Dr. Susan Gelman
Heinz Werner Distinguished University Professor
Professor of Psychology and Linguistics
University of Michigan
Sabina Li
Lab Coordinator
Sabina received a B.S. in Biopsychology, Cognition and Neuroscience and in Evolutionary Anthropology from the University of Michigan in 2025. As an undergraduate, Sabina worked as a research assistant in the Conceptual Development Lab and enjoyed studying how kids think, learn, and understand the world. Sabina loves to rock climb, cook, hike, and cuddle with her dog, Mochi. Growing up, she wanted to be a fairy, and her favorite book was Dim Sum for Everyone by Grace Lin.
Lab Coordinator
Sabina received a B.S. in Biopsychology, Cognition and Neuroscience and in Evolutionary Anthropology from the University of Michigan in 2025. As an undergraduate, Sabina worked as a research assistant in the Conceptual Development Lab and enjoyed studying how kids think, learn, and understand the world. Sabina loves to rock climb, cook, hike, and cuddle with her dog, Mochi. Growing up, she wanted to be a fairy, and her favorite book was Dim Sum for Everyone by Grace Lin.
Lauren Girouard-Hallam
Post-doctoral Fellow
Lauren is broadly interested in how children use novel technologies to think and learn about the world around them. Her current research explores whether children trust generative AI chatbots like ChatGPT. She received her PhD and MS in Experimental Psychology from the University of Louisville, an MA in Drama Therapy from New York University, and her BS in Neuroscience and BA in Theatre from Furman University. As a child, she wanted to be a veterinary nutritionist who occasionally starred on Broadway. Some of her favorite books were Llyod Alexander’s The Chronicles of Prydain series and C.S. Lewis’ The Chronicles of Narnia series.
Post-doctoral Fellow
Lauren is broadly interested in how children use novel technologies to think and learn about the world around them. Her current research explores whether children trust generative AI chatbots like ChatGPT. She received her PhD and MS in Experimental Psychology from the University of Louisville, an MA in Drama Therapy from New York University, and her BS in Neuroscience and BA in Theatre from Furman University. As a child, she wanted to be a veterinary nutritionist who occasionally starred on Broadway. Some of her favorite books were Llyod Alexander’s The Chronicles of Prydain series and C.S. Lewis’ The Chronicles of Narnia series.
Kayley Dotson
Graduate Student
Graduate Student
Primary Advisor: Felix Warneken
Kayley received her B.A. in Psychology and B.A. in French from Duke University in 2021. She then worked as a lab manager for two years also at Duke (PI: Dr. Mike Tomasello). Kayley is broadly interested in studying young children’s social cognition and cooperation. She wanted to become a veterinarian or sports broadcaster when she grew up, and her favorite childhood book was Click, clack, moo by Doreen Cronin.
Kayley received her B.A. in Psychology and B.A. in French from Duke University in 2021. She then worked as a lab manager for two years also at Duke (PI: Dr. Mike Tomasello). Kayley is broadly interested in studying young children’s social cognition and cooperation. She wanted to become a veterinarian or sports broadcaster when she grew up, and her favorite childhood book was Click, clack, moo by Doreen Cronin.
Daniela Galvez-Cepeda
Graduate Student
Daniela received her B.A. in Psychology and Mathematics from Williams College. She is now pursuing her Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology and plans to focus on the way different social factors influence children’s identity development. Specifically interested in gender and media, Daniela’s work aims to inform content production to promote inclusivity and diversity in children’s media. Growing up, she wanted to be an artist and loved reading Chimoc: El Perro Calato (Chimoc: The Hairless Dog) by Andrea and Claudia Paz.
Graduate Student
Daniela received her B.A. in Psychology and Mathematics from Williams College. She is now pursuing her Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology and plans to focus on the way different social factors influence children’s identity development. Specifically interested in gender and media, Daniela’s work aims to inform content production to promote inclusivity and diversity in children’s media. Growing up, she wanted to be an artist and loved reading Chimoc: El Perro Calato (Chimoc: The Hairless Dog) by Andrea and Claudia Paz.
