Lauren Okine
Lauren Okine is a senior at Yale College (DC ‘25) pursuing a B.A. in Psychology. Lauren’s family is from Ghana, West Africa. Lauren is interested in researching how social categories and opportunities impact learning and motivation. In her free time, Lauren enjoys drinking kiwi strawberry Snapple, traveling, and reading good books.
Email: lauren.okine@yale.edu
Zahra Yarali
Zahra is a junior at Yale College (SM ’24) studying Sociology (and/or Psychology?) and in the Education Studies Program. Her research interests include the ways society and culture influence children’s understandings of themselves and their decision-making processes, as well as what pedagogical approaches can be taken to build a strong sense of agency in students from a young age. Outside of the lab and classwork, Zahra is a barista at the Acorn Cafe, works on social justice programming for Muslim students at Yale as MSA Political Chair, and is always down to spend an afternoon outside wandering, wondering, and writing poems with a friend.
Email: zahra.yarali@yale.edu
AC Christakis
AC is a senior at Yale majoring in Psychology and pursuing a certificate in Education Studies. AC’s research interest is focused on the emergence of autism, ADHD, anxiety, and other developmental and mental disorders, in children. They are interested in research to structure the best interventions for children that can act as equalizers for disparities across race, socioeconomic status, and other factors, later in life. Outside of classes, AC works as a Pedagogical Partner through the Yale Poorvu Center, enjoys everything Pacific Northwest, and is always on the hunt for a good diner spot.
Email: ac.christakis@yale.edu
Justice Brown
Justice is a junior at Yale (DC '24) originally from Oneonta, Alabama. She is double majoring in Psychology and Ethnicity, Race, & Migration. Her interests in research surround the impacts of food deserts and apartheids on children's mental and physical health, academic performance, and later life success. Outside of the lab and classes, Justice is involved with Yale Cheer, Oye Spoken Word, and Made By Us.
Email: justice.brown@yale.edu
Stella Choi
Stella Choi is a second year student at Yale College (BF ‘26) majoring in Cognitive Science with an Education Studies certificate. Her research interests include the way the current education system both positively and negatively shapes young children’s development, and the cultural influences of parental involvement in their child’s learning. Outside of the lab, Stella is involved in the campus ministry UCW, serves as the cultural chair of the cultural club KASY, serves as the head of internal events for the human rights club THiNK, works on staff for the AACC and loves browsing through the aisles of Trader Joe’s.
Email: stella.choi@yale.edu
Lynn Hu
Lynn is a Ph.D. student in Human Development at the Graduate School of Education, University of Pennsylvania (Penn GSE), and she is currently affiliated with the L3 lab, working with Dr. Leonard and Reut to study why parents intervene in their children's struggles. Lynn is broadly interested in young children's cognitive development and learning motivation. At UPenn, she is working with Dr. Douglas Frye and Dr. Michael Nakkula at GSE, and also Dr. Martha Farah at the Center for Neuroscience & Society. Before pursuing her Ph.D., Lynn earned two master's degrees from Penn GSE and completed her B.A. in Philosophy from Nanjing University in China.
Email: lingyh@upenn.edu
Arielle Belluck
Arielle is the lab manager for the Psychology of Language Lab at Princeton University and a research assistant in the Leonard Learning Lab. She received her B.A. in Psychology from Wellesley College, where she researched social imagination and worked as a preschool teacher. Arielle is fascinated by what makes children curious and excited about learning. In particular, she is interested in how imaginative play and caregiver-child interactions can influence young children's learning and motivation. When she’s not studying children, Arielle is usually playing board games with friends, exploring new coffee shops, or begging her cat Fideo for affection.
Email: abelluck@gmail.com
Allison Eisenberg
Allison is a research assistant for the Leonard Learning Lab. She received her B.A. in Psychology and English from Rutgers University, where she was a member of the RAMP Lab and CALC Lab. With the CALC Lab, Allison has helped run studies relating to children's numerical cognition at the Liberty Science Center. Allison is currently working towards her M.S. in Clinical Research Methods at Fordham University and hopes to pursue a PhD in Clinical Psychology and become a child and adolescent psychologist.
