My research interests are in undergraduate mathematics education, with a major focus on the teaching and learning of linear algebra. My research program includes two main strands of work. 

One research strand investigates student understanding and use of mathematics in quantum physics. My NSF CAREER award (DUE #1452889, 2019 PECASE recipient) focused on how students reason about concepts related to eigentheory in quantum mechanics, as well as on related didactical supports. Her current NSF-funded project (DRL #2500569) focuses on how students understand various linear algebra concepts that are central to quantum information science (QIS) concepts across disciplines, and how students understand and use those linear algebra concepts in coordination with QIS concepts across disciplines.

The other research strand focuses on instructional design and student reasoning within linear algebra. She is the lead designer and a principal investigator of the NSF-funded Inquiry-Oriented Linear Algebra (IOLA) project, which developed curriculum materials that facilitate an inquiry-oriented approach to the teaching and learning of linear algebra. Her publications also report on how students make sense of various linear algebra concepts.

Grants

US National Science Foundation EDU Core Research, Student Understanding of Linear Algebra across Quantum Information Science (DRL-2500569), M. Wawro (PI), 2025-2028, Total award $499,502.

National Science Foundation Improving Undergraduate STEM Education, Collaborative Research: Extending Inquiry-Oriented Linear Algebra (DUE- 1915156, 1914841, 1914793), M. Wawro (lead PI), M. Zandieh and C. Andrews-Larson (PIs), D. Plaxco (co-PI), 2019-2024, Total award $618,430.

National Science Foundation Faculty Early Career Development Program through the Division of Undergraduate Education: CAREER: An Interdisciplinary Study of Learning: Student Understanding of Linear Algebra in Physics (DUE-1452889), Megan Wawro (PI), $779,686, 2015-2020.

National Science Foundation Transforming Undergraduate Education in STEM, Collaborative Research: Developing Inquiry-Oriented Instructional Materials for Linear Algebra (DUE-1245673, 1245796, and 1246083), M. Wawro (PI), M. Zandieh and C. Rasmussen (co-PIs), $179,949, 2013-15.

Virginia Tech Center for Innovation in Learning, Innovation in Undergraduate Mathematics Education: Supporting Student-Centered Instruction, M. Wawro (PI) and David Plaxco (co-PI), $10,000, 2013-2014.

National Science Foundation Robert Noyce Teach Scholarship, Virginia Teach, Phase II: A Community-Based Approach to Serving Mathematics Students in Need (DUE-1339947), C. Ulrich (PI), J. Wilkins, B. Kreye, A. Norton, and M. Wawro (co-PIs), $800,000, 2013-18.

National Science Foundation Innovations in Undergraduate STEM Education, MATH: EAGER Building a Mathematical Toolkit and Motivation for Success in the Physical and Quantitative Sciences (DUE-1544225), J. Sible (PI); K. Drezek, S. Lewis, M. Pleming, A. Robinson (co-PIs), J. Simonetti, M. Wawro (senior personnel), 2015-2017, $296,996.