Learn about our ESDL Family
Lab Director
Dr. Amrisha Vaish
Lab Director
Amrisha is Professor of Psychology and director of the Early Social Development Lab at the University of Virginia. Her research focuses on the social, emotional, and moral development of young children. In particular, she studies the emergence and functions of moral emotions (such as empathy, sympathy, guilt, gratitude, and forgiveness), moral judgments, and prosocial behavior.
Amrisha received her Ph.D. in Psychology from the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology and the Free University Berlin (Germany) in 2010. Prior to starting at UVA in 2014, she was a Dilthey Postdoctoral Fellow at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology. Amrisha is a Fellow of APS. She received the SRCD Outstanding Doctoral Dissertation Award in 2011, the APA Division 7 Dissertation Award in 2012, an APS ‘Rising Star’ designation in 2015, the APS Janet Taylor Spence Award for Transformative Early Career Contributions in 2018, and the Max Planck Institute Sabbatical Award in 2021. Her research has been funded by the John Templeton Foundation, the National Institutes of Health, and the Volkswagen Foundation. She is a faculty fellow of the LIFE Academy and a faculty affiliate of Youth-Nex.
Note for prospective PhD students: Amrisha IS planning to accept a PhD student for Fall 2026
Graduate Students
Yuhang Shu
Graduate Student
Yuhang is a sixth-year graduate student in the Early Social Development Lab. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Beijing Normal University and her master’s degree in Human Development from Cornell University. She is interested in children’s social cognition and behavior in an unequal world. Specifically, her research examines how children’s prosociality and trust are shaped by their experiences of inequality. She is also interested in how children’s beliefs about social groups influence their understanding of fairness and inequality, as well as how these beliefs and behaviors are shaped by cultural socialization.
Contact Yuhang: [email protected]
Sophie Clayton
Graduate Student
Sophie is a fifth-year graduate student in the Early Social Development Lab. Her research interests are focused on reputation and impression management in children, specifically working to understand age of development and which environments may impact reputation management behaviors. She received her B.A. in Cognitive Sciences and Psychology from Rice University.
Contact Sophie: [email protected]
Em Berman
Graduate Student
Em is a fourth-year student in the Early Social Development Lab. She received her B.S. in Psychology from the University of Maryland, College Park, and completed a minor in Human Development. She is interested in children’s behaviors and judgements that depend on social context, specifically punishment of antisocial others and its connection to reputation management. In her free time, she loves to hip-hop dance, teach Zumba, lift weights, paint, and spend time with her dog Huck.
Contact Em: [email protected]
Lab Manager
Evelyn Kuzminski
Lab Manager
Evelyn Kuzminski is the lab manager for the Early Social Development Lab. She is a third-year student double majoring in cognitive science and youth & social innovation, and she joined the lab in summer 2025 as a research assistant working on the Development of Gratitude project. Her interests are in the intersection of psychology and education and she loves working with youth through coaching, tutoring, babysitting, and research. Outside of the lab, she is involved at UVA with the Center for Teaching Excellence, The Cavalier Daily, Madison House, and Outdoors Club.
Contact Evelyn: [email protected]
Research Assistants
Zahra Ali
Hello! My name is Zahra Ali. I’m from Leesburg, VA and I’m a fourth-year studying cognitive science with a concentration in psychology. This is my second semester at the ESDL and I’m really looking forward to working on the Gratitude project. I’ve always been passionate about working with children and I’m a YWLP mentor and an America Reads tutor. In the future, I hope to work as a school psychologist. Outside of the lab, I enjoy spending time with friends, traveling and trying new restaurants.
Hannah Bartz
Hello! My name is Hannah, and I am a fourth-year student double majoring in Psychology and Youth & Social Innovation. I plan on pursuing a career in School Psychology. This is my third year at the ESDL, and I love how the lab allows me to contribute to the development of this field. Outside of the lab, I am involved with Autism Sanctuary, College Mentors for Kids, the Virginia Women’s Chorus, and Phi Sigma Pi National Honor Fraternity!
Ally Berger
Hi! I’m Ally Berger, a 4th year YSI and psychology double major. This is my fourth year with ESDL and I’m excited to work on new projects this semester! I love working with children and plan to pursue a career in child psychology. Outside of the lab I volunteer for Crisis Text Line and babysit in Charlottesville.
Irene Chen
Hi! I am Irene, a fourth-year double majoring in Psychology and Computer Science. Growing up surrounded by kids, I have been able to experience firsthand the importance of early experiences, and I am beyond thrilled to contribute to that understanding here at ESDL. Outside of school, I enjoy rock climbing, playing ultimate frisbee, and staying active with friends. Looking forward to a wonderful semester!
Mackenzie Fox
Hi, I am Mackenzie Fox. I am from Easton, Maryland, and a fourth-year student double-majoring in Psychology and Statistics. This is my first semester working with the ESDL and I am excited to gain valuable experience! My passion is psychology and my goal is to go into child psychology, as I love working with children. Outside of the lab I love playing pickleball, volunteering, and hanging out with my family and friends!
Ruby Gerken
Anastasia Ikhelson
Anastasia is a Master’s student in the Educational Psychology – Applied Developmental Science at UVA’s School of Education and Human Development. She received her BA in Psychology from Rutgers University – New Brunswick and completed a minor in Education as a Social Science. Her research interests are in social and emotional development in early childhood, and she currently works at an ABA clinic as a Registered Behavior Technician.
Lauren Kim
Hi! My name is Lauren and I am a fourth-year at UVA, double-majoring in Psychology and Music with a concentration in piano performance. This is my second year at the Early Social Development Lab, and I work at a boarding school for young boys with social, emotional, and developmental challenges. Outside of the lab, you can find me in Old Cabell Hall making music, whether it be practicing piano or singing with my friends in USingers!
Emma Liu
Hi! I am Emma Liu, a third-year student majoring in Psychology and Statistic. I am excited to get my first semester started in early social development lab! I cannot wait to learn more and interact with children. Outside of lab, I also enjoy cooking and baking in my free time.
Nhi Mai
Hi! I am a Cognitive Science student interested in developmental psychology, neuroscience, and behavioral research. My interests focus on how children develop social and moral understanding, including how they recognize and interpret others’ emotions, desires, and perspectives. I am especially interested in the ways children’s early social experiences shape their understanding of themselves and the people around them.
Jenna Wilson-Levin
Jenna is a fourth-year student from California and Delaware interested in developmental psychology and biology. She is passionate about exploring interdisciplinary approaches to research, combining her background in psychology, biology, and economics to analyze complex developmental processes. Jenna has always loved working with children and is fascinated by how early life experiences shape cognitive, social, and emotional development. She enjoys opportunities to engage with kids through community volunteering and educational initiatives, which inspire her research interests and future career goals. When she’s not working or studying, Jenna loves spending time with her family, including her four dogs, and giving back to her community through service and advocacy
Ellie Wormser
Hi, I’m Ellie Wormser! I’m a fourth-year from McLean, Virginia, and I’m a double major in Behavioral Neuroscience and French. I’ve always loved working with kids and exploring how their minds grow and develop. Psychology is my passion, and I’m so excited to be part of this lab, where I can combine my love for research with helping others. When I’m not in the lab or studying, I enjoy spending time with my friends, traveling to new places, and going to workout classes. I’m so happy to be part of a team that’s making a difference in understanding child development!
Lab Alumni
Post-Doctoral Researchers:
Dr. Janine Oostenbroek, Post-Doc 2016-2019: currently a Prenatal and Parenting Psychologist at Redlands Psychologists in Brisbane, Australia
Dr. Jessica Stern, Post-Doc 2019-2023: currently an Assistant Professor at Pomona College in California
Dr. Mary Shaocong Ma, Post-Doc 2023-2024: currently an Assistant Research Professor at Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST)
Dr. Qiao Chai, Post-Doc 2023-2025: currently an Associate Professor at Ningbo University in Ningbo, China
Graduate Students:
Dr. Caroline Kelsey, PhD 2020 (co-advised): currently Post-doctoral Researcher at Boston Children’s Hospital
Dr. Meltem Yucel, PhD 2021: currently Post-doctoral researcher at Duke University
Dr. Stefen Beeler-Duden, PhD 2022: currently Post-doctoral Researcher at UVA’s Center for Healthy Brain Development
Dr. Johanna Chajes, PhD 2024: currently Post-doctoral Research Associate and Lecturer at UVA
Undergraduate Distinguished Majors:
Christina Marlow, 2019: currently PhD student in Lifespan Developmental Psychology, NC State University
Sarah Thomas, 2019: currently Fulbright Awardee, teaching abroad in Taiwan
Jenna Marzougui, 2020: currently a Master’s student in Psychological Sciences, College of William & Mary
Carolynn McElroy, 2020: currently pursuing M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology, Gallaudet University
Kelly Cheung, 2020 (Thesis in Political Philosophy, Policy & Law program)
Kayla Pelletz, 2021 (and Lab Manager): currently a Master’s student, Boston College School of Education
Madeline Brence, 2022 (and Lab Manager): currently a PhD student, University of Virginia
Shirley Liu, 2022: currently pursuing M.S. in Analytics, University of Chicago
Qiyuan Hu, 2023: currently a Master’s student in Science Management, University of Notre Dame
Caleb Soong, 2025: currently a lab manager at the Cognition and Learning Lab at Indiana University
Ruby Gerken, 2025: currently a Master’s student in special education at UVA and working at the Virginia Center for Neurodevelopment
Kranti Kaur, 2025: TBD
Paul Lambidakis, 2025: currently a Junior Therapist at Verbal Beginnings
Grace Delaar, 2026: currently a Master’s student in social work at The University of Tennessee
Helen Sparling, 2026: currently doing neuro-oncology research as an assistant at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Yufan Liang, 2026: currently a PhD student at The University of Minnesota
Lab Managers:
Shannon Savell: currently a PhD student in Clinical Psychology, University of Virginia
Katrina Farris: currently a PhD student in Psychology, Georgia State University
Hailey Costello: currently a Management Associate at MicroStrategy
Naomi Rader: currently a Research Specialist, Georgetown University
Camile Bernard: currently a PhD student in Developmental Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles
Undergraduate Research Assistants:
Melissa Abel, Daniela Alvarez-Vargas, Penelope Artemis, Maura Austin, Hannah Barnes, Georgia Beatty, Kaitlin Blakeslee, Angelica Bosko, Olivia Braye, Zumin Chen, Taylor Curro, Audrey Davis, Grace Delaar, Kate Dotson, Regan Estrada, Ruby Gerken, Eva Getting, Virginia Girling, Adiba Hasnat, Carolyn Hawkes, Kate Haynes, Selina He, Bogdan Ion, Danna Jaber, Xander Johnson, Kranti Kaur, Paul Lambidakis, Marie Larounis, Megan Lee, Lucy Leonard, Yufan Liang, Grace Long, Lauren Machen, Rosa Marsharipova, Margie Martinez, Charlotte Milone, Madeleine Mitchell, Lenzy Mondo, Marjan Naderi, Gretchen Neary, Lyndsay Nelson, Andy Nguyen, Madeleine Nguyen, Bridget Nortney, Jazmin Nunez, Alex O-Connor, Lauren Oken, Tulsi Patel, Ridhi Pendyala, Nishta Polam, Faith Presson, Skylar Raynor, Youstina Sakhy, Meghan Secrist, Eshba Shiolee, Caleb Soong, Helen Sparling, Ashly Stage, Katherine Tang, Kristen Taylor, Linda Tran, Ponni Velmurugan, Cabell Williams.
