Lab Researchers

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Graduate Students

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Ashley Ezpeleta is a third-year doctoral student in the Human Development area within the Department of Educational Psychology working with Dr. Haley Vlach in the Learning, Cognition, and Development Lab. Before starting graduate school, Ashley attended Miami University and received her B. A. in Psychology and a minor in Linguistics. She was also the lab manager for Dr. Edward Hubbard’s Educational Neuroscience Lab (also here at UW). Ashley’s current research interests lie in understanding how lower (e.g. biological)- and higher (e.g. meta)- memory processes influence young children’s language learning, with the goal of applying her work to educational settings.

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Melina Knabe is a seventh-year Ph.D. student in the Human Development area of the Department of Educational Psychology. Melina received her B.S. in Neuroscience from Washington and Lee University in 2017. Her research investigates the cognitive processes that support early word learning in single- and dual-language learners. Specifically, she studies how desirable difficulties can optimize children’s long-term retention of worlds in the context of educational materials. Melina is being advised by Dr. Haley Vlach.

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Samantha Macksey is a first-year Ph.D. student in the Human Development area of the Department of Educational Psychology. Samantha received her B.A. in Psychology and a minor in Mathematical Modeling of Complex Systems from Northeastern Illinois University in 2023. Her research interests involve the examination of how children’s understanding of science and math can predict how likely they are to go into STEM careers. Also, to navigate mechanisms driving acquisition of math and science understanding which is essential for increasing the capacity for students to enter into biomedical and STEM research. Her objective is to enhance the early-stage development of the educational system and curriculum.

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Yi Tong is a fourth-year Ph.D. student in the Human Development area in the Department of Educational Psychology. Yi received her B.S. in Human Development and Family Studies and Psychology from UW-Madison in Fall 2019. Yi’s research interests primarily lie in the study of children’s language learning processes with a focus on educational applications. She is interested in how children’s prior knowledge and experience with language shape their learning and how they use contextual cues to facilitate word learning. Yi is being advised by Dr. Haley Vlach.

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Ezgi Melisa Yüksel is a fourth-year Ph.D. student in the Cognitive Psychology area of the Psychology Department. Ezgi received her B.A. from Middle East Technical University in Psychology and her M.A. in Cognitive Psychology from Bilkent University. Her main interest is how we train learning and memory processes. She is also interested in whether we can change people’s learning strategies to make them better learners.

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Lab Manager

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Kaitlynn Ellis is the lab manager of the LCD lab. She earned a B.S. in Neurobiology and Psychology with a certificate in Digital Studies from UW Madison, and plans on attending graduate school in the field of Developmental Psychology. In her free time he enjoys biking around Madison and spending time with family and friends.

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Aayush Agrawal is an undergraduate research assistant in the LCD Lab majoring in Neurobiology and Psychology. After receiving his Bachelor’s degree, he plans on attending medical school. In his free time, he enjoys baking sweets, painting shoes, and walking outdoors.

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Yee Cao is a senior double-majoring in Economics and Psychology. After graduation, she plans to pursue graduate studies. Due to her interdisciplinary studies, she is particularly interested in consumer behavior, exploring how the market environment and consumer psychology influence decision-making. In her free time, she enjoys watching dramas and variety shows. She is also passionate about photography; capturing moments with friends is something she truly loves.

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Jenna Dundas is an undergraduate research assistant in the LCD Lab. She is majoring in Communication Sciences & Disorders with a certificate in Education and Educational Services. After completing her undergraduate degree, she plans on attending graduate school to pursue a career in Speech Language Pathology. In her free time, Jenna enjoys playing tennis, watching movies, and spending time with her family and friends.

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Kaylin Gruen is an undergraduate research assistant in the LCD Lab. She is pursuing a degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders, as well as certificates in Education and Educational Services, and Disability Rights and Services. Kaylin is planning on continuing her education through graduate school, where she will study Speech and Language Pathology. In her downtime, Kaylin enjoys spending time being active outdoors, drinking coffee, and reading. Kaylin is also working on a Senior Thesis project in the LCD Lab for her CS&D honors distinction and has received the Hilldale Fellowship Award for the project proposal. The study “Where did I learn that word?” will test children’s memories for new words across different environmental contexts.

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Sophia Laundre is an undergraduate research assistant in the LCD lab pursuing a degree in Human Development and Family Studies. After completing her undergraduate degree, she plans to go to Medical school to pursue a career as a pediatrician. She enjoys going to the farmers market, working with children, volunteering, and traveling.

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Annabelle Letizia is an undergraduate research assistant in the LCD Lab. She is a junior studying Communication Sciences and Disorders with a certificate in Gender and Women’s Studies. After graduating, she plans to attend graduate school for Speech Language Pathology. She enjoys cooking, trying new restaurants, reading, and going on walks!

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Leah McKirgan is an undergraduate research assistant in the LCD lab. She is a senior majoring in Psychology with certificates in Education & Education Services and Business. After graduating this upcoming May, she plans to attend graduate school for School Psychology. Leah enjoys cooking, traveling, playing tennis, and exploring the city of Madison.

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Afton Noll is an undergraduate research assistant in the LCD lab. She is majoring in Communication Sciences & Disorders, with certificates in Education & Educational Services and Disability Rights & Services. Afton is planning on attending graduate school to become an Audiologist after completing her undergraduate degree. In her free time, she enjoys reading, checking out local restaurants and coffee shops, traveling, and spending time with friends and family.

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Kimberly Otto is a Junior pursuing a Psychology degree with a Science Communication Certificate. After completing her undergraduate degree, she plans to continue her education in Psychology, specifically within developmental research. In her free time she enjoys hiking, reading, spending time with her family, and cheering for the Badgers!

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Hailey Papa is an undergraduate research assistant studying Communication Sciences and Disorders with a double major in Education Policy Studies and a certificate in Disability Rights and Services. After she graduates this spring semester, she plans to go to graduate school to become a Speech Language Pathologist! In her free time, she enjoys taking walks, grabbing food with friends, and having a movie night.

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Eva Sakellakis is an undergraduate research assistant in the LCD lab. She is majoring in Psychology and Neurobiology with certificates in Education & Education Services. She plans to attend graduate school for School Psychology after graduation. She enjoys going on long walks, trying new restaurants, cooking, and spending time with her friends.

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Stephanie Zumba is an undergraduate research assistant in the LCD lab majoring in Interior Architecture. After undergrad she plans on attending graduate school for the Master of Architecture degree. She grew up bilingual and has a strong interest with dual-language learning and educational spaces. In her free time, she likes to go to the lake or travel anywhere with heat.

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