Lab Members

I am the director of the Early Learning Lab at Washington State University. I earned my Ph.D. from the University of Maryland with Dr. Geetha Ramani. I was an NSF Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of California, Irvine with Dr. Barbara Sarnecka. I joined the Department of Human Development as an Assistant Professor of Early Childhood in Fall 2022. My research examines why some children are better than others at early math, and what parents, educators, and researchers can do to help kids who are behind. In my free time, I enjoy reading fiction, baking, and spending time with my family.

Aryn is a fifth-year Ph.D. student in Prevention Science, on track to graduate in May 2026. She earned her B.A. in Human Development from WSU, where her passion for child development research first began. Aryn loves studying human development because there is always more to discover, and she is committed to advancing our understanding of how children grow and thrive. After completing her degree, she plans to pursue a career focused on civic science – bridging the gap between research and the people who can benefit from it most. Outside of the lab, Aryn enjoys cooking and baking, hiking, and spending quality time with friends and family.

Adalie Baker is majoring in Human Development with a focus on Early Childhood Education and minoring in Psychology. She joined the lab to gain more hands on experience with children and learn about research in child development. She enjoys spending much of her time working with children and learning about their development. In her free time, she likes to cook, read mystery books, and hang out with her friends and family.

Kaylee Crane is a Human Development major at WSU. She joined the lab in October 2024 to gain experience with research and working with children. She looks forward to understanding how their learning develops and how to best support them. After graduating with her undergraduate degree Kaylee hopes to pursue a Master’s in Social Work and work in schools. In her free time, Kaylee enjoys hiking, reading, and spending time with friends.

Marley Fox is a major in Human Development on the pre-nursing track. She joined the lab in October 2024 to gain experience with research and working with children. She looks forward to working with children and learning more about how they learn. Marley wants to continue pursuing getting her BSN after completing her undergraduate degree at WSU. She loves reading in her free time and spending time with her family. 

Matilda Putney is a junior in high school and is currently enrolled in a dual enrollment research course at Washington State University. She is interested in health sciences and working with kids, and plans to pursue a career in pediatric nursing. Through this college level course, Matilda is gaining hands-on experience in academic research, assisting with data collection, and learning foundational laboratory techniques. This experience has allowed her to see firsthand how research can support evidence-based care and improve outcomes for children and families. At her high school she is involved in student leadership and enjoys taking different science classes. She plays soccer and volleyball and enjoys spending time with family and friends.

Morgan Conway is a Human Development major. She was a part of the lab from November 2022 through May 2025 to gain hands-on experience working with children and making a difference. She enjoyed interacting with the participants to better understand how each child learns uniquely. After completing her undergraduate degree, Morgan wants to continue being a positive role model in children’s lives by becoming a certified child life specialist. Outside of school, Morgan is involved in a leadership role in her sorority and loves to spend quality time with her friends.

Amya Dahl is a third generation Coug who majored in Psychology, minored in Human Development, and completed a certificate in Adolescent Development. Amya was a research assistant in the lab from Spring 2023 through Summer 2024. She enjoyed working with children to help better develop our understanding of how they comprehend learning and math in the early stages of development. After completing her undergraduate work at WSU in Spring 2024, Amya is working as a local mental health provider and plans to further her education by pursuing graduate programs to promote healthy youth development. Amya loves all outdoor activities like camping, fishing, snowboarding and being immersed in nature, as well as spending quality time with her friends and family.

Katelyn Kessinger was a Psychology major with a minor in Child Development. She was a research assistant in the lab from October of 2022 to May 2024 in order to learn about how research is set up and conducted, with a focus on child participants. She is interested in how children learn and process information. Katelyn graduated in Spring 2024 and plans to return to a graduate program at WSU Vancouver. When not doing schoolwork, Katelyn loves playing games with friends and dancing. 

Isabella Santiago was a double major in Human Development and Psychology. She was a research assistant in the lab from September 2022 through April 2024 to gain experience in the research process, experience with like-minded individuals, and experience aligned with the field of youth study. She enjoyed working with children and gaining a better understanding of their cognitive development from a new, research-oriented perspective. Isabella graduated from WSU in December 2024 and is currently pursuing graduate school studies at Eastern Washington University. She loves weightlifting at the gym and spending time with her friends and family in her free time.

Ava Upson was a double major in Psychology and Human Development. She was a research assistant in the lab during Spring 2023 in order to gain experience in research. Her interests center around abuse prevention and trauma reduction. Her goal is to create an equine therapy center for children in her community. In her free time, Ava rides horseback, paints, and loves working with animals in any way she can! Ava graduated in Spring 2024 and hopes to attend graduate school for social work in the future.

Logan Ward was a research assistant in Spring 2023 studying Psychology with a minor in Human Development. Logan plays golf and has been playing guitar for 12 years! Logan graduated in Spring 2024 and is earning his Master’s in Public Health with a specialization in Mental Health from Johns Hopkins University.