His research focuses on motivation and adolescent development, and on the use of behavioral science to make improvements toward pressing social issues. He received his Ph. D. from Stanford University in 2011. Prior to conducting research, he was a middle school teacher. He is currently the co-chair of the Mindset Scholars Network, an interdisciplinary network devoted to improving the science of learning mindsets and expanding educational opportunity. He holds appointments at the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, the University of Texas Population Research Center, the Dana Center, and the Center for Advanced Study in the Behavioral Sciences (CASBS). His research has received more than 15 awards in social, developmental, and educational psychology.