Lauren (Summer 2024- Summer 2025)
Lauren was a graduate research assistant who began working in the lab in the summer 2024. She graduated from MSU with a Master’s of Psychological Sciences.
Jack (Summer 2024- Spring 2025)
Jack was a research assistant who began working in the lab in the summer 2024. He graduated from MSU with a BA Psychology with a minor in Biology. Jack is currently applying to Master’s and PhD programs.
Valentina (Winter 2024-Spring 2025)
Valentina was an undergraduate research assistant who began working in the lab in the winter 2024. She graduated from MSU with a BA in Psychology with a double minor in Criminal Justice and Child Advocacy and Policy. Valentina is currently pursuing her Master’s at MSU in Clinical Psychology.
Karma (Fall 2019-Summer 2024)
Karima was a research assistant who began working in the lab in the fall of 2019. She graduated from MSU with a Master’s degree in May 2024. Karima is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Developmental Science at Boston University.
Angelina (Summer 2022-Summer 2024)
Angelina was a research assistant who began working in the lab in the summer of 2022. She graduated from MSU’s undergraduate program in May 2024. Angelina is currently pursuing her Master’s in School Psychology at Fairleigh Dickinson University.
Faith (Spring 2023-Summer 2024)
Faith was a research assistant who began working in the lab in the summer of 2023. She graduated from MSU’s undergraduate program in May 2024 with a major in Psychology and a minor in Business. Faith is currently pursuing her Master’s in School Psychology at Fairleigh Dickinson University.
JULIA (Summer 2019-Summer 2023)
PAOLA (Summer 2021-Summer 2023)
EMILY (Summer 2020-Spring 2023)
Emily graduated with her BA in Psychology and Justice Studies from MSU in May 2023. Emily joined the lab in the summer of 2020 because of her passion for research and child development. She is also hopeful of using the experience she gains in this lab to assist her in her future graduate school and career endeavors. Emily’s hopes to enter into a Clinical Psychology Ph.D program after she graduates with her B.A. at Montclair State to become a psychologist specializing in adolescence and eating disorders. Emily also aspires to become a professor at a university to study eating disorders and eating pathology.
STEPHANIE (Spring 2021-Spring 2023)
Stephanie graduated with her Master’s in Clinical Psychology in May 2023. She also received her BS in Biology and BA in Philosophy Montclair State University in 2020. After graduation her plans are to continue working in research and eventually pursue a PhD, combining knowledge and methodology from philosophy, psychology, and neuroscience. Her research interests include ontology, psychedelic research, the self, the phenomena and experience of time, ethics, nature, and cognitive development.
ALAINA (Fall 2018-Summer 2022)
Alaina was the Cognitive and Language Development Lab manager from Fall 2018-Summer 2020. She is a 5th-year doctoral student in Clinical Psychology with a focus on children and adolescents. She graduated from Case Western Reserve University with her B.A. in 2014 and the University of Maryland, College Park with her M.P.S. in 2017.
NIKITA (Summer 2020-Summer 2022)
Nikita was the lab manager of the Cognitive and Language Development Lab from Summer 2020-Summer 2022. She graduated as a master’s student in the Industrial/Organization Psychology program at Montclair State University. She currently attends the University of North Carolina as a PhD student in Organizational Science.
TESSA (Summer 2021-Spring 2022)
NUSRAT (Summer 2021-Fall 2022)
ALEX (Spring 2019-Summer 2021)
Alex was a research assistant in the Cognitive and Language Development Lab from January 2019 to June 2021. Some responsibilities included data analysis for several studies, behavior coding, calibration and data collection with eye tracking, and recruiting and communicating with participants from the community. Alex’s favorite courses included research methods and health psychology and topics include mental representation, memory, and problem-solving. He also plans to pursue a doctorate in experimental or cognitive psychology. In his free time, he enjoys yoga, watching anime, and cooking.
CHRISTY (Fall 2019-Summer 2021)
ALEXIS (Summer 2020-Fall 2021)
AJANAI (Fall 2019-Summer 2020)
BRITTANY (Fall 2019-Fall 2020)
VERONICA (Spring 2019-Fall 2020)
YEYSON (Summer 2018-Fall 2020)
Yeyson was a research assistant who joined Dr. Lakusta’s lab in the Summer of 2018. He graduated from Montclair State in 2019 with a B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Biology. After graduation, he plans to attend medical school and become a pediatrician, specializing in behavioral pediatrics.
