Daniela Castellanos-Reyes

Daniela Castellanos-Reyes (Ela) serves as Assistant Professor in Learning, Design, and Technology at North Carolina State University, affiliated with the Digital Transformation of Education interdisciplinary research cluster. Her work bridges educational theory and data-driven methodologies to enhance online learning experiences, particularly focusing on women's educational advancement through distance education.

Education:

• PhD in Learning Design and Technology, Purdue University
• Master's in Learning Design and Technology, Purdue University
• B.A. in English Philology, Universidad Nacional de Colombia

Research Focus: Dr. Castellanos-Reyes pioneers longitudinal network analysis to investigate social presence contagion in online learning environments. Her work examines how peer influence shapes community formation and knowledge construction, with special attention to Latina/o/x representation in instructional design. She develops sociometric instruments to measure Communities of Inquiry in data science education, collaborating internationally with researchers like Stefan Stenbom at KTH.

Scientific Recognition:

• National Academy of Education/Spencer Foundation Fellowship
• Bilsland Dissertation Fellowship
• Mary Kay Sommers Dissertation Award
• International Peace Scholarship (P.E.O.)
• Frank DeBruicker Graduate Award

Research Leadership: Funded by the National Science Foundation, Spencer Foundation, and Philanthropic Educational Organization, her current KTH collaboration develops Delphi-method sociometric tools for global online communities. She actively supports instructors' transitions to digital pedagogy while mentoring emerging scholars in educational technology, though specific advisees aren't documented in source materials. Her work demonstrates how network analysis can transform online learning into socially connected, equitable educational spaces.