People

Lab Director

Melissa Koenig

Dr. Koenig is the Director of the Early Language and Experience Lab and a professor at the Institute of Child Development at the University of Minnesota. She teaches CPSY 4345 (Language Development), as well as undergraduate and graduate seminars on moral development and cognitive development. She specializes in early language development and theory of mind and her recent research focuses on children’s evaluation of testimony, the bases upon which they credit knowledge to others and the epistemic significance of doubt.

Lab Managers

Iliad Nazari

Iliad is a senior undergraduate student in Linguistics and Developmental Psychology at the University of Minnesota. He is interested in Central Asian languages, phonetics, language acquisition, and the psycholinguistics of multilingualism. He has started working in the Early Language and Experience Lab in Spring 2023.

Naomi Glunz-Kennedy

Naomi is a junior undergraduate student majoring in Psychology (B.A.) with a concentration in Community and Global Health at Macalester College. As of Summer 2023, she began working in the Early Language and Experience Lab.

Hanh vu

Hanh is a junior at Grinnell College, majoring in Psychology with a concentration in Education Studies. She started working in the Early Language and Experience Lab in Summer 2024.

Graduate Students

Norwood Glaspie

Norwood is a fourth-year graduate student at the Institute of Child Development. His interest encompasses topics such as Cognitive Development, Social Cognition, and Early Learning in children. Specifically, the role language plays in children’s understanding of social categories and concepts. Norwood is from North Carolina, where he received his Bachelors in Psychology from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke in 2018.

Carol Messias

Carol is a Ph.D. student at Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCar) in Brazil. She was a visiting researcher at the ELEL in 2020-2021 and continues collaborating with the lab. She is interested in social cognitive development. Specifically, she is investigating the effects of gender and body type on children’s selective trust. Carol is Brazilian and also got her bachelor’s degree in psychology at UFSCar.

Isaac Bisla

Isaac is a fourth-year graduate student at the Institute of Child Development. His primary interests include topics such as Cognitive Development, Social Cognition, Selective Trust, and Suggestibility to Misinformation. Specifically, he is interested in how selective trust plays a role in children’s ability to resist misleading suggestions. As well as the role individual differences such as executive functioning, theory of mind, vocabulary knowledge, and SES background might play. Isaac is from California, where he received his Bachelors in Psychology from the University of California, Irvine in 2020. 

Diqi Zeng

Diqi (pronunciation: Dee-chi) is a third-year graduate student at the Institute of Child Development. She is interested in speech sound development and children’s learning preference towards speaker of various acoustic features. Diqi is originally from Hunan, China and raised in Guangdong, China. She received her B.S. in Geography and Psychology from University of Cincinnati in the U.S., her B.E. in Hydrology and Water Resource Engineering from Sun Yet-san University in China, and her M.A. in Social Science from University of Chicago.

Yeonju Suh

Yeonju is a third-year doctoral student on the developmental science track at ICD. She graduated from Duke University with a B.S. in Psychology in 2020 and worked as a lab manager for Dr. Tamar Kushnir before coming to ICD. As a first-year student, Yeonju is actively exploring her academic interests, but she is broadly interested in children’s intergroup social cognition. Specifically, she wants to know how children perceive social groups, how group membership relates to self-identity, and how children learn of stereotypes. In the ELE Lab, Yeonju is working on a project that looks into how children learn of stereotypes.

Research Assistants

Abbie Jordan

Abbie is a senior undergraduate student double majoring in Developmental Psychology (B.S) and Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences. As of Fall 2023, she has started working as an RA in the Early Language and Experience Lab.

Chi la vue

Chi is a junior undergraduate student majoring in Developmental Psychology (B.S.). She is excited to explore the different topics in the developmental psychology field, particular about the impacts of early experiences on development. As of Summer 2024, she has been working as an RA in the Early Language and Experience Lab.

Cynthia Ghannoum

Cynthia is a sophomore undergraduate student majoring in Psychology (B.S.) and minoring in music. She is excited to learn and apply knowledge within her field to research. Her interests in psychology are specifically in child development and medicine. As of Fall 2023, she has been working as an RA at the ELE lab.

Emma Hemann

Emma Hemann was an undergraduate student majoring in developmental psychology (B.S.) She is passionate about working with children and learning more about their social processes. As of Spring 2024, Emma began working as an RA in the Early Language and Experience Lab. 

Halle Wasserman

Halle is a junior undergraduate student majoring in both Early Childhood and Speech Language Hearing Sciences. She is excited to work with children and learn more about language development. She has been working with the Early Language and Experience Lab since Spring 2024. 