JULIA (Summer 2017-Summer 2020)
Julia graduated from the BA/MA Program in General Psychology and is pursuing her Ph.D in Developmental Psychology at Tufts University. Her research interests are in both developmental and social psychology, as well as the intersection between the two fields. She wonders about both innate abilities and biases in children (and adults) as well as how the environment can impact their knowledge and mindset. In order to pursue these interests, she was an active member of both Dr. Lakusta’s Cognitive and Language Development lab as well as Dr. John Paul Wilson’s Perceiving People lab. In the future, she hopes to earn her Ph.D. and become a researcher, professor, and mentor to students.
DIANA (Spring 2018-Summer 2020)
Diana joined the lab in January 2018. Diana has worked on a project investigating children 2-4 years old and their sensitivity to the “division of labor” regarding spatial support configurations, meaning, are children this young able to differentiation and map “BE ON” with support from below and “STICKS TO” for mechanical support/adhesion? Diana also looked at parents’ language use to study the effect parents linguistic input has on children’s understanding. She presented the results at Montclair’s 13th research symposium. Diana will be graduated in 2019 with her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a minor in public health. In Fall 2020 she went to graduate school to pursue a degree in Clinical Psychology where she can further her research interests.
DIAMOND (Spring 2019-Summer 2020)
Diamond joined Dr. Lakusta’s lab in the Spring of 2019. Her research interests include child development and mental health. In the lab, she enjoyed learning the way in which children’s language develops over time. She is currently enrolled in the 5 Year Masters Program in General Psychology with a minor in Child Advocacy and Policy. Diamond has experience with children by babysitting, working at the Child Development Center on McGuire Air Force Base, and hopefully working at Ben Samuels Children’s Center soon. In the future, she hopes to become a clinical child psychologist and have her own practice.
COLIN (Spring 2019-Summer 2020)
Colin joined the lab in January of 2019. He graduated in the spring of 2020 with Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and plans to pursue a Master of Arts in Organizational Psychology. Before returning to school in 2018, Colin ran his own interior design firm for over a decade. Through the intimate work he did with his design clients, Colin realized that human behavior and how it related to social interaction was where his true passion was. He plans to pursue a career in organizational development, organizational change, leadership development and leadership coaching with a focus on diversity & inclusion. Working with Dr. Lakusta and Dr. Bragger on their interdisciplinary leadership development study has helped Colin’s to focus his broad interest in human behavior to the specific field of Organizational Psychology.
YASMIN (Summer 2017-August 2019)
Yasmin joined the lab in the Summer of 2017. She completed a B.A. in Psychology and a B.S. in Mathematics. Previously, Yasmin was a research assistant for Dr. Ragin in the fall of 2016. She was also a research assistant for Dr. Panorkou from the math education department studying how children learn STEM related concepts. She has also volunteered as a teacher’s assistant for classes involving 3-5 year olds at her local mosque. Yasmin’s research interests are in child development and Psycholinguistics. Yasmin is currently attending Fordham University’s PhD program in Quantitative Psychology.
EMILY (Spring 2018-August 2019)
Emily joined Dr. Lakusta’s lab in the Spring of 2018 to gain language and developmental research experience. She pursued a B.A. with a double major in Linguistics and Spanish, concentration in Translation and a minor in music. Her research interests are centered in language, primarily psycholinguistics, cognitive linguistics, bilingualism, (second) language acquisition and foreign language. Her future aspirations include attending a graduate program and becoming a certified Spanish interpreter.
CHRISTINA (Spring 2018-August 2019)
Christina joined the lab in the Spring of 2018 to gain involvement in developmental research. Christina completed her Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology with a concentration in children and adolescents at Montclair. She has a variety of experience working with children through many years of babysitting and working in a clinical private practice as a neuro-feedback technician. She is also involved in research regarding adolescent decision-making. Christina’s research interests are in child development and autism spectrum disorder. Christina is currently pursuing her doctorate in Clinical Psychology at William Patterson University.
GABRIELLE (Spring 2018-August 2018)
Gabrielle joined the lab in the Spring of 2018. She completed her Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology, with a concentration in children and adolescents. She graduated from Rutgers University Class in 2016 with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Education and Biology. Her future aspiration is to pursue a PsyD in Clinical Psychology after completing her Master’s degree.
