Our Team

Lab Director  
Dr. Lauren Emberson

Associate Professor, Psychology
Director, Baby Learning Lab

Dr. Emberson’s research is in the areas of learning, perception (audition, vision, crossmodal or multisensory), language development, face/object perception, and attention. Emberson investigates these capacities in young infants using behavioral and neuroimaging techniques (e.g., fNIRS: functional near infrared spectroscopy). Dr. Emberson works primarily with very young infants (starting at birth through 1 year) and also investigates preterm/premature infants who are at-risk for developmental delays.

The overarching goal of Dr. Emberson’s research is to understand the incredible learning capacities of the infant brain, and how these learning abilities contribute to an infant’s rapid development of perception (vision, audition, crossmodal perception). Dr. Emberson is driven to understand perception in its ecological context (i.e., what infants sees and hears all day long), so her work is often conducted in the contexts of language and face or object perception. Her work bears on the question of how early life learning and development contribute to later life outcomes and investigates this with premature infants and infants being raised in adverse early life conditions (e.g., lower socioeconomic status in the developing world).

Dr. Emberson’s research has been funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the James S. McDonnell Foundation, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), and the National Institutes of Health (NIH in the US).

Dr. Emberson’s secondary research area is Cognitive.

In addition to the lab's anti-racism pledge, find Dr. Emberson's personal anti-racism and sustainability pledge here.

Contact Dr. Emberson:
emberson@psych.ubc.ca
Lab Coordinators   
Daniel Onwuka
Lab Coordinator
Pronouns: He/him/his

Daniel recently completed his B.Sc. in 2023 with a major in Biological Sciences at the University of British Columbia. During his undergraduate degree, he previously worked with the UBC Emergency Medicine Department team on their COVID-19 ED Registry project as a Research Assistant. He has also worked as a research assistant alongside Dr. Mollie Carruthers studying the differences between IgG4-related disease diagnoses between Binding Site Immunonephelometry and Liquid Chromatography tandem Mass Spectrometry and has recently submitted a paper demonstrating their findings and are awaiting publication. Daniel is excited to start in his new position at the Baby Learning Lab where he can not only learn more in the field of developmental psychology but continue to grow and develop his strong interests in research in science as a whole. In his spare time, Daniel enjoys hobbies including playing and watching basketball, going to the gym, cooking, bike riding, and playing video games.

Contact Daniel: donwuka@psych.ubc.ca
Victoria Romano
Lab Coordinator
Pronouns: She/her/hers

Victoria recently completed her B.A. in 2022 with a double major in Sociology and Psychology at the University of British Columbia. During her undergraduate degree, she previously worked at the UPLIFT Health Lab as a Research Assistant under Dr. Nancy Sin where she worked on a study that was investigating how daily experiences of stress impacts health outcomes. Victoria has also worked as an English tutor teaching ELL youth English, which is where she found her passion for working with kids. She is happy to be at the Baby Learning Lab where she can continue feeding her love for research in applied developmental psychology and neuroscience. Victoria hopes to someday become a child psychologist working with kids from multicultural backgrounds. In her spare time, Victoria enjoys a knitting, boxing, baking, and spending time with friends and family.

Contact Victoria: victoria@psych.ubc.ca
Graduate Students  
Zahra Abolghasem
Graduate Student
Pronouns: She/her/hers

Zahra (she/her/hers) is a graduate student in Dr. Emberson’s Baby Learning Lab! She received her H.B.Sc in Psychology from the University of Toronto in 2020. Before joining the University of British Columbia, Zahra had the pleasure of working as a lab manager at the University of Toronto where her work broadly investigated factors that influence memory integration across development. Zahra’s masters work will focus on what neural mechanisms and experiences are involved in prolonging experience-induced perceptual changes. Outside of the lab, Zahra spends her time embroidering, exploring Vancouver, and cooking various dishes.
Zohreh Soleimani
Graduate Student
Pronouns: She/her/hers

Zohreh (she/her) holds a BSc in Electrical Engineering and Communications and a MA in Educational Psychology from the University of Tehran, Iran. Her thesis was on the Emerging Adulthood stage and its cultural implications in Iranian culture. She found out that one of the most important markers for emerging adults to perceive someone as an adult was social skills and being mature in relationships, which includes moral values and prosocial behavior such as being helpful or supportive for others. Since then moral development has become her passion. More specifically, she is interested in human sociomoral nature and the cognitive and emotional mechanisms underlying moral functioning in infants. She is a graduate student in Developmental Psychology and working under the supervision of Profs Emberson and Hamlin at UBC. In her spare time, Zohreh enjoys hiking, swimming and sometimes embroidering!