Emma Gross
Graduate Student
Emma received her B.A. in English and Medieval Studies from Wesleyan University and her MSW from Simmons University. She is now pursuing her doctorate in Developmental Psychology and Social Work. She is interested in learning about essentialism and gender identity development, and factors contributing to understanding and acceptance or rejection of gender nonconformity, particularly in families. Prior to her doctoral studies, Emma practiced social work with low-income, and LGBTQ clients in New York City and Rhode Island.
As a child she wanted to be an artist, and one of her favorite books was King Bidgood’s in the Bathtub.
Graduate Student
Emma received her B.A. in English and Medieval Studies from Wesleyan University and her MSW from Simmons University. She is now pursuing her doctorate in Developmental Psychology and Social Work. She is interested in learning about essentialism and gender identity development, and factors contributing to understanding and acceptance or rejection of gender nonconformity, particularly in families. Prior to her doctoral studies, Emma practiced social work with low-income, and LGBTQ clients in New York City and Rhode Island.
As a child she wanted to be an artist, and one of her favorite books was King Bidgood’s in the Bathtub.
Sophie Liles
Graduate Student
Sophie received her B.A. in Psychology from Scripps College in 2022. She is now a graduate student in Developmental Psychology interested in children’s gendered beliefs about sports and the downstream developmental impact of these beliefs. As a child, she wanted to be a teacher and her favorite book was Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? By Bill Martin Jr.
Graduate Student
Sophie received her B.A. in Psychology from Scripps College in 2022. She is now a graduate student in Developmental Psychology interested in children’s gendered beliefs about sports and the downstream developmental impact of these beliefs. As a child, she wanted to be a teacher and her favorite book was Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? By Bill Martin Jr.
Lester Mejia Gomez
Graduate Student
Lester received his B.S. in Psychology and Sociology from Wingate University in 2022. He is now pursuing his Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology. Lester is broadly interested in studying how children learn about social concepts and categories and how that knowledge affects their reasoning about others. As a child, he wanted to become an actor when he grew up, and his favorite book was Holes by Louis Sachar.
Graduate Student
Lester received his B.S. in Psychology and Sociology from Wingate University in 2022. He is now pursuing his Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology. Lester is broadly interested in studying how children learn about social concepts and categories and how that knowledge affects their reasoning about others. As a child, he wanted to become an actor when he grew up, and his favorite book was Holes by Louis Sachar.
Solangel Troncoso
Graduate Student
Solangel Troncoso received her B.A. in Psychology and Women’s and Gender Studies from Rutgers University. She is a graduate student in the joint Psychology and Women’s Studies PhD program. She is interested in gender concepts and development, specifically in the context of Latino families. When Solangel was young, she wanted to be a lawyer, and she currently loves watching sitcoms such as The Good Place and Superstore.
Graduate Student
Solangel Troncoso received her B.A. in Psychology and Women’s and Gender Studies from Rutgers University. She is a graduate student in the joint Psychology and Women’s Studies PhD program. She is interested in gender concepts and development, specifically in the context of Latino families. When Solangel was young, she wanted to be a lawyer, and she currently loves watching sitcoms such as The Good Place and Superstore.
Research Assistants
Megan Chang
Research Assistant
Megan received her B.A. in the Robert S. Harrison College Scholar Program and Information Science from Cornell University in 2023. She plans to pursue graduate training in psychology and contribute to mental health research. As a child, she wanted to become a scientist, and her favorite book was If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Numeroff.
Research Assistant
Megan received her B.A. in the Robert S. Harrison College Scholar Program and Information Science from Cornell University in 2023. She plans to pursue graduate training in psychology and contribute to mental health research. As a child, she wanted to become a scientist, and her favorite book was If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Numeroff.
Alex Ciaramitaro
Undergraduate Student
Alex is a junior majoring in psychology and cognitive science. After graduating in 2026, Alex plans to pursue a master’s degree in psychology and receive an LLP. In his free time, he enjoys playing volleyball, hanging out with friends, and cooking. Growing up, Alex wanted to be a doctor and favorite books were by the author Roald Dahl.
Undergraduate Student
Alex is a junior majoring in psychology and cognitive science. After graduating in 2026, Alex plans to pursue a master’s degree in psychology and receive an LLP. In his free time, he enjoys playing volleyball, hanging out with friends, and cooking. Growing up, Alex wanted to be a doctor and favorite books were by the author Roald Dahl.
