Learn about our ESDL Family
Lab Director
Dr. Amrisha Vaish
Lab Director
Amrisha is the Pamela Feinour Edmonds and Franklin S. Edmonds Jr. Discovery Associate Professor 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 NOT accepting a PhD student for Fall 2025.
Post Doctoral and Graduate Students
Qiao Chai
Post-doctoral Researcher
Yuhang Shu
Graduate Student
Yuhang is a fourth-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 third-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 second-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 what factors influence moral judgments of oneself and others, and more specifically, what are the boundaries that children have for themselves and others when facing of moral violations (e.g. cheating, stealing). 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
Camile Bernard
Lab Coordinator
Camile is the lab coordinator for the Early Social Development Lab and serves as the project coordinator for the Development of Gratitude Project. She earned her B.A. in Psychology and History from Pomona College. Her research interests include the impact of media on children’s education and how growing up in a digital age shapes the learning experiences of the new generation. During her undergraduate studies, Camile’s research focused on social psychology and the psychology of climate change, with her senior thesis examining children’s perceptions of environmentalists.
Contact Camile: [email protected]
Research Assistants
Caleb Soong
Hi! My name is Caleb Soong, and I’m a fourth-year undergraduate from Baltimore, MD, majoring in Psychology. I joined the lab in the Summer of 2023 and have enjoyed collaborating with the team! This year, I’m excited to be doing my fourth-year thesis with the lab on children’s perceptions of social groups. In the future, I hope to pursue an educational psychology graduate program; my research interests include looking at how motivation (growth mindset, sense of belonging, purpose, and relevance) in post-secondary educational settings impacts students’ academic and social success. In addition, I enjoy doing activities such as yoga, hiking, and photography in my free time.
Ally Berger
I am a second year from Wayne, New Jersey double majoring in Youth & Social Innovation and Psychology. This is my second year at ESDL, and I am excited to continue working on the Gratitude project. I have always loved youth work and intend to pursue a career in child psychology. I am particularly interested in autism and learning how to support children with ASD in school settings. In my free time, I volunteer for Autism Allies and Madison House as well as Crisis Text Line.
Paul Lambidakis
Hello, my name is Paul Lambidakis, and I’m a returning 4th year to the ESDL lab from Rockville, MD. I’m a psychology major interested in pursuing a clinical graduate program. I’m particularly interested in child development and have always loved working with children from my years as a counselor and sports coach. I love helping with the lab’s various studies, and I’m also currently working on an independent study analyzing what parents think about prosocial behaviors in day-to-day life. My other hobbies include baseball, soccer, music, and French.
Ashley Stage
Hi, I am Ashley Stage, a fourth-year biology major and sociology minor in the College of Arts and Sciences. I plan to apply to graduate school to pursue the Physician Association track. In addition to working on various research projects, I work as a CNA with Centra Heath to gain clinical experience working with patients. Working with children has always been a passion of mine as I volunteer with childcare on the weekends and love having the opportunity to combine learning with collaboration in the ESDL lab. When I am not in the lab or engaging in other extracurriculars, I can be found on some adventure, whether finding a new coffee shop or exploring a new hiking trail!
Ruby Gerken
I am a fourth-year psychology and anthropology double major. I’m originally from Asheville, NC, but I have lived in Charlottesville for two years. I’m excited to be completing my thesis in the ESDL on the cross-cultural development of gratitude and reciprocity in children (ages 5-10) in the United States and India. I hope to pursue graduate studies in psychology with the goal of supporting youth with neurodevelopmental disorders.
Chandler Tribble
Hi, my name is Chandler Tribble, and I am a second-year undergraduate student from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. I plan to major in the Echols Interdisciplinary Major, allowing me to bridge my interests in child development and youth advocacy, psychology, and neuroscience. After my studies at UVA, I hope to attend medical school and become a pediatrician. I have worked with children for many years as a camp counselor/director and in many other facets. For example, I work as a PCT at the UVA Children’s Hospital, serve as a volunteer coordinator and counselor with Camp Kesem, and volunteer at the Johnson Elementary YMCA program through Madison House. Outside of working with children, I love playing sports, 3D modeling homes, and playing video games.
Lauren Machen
Hello, my name is Lauren, and I am a third-year student double majoring in Psychology and Studio Art. I’ve lived in Virginia all my life. When I’m not at UVA, I love to work part-time as a camp counselor and art instructor teaching children ages 2-14. I am super interested in artistic therapy, especially geared towards children. Working with kids has always been an interest of mine, and I am very excited to learn and grow under the direction of the ESDL.
Yufan (Hina) Liang
Hi! I am Yufan (Hina) Liang, a third-year undergraduate at UVA, double majoring in psychology and statistics. With several years of experience working with children, I believe that children are the future, and it is critical to understand their development to provide effective support. I’m thrilled to contribute to ESDL!
Jenna Wilson-Levin
Jenna is a second-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
Hannah Bartz
Hello! My name is Hannah, and I am a second year student double majoring in Psychology and Youth & Social Innovation. I plan on attending graduate school to pursue a career in either School Psychology or School Counseling. Working with children has always been a passion of mine, and I am excited to further my experience with the ESDL. Outside of the lab, I am involved with College Mentors for Kids, the Virginia Women’s Chorus, and Phi Sigma Pi National Honor Fraternity!
Ridhi Pendyala
Hello! I am a second-year undergraduate student majoring in neuroscience with a minor in CS! I am from Fairfax, Virginia. Outside of the lab, I am a part of PhiDE, AMSA, and a UVA dance team, and in my free time, I love to paint or watch a movie with my roommates!
Ellie Wormser
Hi, I’m Ellie Wormser! I’m 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!
Madison Walsh
Hi! I am from Richmond Virginia, and I am a second year majoring in behavioral neuroscience and minoring in English. Outside of the lab, I love participating in club gymnastics and Challah for Hunger. As a camp counselor and gymnastics coach during the summer, I have lots of experience working with children and look forward to contributing to the ESDL lab!
Youstina Sakhy
Hi! My name is Youstina, I’m a third-year undergraduate student from Richmond, VA. I am studying Psychology on a pre-PA track and hoping to pursue a career in pediatrics as I am particularly interested in child development. On grounds I am a Hoos Connected facilitator, work as a CNA at the UVA Hospital, and volunteer at free clinics. In my free time I enjoy shopping, scrapbooking, and hanging out with my family and friends.
Helen Sparling
Hello, I am Helen Sparling. I am a Psychology and Studio Art major with hopefully a minor in Data Science. I grew up in a family of eight, and have always loved kids. I am particularly interested in child development/psychology and I am interested interested in pursuing clinical psychology in the future. In my free time, I love to paint, play piano or guitar, read, hike, and spend time with friends and family.
Grace Deelar
Hi! My name is Grace, and I’m a third year double majoring in Psychology and Environmental Science. I am passionate about child development and psychology and hope to go into social work after UVA. For the past five years, I’ve been working with children as a camp counselor, and I’m excited to be part of the lab. In my free time, I enjoy playing volleyball, reading, and hiking!
Selina He
Hi! I’m Selina, a third-year Elementary Education major with a minor in Psychology. I’m very passionate about working with children and hope to get more professional growth working with children in the lab. I also love climbing and playing sudoku in my free time.
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: starting as an Assistant Professor at Pomona College in Fall 2024
Dr. Mary Shaocong Ma, Post-Doc 2023-2024: currently an Assistant Research Professor at Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST)
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 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 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
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 at Georgetown University
Undergraduate Research Assistants:
Adiba Hasnat, Rosa Marsharipova, Madeleine Nguyen, Taylor Curro, Danna Jaber, Gretchen Neary, Virginia Girling, Melissa Abel, Daniela Alvarez-Vargas, Maura Austin, Angelica Bosko, Zumin Chen, Kate Dotson, Eva Getting, Carolyn Hawkes, Kate Haynes, Megan Lee, Margie Martinez, Madeleine Mitchell, Lyndsay Nelson, Andy Nguyen, Bridget Nortney, Alex O-Connor, Lauren Oken, Nishta Polam, Skylar Raynor, Meghan Secrist, Linda Tran, Ponni Velmurugan, Cabell Williams, Audrey Davis, Grace Long, Bogdan Ion, Lenzy Mondo, Marjan Naderi, Olivia Braye, Hannah Barnes, Tulsi Patel, Xander Johnson, Eshba Shiolee, Charlotte Milone, Virginia Girling, Kaitlin Blakeslee, and Marie Larounis.