NICOLE (Summer 2018-Spring 2019)
Nicole was a research assistant who joined the lab in the Summer of 2018. She is currently a senior pursuing a B.A. in Psychology and minor in Public Health. Her future aspirations are to pursue a Master’s Degree in social work and obtain a license in clinical social work (LCSW).
HOLLY (Fall 2016-Summer 2018)
Holly was a research assistant who joined the lab Fall of 2016. Since then, she has completed her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. In the future, she plans to pursue a Ph.D. in clinical psychology.
MELANIE (2016-2018)
Melanie was a former lab manager. After returning from a semester abroad in France, she decided to begin her position as lab manager in 2016. During this time, she was finishing her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at Montclair State University and graduated in May 2016. Melanie then received her Master of Arts in General Psychology at Montclair. Melanie is now pursuing a Ph.D in Australia!
CHELSEA (Spring 2017-Spring 2018)
Chelsea was a graduate research assistant who joined the lab in Spring 2017. Since then, she has finished her Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology, with a concentration in children and adolescents. Before that, she completed her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Elementary Education Certification and graduated in January 2014. She plans to obtain a Ph.D. in clinical psychology and eventually open her own pediatric private practice.
SAMANTHA (Summer 2015-Spring 2018)
Samantha was a research assistant who joined the lab in the Summer of 2015. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, and a certification in Child Advocacy and Policy. Currently, she is pursing a M.A. in School Psychology at Kean University.
MICHELLE (Summer 2015-Spring 2018)
Michelle was a research assistant who joined the lab in the Summer of 2015. She has received her B.A. in Psychology, with minors in both Russian and Women & Gender Studies. Currently, she is the Lab Manager of an Infant and Cognition Lab at Purdue University.
KELLY (Spring 2017-Spring 2018)
Kelly was a research assistant who joined the lab in Spring 2017 to complete an independent research study, as well as to gain experience and grow in the lab as a research assistant. She has completed her B.A. in Psychology with a Minor in Portuguese, and currently works for Apple. She hopes to do research with adults in the field of Behavioral Psychology.
BILL (Summer 2017-Spring 2018)
Bill was a research assistant who joined the lab in the Summer of 2017 and was working with children in Newark at the Youth Development Clinic as well. He has received his Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology, with a concentration in children and adolescents at Montclair State University. Currently, Bill is the Lab Manager of an Infant Cognition Lab at Harvard University. After getting his doctorate, he would like to open up his own practice.
CARLA (Spring 2016-Spring 2017)
Carla was a research assistant who joined the lab in the Spring of 2016 after taking Dr. Lakusta’s developmental psychology class. She completed her B.A. in Psychology in 2017. Her research interests are children’s knowledge representation and language development and she wishes to obtain a Ph.D. in child and family clinical psychology.
DAWN (Fall 2016)
Dawn was a research assistant who joined the lab in the Fall of 2016. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology in May 2016. She hopes to begin a PhD program in 2018.
MEGAN (Spring 2016)
Megan was a research assistant who joined the lab Spring 2016. Since then, she has completed her B.A. in Psychology. Her future aspiration is to become an Experimental Psychologist where she can work in a lab.
JENNIFER (Spring 2016)
Jennifer was a graduate research assistant who joined the lab in Spring 2016. She has pursued her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a certificate in Child Advocacy & Policy the year prior. Now, she is currently finishing her Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology, with a concentration in children and adolescents and a School Psychology Certification. In the future, she would like to pursue a Ph.D in School Psychology. Her ultimate goal is working as a school psychologist in an urban area. She would also like to become an adjunct professor as well.
MARIA (Fall 2014)
Maria was a research assistant who joined the lab in Fall 2014. She has since graduated from her B.A. in Psychology with a Minor in Computer Science in May 2017. Currently, she is pursuing a Ph.D. at Temple University.
MADDY (Summer 2015 and 2016)
Maddy was a research assistant who pursued a B.A. in Psychology and Sociology. She was a visiting research assistant from Johns Hopkins University for the Summers of 2015 and 2016. Her research interests are in child language acquisition and she wants to obtain her master’s in social work.
KARINA (Summer 2016)
Karina was a research assistant who joined the lab in the Summer of 2016. Previously, she graduated from her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology in May 2014. After her graduation in May 2017, she plans to obtain her Master’s Degree in Psychology.