Contact Zohreh: zrsoleimani@gmail.com
Jingyun Zhu
Graduate Student
Pronouns: She/her/hers

Jingyun received her BSc in Psychology from Peking University in 2023. Her thesis focused on how experience and learning can influence the neural processing of faces of different races. Jingyun now works under the supervision of Dr. Lauren Emberson and currently focuses on the development of infants’ fronto-parietal networks during learning and rest. In her spare time, Jingyun enjoys doing grocery shopping and idling about around the city.

Contact Jing: jyzhuu@mail.ubc.ca
Research Assistants  
Vaidehi Asawa
Research Assistant
Pronouns: She/her/hers

Vaidehi is a 4th year B.A. student majoring in Psychology and minoring in Commerce at UBC. She loves working at the lab as she is eager to learn how wonderful little human brains acquire skills to navigate an increasingly complex society. Vaidehi's former challenging experiences have sparked a passion for understanding more about neurodivergent babies and how they can thrive in a society made for neurotypicals. She is also excited to be part of empirical research and fan her spark of curiosity to a flame of growing understanding of psychological concepts. In her free time, Vaidehi is scouting for new locations to hang up her hammock and read a book or set up her easel for another painting.
Zein Hedayati
Directed Studies Student
Pronouns: She/her/hers

Zein is a 3rd-year B.Sc. student majoring in Integrated Sciences with a focus on the disciplines of physiology and psychology. She’s had lots of experience working with younger children as a daycare assistant and through a diverse range of volunteering experiences. Being able to work with the lab and all the amazing people on the team has fostered her enthusiasm to explore baby learning, memory, and development. Additionally, she has a particular interest in how psychological dysfunction can impact physiological functionality and vice versa. On the rare occasions she has free time, she loves to sketch, paint, run, read and spend time with her cats!
Fengting Yan
Directed Studies Student
Pronouns: She/her/hers

Fengting is a 3rd-year B.A. Directed Studies student majoring in Psychology as well as minoring in Early Childhood Education at UBC. She enjoys working and learning from the people in this fantastic group at the Baby Learning Lab ! She also works as an educator's assistant in UBC Childcare services. She is eager to learn more on children’s development and how teachers and parents provide should positive help. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking and playing tennis as well as cooking.

Contact Fengting: fengting.yan@ubc.ca
Jaimie Muller
Directed Studies Student
Pronouns: She/her/hers

Jaimie is a 4th-year B.A. psychology major and French minor. She is eager to develop a more in-depth understanding of babies’ cognitive and neurological processes as they perceive the world. She hopes to further incorporate findings into future thesis work of her own. Jaimie has previously led camps with Pedalheads and the Richmond Olympic Oval, and she is passionate about working with parents and families. In her spare time, Jaimie enjoys reading, skiing, and playing volleyball (both indoor and beach).
Catalina Shen
Research Assistant
Pronouns: She/her/hers

Catalina is a 2nd-year B.A. student majoring in Psychology at the University of British Columbia. She is excited to join the Baby Learning Lab as a research assistant. In the lab, she is looking forward to exploring research in infant cognition and development. She has lots of prior experience working with young children through multiple coaching and volunteer opportunities. In her spare time, Catalina enjoys reading, listening to music, and skating!
Kira Burke
Research Assistant
Pronouns: She/her/hers

Kira is a 3rd year B.Sc student majoring in Neuroscience at UBC. She has a passion for learning about the brain and hopes to someday have a career in research. She is especially interested in the nature vs. nurture debate and is fascinated by brain development and learning! Kira hopes to gain exposure to research in her field of interest, as well as participate in ongoing studies. Having volunteered with the Vancouver Public Library and the Kitsilano Community Centre, Kira has lots of previous experience working with families and children. She is very excited to be a part of Dr. Emberson's Baby Learning Lab and is delighted she has the opportunity to help out with all of the amazing work being done! In her free time, Kira enjoys playing guitar, painting, bouldering, and playing video games.
Zainab Zeyan
Research Assistant
Pronouns: She/her/hers

