Professor Dr. Almaz Mesghina

Biography

Almaz Mesghina is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at Northwestern University. His research is focused on the intersection of cognitive, social, and educational psychology. He is broadly interested in understanding the cognitive mechanisms that underlie 'choking under pressure' in educational settings. His work explores phenomena such as stress and anxiety, and how these factors disrupt or, in some instances, promote engagement in deep STEM learning. Mesghina designs and tests social, pedagogical, and emotion regulation interventions aimed at offsetting the detrimental impacts of negative affective experiences on learning. He has published numerous articles that contribute to the understanding of these dynamics, particularly in relation to the learning experiences of students during challenging times, like the COVID-19 pandemic.

Research Interests