Kalea yang

Kalea is a third-year undergraduate student majoring in Developmental Psychology (B.S.). She began working as an RA in the Early Language and Experience Lab in Summer 2024.

Katie Kong

Katie is a senior at Macalester College studying Psychology and English. As of Spring 2024, she began working in the Early Language and Experience Lab.

Kelsie Donaldson

Kelsie is a Junior undergraduate student majoring in Developmental Psychology with a minor in art. She is passionate about working with kids, especially in creative ways. Kelsie began working as an RA for the ELE lab during the summer of ‘24.

Lacey Marsh

Lacey is a sophomore at UMN planning to go on the track of majoring in neuroscience and minoring in developmental psychology. Lacey began working as an RA for the Early Language and Experience Lab in Spring 2024.

Madeleine kemper

Madeleine is a senior undergraduate student majoring in Psychology (B.A.) with a minor in Statistics at Macalester College. She is passionate about youth cognitive and social development and social processes. As of Summer 2024, she began working as an RA in the Early Language and Experience Lab.

Maija Dahlberg

Maija was an undergraduate student majoring in Psychology, in the pre med track. She began working as an RA in the Early Language and Experience Lab in Spring 2024.

Marisol perez

Marisol is a sophomore undergraduate student at Macalester College majoring in Psychology (B.A.) with a concentration in Cognitive Science and a minor in Spanish. Some of her academic interests include developmental psychology and linguistics, so she is excited to be an RA at the ELE Lab. She began working with the lab in Spring 2023.

Megan Sellers

Megan is a senior undergraduate student majoring in Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences and Developmental Psychology. She works as an assistant teacher at an early childhood care center, and loves getting to work with children of all ages! As of Spring 2024, she has began working at the Early Language and Experience Lab as an RA.

Natalia JaHnke

Natalia is a junior undergraduate student at the University of Minnesota majoring in Psychology (B.A.) with minors in Developmental Psychology and Family Social Sciences. She has been working with the Early Language and Experience lab since the Summer of 2023.


Natalie Warnke

Natalie is a sophomore undergraduate student majoring in Psychology (B.A.) with a minor in Developmental Psychology. She started working as an RA at the Early Language and Experience lab in the fall of 2023.

Natalie Worzalla

Natalie is a senior undergraduate student majoring in Psychology (B.A.) with a minor in Developmental Psychology. She is excited to learn more about the interworking’s of research studies and to work with and interact with children. She is especially interested in forensic and clinical psychology in adolescents and young adults. As of Summer 2023, she has started working as an RA for the Early Language and Experience Lab.

Phoebe Pan

Phoebe is a senior undergraduate student majoring in Psychology (B.A.). She is passionate about children developmental psychology and hoping to use relevant knowledge to educate and communicate with kids. As of Spring 2024, she has started working as an RA for the Early Language and Experience Lab.

Rose Kindred

Rose is a junior undergraduate student majoring in Developmental Psychology (B.A.) with a double minor in Integrative Neuroscience and French Studies. She is excited to learn more about children’s group socialization and work with children in the lab. As of Fall 2023, she has started working as an RA for the Early Language and Experience Lab.

Rose is currently studying abroad!

Sydney Indihar

Sydney is a senior undergraduate student pursuing a major in Psychology (B.S.) and a minor in Family Social Science. She enjoys working with children and is interested in learning more about their social and cognitive processes. As of Spring 2024, she has started working as an RA for the Early Language and Experience Lab.


Yasmin morad

Yasmin is a Sophomore undergraduate student Majoring in Psychology (B.S) with a minor in Health Psychology. She is interested in learning more about child development and applying what she has learned about research. She started working as an RA at the Early Language and Experience Lab in the summer of 2024.

Yitzel Flores

Yitzel is a junior undergraduate student double-majoring in Psychology and Educational Studies (B.A.) at Macalester College. Yitzel is interested in social cognition and is excited to learn more about conducting research at a university. As of Spring 2024, Yitzel has been working with the lab.

Lab Alumni

DR. ERIKA DEANGELIS

Dr. Erika DeAngelis graduated from Developmental Psychology Ph.D. program in 2024 at the Institute of Child Development, University of Minnesota. She will be a Visiting Assistant Professor of Psychology at Macalester College this Fall. Dr. DeAngelis is broadly interested in social cognitive development. More specifically, she studies how children understand and use testimony to learn from others. She is also interested in the development of children’s social biases and prejudice.