Zainab is a 2nd year completing her B.Sc in Neuroscience at the University of British Columbia. With her research interests being focused on early childhood intervention and the ways in which early experiences in infancy may shape the development of the brain and its neurological processes, Zainab is thrilled to be joining Dr. Emberson’s Baby Learning Lab as a Research Assistant to further explore those parallels. Her future career goals are aimed to involve infants and children therefore, Zainab is eager to link her early intuitions to later complex ideas and overall foster her contribution to early developmental research. Outside of those pursuits, Zainab enjoys reading, doing various textile-related projects and spending too much of her remaining free time watching really bad reality TV.
Maddy Antecol
Research Assistant
Pronouns: She/her/hers

Maddy is a 3rd-year B.A. student majoring in Psychology at the University of British Columbia. Her interest in child development was first sparked by her experience as a dance teacher assistant, which made her want to learn about why some children have a difficult time engaging and participating in class. Maddy is very excited to be a part of the Baby Learning Lab directed by Dr. Lauren Emberson and to have the opportunity to learn more about different aspects of child development and the research world. She hopes to gain research training, and methodological and critical thinking skills that will support her development as a researcher and her goal of pursuing a PhD in Psychology. During her free time, Maddy enjoys working out, dancing, being outside, and spending time with friends and family.
Timothy Cheng
Research Assistant
Pronouns: He/him/his

Timothy is a 2nd year B.S. student majoring in Neuroscience at UBC and hoping to minor in either Psychology or Creative Writing. He is very passionate about the brain and behavior and is very grateful for the opportunity to apply his knowledge in a practical setting (and learn new things too!), where he will be studying brain development in babies. Outside of school, he loves helping out wherever he can, and this includes past work with young children for the Learning Buddies Network (LBN) and Building Bridges with Music (BBM) volunteer organizations. He also has an ongoing commitment as a volunteer at the nursing home, Crofton Revera Manor. In his spare time, he loves reading and watching movies in the genre of romance, working out, playing piano, and spending time with friends and family.
Kimia Kolivand
Research Assistant
Pronouns: She/her/hers

Kimia is a fourth year B.A. student majoring in Psychology at UBC and she is thrilled to volunteer as an RA at the Baby Learning Lab. She is fascinated by the rapid rate at which infants acquire knowledge and wants to learn more about how this learning is facilitated through her volunteer experience. Kimia has a range of experience working with young children through tutoring and working as a behaviour interventionist for kids with autism. She is passionate about raising awareness and reducing stigma around mental health and learning disabilities and hopes to go to graduate school to help these vulnerable populations through her work. In her spare time, she enjoys baking, reading, finding new food spots around the city, and hiking.
Rowah Gheriani
Research Assistant
Pronouns: She/her/hers

Rowah is a 2nd Year B.Sc student interested in neuroscience and biological sciences. She is excited to be learning about the development of the brain from infancy and how that differs amongst babies growing up in different environments. Rowah is especially interested in the biopsychosocial factors that influence the growth, functioning, and changes in the brain. At UBC, she is a Red-Cross Humanitarian Facilitator and a member of the SCI team. Outside of school life, she enjoys all kinds of painting- from tote bags to landscapes to glass painting- as well as reading inspirational books. You’re likely to catch her at any and all of the cafes and bakeries in Vancouver.
Jotpreet Randhawa
Research Assistant
Pronouns: She/her/hers

Jotpreet is a 3rd-year B.Sc. student majoring in Biology at the University of British Columbia. She enjoys working with younger children and is excited to join the research team at the Baby Learning Lab. Her volunteer experience at BC Children’s Hospital sparked her interest in the early development of infants, specifically language acquisition. She hopes to learn more about behavioral and neuroimaging techniques such as fNIRS. She is also passionate about raising awareness and reducing barriers for post-secondary youth with disabilities. She focuses on researching and presenting solutions to foster inclusive spaces for youth employment. In her spare time, Jotpreet enjoys baking, hiking, swimming, and playing volleyball.
Marina Wang
Research Assistant
Pronouns: She/her/hers

Marina is a fourth-year student majoring in Psychology. Through a lot of experience volunteering and working with babies and small children, she has gained a sincere interest and passion in working with them! Thus, Marina is thrilled to join the Baby Learning Lab. Her research interest centers around how babies learn to perceive the world around them, how they learn various skills and the impact of bilingualism. Besides gaining valuable research experience which would help her greatly with her research journey in the future, she is also excited to meet other like-minded lab members! In her free time, Marina enjoys hiking, outdoor activities and hanging out with friends!
Dora Chan
Research Assistant
Pronouns: She/ her/ hers

