Alejandra Magana

Alejandra Magana serves as the W.C. Furnas Professor in Enterprise Excellence of Applied and Creative Computing and Professor of Engineering Education at Purdue Polytechnic, Purdue University. She directs the ROCkETEd Lab and holds significant editorial roles including Deputy Editor for the Journal of Engineering Education and Co-Editor of the Education Department for IEEE Computer Graphics & Applications. Her leadership extends to multiple editorial boards in engineering and science education journals.

• Ph.D. in Engineering Education, Purdue University (2009)
• Post-doc in Engineering Education, Purdue University (2010)
• M.S. in Educational Technology, Purdue University (2007)
• M.S. in Electronic Commerce, Instituto Tecnologico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey (2003)
• B.S. in Information Systems Engineering, Instituto Tecnologico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey (2000)

Magana's research focuses on how students develop computer and data science self-regulated learning skills through computational cognitive apprenticeship and authentic modeling practices. She investigates how learning analytics and AI can support student learning in computing-intensive domains and engineering thinking in K-12 education. Her work bridges educational theory with practical applications in STEM fields, emphasizing the integration of computational thinking across disciplines. She employs design-based research methodologies to create and evaluate innovative learning environments that leverage simulation, visualization, and emerging technologies.

Analysis of Magana's recent publications reveals a strong emphasis on collaborative learning in digital environments, with growing attention to AI applications in education. Her work spans multiple domains including virtual reality for STEM education, teamwork dynamics in software development, AI ethics education, and computational thinking assessment for teachers. A consistent theme is the development of representational competence through modeling and simulation practices, with increasing integration of learning analytics to understand student cognition and team processes.

• Fellow Member, American Society for Engineering Education (2024)
• Fulbright Specialists Appointment (2024)
• Purdue Polytechnic Charles B. Murphy Outstanding Undergraduate Teaching Award (2021)
• W.C. Furnas Professorship (2020)
• Purdue University Faculty Scholar (2016)
• ASEE-ERM Apprentice Faculty Grant (2012)

Magana leads multiple significant research grants totaling over $15 million, primarily from NSF, focusing on computational education, AI in learning environments, and engineering education transformation. Her ROCkETEd Lab serves as the hub for these research activities, which often involve interdisciplinary collaborations across engineering, computer science, and education. She has mentored numerous graduate students who appear as co-authors on her publications, though specific advising relationships aren't explicitly documented. Her research program demonstrates strong continuity from foundational work on modeling and simulation to current projects integrating generative AI and immersive technologies.

The ROCkETEd Lab (Research in Organizing Computational Knowledge for Engineering Thinking and Education) functions as Magana's primary research unit, focusing on computational cognitive apprenticeship approaches. The lab investigates how students develop representational fluency through modeling and simulation practices, with recent expansion into AI-enabled learning environments. Current projects examine hidden curricula in computer science education, high-performance computing virtual environments for AI education, and culturally relevant programming learning experiences. The lab maintains strong industry and international partnerships, particularly with institutions involved in advanced manufacturing and educational technology development.