I am a postdoc in the Computational Cognitive Development Lab at Brown University. During my stay at Dr. Buchsbaum’s lab I’d like to explore how children form representations of the world around them and how these representation allow them to perform rapid generalization and transfer. Outside of work I like to play chess, read and try out new recipes.

I’m a second-year Phd student in Cognitive Science. I’m broadly interested in children’s active learning and exploration and their causal reasoning. My research uses both behavioral and computational methods to explore these topics. Before coming to Brown, I studied children’s prosocial behavior in Dr. Felix Warneken’s lab and children’s Theory of Mind in Dr. Julian Jara-Ettinger’s lab. I received my bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Economics from Wellesley College. Outside of work, I enjoy watching medical and crime TV shows and taking long walks.

I am a first-year graduate student in the Brown Dog Lab pursuing a Ph.D. in Cognitive Science. I previously worked with the Boston College Canine Cognition Center under the advisement of Dr. Angie Johnston. While there, I received a B.S. in Psychology and a M.A. in Developmental Psychology. I research multiple species (e.g., domestic dogs, Australian dingoes, & human children) to examine how domestication has influenced dogs’ social and physical reasoning skills. When not in the lab, you’ll find me baking, crocheting, or walking my new dog Copper!

I am a second-year Ph.D. student in the lab. I graduated from Arizona State University in 2019 with a B.S. in Psychology. Prior to Brown, I worked as a research coordinator at the Southwest Autism Research and Resource Center (SARRC) and then as a lab Manager of the Emerging Minds Lab at Arizona State University (PI: Kelsey Lucca). My research examines children’s early learning through exploration, causal reasoning, and effort allocation. When I am not in the lab, I enjoy rock climbing, watching films, and cooking.

I am a fourth-year doctoral candidate in the Cognitive, Linguistic, & Psychological Sciences Department here at Brown. I completed my Bachelor’s at the University of Toronto where I studied Biology & Psychology. My research focuses on how dogs learn about and interact with the world around them, particularly in their interactions with their human companions.

My website: https://mpelgrim.github.io/

I am a Ph.D. candidate currently studying at the University of Toronto. I am particularly interested in the differences between children’s and adults’ learning in social environments, and whether these differences reflect strategies that children and adults are uniquely suited to using. Outside of the lab, I love seeing new films at TIFF and trying out new recipes from the Great British Bake Off.

I am a 1st-year graduate student in the lab. I am intrigued by how children eventually learn so much about the world so quickly without even realizing they are learning (e.g., concepts that “carve nature at its joints”, the specific ways agents are driven by their beliefs and desires, or their native languages). I’m particularly interested in the puzzle of why children are sometimes more flexible learners than adults, readily revising their beliefs, yet at other times seem to arbitrarily firmly believe. Besides research, I like to cook, learn figure skating, ride my bike, watch shows, and occasionally do drama-related stuff. My website: https://zoryzhang.notion.site

I am the Lab Manager for the CoCoDev and Brown Dog Lab. I graduated from Bryn Mawr College in 2024. Then, I worked as a joint Lab Coordinator for Wesleyan University’s Cognitive Development Lab and Reasoning and Decision Making Lab. I am interested in child social cognitive development. In my free time, I enjoy reading, cooking, and being outside.

Hi!! My name is Adrianna, and I’m a junior studying psychology on the pre-med track. I have worked with children of varying ages in many different settings and have done a lot of coursework in child development, so I am excited to see how my prior knowledge and experiences translate to a lab setting! In my free time, I love dancing, trying out new coffee places, reading and going on walks around Providence.

Hi everyone! My name is Amelia, and I am a junior here at Brown studying Neuroscience on the pre-med track. In the past, I have researched odor choice behavior in Drosophila melanogaster and I am super excited to begin studying dog behavior! I have always had a special place in my heart for dogs, and before coming to Brown, I loved helping my family train puppies for the Guide Dog Foundation. In my free time, I also love to play the piano, cook new recipes, and explore Providence!

Hi y’all! My name is Ava, and I am a second-year undergrad studying both psychology and economics. I have focused a lot on animal behavior in my psych courses and hope to continue to integrate it into my concentration. I am excited to be working in the lab as I not only love animals but feel I am getting to accomplish some academic goals as well. Additionally, I love to travel and this past summer I did service work in Kibwezi, Kenya, and was lucky enough to go on safari.

Hi friends! My name is Bryson, and I am a sophomore here at Brown studying Biology & Psychology, on a pre-med track. A few fun facts about me: 1) I am a Swiftie! Top album is, of course, folklore, and my top song is “this is me trying” 2) Survivor is my favorite reality TV show and 3) I love Panera! Before I came to Brown, I worked with animals regularly in cat shelters, through my pet care business, and via FFA (Future Farmers of America). Needless to say, I have always loved working with animals, but I am super excited to be able to work with dogs under this amazing research team.

Hey everyone! My name is Danaye and I am a sophomore studying Psychology and Music on the pre-law track! I have worked with kids as a camp counselor, babysitter, and tutor and I’m so excited to be a part of researching how they think and learn about the world around them. Outside of class I sing and play piano as well as tutor 6th-grade reading! I’m super excited to be on the team this semester!

