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 second-year doctoral student in the Cognitive, Linguistic, & Psychological Sciences department at Brown University. I graduated with my Bachelor’s from Yale University, majoring in Cognitive Science. My current research interests in dog behavior focus on canine intelligence and owners’ perceptions of their dogs. During undergrad, I was fortunate to study theory of mind in wild rhesus monkeys on Cayo Santiago, Puerto Rico. Outside of work, I love foraging, rollerblading, biking, and thrifting.

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.

Hello hello! I was born and raised in Austin, Texas, and received a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Texas at Austin in the Fall of 2023! In the Austin Thought Lab, I completed my departmental honors thesis investigating how the experience of learning progress interacts with children’s future learning preferences. Broadly, I’m interested in how methods of evaluation interact with children’s learning outcomes and learning engagement. Outside of lab, I enjoy bouldering, crocheting, and silly competition shows.

Hello! My name is Andrew, and I am a third-year at Brown University concentrating in Psychology. For the past six or seven years, I have been spending my free time as a swim instructor for young children, and have been working with kids in volunteer settings as well. As a psychology major, I have always been interested in understanding children’s cognitive development. I am very excited to learn more about children’s cognitive development with the lab and continue working with children! Outside of school, I love to rock climb, surf, and waterski.

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.

Hi! My name is Christine and I am a Junior studying Behavioral Decision Sciences and Social Analysis and Research. I have really enjoyed volunteering at my hometown’s children’s museum, teaching at a Providence summer camp, taking child development classes, and now working with this lab! In my free time I indulge in watching (too much) reality tv, trying local restaurants, and obsessively collecting receipts and random knick knacks for my scrapbook.

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!

Hi! I’m a sophomore at Brown studying computer science on the software and AI pathways. I’ve had a lot of fun tutoring kids in violin in the past, so I’m super excited to help out with the lab and learn more about their cognitive development! Outside of school, I’m usually playing violin, crocheting, or drawing silly doodles.

Hi! I’m Laura, a rising sophomore at Wellesley College pursuing a double major in Psychology and Spanish. I’m super excited to be at Brown in the lab this summer and am looking forward to working with kids to expand my knowledge of cognitive development! In my free time I enjoy dancing ballet, going to concerts, and binge watching TV.

I am a junior at Brown University, where I study psychology. I have experience with research of social inequities in sociology, working at a suicide hotline, and teaching martial arts to kids of all ages. I plan to practice psychology in the future, since I am interested in the role that cognitive development plays in mental health! On my own time I love watching Survivor and old horror movies, practicing ASL, and going on runs.

Hello! My name is Senia and I am a Junior studying Education. I’m especially interested in educational equity and access as well as children’s social-emotional development. I’m very excited to be joining the lab this semester and am looking forward to learning lots! In my free time I love to geocache, swim, and birdwatch.

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 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.