DR. PEARL HAN LI

Dr. Pearl Han Li received her Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology at the Institute of Child Development, University of Minnesota, in 2022. Dr. Li is now a Postdoctoral Associate at Duke University’s Department of Psychology and Neuroscience. Her research has included how testimony influences children’s moral judgments cross culturally and how social or interpersonal trust impacts children’s testimonial learning.

dr. Bolivar Jaquez-Reyes

Dr. Bolivar Jaquez-Reyes worked as a postdoctoral fellow from 2018 to 2020 after completing his doctoral studies at the University of Texas at Austin. He is now an Assistant Professor at the University of New Hampshire and supervises the Social Cognition Development Lab (SCD). The SCD lab studies the development of social cognition, including topics like social learning, inter-group cognition, and moral development.  

Dr. Charisse Pickron

Dr. Pickron earned her Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology in 2018 from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, in Amherst Ma., after having earned her M.S. at the University of Massachusetts Amherst in 2015 and her B.A. from Mount Holyoke College, South Hadley, Ma., in 2008. Her research program examines the ways in which social experiences shape how infants perceive and represent people in their environment. In her work as a President’s Postdoctoral Fellow, she used multiple methodologies to measure face processing and social cognitive development.

dr. Narges Afshordi

Dr. Narges Afshordi was a postdoctoral researcher in the ELE Lab from 2018 to 2021. She worked as a behavioral scientist and recently completed her two-year position at Spotify.

KATHERINE RIDGE, m.a.

Katherine Ridge completed her M.A. degree in Child Development and had a certification of School Psychologist at the University of Minnesota. Her research focuses on the effects of maltreatment on children’s selective trust, with a particular interest in early childhood/birth-to-five, economic security and housing, and school-aged children. Based in Abington, Pennsylvania, Dr. Ridge continues her vital work to understand and improve the developmental trajectories of children affected by adversity.

dr. Annelise Pesch

Dr. Annelise Pesch is a dedicated developmental psychologist with a Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota. She graduated in 2020. Currently, she is enriching the field of child development as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Temple University. Her academic foundation was laid with dual bachelor’s degrees in Psychology and Philosophy from Arizona State University, where she also completed an impressive honors thesis. Dr. Pesch’s expertise is complemented by her skills in grant writing and curriculum development.

dr. Sarah Suárez

Dr. Sarah Suárez completed her Ph.D. at the Institute of Child Development in 2019 before working as a postdoctoral associate in the Social Learning Lab at Boston University Wheelock College of Education & Human Development. Her research explores the nuances of children’s informal social learning and testimonial learning, reflecting parental values and cognitive processes. She is currently working as an Adjunct Professor at the Dean College, MA.

DR. CHELSEA HETHERINGTON

Dr. Chelsea Hetherington completed her graduate studies at the University of Minnesota with a Master’s and a Ph.D. in 2014 and 2016, respectively. She now aids educators and higher education professionals in harmonizing their lives and work with their intrinsic values and ambitions. Dr. Hetherington’s method involves encouraging the establishment of boundaries, promoting purposeful productivity, and assisting her clients in discerning their fundamental beliefs and objectives, thus empowering them to craft a professional life that transcends traditional academic expectations.

DR. eLIZABETH HOFF

Dr. Elizabeth Hoff completed her Ph.D. graduate studies at the University of Minnesota in 2016. She is now working as the Director of University Assessment at the University of Texas at San Antonio.

dr. Sabine Doebel

Dr. Sabine Doebel completed her Ph.D. at the Institute of Child Development at the University of Minnesota in 2014 with Drs. Zelazo and Koenig. Dr. Doebel now works as an Assistant Professor in the Applied Developmental Psychology program at George Mason University. Her educational background and subsequent research focus on children’s executive function and cognitive development, examining how these crucial skills are acquired and regulated. She aims to understand how children develop the regulatory skills to manage thoughts and actions. Dr. Doebel’s efforts hope to facilitate collaborative advancements within the research community.

dr. Michal Reifen Tagar

Dr. Michal Reifen Tagar received her Ph.D. from the Department of Psychology at the University of Minnesota in 2014. Dr. Michal Reifen is now a senior lecturer at the Reichman University Baruch Ivcher School of Psychology in Israel.

dr. Sherryse Corrow 

Dr. Sherryse Corrow received her Ph.D. in child psychology with an emphasis in cognitive neuroscience from the Institute of Child Development at the University of Minnesota in 2013 with Drs. Yonas and Koenig. Following her Ph.D., Dr. Corrow completed a postdoc in neuroscience at the University of British Columbia. She is now a professor at Bethel University.

dr. Jason Cowell

Dr. Jason Cowell received his Ph.D. from the Institute of Child Development at the University of Minnesota in 2012 with Drs. Zelazo and Koenig. Dr. Cowell is now a professor and vice-chair of psychology at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay.

dr. KATHERINE GORDON

Dr. Gordon received her Ph.D. from the Institute of Child Development at the University of Minnesota in 2010 with Drs. Sera and Koenig. She completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Iowa. She is now the director of the Language Learning and Memory Lab at Boys Town National Research Hospital. 

