Research Team
Meet the members of our lab!
Grace Ocular
Current: Doctoral Graduate Student, Developmental Psychology
Graduate: M.A. Education, California State University Long Beach
About: Prior to starting graduate studies at Loyola, Grace earned a master’s degree in Education at California State University, Long Beach and has conducted research in children’s informal learning in aquarium settings. These experiences are what shaped her research interests in children’s science learning in informal settings. At Loyola, Grace contributes to research projects at the Chicago Children’s Museum and the Gulf of Maine Research Institute. For her thesis, Grace is studying how middle school students understand and apply scientific practices (e.g., gathering data, representing and analyzing) about the changing ecosystem of the Gulf of Maine during a field trip experience. She is especially interested in students’ methods of inquiry when exploring different kinds of data representations. In her free time, Grace enjoys biking on the Lakefront Trail, being outdoors, and spending quality time with her cat, Kimchi, & friends.
Riley George
Current: Doctoral Graduate Student, Developmental Psychology
Undergraduate: B.S. Psychology, Loyola University Chicago
About: Prior to starting the graduate program, Riley attended Loyola for her undergraduate degree in Psychology and worked as the Project Coordinator for the Tinkering and Learning Engineering Stories project. She aims to explore how we can design tinkering programs for informal learning spaces such as museums that will foster young children's feelings of STEM belonging and interest. During her free time, Riley loves to read, play with her cat, Toast, and go on long walks on the lakeside trails.
Sahaj Kaur
Current: Doctoral Graduate Student, Developmental Psychology
Undergraduate: M.A. Research Psychology, Texas State University
About: Prior to starting the graduate program, Sahaj attended Texas State University for her Master’s degree in Pyschological Research. There, she collected data from children in the community on their prosocial behaviors and preferences onsite at a local park. At Loyola, she hopes to work alongside community members in identifying and creating STEAM-based experiences for young children. In her free time, Sahaj enjoys all kinds of fiber art projects and spending time with her cat, Kajal.
Undergraduate Research Assistants
Aliyah Studt
Current: Undergraduate Research Assistant, Major in Psychology, Minor in Cognitive & Behavioral Neuroscience
About: Aliyah is a senior undergraduate majoring in Psychology. After her Bachelor's, she plans to explore community psychology through a Master's in Social Work. She is passionate about advocating for social change and mental health through research and direct community involvement. She is the Volunteer Coordinator for Loyola's Heart for the Unhoused chapter, and an intern with the non-profit organization Step Up for Mental Health. Outside of her studies, Aliyah loves dancing, spending time in nature, and playing with her cat.
Isabella Clerici
Current: Undergraduate Research Assistant, Majors in Psychology and Cognitive & Behavioral Neuroscience
About: Isabella is a third-year student double majoring in Psychology and Cognitive Behavioral neuroscience. She has been with the lab since her freshman year. Her interest in the lab comes from her love of working with children and being able to explore how children develop their STEM identities at an early age. When she is not working at the preschool or lab, she is probably watching a bad rom com or drinking coffee.
Maya Lim
Current: Undergraduate Research Assistant, Major in Cognitive & Behavioral Neuroscience
About: Maya is a second-year undergraduate student at Loyola University Chicago studying Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience. Maya's interest in developmental psychology stems from her time with an organization providing recreational programs for children with disabilities. In her free time, Maya loves to watch new movies/shows, thrift, listen to music, and explore Chicago with friends.
Fatima Cervantes-Ceballos
Current: Undergraduate Research Assistant, Major in Public Health, Minor in Biology
About: Fatima is a sophomore who is majoring in Public Health with a minor in Biology on the pre-med track. She is passionate about how children learn and understand science in Spanish and hopes to use this interest to support her community as she grows in her career. Her long-term goal is to become an OB/GYN who helps Latina women and their children by providing care that is both accessible and culturally aware. When she is not in class or the lab, Fatima enjoys reading, hiking, and spending time with her family.
Maggie McKiernan
Current: Undergraduate Research Assistant, Major in Biology
About: Maggie is a third-year undergraduate student studying Biology on the pre-med track. After Loyola, she plans to go to medical school to become a pediatrician. Maggie has a passion for learning how children develop and learn and hopes to inspire more children to become interested in STEM. In her free time, she spends a lot of time in the kitchen, baking, and cooking. She also enjoys volunteering, working out, and spending time with her friends.
Camila Perez Medrano
Current: Undergraduate Research Assistant, Major in Cognitive & Behavioral Neuroscience
About: Camila is a third-year student studying Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience on the pre-med track. She is passionate about exploring how culture, personal background, and bilingualism shape the way people think, learn, and engage with the world, especially within scientific settings. She hopes to attend medical school and eventually become a neonatologist, where she can support the health and development of newborns and their families. Outside of academics and the lab, Camila enjoys volunteering with children, baking, watching movies, and spending time with friends.
Maria Cheng
Current: Undergraduate Research Assistant, Major in Biology
About: Maria is a second-year undergraduate student studying Biology on the pre-med track. Her interest in developmental psychology stems from her past experience helping children with disabilities adapt to different environments. In her free time, Maria loves to read, travel, and watch new movies/shows.
Alyssa Sweis
Current: Undergraduate Research Assistant, Major in Psychology, Minor in Women's Studies and Gender Studies
About: Alyssa is a third-year undergraduate student with a major in Psychology and a minor in Women's and Gender Studies. After graduating from Loyola, she aims to pursue a PhD in clinical psychology and work in both a clinical setting as well as teaching at a university. Aside from academics, Alyssa loves lifting weights, journaling by the beach, and going on road trips to different states!
Valeria Rodriguez Alvarez
Current: Undergraduate Research Assistant, Major in Psychology
About: I am a senior psychology major. I'm interested in child development and joined the lab because of my interest in learning through oral storytelling. I enjoy going to music festivals and trying out new restaurants in the city!
Shreya Patel
Current: Shreya is a fourth-year undergraduate student studying Psychology on the pre-med track with minors in Statistics and Biology.
About: She plans to attend medical school after graduation and pursue a career in psychiatry or pediatrics. She is particularly passionate about advancing mental health awareness and advocacy within underrepresented communities. Shreya's interest in psychology and medicine stems from her experience working as a Registered Behavior Technician and as a Behavioral Health Assistant. Outside of the lab, Shreya enjoys singing, dancing, and spending time with friends and family.
Ishita Patel
Current: Ishita is a second-year undergraduate student majoring on the pre-medical track.
About: After graduating, she plans on going to Medical school, and has an interest in OBGYN and Oncology. Ishita has a lot of experience in tutoring kids and works with them on a weekly basis. Outside of school, she really enjoys getting coffee, going on long walks and dancing.
Melissa Reyes
Current: Melissa is a senior majoring in Psychology.
About: Raised in a bilingual, Spanish-speaking household by parents who immigrated from Mexico, Melissa noticed how rarely Latine families appear in developmental research, which drew her to the lab. There, she codes moments of translanguaging, when families blend Spanish and English while talking about science. Outside of the lab, Melissa loves spending time with friends and family, especially when her mom is cooking.