Sadie Ferguson
Undergraduate Student
Sadie is a senior studying Biopsychology, Cognition, and Neuroscience. After graduating in 2026, she plans on attending a graduate program to receive a PhD in clinical psychology. In her freetime she enjoys reading, hanging out with friends, and going hiking. Growing up, Sadie wanted to be a lawyer and her favorite books were the Rainbow Magic books.
Undergraduate Student
Sadie is a senior studying Biopsychology, Cognition, and Neuroscience. After graduating in 2026, she plans on attending a graduate program to receive a PhD in clinical psychology. In her freetime she enjoys reading, hanging out with friends, and going hiking. Growing up, Sadie wanted to be a lawyer and her favorite books were the Rainbow Magic books.
Allison Flynn
Undergraduate Student
Allison is a sophomore double majoring in Psychology and Communication. After graduating in 2027, she plans to pursue a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology with the goal of working in therapy. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with friends, relaxing with good TV, and exploring creative outlets. Growing up, she dreamed of becoming a fashion designer, often sketching dresses and staying up to date on trends.
Undergraduate Student
Allison is a sophomore double majoring in Psychology and Communication. After graduating in 2027, she plans to pursue a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology with the goal of working in therapy. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with friends, relaxing with good TV, and exploring creative outlets. Growing up, she dreamed of becoming a fashion designer, often sketching dresses and staying up to date on trends.
Ximena Garcia
Research Assistant
Ximena received her B.S in Social Work and Languages, Literatures, and Cultures; Spanish concentration from Colorado State University. Ximena is broadly interested in working with immigrants through establishing better health resources and advocating for equitable policies. As a child she wanted to become a ballerina and her favorite book was If You Give a Mouse a Cookie.
Research Assistant
Ximena received her B.S in Social Work and Languages, Literatures, and Cultures; Spanish concentration from Colorado State University. Ximena is broadly interested in working with immigrants through establishing better health resources and advocating for equitable policies. As a child she wanted to become a ballerina and her favorite book was If You Give a Mouse a Cookie.
Sophia Guralnick
Undergraduate Student
Sophia is a junior majoring in Biopsychology, Cognition, and Neuroscience, with a minor in Music. After graduation, she hopes to continue her education and attend graduate school. In her free time she plays the trumpet in the Michigan Marching Band, loves watching The Great British Bake Off, and has been learning how to knit. As a child her favorite books were A Bad Case of the Stripes, and Stellaluna.
Undergraduate Student
Sophia is a junior majoring in Biopsychology, Cognition, and Neuroscience, with a minor in Music. After graduation, she hopes to continue her education and attend graduate school. In her free time she plays the trumpet in the Michigan Marching Band, loves watching The Great British Bake Off, and has been learning how to knit. As a child her favorite books were A Bad Case of the Stripes, and Stellaluna.
Yael Mizrahi
Undergraduate Student
Yael is a sophomore intending to major in Biopsychology, Cognition, and Neuroscience. She hopes to attend grad school and continue researching the brain and behavior. In her free time, she likes to dance, go outdoors, hang out with friends, and watch TV shows like Derry Girls and Gilmore Girls. As a child, she wanted to be a ballerina and her favorite books were Wonder, the Magic Tree House Series, and the Junie B. Jones Series.
Undergraduate Student
Yael is a sophomore intending to major in Biopsychology, Cognition, and Neuroscience. She hopes to attend grad school and continue researching the brain and behavior. In her free time, she likes to dance, go outdoors, hang out with friends, and watch TV shows like Derry Girls and Gilmore Girls. As a child, she wanted to be a ballerina and her favorite books were Wonder, the Magic Tree House Series, and the Junie B. Jones Series.
Ada Ogbu
Undergraduate Student
Ada is a sophomore majoring in Neuroscience, aspiring to attend medical school and become a Pediatric Surgeon. When she’s not busy with school, she enjoys singing, spending time with her family, and watching basketball. Since childhood, Ada dreamed of becoming a big sister, and two years ago, her wish came true with the birth of her triplet siblings. This experience has deepened her passion for medicine and caring for children. As a child, Ada loved putting on performance shows, dancing and singing to her favorite songs, for her family.
Undergraduate Student
Ada is a sophomore majoring in Neuroscience, aspiring to attend medical school and become a Pediatric Surgeon. When she’s not busy with school, she enjoys singing, spending time with her family, and watching basketball. Since childhood, Ada dreamed of becoming a big sister, and two years ago, her wish came true with the birth of her triplet siblings. This experience has deepened her passion for medicine and caring for children. As a child, Ada loved putting on performance shows, dancing and singing to her favorite songs, for her family.
Alexis Rogers
Undergraduate Student
Alexis is a sophomore intending to major in Psychology and Organizational Studies. After graduating in 2027, she hopes to continue her education and attend graduate school for organizational psychology. In her free time she enjoys spending time with friends and family, traveling to new places, and working out. Her favorite TV shows are Grey’s Anatomy and Friends. Growing up, she wanted to be an interior designer or lawyer.
Undergraduate Student
Alexis is a sophomore intending to major in Psychology and Organizational Studies. After graduating in 2027, she hopes to continue her education and attend graduate school for organizational psychology. In her free time she enjoys spending time with friends and family, traveling to new places, and working out. Her favorite TV shows are Grey’s Anatomy and Friends. Growing up, she wanted to be an interior designer or lawyer.
Anastasia Shaw
Undergraduate Student
Anastasia is a junior majoring in Psychology with a potential minor in business. After graduating in 2027, she hopes to attend graduate school and eventually open her own practice as a child psychologist. Outside of school, she loves working out, singing with her acappella group, and anything that involves a trip to the beach. As a child (and an adult), she dreamt of being a movie star, and her favorite books were the Harry Potter series.
Undergraduate Student
Anastasia is a junior majoring in Psychology with a potential minor in business. After graduating in 2027, she hopes to attend graduate school and eventually open her own practice as a child psychologist. Outside of school, she loves working out, singing with her acappella group, and anything that involves a trip to the beach. As a child (and an adult), she dreamt of being a movie star, and her favorite books were the Harry Potter series.
Nadia Taeckens
Undergraduate Student
Nadia is a junior who plans to graduate with a bachelors of science in Psychology in 2026. She has always been interested in working with both children and older adults, and hopes to attend medical school to pursue either pediatrics or geriatrics. In her spare time, she enjoys sewing, cooking, and spending time with friends and family. As a child, she wanted to be a farmer, and her favorite book was The Library Lion.
Undergraduate Student
Nadia is a junior who plans to graduate with a bachelors of science in Psychology in 2026. She has always been interested in working with both children and older adults, and hopes to attend medical school to pursue either pediatrics or geriatrics. In her spare time, she enjoys sewing, cooking, and spending time with friends and family. As a child, she wanted to be a farmer, and her favorite book was The Library Lion.
Ella Todd
Undergraduate Student
Ella is a freshman with an intended major of Biology, Health, and Society. She loves working with children and adults. After graduation, she plans on pursuing dental school and would like to work in pediatric dentistry. In her free time she loves watching Gilmore Girls, baking, and skiing. When she was little she dreamed of having a dog pampering business, and her favorite book was Serefina and the Black Cloak.
Undergraduate Student
Ella is a freshman with an intended major of Biology, Health, and Society. She loves working with children and adults. After graduation, she plans on pursuing dental school and would like to work in pediatric dentistry. In her free time she loves watching Gilmore Girls, baking, and skiing. When she was little she dreamed of having a dog pampering business, and her favorite book was Serefina and the Black Cloak.
Wolvy
Undergraduate Student
Wolvy is a senior at the University of Michigan studying Psychology. He is especially interested in learning how children think about the world around them. He hopes to attend graduate school in Psychology in the future. When Wolvy was a child, he wanted to be a lab mascot. His favorite book was Navigating the Social World by Dr. Susan Gelman.
Undergraduate Student
Wolvy is a senior at the University of Michigan studying Psychology. He is especially interested in learning how children think about the world around them. He hopes to attend graduate school in Psychology in the future. When Wolvy was a child, he wanted to be a lab mascot. His favorite book was Navigating the Social World by Dr. Susan Gelman.