AMRITA (Fall 2014)
Amrita was a graduate research assistant who joined the lab Fall 2014. She has since graduated from her Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology with a concentration in child and adolescent psychology and a Certification in School Psychology in May 2016. Before that, she completed her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Rutgers University in May 2013. She also had worked at NJIT for a year doing individual support care. Amrita’s research interests are Child and Adolescent Development. In the future, she wishes to become a child/family clinical psychologist.
DANIELLE (2014-2016)
Danielle is a former lab manager. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology May 2014 and her Master of Arts in General Psychology May 2016. Currently, she is an adjunct professor at Montclair State.
JESSICA (Fall 2014)
Jessica was a graduate research assistant who joined the lab Fall 2014. At the time, she was pursuing her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and graduated May 2014. Afterward, she received her Masters in Clinical Psychology and Certification in School Psychology. Jessica’s research interests are in Child Development and she plans to work as a school psychologist in a public school district.
DEANNA (Spring 2013-Spring 2016)
Deanna was a research assistant who joined Spring 2013. She received her B.A. in Psychology in 2016. She had gained a great deal of experience with children through babysitting. At the time, she was currently a paraprofessional at a private school for children with special needs. Her research interests included Child Development and she plans to receive her Master’s degree in Psychology.
STEPHANIE
Stephanie was a graduate research assistant and received her Master of Arts in General Psychology in May 2012.
OMARIS
Omaris was a graduate research assistant. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology in May 2013 and her Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology with a concentration in Child and Adolescent Psychology in May 2015. At the time, she was working full-time as a case manager in Union County with children and adolescents through school systems, DCP+P, and various treatment and residential facilities.
DAPHNE
Daphne was a research assistant and received her Bachelor’s degree in Molecular Biology and Psychology.
MOIRA
Moira was a research assistant and she received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology.
KELSEY
Kelsey was a research assistant. She graduated in May 2015 with a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science. After that, she became a graduate student at Sacred Heart University in the Occupational Therapy program.
DELORES
Delores was a research assistant who received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Child Advocacy. After that, she became a full-time student pursuing an MSW. She also was interning at an Early Learning Center within the Early Head Start program.
AMANDA
Amanda was a research assistant who graduated in May 2014 with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology.
JESSICA
Jessica was both a research assistant and a former lab manager. She got her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology in May 2013 and in May 2014 received her Master of Arts in Teaching Students with Disabilities and Inclusive Education. At the time, she was working as a reading specialist while pursuing a career teaching students of all abilities.
KATIE (2012-2014)
Katie was a graduate research assistant and former lab manager. She received her Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology and Certification in School Psychology in May 2015. At the time, she was working as a school psychologist in a public high school in Bergen County, where she manages cases for 10th – 12th-grade students. She conducts psychological evaluations and provides counseling support.
SARA (2013-2014)
Sara was a research assistant and completed her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology in May 2014.
MEGAN (2011-2014)
Megan was a research assistant and previously graduated in May 2013 with her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. Megan was in her first year of doctoral-level studies in the Combined School-Clinical Child Psychology PsyD program at Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology. She is a research assistant and has training in intelligence and achievement test administration.
MARIJA (2011-2013)
Marija was a research assistant and finished her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology in May 2012. After, she completed her Master’s degree in Psychology and graduated in May 2015. At the time, she was working full time as a renal social worker in a dialysis center in Manhattan. She also managed a research study at Fordham University that evaluates 16 senior centers in 5 boroughs of NYC. She has her license in both NY and NJ.
SERINA (2012-2013)
Serina was a research assistant who graduated in August 2013 with her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology.
LAUREN (2011-2013)
Lauren was a research assistant who graduated in May 2012 with her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology.
NOELLE (2011-2013)
Noelle was a research assistant who graduated in May 2011 with her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. Since she left the lab, she became a certified medical assistant and spent a year and a half working at a pediatric urgent care office. She then went to PA school at Rutgers University.
JESSICA (2009-2011)
Jessica was a research assistant in the lab. Afterward, she began working on her Clinical Psychology PsyD from Loyola University in Maryland. She also completed an internship at the NJ VA Hospital working with veterans. She finished her dissertation and graduated in May 2016.
Cognitive and Language Development Lab 