Christian C. Steciuch, Ph.D.

Professional Background

Christian C. Steciuch, Ph.D., is a Research Assistant Professor of Psychology in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences.

Dr. Steciuch obtained his baccalaureate degree in Psychology from Purdue University Calumet, followed by his Master of Arts in Cognitive Instructional Psychology and Doctorate of Cognitive Instructional Psychology from Northern Illinois University.

Currently, Dr. Steciuch serves as the Senior Research Analyst for the Assessment, Evaluation, and Scholarship unit in the Office of Medical Education. He conducts medical education research, provides consultations for other faculty on their education research projects, and assists with assessment issues in the School of Medicine. He has previously taught courses in learning, memory, research methods, and neuroscience.

• BA, Psychology, Purdue University Calumet, Hammond, Indiana
• MA, Cognitive Instructional Psychology, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Illinois
• PhD, Cognitive Instructional Psychology, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Illinois

Research

Overview

Dr. Steciuch's program of research is based in discourse psychology - understanding how we make sense of what we read and see. He is currently conducting research to further document the relationship between foundational knowledge and clinical skills, using think-aloud protocols to identify the development of clinical reasoning, and evaluating a measurement model to best measure flourishing and well-being in medical students. He has also developed and published on best practices for identifying, supporting, and advising medical students preparing for high-stakes exams. His research work has previously appeared in journals related to comprehension, emotions, and experimental methodology.

• Steciuch ChristianC, Baños JamesH, Bates ToddA, Bauckman KyleA, Clemmons KarinaR, Costin JoshuaM, Fairbrother Hilary, García Osorio MarthaE, Greenberg Amy, Hubner BrookA, Huynh Phuong, Kiefer Meghan, Lahoti Sheela, Laird-Fick HeatherS., Song Xiaomei, Sturtevant JoyE, Wang Ling, Zinski Anne, Fontes JosephD. 2026. Contemporary Step 1 predictive methods across 12 MD-granting medical schools. Teaching and Learning in Medicine. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10401334.2026.2655826
• Steciuch ChristianC, Millis Keith, Kopatich RyanD. 2023. Is viewing a painting like reading a story?: Trans-symbolic comprehension processes and aesthetic responses across two media. Discourse Processes, 60 (2), 97-118. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/0163853X.2023.2172299
• Polowsky Patrick, Steciuch ChristianC. 2020. Interactive infographics improve learning outcomes in a food science laboratory exercise environment. Journal of Career and Technical Education, 35 (1), 1-16. https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ1310505
• Steciuch ChristianC, Kopatich RyanD, Feller DanielP, Durik AmandaM, Millis Keith. 2021. Don't go with your gut: Exploring the role of motivation in aesthetic experiences. Psychology of Aesthetics, Creativity, and the Arts, 15 (1), 28-37. https://psycnet.apa.org/fulltext/2019-26301-001.html