Dora is a 4th year B.Sc student majoring in Cognitive Systems in the Cognition and Brain stream. She is so excited to join the Baby Learning Lab as a research assistant and gain a better understanding of how babies learn and perceive the world. Dora is eager to apply the knowledge she has gained from her classes to a research setting and contribute to early developmental research. She is passionate about working with children and has previously volunteered for summer camps and other community programs. In her free time, Dora enjoys running, playing the piano, reading, and playing sports.
Kyler Cyna
Research Assistant
Pronouns: He/him/his

Kyler, a third-year B.Sc. student at the University of British Columbia majoring in Neuroscience, has a deep fascination with various aspects of development, attention, and cognition. He's excited about the chance to participate in the practical research opportunity offered by the Baby Learning Lab, where he can delve into the development of infants. Kyler is motivated by the prospect of contributing to our understanding of how babies learn and perceive the world. Outside of his academic pursuits, he enjoys creating videos, exploring on his bike, and getting lost (typically on his bike).
Labella Li
Research Assistant
Pronouns: She/her/hers

Labella is a 2nd-year B.A. student majoring in Cognitive Systems at the University of British Columbia. She is very passionate about the overlap between computer science and psychology and hopes to explore more topics within the field. She enjoys learning about how learning and the brain influence each other, as well as how the two interact, which she is very excited to learn more about with her new position at the Baby Learning Lab. Labella enjoys reading, writing, and cooking during her time off.
Isabella (Isa) Maudsley
Research Assistant
Pronouns: she/they

Isa is pursuing their Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Early Childhood Education Studies at UBC. She is an inclusive educator and consultant with 5+ years of experience in childcare, education, and research consultation. She is passionate about creating systems of accountability and growth in the field of early education, with a particular focus on trauma-informed and inclusive policies. Fascinated by developmental psychology and the earliest processes of learning, Isa is excited to be joining such an exciting research project with the UBC Baby Learning Lab. In her free time, Isa loves to make art, take photos, and tire herself out with Muay Thai and skateboarding.
Elisa Sierra
Research Assistant
Pronouns: She/her/hers

Elisa is a fourth-year B.A. student majoring in Psychology and minoring in Family Studies and is thrilled to join the Baby Learning Lab as a research assistant. Her goal is to deepen her understanding of various research techniques when working with infants and children, while also exploring the neurological aspects of child development. With a background in tutoring young children and a close relationship with her almost 2-year-old nephew, Elisa possesses a deep fascination for child development and the rapid acquisition of various skills. Her drive goes beyond gaining experience for future graduate school endeavours; she is eager to collaborate with a team to uncover valuable discoveries in psychological research. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, being outdoors, and re-watching her favourite comfort shows!
Yasmeen Ghaleb
Research Assistant
Pronouns: She/her/hers

Yasmeen is in her fourth year, pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Psychology. Her journey into the field of psychology commenced through transformative experiences working with children and adolescents, ranging from 4 to 17 years old. She has experience engaging in the integration of Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) competencies into educational settings, recognizing the paramount importance of addressing the emotional well-being of the children she worked with. She also assisted with developing a mentoring capacity-building initiative aimed at imparting scientifically informed life skills to juveniles. These experiences have profoundly shaped her desire to contribute to the Baby Learning Lab, particularly in the context of children facing adversity, highlighted the critical importance of understanding child development and psychology. Her interest lies in pursuing a career in clinical or counseling psychology, with a particular focus on children and how trauma and mood disorders can impact their development, especially within the framework of education. Outside of her academic and professional pursuits, Yasmeen finds solace in gardening, meditation, nature exploration, and the appreciation of art galleries.
Irene Feng
Research Assistant
Pronouns: She/her/hers

Irene Is a 3rd-year B.SC. student majoring in Integrated Sciences with focuses in Behavioural Neuroscience and Public Health. Her experiences working with diverse groups of young children has led to her curiosity which centres on understanding how they began to navigate and adapt to the world around them as babies, especially focusing on the interplay between one’s environment and home culture during their psychological development. Aside from school, Irene is interested in exploring new music, snowboarding, and chasing sunsets!
Madhavi Shrimali
Research Assistant
Pronouns: She/her/hers

