Laura Reyes Umaña
Laura Reyes Umaña is a junior at Yale College (TC ’27) majoring in Cognitive Science and pursuing the Education Studies Certificate. Through tutoring children, she became fascinated by how children learn so rapidly and efficiently through their curiosity and exploration. She is particularly interested in the cognitive and environmental mechanisms that can shape their sense of wonder, creativity, and intrinsic motivation. Outside of the lab, Laura works as a teaching assistant for CS50, serves as a Pedagogical Partner with the Poorvu Center, volunteers at New Haven Reads, and enjoys playing board games with friends.
Email: laura.reyesumana@yale.edu
Khalab Blagburn
Khalab Blagburn is a junior at Pomona College double majoring in Cognitive Science and Mathematics (Statistics). He is interested in how children learn, reason, and acquire language and how we can better measure and support those processes through research and data. His work bridges cognitive science, education, and equity, with particular focuses on educational measurement and how early experiences/environments shape learning outcomes. Khalab has worked with children in both research and community settings, including co-leading culturally rooted art workshops as well as supporting participants and their families through the NIH-funded Healthy Brain and Child Development Study. He is especially drawn to applied research that informs educational systems, learning tools, and policy. Outside of academics, Khalab plays for the Pomona-Pitzer soccer team, studies Spanish, and enjoys reading and mentorship.
Email: khalab.blagburn@yale.edu
Celia Hernandez
Celia is a sophomore at Yale College (Silliman ’28) majoring in Psychology. She is interested in how environmental factors early in children’s lives affect their developmental and psychiatric outcomes, and how psychological research can be used to effectively mitigate negative outcomes. Outside of the lab, Celia works as a barista at the Acorn, babysits, volunteers as a tutor in New Haven, and enjoys going on walks.
Email: celia.hernandez@yale.edu
Rose Kosciuszek
Rose Kosciuszek is a junior at Yale College (Berkeley ‘27) majoring in Political Science. She is interested in investigating how to improve learning outcomes for children through educational strategies and interventions. Outside of academics, Rose sings with the Yale Glee Club, plays clarinet in the Yale Precision Marching Band, and volunteers with income tax assistance through Yale VITA. In her free time, she loves to watch old movies, listen to music, and spend time with friends.
Email: rose.kosciuszek@yale.edu
Myah Salazar Salvador
Myah Salazar Salvador is a Sophomore at Yale College (Pauli Murray '28) majoring in Psychology and pursuing certificates in Education Studies (intensive) and Advanced Spanish Language. She enjoys helping children explore their curiosities and during her time at Yale, has grown passionate about dismantling urban education inequalities and in researching the different ways in which students learn in hopes of effectively informing pedagogy. Outside of the classroom, Myah dances for Yale's Premier Latin Dance Team: Sabrosura, is Co-president of the Dominican Students Association, and loves to cook!
Liza Greenberg
Liza Greenberg is a sophomore at Yale College (Berkeley '29) from New York City. She is interested in philosophy and psychology, and is on the pre-med track. Her research interests focus on how personality and trait characteristics develop in children, including the formation of attitudes related to optimism and motivation. Outside of the lab, Liza enjoys walking in nature, reading, and spending time with friends.
Email: liza.greenberg@yale.edu
Nyah Smith
Nyah is a senior at Yale College (BF ‘27) pursuing the Computer Science and Psychology joint major. Nyah’s inspiration to explore child development comes from her four year old sister. Watching her sister grow has fostered an interest in understanding the role environments, caregiver’s values and increased exposure to technology affect children’s resilience, curiosity and self-esteem. Outside of classes and lab Nyah enjoys doing puzzles, finding the perfect chocolate chip cookie recipe, and roaming the Yale Art Gallery.
Email: nyah.smith@yale.edu
Tzideny Romero
Tzideny Romero is a junior at Yale College (Davenport ‘28) double majoring in Psychology and Ethnicity, Race, and Migration. She is interested in how adverse childhood experiences affect developmental and learningoutcomes, especially in regards to socio-economic inequalities. Outside of the classroom, Tzideny is involved with Yale Ballet Folklorico, Mecha de Yale, and is currently trying to improve her photography and painting skills.
Email: tzideny.romero@yale.edu
Claire Zhang
Claire is a senior at Middlebury College double majoring in Psychology and Economics. Her broad interests entail developing improved therapy interventions for childhood disorders and improving mental health outcomes in children and adolescents. At Middlebury, Claire works as a barista at both the college and a local café (shoutout Haymaker Bun Company!). Beyond academics, she enjoys listening to music and exploring different restaurants/cafés.
Email: crzhang@middlebury.edu
Muhammad Nuliadi
Muhammad Nuliadi is a third year student at Yale College (Grace Hopper ‘28) studying Cognitive Science. Through his own experiences dealing with impostor syndrome and guilt throughout his early time at Yale, he is interested in studying how inequalities impact children’s development, effort allocation, and choices. In the lab, he is specifically working on a project on the consequences of under-representation on competence beliefs in children. At Yale, Muhammad is very involved in the Asian American Cultural Center, Muslim Students Association, and is also a Tour Guide. Outside of academics and research, Muhammad really enjoys crocheting, sewing, and trying new restaurants and coffee shops.
Email: muhammad.nuliadi@yale.edu
Emily Brendlinger
Emily is a sophomore at Temple University in Philadelphia, PA, who is majoring in psychology and minoring in cognitive neuroscience. Emily is interested in studying how growing up in a digital environment will influence an individual’s behavior, which is what led to her interest in developmental psychology. At Temple, she is the Treasurer of Temple’s Climbing Club and the Sophomore Coordinator for Honors Ambassadors to Temple. Outside of school and the lab, she loves to rock climb and play the guitar.
Email: emily.brendlinger@temple.edu
Marionna Haynes
I am a current junior at Temple University, majoring in Psychology and pursuing a certificate in Applied Behavioral Analysis. My hands-on learning experience as a Substitute Teacher has sparked my interest in assisting children with unique developmental and behavioral needs and implementing effective treatment strategies and interventions to promote independence and skill acquisition. Outside of school, I thoroughly enjoy reading, hiking, and visiting the beach.
Email: marionna615@gmail.com
Chloe Patz
Chloe is a recent graduate of Wake Forest University, where she received her B.A. in Psychology with minors in Neuroscience and Health & Human Services. She is fascinated by how children make sense of the world around them and how early experiences, caregiver relationships, and learning environments shape motivation and development. In particular, she is interested in how supportive relationships and early childhood experiences can influence learning, persistence, and mental health outcomes. In the future, she hopes to pursue a Ph.D. in clinical child psychology and work with children and families. In her free time, Chloe loves to do pilates, bake, and travel!
Email: cvpatz7@gmail.com
Ameya Nerella
Ameya Nerella is a rising junior at Temple University, and is double majoring in Psychology and Economics. Her experience working in a preschool led to her interest in development and child psychology. She is particularly interested in exploring how learning and social environments in early ages can impact long term success. Outside of the lab, she loves exploring new cities, scrapbooking, and listening to music.
Email: ameya.nerella@temple.edu