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YUKO MUNAKATA
Psychology, Center for Mind and Brain Yuko Munakata is an elected fellow of the Association for Psychological Science and the American Psychological Association. Her work on child development has been funded by the National Institutes of Health since 1998, and has been published in top scientific journals and featured in The Atlantic, The Today Show, and Parents Magazine. Dr. Munakata co-edited two books on brain and cognitive development, and co-authored two editions of a textbook on computational cognitive neuroscience. She served as Associate Editor of Psychological Review, and has received awards for her research, teaching, and mentoring. She received her B.A. in Psychology and BS in Symbolic Systems from Stanford University. After earning her Ph.D. in Psychology from Carnegie Mellon University and the Center for the Neural Basis of Cognition (CNBC), she conducted postdoctoral research at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Brain and Cognitive Sciences. She was an Assistant and Associate Professor at the University of Denver and Associate Professor and Professor at the University of Colorado Boulder before moving to UC Davis. |
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JESSE NIEBAUM
Postdoctoral Researcher, Center for Mind and Brain Jesse is interested in the development of cognitive control, especially when and how children and adults decide to exert cognitive control or avoid doing so. He is currently working on projects exploring whether children and adults pay attention to how difficult cognitive tasks are, how hard they are thinking, and whether being aware of difficulty and effort influences decisions about which cognitive tasks to take on. His other projects explore whether children and adults adapt problem-solving strategies to how much mental effort potential strategies require. He’s also a proponent of open science research practices, acting as an ambassador for the Center for Open Science (osf.io/q5bnp). Jesse has a B.A. in Literature from the University of Kansas and an M.A. in Cognitive Psychology from the University of Colorado. He previously worked at the Building Blocks of Cognition Lab at the University of California-Berkeley and spent time as a visiting researcher in the Connected Minds Lab at the University of Amsterdam. |
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ALLISON ZENGILOWSKI
Postdoctoral Researcher In her research, Allison is interested in how people learn, integrating cognitive, motivational, and socio-emotional perspectives for investigations of learning processes in in-person and online environments. Paying particular focus to students’ identities and lived experiences, she often employs qualitative methods in her work. She also has a passion for teaching, conducting research in her courses to help improve her pedagogy. Currently, she is working on projects with Spark Math, a multi-institutional project to develop a comprehensive system of supports for sixth grade math instruction for students from historically disenfranchised groups. Allison earned her B.A. in psychology and peace & conflict studies from Colgate University. At the University of Texas at Austin, she earned her M.Ed. specializing in quantitative methods and her Ph.D. in educational psychology, concentrating in human development, culture, and learning sciences. |
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WINNIE ZHUANG
Graduate Student (5th year), Psychology Winnie joined the Cognition in Context Lab as a graduate student in Fall 2017. She received her B.S. in Biopsychology from Tufts University, her M.A. in Experimental Psychology from the College of William and Mary, and was most recently the Lab Manager at the NYU Infant Cognition and Communication Lab. Her past research interests included eating behaviors in adults and cognitive development in infancy. Going forward, she seeks to integrate those areas and explore the mechanisms underlying self-regulation and its development. When not in lab, Winnie can be found jogging, biking, drawing, or exploring new cuisines. |
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JADE YONEHIRO
Graduate Student (4th year), Psychology Jade’s work focuses on understanding how executive functions are influenced by various social and environmental factors. Her current work includes investigations into the role of parent’s scaffolding behaviors in the development of children’s executive functions, methods for supporting children’s inhibitory control across development, and the development and evaluation of social paradigms for measuring cognitive abilities. Jade received her B.A. in Psychology and her M.S. in Experimental Psychology from Arizona State University. You can learn more about her and her research on her website: http://jadeyonehiro.com/ |
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Diego Placido
Graduate Student (3rd year), Psychology Diego studies the heterogeneity in neurocognitive functioning (i.e., components of executive functions) and associated phenotypic behaviors by incorporating a focus on the dynamic interplay with experiences, environmental influences, and genetic biases. He is using functional and structural MRI techniques to observe adaptations in brain development across the lifespan and plans to apply computational modeling approaches to further delve into the development of certain cognitive processes related to emotional and behavioral regulation. Prior to joining the lab, Diego graduated from Brandeis University in 2015. He then continued research at Brown University to study the development of executive functions and visual attention in children and adolescents. Currently, Diego is being co-advised by Drs. Yuko Munakata and Susan Rivera. |