Madhavi is a third-year student pursuing a major in Psychology at UBC. She has a profound interest in the fields of neurological and developmental psychology. Her previous experiences of working with children have intrigued her interest in unravelling the mysteries of infant spatial awareness and object permanence, the cognitive processes involved in comprehending their surroundings, their ability to read social cues and emotions, and the intricate interplay between environmental factors and language acquisition. Working alongside Dr. Emberson and the wonderful team, she looks forward to gaining mentorship and guidance. This opportunity aligns perfectly with her aspirations as she is committed to pursuing a career in research and aspires to gain admission to graduate school. Outside of these pursuits, in her free time, she enjoys going for a swim with her friends, reading books, and taking long walks.
Victoria Hong
Research Assistant
Pronouns: She/her/hers

Victoria is a 4th year B.A. student majoring in Psychology and minoring in Asian Studies at UBC. She is very excited to learn more about the academic aspects of research and work in an environment of such respected figures with Dr. Emberson and the wonderful team. She is deeply interested in the rapid learning abilities of young babies and how this may support their adult development. She has had mass experience working with younger children through volunteer and tutoring and is looking forward to gaining more research experience at the Baby Learning Lab. During her free time, Victoria loves to spend time with family and dancing with her dance team.
Sahar Remtula
Research Assistant
Pronouns: She/her/hers

Sahar is a 4th year BSc student majoring in Neuroscience, with a specialization in Behavioural & Cognitive Neuroscience. She is fascinated by the rapid development of infant cognition, especially with regards to neuroplasticity and language acquisition. This has led to her research interests in exploring how various environmental and cultural factors in early childhood may influence the development of our brains. She is also excited to gain experience with neuroimaging techniques like fNIRS. In her free time, Sahar spends her time going to the gym, reading, doing calligraphy & embroidery, or watching her favourite TV shows on repeat.
Maya Wu
Research Assistant
Pronouns: She/her/hers

Maya is a 3rd year undergraduate student studying Psychology and Speech Sciences at UBC. From her volunteer experience in a bilingual Mandarin school, she became deeply interested in young children’s cognitive development. She is especially invested in areas such as language acquisition, sensory pathways during infancy, and the neurological mechanisms behind how young children learn and perceive their world. She is beyond excited to join the Baby Learning Lab and gain hands-on experience in research and statistical analysis! Outside of the lab, Maya is invested in giving back to her community: she is passionate about raising awareness and reducing mental health stigma, she is actively involved in UBC’s anti-racism dialogue group, and she also works in the Psychology department’s EDI initiatives. During her free time, Maya likes to read, write, hang out with friends, and explore the outdoors with her Samoyed.
Aisha Sabry
Research Assistant
Pronouns: She/her/hers

Aisha, a 3rd year B.A student majoring in Psychology at University of British Columbia, is extremely excited about joining the Baby Learning Lab as a research assistant to explore developmental psychology through behavioural coding. She has a richly multicultural background shaped by experiences living in Egypt, Switzerland and the UAE along with volunteer work in Kenyan and Sri Lankan daycares and involvement in research on the impact of Scoliosis on adolescent mental health in Dubai. Aisha is especially interested in the intersection between the mental and physical health, focusing on how physical deficiencies and impairments affect child development across cultures. Outside the lab, Aisha leads an active lifestyle, teaching group fitness classes, playing basketball, trying new restaurants, baking and traveling!
Annie Wang
Research Assistant
Pronouns: She/her/hers

Annie is a 2nd-year Honours B.Sc. student majoring in Cellular, Anatomical, and Physiological Sciences at UBC. With research interests lying at the intersection of molecular neuroscience and developmental psychology, Annie is excited to contribute to the Baby Learning Lab as a Research Assistant. She is especially interested in understanding the development of pediatric neurological disorders and their causes. Her previous experience tutoring and volunteering with recreation programs at her local community centres sparked her passion for working with infants and children. In her free time, she enjoys baking, exploring new restaurants across Vancouver, and going to concerts.
Devina Singh
Research Assistant
Pronouns: She/her/hers

Devina is a 2nd year B.A. Psychology major and an international student from India. Her research interests lie mainly in Early Intervention and Care. She is eager to explore how infants actively engage in the selection of their preferred environment, and her research pursuits are grounded in the conviction that the formative years of infancy serve as the bedrock upon which individuals build their future. In this sense, Devina hopes to use research to inform global policies on Early Childhood Intervention, Education, and Care. Outside of academics, Devina enjoys taking walks in the city, café-hopping, traveling, creating art, and working out.
Dixie Santo
Research Assistant
Pronouns: She/her/hers