Hello! I’m Dorinda, a senior studying Computer Science at Brown and Industrial Design at RISD. I’m excited about combining these backgrounds to do user experience research and design within educational spaces. I especially enjoy working with first-generation and low-income students like myself, and it’s been wonderful helping high school students with college admissions as a peer advisor. Outside of school, I enjoy being with friends, journaling, and working through all sorts of puzzles — from jigsaws to Wordle!

I’m an undergraduate at Brown University, concentrating in Cognitive Science. I’m interested in the evolution of dogs alongside humans, especially as it pertains to our methods of communication. When not at the Brown Dog Lab, I enjoy playing the cello and taking pictures of my dog.

Hey! I am a Sophomore at Brown, concentrating in Neuroscience. I am interested in how external sources and influences can shape a child’s thoughts and beliefs. When I’m not in the lab, I love photography, watching horror movies, playing volleyball with my friends, and taking long walks at night!

Hi! I’m Kaylin, a sophomore planning to concentrate in English at Brown, and one day I hope to become a pediatrician! I’m particularly interested in the intersection of literature and science; I think literature is one way that we make sense of humanity, and I can’t wait to explore the psychological side of human learning and behavior. I’ve always loved working with kids, and I’m excited to continue that in the lab. In my free time, I like visiting libraries, baking, watching movies, and traveling!

Hey! I’m Lily, and I’m a sophomore at Brown concentrating in Biology (EEOB Track) and maybe Philosophy (we’ll see!). I’m super interested in seeing how interactions between organisms shape their evolutionary paths. In the past, I’ve studied both intra- and interspecies interactions in ocellated wrasses and pederson cleaner shrimp respectively, and I’m excited to see how this translates to dog-human relationships! In my free time, I love basking in cool summer nights, chasing philosophical rabbit holes (aka conspiracy theories) with friends, and bingeing bad rom-coms.

Hi everyone! I’m Mara, a junior dual-concentrating in psychology and Africana studies here at Brown. I’m very interested in children’s development and how they understand the world, particularly how factors like race and socioeconomic status influence this understanding. I have worked with children in various settings, but I am excited to have the opportunity to understand child behavior in a lab environment! A few fun facts about me are: 1) I love music! – whether it’s singing, listening to music, or going to concerts; 2) I love to cook (Birria tacos are my favorite!), and 3) I love to try new things! I’m currently in the process of learning how to play the guitar.

Hi! My name is Maya and I’m a second-year student at Brown concentrating in Psychology and Hispanic Studies! I love working with children and enjoy coaching girls’ soccer, babysitting, and learning about child development. In my free time, I love to read, swim, and spend time in the sun! I’m excited to learn more about how children think in the lab this semester!

Hi! I’m Mina, a rising third-year student at Brown concentrating in Biology on the Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology track. I’m passionate about all things animals, so I’m really excited to work with the Brown Dog Lab this summer. I’m very interested in veterinary medicine, and I believe that working with dogs in a research setting will be a great way to gain hands-on experience interacting with both animals and their caretakers. In my free time, I enjoy crocheting, drinking lots of matcha, and snuggling up with my cat.

Hi! I’m Renee, a sophomore studying Neuroscience on the Pre-Med track! I have a love for animals, particularly dogs and birds. I’m excited to see how knowledge and research about dog cognition can be applied to help us further understand and utilize service animals working in the medical field. Outside of the lab, I love combat sports like wrestling and jiu-jitsu and I also love cafe and restaurant hopping!

Hi! My name is Skylar, and I am a sophomore studying Animal Science within the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Cornell University. Stemming from my own dog, I have a deep interest in understanding the cognitive processes of all animals. Outside of the classroom, I love to spend time with my friends and family, watch movies, and walk my dog.

Hi! My name is Sophia and I am a sophomore at Brown studying Applied Math and Computer Science. Before coming to Brown, I volunteered and worked as an orchestra mentor to teach viola to youth, so I am super excited to join the lab and discover how children think and learn! Outside of school, I enjoy going to the lake with my dog and baking.

Hi everyone! I’m Stephanie, a junior at Brown studying Computer Science. In the past, I’ve worked with children by teaching dance classes and tutoring them in math and robotics, so I’m excited to work in a lab setting to learn more about how they think about and interact with the world around them! In my free time, I enjoy dancing, walking/hiking, checking out cafes with friends, and learning how to cook.

Hello! I’m Tovi (they/them). I’m a junior planning to concentrate in Cognitive Science. My passion for the field began in a class on children’s cognitive development, but I have always loved working with kids whether that be as a camp counselor or while teaching science classes. I’m excited for the opportunity to help expand our knowledge about how kids think! In my free time, I enjoy baking, playing ultimate frisbee, and performing improv.

Hi! My name is Weston, and I am a second-year undergraduate planning to concentrate in Cognitive Neuroscience and Classics (Latin language track) and I’m also premed. I have spent a lot of time during my summers working with 3-to-6-year-olds as a teaching assistant at an elementary school, and I love interacting with children and learning more about how they process and understand the world around them. This is my second semester in the lab, and I am eager to continue learning about and contributing to cognitive development research. In my free time, I enjoy playing the baritone saxophone, reading, and taking walks around Providence.