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JACK WHITE
Lab Manager Jack graduated with distinction from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2019 with a B.A. in Psychology and History. Prior to joining the Cognition in Context Lab in the summer of 2019, he studied the development of biases and ways to mitigate those biases at Dr. Kristin Shutts’ Social Kids Lab and Dr. Patricia Devine's Prejudice and Intergroup Relations Lab. In addition, Jack researched the development of morality through an interdisciplinary lens under Dr. William Aylward. He is interested in social and moral psychology and developing interventions to improve individual attitudes and behaviors about others and issues in society. In his free time, he likes to snowboard, surf, and skateboard. |
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ADAM HOLM
Research Assistant Adam joined the lab in fall of 2020. He is interested in the neural correlates of cognition and creativity, the social role of executive function, and the general psychology of errors. He graduated from Sonoma State University in 2019 with a B.A. in Psychology after working as an RA in the Bengson Research Laboratory, where he studied object preference and visual attention. In his free time he enjoys reading and music. |
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ANTOINETTE R. BANKS
Undergraduate Research Assistant (4th year), Cognitive Science Antoinette is a McNair Scholar, entrepreneur, mother, and author of “Better Than A Diagnosis: A Single Parent’s Guide to Autism.” Her autism spectrum disorder research has allowed ASD families in the Los Angeles area to understand the brain and make informed decisions on their autistic loved ones' care and advocacy. Antoinette is a devoted member of her church community and a humanitarian at heart, having helped construct global faith-centers, housing, and sustainable water wells. After obtaining her Ph.D. in neuropsychology, Antoinette plans to take her humanitarian know-how, coupled with research, passion, and proven teaching methods, to open a diagnostic and treatment center for families with ASD. Antoinette and her daughter regularly contribute to her blog, happie-life.com |
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SLOKA SURESH
Undergraduate Research Assistant (2nd year), Cognitive Science Sloka joined the Cognition in Context Lab in the Fall of 2020. She is currently a first year undergraduate student majoring in Cognitive Science. Her current research interests are centered around the relationship between mindfulness and cognition and its effect on childhood development. After graduation, Sloka hopes to utilize her experiences in the field of psychology toward a career in healthcare. In her free time, she enjoys practicing yoga, trying out new food, and biking. |
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BRITTANY VILLALPANDO
Undergraduate Research Assistant (5th Year), Cognitive Science, Chicanx Studies Minor, Psychology Minor Brittany joined the lab in the Winter of 2020 and is Cognitive Science major with minors in Psychology and Chicanx Studies. Brittany is interested in cognitive, cultural, and neuro- psychology. She is currently developing her own research under the MURALs program where she is focusing on trauma-informed care and the impact it has on recidivism. She works for Self Awareness and Recovery, an organization founded and run by formerly incarcerated folks and their mission to heal the community from trauma, incarceration and recidivism. Brittany’s research focuses on trauma and executive functioning with the Latinx community and African Diaspora community. Brittany is also interested in social, cultural and socioeconomic influences on cognitive development. Brittany plans to attend graduate school and further her work within her community. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her cat and dog, exploring, and spending time with her loved ones. Feel free to ask her any questions ranging from baseball to funny-not-funny dad jokes! |
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MAGHNA SURESHKUMAR
Undergraduate Research Assistant (4th year), Global Disease Biology Maghna joined the lab in Summer 2021 and is currently a fourth-year undergraduate student majoring in Global Disease Biology, with a minor in Human Development at UC Davis. She is interested in the psychological and neurological side of health and how it influences development from a young age. Specifically, she is interested in understanding how family background, stressors, social interactions, and environmental factors play a role in development. In the future, she hopes to attend medical school to pursue a career in pediatrics or general medicine and aims to help out small clinics. In her free time, she enjoys trying new foods, coffee, and boba places and spending time with family and friends. |
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ARHANA AATRESH
High School Research Assistant Arhana joined the lab in the summer of 2021 and is currently a junior at Saint Francis High School in Mountain View, CA. She is interested in the relationship between psychology and neuroscience, especially the neural mechanisms behind psychological phenomena, as well as social and moral psychology. One of her current interests is why people interpret or react differently to language. In college, Arhana hopes to study cognitive neuroscience. Outside of the lab, Arhana is editor-in-chief of her school newspaper and is a member of the school’s leadership council, which currently addresses student mental health on campus through initiatives In her free time, Arhana enjoys hiking and biking, tending to her plants, playing piano, reading, and cooking new dishes! |
