Formal Teaching Experience

• PSY-PC 3650/7500: Advanced Topical Seminar, Self-Regulated Learning, Vanderbilt University || Instructor

• PSY 2550-02/5120-01: Adolescent Development, Vanderbilt University || Instructor

• L12 4055: Central Topics in Learning Sciences, WashU || Instructor

• PSY 3902: Directed Study – Post-Baccalaureate Seminar, Pitt || Instructor

• PSY 335: Research Methods Lab, Pitt || Instructor

• PSY 422: Cognitive Psychology, Pitt || Teaching Assistant

• EDS 130: Intro to Academic Mentoring of Elementary School Students, UC San Diego || Teaching Assistant

Sample Student Evaluations

When asked to describe the course in 3 words, students said: “Discussion, Accountability, Fun” && “Talkative, Thought–provoking, Hard questions”

• “I felt that Cristina brought in every person to talk and be heard during our discussions.”

• “Cristina keeps things interesting, is very approachable, explains things well and very obviously puts a ton of effort into teaching the lab (more than necessary even).”

• “She's very easy to talk to and she promotes useful discussion in class.”

• “Very approachable and understanding. Clear when explaining concepts. In class activities were fun and helpful.”

• “She did an exceptional job of explaining difficult concepts. Also, she gave great feedback/constructive criticism on our papers and other assignments, and that helped me improve a lot!”

• “She was very down to earth, approachable, and always wanted to help you out.”

Mentoring Experience

For over a decade, I have focused my attention to mentoring underrepresented students in the pursuit of higher education. As an undergraduate, I started as a college peer advisor for Cal-SOAP and then became a mentor, tutor, and teaching assistant for the Partners at Learning (P@Ls) Program at UC San Diego. As a graduate student, I served as the Assistant Director to the Hot Metal Bridge Post-Baccalaureate (HMB) Program in Psychology. I also coordinated an undergraduate workshop aimed at helping undergraduates navigate the graduate school application process. Check out the undergrad resources for a link to the website and additional information. As a postdoc, I continued these efforts as a member of the Psychology Department’s Diversity, Inclusion and Equity Committee.

 Professional Development Talks

Zepeda, C. D., (2023, September). Navigating grad school and early career research: What I wish I knew before. Panelist for AERA’s Motivation Special Interest Group Graduate Student Committee and Complexity Theories in Education Special Interest Group, Virtual.

Zepeda, C. D., (2023, May). Candidate perspectives on the Academic job market: Recent Applicants share their experiences and provide tips on how to make the process more equitable and inclusive. Panelist for the Society of Experimental Psychology and Cognitive Science, APA Division 3, Virtual.

Zepeda, C. D., (2023, May). Supporting student learning through metacognitive and motivational strategies. Talk presented at Teaching + Learning Lab, MIT, Virtual.

Zepeda, C. D., (Summer, 2020). Supporting students in using motivational strategies. Talk presented at the Virtual OnRamps Summit. University of Texas, Austin, TX.

Zepeda, C. D., (Spring, 2018). Real talk: Figuring out how to do the whole postdoc thing. Talk presented at the Cognitive Program Brown Bag Series. University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA.

Zepeda, C. D., (Fall, 2015, 2016, & 2017; Spring 2017). Study smarter, not harder with strategies supported by cognitive science. Talks presented at the Academic Resource Center’s Workshop Series. University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA.