Kristan Marchak
Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Curriculum Vitae

Kristan received a BA in Psychology and French Language and Literature and an MSc in Cognitive Psychology from the University of Alberta. She recently completed her PhD in Developmental Psychology at the University of British Columbia. Her research examines how children and adults reason about individuals over time and following change.

When Kristan was younger, she wanted to be a doctor during the day and a ballerina at night. She also loved The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter. 

When Shaylene was younger, she wanted to be a veterinarian, and she loved a book about the environment called Barbapapa’s Ark by Annette Tison even though it made her sad.

Margaret Echelbarger
Graduate Student, Website

Margaret received her B.A. in Cognitive and Linguistic Sciences from Wellesley College, M.A. in Child Language from the University of Kansas, and M.S. in Psychology from the University of Michigan. She is currently a doctoral candidate in Developmental Psychology. She investigates the origins of judgment and decision-making, including how children value variety and scarcity, and come to make decisions around money spending and saving.

When Margaret was young, she wanted to be an engineer. Her favorite book was Little Women. 

Rachel Fine
Graduate Student, Curriculum Vitae

Rachel received her B.A. in Psychology and Spanish from Elmhurst College. She served as the English Language Learner Special Education Specialist for the School City of East Chicago, IN and later became the lab manager for Dr. Sian Beilock at the University of Chicago.  She investigates how children and adults perceive non-discrete identities (for ex.being multiracial, gender non-conforming or a dual national) and how this relates to their beliefs about race, gender and nationality.

When Rachel was young, she wanted to be an ambassador. Her favorite books were the Nancy Drew series.

Allison Brown
Research Assistant

Allison is a junior at the University of Michigan studying Psychology, Applied Statistics, and Music. After graduation, she plans to attend graduate school in order to become a school psychologist.

As a child, Allison wanted to be a teacher when she grew up, and her favorite books included the Little Miss series by Roger Hargreaves.

Leah Butler
Research Assistant

Leah is a senior at the University of Michigan studying Biopsychology, Cognition, and Neuroscience with a minor in Business Administration. Upon graduation, she plans to attend medical school. She loves working with children and volunteering at the hospital.

As a child, she wanted to be a veterinarian and her favorite books were the Junie B. Jones and Amelia Bedelia series. 

Evan Hammon
Research Assistant

Evan is a freshman at the University of Michigan studying in the fields of Biology, Environmental Science, and Psychology. He is very passionate about the natural world, learning about the way people think, and working around children. In the future he hopes to travel and find work where he can involve all three things. In his spare time he enjoys being outside and trying new foods in Ann Arbor.

As a child, Evan wanted to be an elementary school teacher. His favorite book was The Hatchet by Gary Paulson.

Zaina Khoury
Research Assistant

Zaina is a sophomore at the University of Michigan and is studying Biopsychology, Cognition, and Neuroscience as well as Spanish. She is interested in attending medical school and pursuing a career as a psychiatrist. In her spare time, she loves playing and making music and spending time with animals.

As a child, Zaina wanted to be a prosecuting attorney, an ambition inspired by a childhood tradition of watching Law & Order: Special Victims Unit with her mother.