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CATHERINE GONZALES
Undergraduate Research Assistant (3rd year), Psychology and Spanish Catherine is a third year psychology and spanish double major at UC Davis and joined the lab in summer 2021. She previously worked as an RA on a research paper delving into shyness and latinx culture. She is interested in autism and emotional development in kids, as well neurobiology. She is planning on applying to grad school in the fall 2021 to obtain a masters degree in psychology and eventually pursue a PsyD in child clinical psychology, hoping to work with underserved communities. She previously spent a lot of her time outside of school working as a behavior technician and currently volunteers at a senior care home in her hometown. During her free time, she loves to read, find new recipes to bake for her friends, and stargazing. |
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AUBREY GOLDEN
Undergraduate Research Assistant (5th year), Psychology BA, Cognitive Science BA, Minor: Education Aubrey joined the lab in the summer of 2021 and is pursuing a double-major in cognitive science and psychology with a minor in education. Aubrey is interested in the role of diversifying experiences in enhanced creativity. Additionally, she is interested in how mental illness in the approach category may act as a diversifying experience. She received the Overcoming Adversity Award in 2016 and hopes to use her life experiences to mentor disadvantaged adolescents and encourage them to pursue higher education. Following graduation, Aubrey hopes to attend graduate school and conduct research that integrates work on diverse experiences, divergent thinking, and adverse life events. Further, she hopes to develop community outreach programs for populations that are underserved. In her free time, she enjoys painting, reading, crafting, and listening to throwback R&B hits. |
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YASMIN AREF
Undergraduate Research Assistant (2nd year), Cognitive Science Major, Political Science minor Yasmin joined the lab in Fall 2021 and is a Cognitive Science major and Political Science minor. She is interested in learning more about cognitive development and the external factors that shape it. She hopes to apply the knowledge she gains as an RA to future roles. In her free time, she enjoys cooking with friends, tennis, and watching terrible movies. |
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JOYAN CYRUS
Undergraduate Research Assistant (junior), Psychology and Sociology Joyan is a junior, psychology and sociology double major at UC Davis and joined the lab in the fall of 2021. Motivated by his life experiences—a former social worker who lived and worked among refugees in different countries—he very much desires to pursue a doctoral degree in clinical psychology or social psychology to empower culturally-diverse and economically-disadvantaged populations. His current research interests are centered around advancing understanding of the implicit impression, implicit biases, and impact of prolonged exposure to stress and the related neurochemicals, such as cortisol, in individuals' cognitive abilities and executive function. Joyan's chief diversions are reading, watching movies, hiking, drinking herbal tea, contemplating, and making meaningful conversations. These activities eventually will lead him to experience the state of flow. By doing so, he expects to liberate himself from deterministic concerns and to create exceptional moments. |
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MARK MURAKAMI
Undergraduate Research Assistant (5th year), Cognitive Science, Linguistics Minor Mark joined the lab in Fall 2021 and is currently a 5th year Cognitive Science major with a Linguistics minor. He is interested in the development of emotion concepts, affective language, and metacognition. Particularly fascinating to him is how these interact to support problem-solving and the attribution of mental states. He spends his free time painting, playing grand strategy games, and trying to keep his kitten out of trouble. |
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SEIGO NINOMIYA
Undergraduate Research Assistant (4th year). Cognitive Science Seigo joined the lab in the Fall of 2021 and is pursuing a degree in cognitive science. Seigo is interested in neural mechanisms of cognitive control and connectionist simulation models to help understand how high-level cognitive processes emerge from accumulation of simplistic signals. Additionally, he is interested in adverse effects of virtual interaction on domains of executive function and how genetic/environmental factors play roles in an individual's vulnerability. Following graduation, he hopes to attend graduate school and conduct research to gain further experiences and be specialized in methods for assessment of brain function. In his personal time, he spends his time surfing, playing drums in a band, and watching standup comedy fanatically. As a native of Japan, he is interested in traditional Japanese approaches to improve mindfulness. He believes that the traditional Japanese philosophy of wabi-sabi can be applied beyond the realm of art to guide us in our lives through mindfulness and self-acceptance. |
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SYDNEY RAFAEL
Undergraduate Research Assistant (3rd Year), Cognitive Science Sydney joined the lab in Fall 2021 and is currently majoring in Cognitive Science, with minors in both Psychology and Sociology. She is interested in Criminological and Forensic Psychology, and how their principles are applied within the law and criminal justice system. More specifically, she hopes to study the effects of psychological traits and implicit social cognition on criminal behavior. In the future, Sydney plans on attending either graduate or law school to gain the knowledge and experience necessary to build a career around Criminal Forensic Psychology. In her free time, she enjoys reading, playing sports, and disappointing her friends with her music taste. |
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NIKI H. KHALIGH
Undergraduate Research Assistant (1st year), Cognitive Science Niki joined the lab in Winter 2022 and is pursuing a degree in Cognitive Science with a Computational emphasis. She is also apart of the ASPIRE program. Niki is interested in the effects of socioeconomic disparities on children’s cognitive development and finding strategies to reduce such effects. In the future, she hopes to attend medical school to pursue a career as a physician. She hopes to provide care for the underserved and uninsured communities to increase health care accessibility. In her free time, she enjoys reading Persian poems, training her dog, and swimming. |
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MAIRE O'SULLIVAN
Undergraduate Research Assistant (4th year), Human Development, Psychology Minor Maire is a Human Development major and Psychology minor at UC Davis and joined the lab in the Winter quarter of 2022. She is very interested in the neuroscience of differences in executive function and contextual influences on cognition. After graduation, she hopes to continue participating in research around influences on mental health. She spends her free time with friends, listening to podcasts, and going on road trips. |
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ADITI RAO
Undergraduate Research Assistant (2nd year), Computational Cognitive Science and Communications Aditi joined the lab in Spring 2022 and is currently a second year undergraduate student double majoring in Computational Cognitive Science and Communications at UC Davis. In the past, Aditi has worked with neurodiverse children to improve their social and academic skills and hopes to connect what she has learned there to what the lab is currently researching. More specifically she hopes to gain a better understanding of executive functions to apply it to designing more intuitive products for people. In the future, she hopes to pursue a career in UX / Product Design or Product Marketing, possibly a combination of both. With this she hopes to design products that are more accessible and usable to people with a broad range of neurological capabilities. When she’s not at school, Aditi enjoys spending her time reading at coffee shops downtown, working out with her roommate, and cooking new dishes. |
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SREYA KUMAR
Undergraduate Research Assistant (2nd year), Cognitive Science Sreya joined the lab in Spring 2022 and is a 2nd year Cognitive science student at UC Davis. She is interested in the intersection of Neuroscience and Computational modeling and hopes to gain a better understanding of the topic through hands-on research and other experiences. She also enjoys working with children, and spends her free time tutoring elementary school children on fundamental math and reading skills or waitressing at a local Thai restaurant. |
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JENNY GENG
Research Assistant Jenny joined the lab in the Spring of 2022 after she graduated from UC Davis with a B.A. in Psychology in 2021. She is interested in studying how sociocultural factors influence bilingual language acquisition and production, especially for underrepresented bilingual groups. She raises questions like: how does culture shape the language-learning process and cognition in different-script bilinguals? In her free time, she likes to hip-hop dance, swim, and brew coffee. |
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NEGAR MODIRIAN
Undergraduate Research Assistant (3rd year), Neurology, Physiology, and Behavior Negar joined the lab in the spring, of 2022. Negar is pursuing her BS and aiming to attend medical school afterward. She is excited to specialize in pediatrics. She is interested in how parenting and parent's behavior can affect and have an influence on children’s executive function and cognitive control. Also, she worked with people who suffered from dementia, and is interested in the relationship between neurological aspects of these patient’s brains with their long-term and short-term memories and executive functions. In her free time, she like to write and read poems and explore different coffee shops. |
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SAMANTHA LEAH BOUDAIE (she/her)
Undergraduate Research Assistant (4th year), Cognitive Science Sam joined the lab in Spring 2022 and is currently pursuing a degree in cognitive science. She is particularly interested in the cognitive development of learning & language, as well as personality and social psychology. In the (near) future, she plans to get her doctorate in psychology, with the hopes of working in therapy settings, academic settings, and possibly in research. Beyond the lab and coursework, Sam enjoys watching movies with her roommate, learning new things, and practicing yoga! |
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Alumni