Past Lab Managers

Jessalyn Dvorak, B.S.

Olivia Morales, B.S.

Kevin Ly, B.S.
Kevin is now working as the lab manager of the Speech Neurophysiology Lab at the University of Michigan.

Sara Wilkerson
Sara is now pursuing her PhD in Clinical Psychology at Fordham University.

Yara Ghazal, B.S.

Past Research Assistant

Allie Westervelt, B.S.

Alyssa Gahr, B.S.

Alyssa Varhol
Alyssa is now pursuing her PhD in Child Development at Cornell University with Dr. Tamar Kushnir.

Amanda Eggers

Ana Olson, B.S.

Amritha Ramsankar

Britt Cahlander, B.S.
Britt is working to complete a Master of Arts in Child Life, Professional Family Collaboration, and Medical Adminstration from Towson University.

Caitlin Cole, Ph.D
Dr. Cole recieved her Ph.D. from George Mason University and is working as a psychologist.

Caroline Hendrickson

Colin Gran, B.S.

Dilara Erecek, M.S.
Dilara completed a Masters of Social and Behavioral Sciences in August 2022.

Ellen Anderson, B.S.
Ellen is pursuing a Ph.D. at the University of South Dakota.

Iris Zhao

Elizabeth Blaschak, B.S. (Hons)

Elizabeth Stephens, Ph.D.

Emilie Kobussen

Erin Casey, Ph.D.

Fernando Sanchez
Fernando is now pursuing a PhD at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign with Dan Hyde and Renée Baillargeon.

George Budzius

Hannah Allen, B.S.

Hallie Vanney
Hallie is pursuing her M.D. at University of Minnesota Medical School.

Holly Hames

Houaci Lor, B.S.

Huashoua Thao, B.S.
Clinic coordinator at the University of St. Thomas

Ismahan Ali, B.S.

Jamad Mohamud, B.S.

Jamie Newman

Jessica Chen

Joanne Jung
Joanne is now pursuing a Ph.D. at the University of Missouri-Kansis City.

Julia Cai, M.S.
Julia recieved a Master’s in Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services from UPenn in May 2022.

Kristina Pietsch, B.A.

Lauren Chlan, B.S.

Lindsey Huffer-Kiesow, B.S. (Hons)
Anne D. Pick Outstanding Child Development Major (2015)

Leyi Sheng

Lucie Han, B.A.

Luly Bauermeister

Maddie Stoner

Maggie Altschaefl, B.S. (Hons)
Maggie is now pursuing a Ph.D. at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Maggie Brown, B.S.

Maeve Kinderman, B.S.
Maeve is working towards a Master of Special Education and the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Mehrnaz Mirhosseini, M.S.
Mehrnaz is pursuing her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at Long Island University

Meredith Reese, B.A., University of Rochester
Meredith works as a Research Professional at the Center for Early Education and Development.

Muzi Chen, M.A.
Master of Science in Developmental Psychology, Institute of Child Development.

Naomi Schmeck
Master of Science Candidate at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

Niela Lachica, B.S.

Natalie Low, B.S.
Anne D. Pick Outstanding Child Development Major (2016)

Noa Singer, B.S
Noa is now pursuing her AuD at Washington University.

Pratibha Khatiwoda

Rachel Ewing, B.S.

Sarah Pulkrabek, B.S.

Sara Ho, B.S.

Sarah Suarez
Sarah is working with Dr. Kathleen Corriveau at Boston University.

Shelby Johnson, B.S.

Steve Reaves

Sila Cakmak, M.S.
Sila is pursuing a PhD in Cognitive Science at Central European University after completing a Master of Science in Psychology: Learning Sciences at Ludwig Maximilians-Universitat München

Shivani Patel, B.S.

Sydney Cheung

Sydney Patrow

Taylor Chouanard, B.S.

Tess Grunklee, B.S.

Tripat Rihal, M.S.
Tripat completed a Master of Science in Clinical Research Methodology and is now working towards a PhD in Clinical Psychology at McGill University.

Vanina Lyfoung, B.S.

Vanora Tengning Zeng, B.S.

Yifan Cao, B.S.

Zeinab Mohamud