Nigeria, she led and collaborated with other faculties to publish empirical, theoretical, and mixed-methodological research on topics such as mental health, emotional intelligence, and self-efficacy.

Her research is characterized by an interdisciplinary approach, drawing on insights from various fields to gain a more nuanced understanding of human behavior, organizations, and processes. Damilola is passionate about using research and evaluation frameworks to promote individual and community well-being, and to develop just, equitable, and evidence-based solutions to socio-educational problems. Her work is informed by the belief that research and evaluation outcomes should lead to transformation, empowerment, and social justice.
Outside of her work, Damilola enjoys spending time with her family, hosting friends, and working out at the gym.

Lukas Ingersoll, PhD is joining the ELRC as a Research Associate. He received his Ph.D. in Public Health from Purdue University and was the first doctoral graduate from the department. Luke’s work focuses on communication between clinicians and patients at the end of life and how high-quality communication can reduce suffering and improve quality of life until the end. Additionally, he helped design and implement an intercultural development program to increase health-focused undergraduate students' Cultural Intelligence (CQ). Through this program, he helped develop and evaluate an intensive semester course. Moreover, he designed and implemented study abroad programs in over six countries. Luke wants to use mixed methods approaches to triangulate data to reduce unnecessary suffering and produce student-centered research. 

Highlighted Project 

Project Rise
This project will develop and implement innovative culturally relevant digital civics instruction aligned with American History, Civics, and Government courses, along with learning strategies and teacher professional development opportunities, to improve the quality of teaching and to enhance the civic readiness (i.e., civic purpose, civic knowledge and skills, and empathy) of middle and/or high school students.