Dixie is a 2nd year international undergraduate student in the University of British Columbia, majoring in Psychology and considering a minor in Family Studies. She is invested in developmental psychology and wants to pursue a career in psychology related to children, where her experience as an English tutor further solidified her passion in nurturing the youth. Dixie considers the conversation of mental health in children as an essential topic to discuss both with adults and adolescents themselves, as well as how they might impact individuals within the context of development. Outside of university, she is passionate about the arts and music. A sketchbook and a good novel are must-haves in her bag!
Priyasha (Esha) Bal
Research Assistant
Pronouns: She/her/hers

Priyasha is a fourth-year undergraduate student completing her Bachelor of Arts, Majoring in Psychology. Priyasha’s passion for working with children began when she became a tutor for elementary school children. She became fascinated by the developing brains of young children and how they perceive the world around them. Priyasha is excited about the opportunity to join the Baby Learning Lab as a Research Assistant and apply the knowledge that she has learned during her degree. More specifically, she looks forward to working with all the amazing people on the team and being in an environment that fosters her passion for exploring the developing brains of babies. In her free time, Priyasha enjoys spending time with her family, going to different cafes with her sisters, trying new cuisines, and reading!
Jade McMillan
Research Assistant
Pronouns: She/her/hers

Jade, a fourth-year B.A. student majoring in Psychology with a minor in Romance Studies, is thrilled to join the Baby Learning Lab as a Research Assistant. Passionate about early childhood development, she has extensive experience from volunteering at summer camps and babysitting. Jade is eager to expand her knowledge of child development in a research setting and hopes to acquire vital skills for her ambition to pursue a PhD in Psychology. Outside of class, you can often find Jade dancing, acting, and engaging in various fine arts activities in any capacity.
Kaatyaayani Singh
Research Assistant
Pronouns: She/her/hers

Kaatyaayani is currently a third year student majoring in Psychology and minoring in Sociology at the University of British Columbia. She is deeply interested in learning about the human brain and some of her interests lie in understanding the mechanics behind the formation of neural connections and how they can change in the event of an injury or disorder. She is thrilled to be a part of the Baby Learning lab to deepen her knowledge of the developing brain, while interacting with adorable babies. During her time at the lab, she wishes to gain insightful research experience that can help her apply her theoretical knowledge. She hopes to work collaboratively with other members of the lab and Dr. Emberson to develop skills and experiences that can help her prepare for a future in psychology. She is a massive animal lover and in her free time enjoys dancing, hiking, exploring new places to eat, reading about exciting topics or listening to music.
Madison Yang
Research Assistant
Pronouns: She/her/hers

Madison is a 1st year B.A student intending to major in Psychology and minor in Commerce at the University of British Columbia. She is excited to join the Baby Learning Lab as a research assistant and work with like minded peers and professionals, such as Dr. Emberson.
Madison hopes to deepen her knowledge in developmental psychology by learning about a baby’s visual system and the various factors that affect a baby's growth and ability to retain information to boost language acquisition, learning, and perception. Her experience working as a piano teacher as well as a tutor for young children with autism sparked her passion for working with children and understanding learning across all ages. In her spare time, she enjoys playing the piano, listening to music, watching shows, reading, and taking photos.
Malú Tambini
Research Assistant
Pronouns: She/her/hers

Malú is a 2nd year student majoring in Psychology and aspiring to minor in Family Studies at UBC with a particular interest in the influence of family dynamics in children’s cognition. She’s had experience working with kids from different backgrounds as an activity leader in international summer camps. Malú is eager to start her journey at the Baby Learning Lab and understanding more about infant’s development and the multiple factors shaping it, moreover she is fascinated about the particular experience of premature babies, being one herself! You can catch her at IKB during weekdays and whenever she has free time, she likes doing kickboxing and yoga, watering her plants (as you can see) or watching any classic sitcom.
Mya Froese
Research Assistant
Pronouns: She/her/hers

Mya is a Research Assistant in the Baby Learning Lab and a third year Psychology Honours student at UBC. She is interested in research surrounding early learning environments and evolutionary mechanisms underlying social behavior and is excited to broaden her knowledge in the lab. She is also a Research Assistant in UBC's Social Cognition lab and is currently writing her third year thesis on the seasonality of social biases. She has previously worked with people with disabilities and has a passion for community oriented work. She hopes to attend graduate school for clinical psychology after she graduates. In her free time, she enjoys reading and movies, attending concerts, and spending time with her family.