Email: ae1@fordham.edu
Lizbeth Lozano
Lizbeth Lozano is a senior at Yale (MY ‘25) majoring in Statistics & Data Science as an Education Studies scholar. Lizbeth is broadly interested in children’s motivation in math and science education. She is interested in how students' life experiences affect how they engage in learning — and how to use this knowledge to create active & culturally competent learning environments. Outside of classes and lab, Lizbeth works and volunteers in New Haven Public Schools, serves on student government, dances with Ballet Folklórico, and plays board games too often.
Email: lizbeth.lozano@yale.edu
Ayannah Obas
Ayannah Obas is an avid learner interested in different fields of study centered around criminal law. She has an intense interest in psychology and different areas concerning the mental processes of young children and their developmental stages, particularly how children comprehend or cope with traumatic experiences and beneficial ways to aid their recovery. Currently enrolled in Yale’s undergraduate class of 2027, she plans to double major in history and political science to pursue a career in law and hopes to attend Yale Law school in the future.
Email: ayannah.obas@yale.edu
Jam Stebbins
Jam Stebbins is a junior Psychology major at Temple University who is interested in language development, the effects of music on cognition and learning, and the effects of pedagogy on development. Jam is also interested in linguistics, anthropology, and fashion and social history. Outside of the classroom, Jam works in violence prevention and mental health awareness in Philadelphia and California and likes to take walks in the city, crochet, and spend time with as many cats as possible.
Email: j.stebbins@temple.edu
Rebecca Roberts
Rebecca is a research assistant for the Leonard Learning Lab. She received her B.A. in Psychology from the Catholic University of America where she worked in the Depression and Suicide Cognitions lab. While in undergrad she also worked as a researcher for the Language Science Station at Planet Word Museum through the University of Maryland. She currently works as an ABA Therapist at the DCIU through GAMUT Behavioral Services. She hopes to gain a Master’s degree in clinical counseling and become a therapist.
Bethel Asomaning
Bethel Asomaning is a senior at Yale College (BK ‘25) studying Cognitive Science with a focus on learning and development and pursuing an Education Studies certificate. Bethel is intrigued by all things going on in the minds of children but is particularly interested in understanding how we can use evidence-based approaches to structure schools and communities to keep students engaged and excited to learn and grow. Bethel enjoys working at Yale’s Good Life Center, attending theater performances, and playing creative card games.
Email: bethel.asomaning@yale.edu
Carigan McGuinn
Carigan McGuinn is a senior at Yale College (TD '25) studying Psychology and pursuing the Education Studies Scholars Intensive Certificate. Carigan is one of four sisters, and being a big sister is very important to her. She has always had an interest in how caregivers influence children's learning and motivation, and what types of play and learning environments best support children's curiosity and self-esteem. Outside of classes and lab, Carigan is a teacher's assistant at Calvin Hill Daycare, works as a Yale Tour Guide, performs in theatre productions, and likes to spend time with friends outdoors hiking or climbing.
Email: carigan.mcguinn@yale.edu
Paloma Casanova
Paloma is a senior at Yale College (BF ’25) majoring in Cognitive Science and intending to pursue an MD. She has always been interested in cognitive development and is motivated by the desire to understand how to best care for children’s cognitive needs. She has a particular curiosity for how caregivers influence children’s persistence as well as the emergence of developmental and mental disorders. Outside of lab, Paloma works as a Yale Tour Guide, volunteers in New Haven elementary schools, and peruses the exhibits in the Yale University Art Gallery.
Email: paloma.casanova@yale.edu
Christina Norberg
Christina is a junior at Yale College (BK ‘26) majoring in Cognitive Science and pursuing the Education Studies Scholars Certificate. Christina is interested in how the circumstances in which children grow up influence their cognitive development, especially how trauma-informed pedagogy can impact a child’s development. Outside of the lab, Christina enjoys working at the Creating Kids childcare center and as a Club Sports Supervisor at Yale, is captain of the club softball team, and is an Advising Fellow for Matriculate, helping high school seniors apply to college. In her free time, she enjoys reading and is always looking for new places outdoors to explore.
Email: christina.norberg@yale.edu