Ramya Kumar is a PhD student in Developmental and Psychological Sciences at the Stanford Graduate School of Education. Her research interests focus on how messaging about belonging, ability mindset, and values communicated by the environment (in the form of media, professors, teachers, peers, etc) can impact underserved students’ experiences in STEM education. Her current project explores how the classroom remarks made by STEM instructors on the first day of class can "set the scene" for students, potentially affecting their sense of belonging in the course. In addition to her research, Ramya is also passionate about communicating science to a broader audience through visual media and design.

She received her B.S. in Psychology from Stony Brook University.