Ariel Starr, PhD (she/her)
Ariel is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology and the director of the LCD Lab. She grew up in Seattle and feels very lucky to be living here again! In the intervening years, she received a BA in Psychology and Neuroscience from Wesleyan University and a PhD in Cognitive Neuroscience from Duke University before completing a postdoctoral fellowship at UC Berkeley. Outside of the lab, she likes powerlifting and watching music videos.
Eylül Turan, PhD — Postdoctoral Researcher (she/her)
Eylül is a postdoctoral researcher at the LCD lab. She earned her BA in Psychology from Koç University, followed by a Master’s in Cognitive Neuroscience from the University of Amsterdam. She completed her PhD in Psychology at the University of Leuven. Eylül’s research focuses on the interaction between language and thought. She is particularly interested in how mathematical language relates to spatial and mathematical abilities in early childhood. She explores the influence of parent, child, and teacher factors in understanding these relations. Outside of work, Eylül enjoys nature walks, discovering cozy cafes where she can read, and practicing watercolor painting.
Bahar Sener, PhD — Postdoctoral Researcher (she/her)
Bahar graduated from Emory University with a BA in Psychology, joined the lab as a graduate student in 2020, and earned her PhD in 2025. She is broadly interested in exploring how we use spatial representations and spatial language to think about more abstract domains. Outside of the lab, Bahar likes to practice guitar and watch lots of movies.
Claudia Wimsatt — Lab Manager (she/her)
Claudia graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in May 2024 with a B.A. in Psychology and a B.S. in Human Development and Family Sciences with a minor in Sociology. In college, she was a research assistant in a lab studying bilingualism and language learning in relation to cognitive development. In her free time she likes to read, hike, and go to concerts.
Carol Lu — Graduate Student (she/her)
Carol is a first-generation PhD student from Hawaii who joined the lab in 2022. She graduated with her BA in 2022 from Johns Hopkins University, where she triple majored in cognitive science (focal areas: neuroscience & computation), psychology, and public health (concentration: mental health). She spends her free time daydreaming about Pikachu, Paddington Bear, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, and her shiba inu, Hojicha.
Ishaan Ambrish — Graduate Student (he/they)
Ishaan Ambrish joined the lab as a graduate student in 2022. He graduated from UC Santa Barbara in the spring of 2021 with a B.S. in Psychological and Brain Sciences and a B.A. in Anthropology. Ishaan is interested in researching how language and language acquisition affect cognition and the way we see the world. Outside of school, you can find them singing/writing music, watching Hindi movies, and playing video games.
Siying Zhang — Graduate Student (she/her)
Siying (pronounced “see-ing”) is a graduate student who joined the lab in 2024. Prior to this, she worked as a full-time postbac at Stanford University, where she led studies on young children’s counterfactual reasoning development and essentialist reasoning in Large Language Models. She is interested in children’s developing understanding of causality, perspective-taking, and how language mediates their explanatory processes. Her research investigates how children track, construct, and apply knowledge in communicative settings. Outside the lab, she is the proud cat mom of Mochi, and she loves watching psychological thrillers.
Alice Aizza — Graduate Student (she/her)
Alice joined the lab as a graduate student in 2024. She graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a BA in Psychology and Sociology and she worked as a research coordinator at the Lugo Lab at Columbia University. She is broadly interested in the interplay between executive function and language development. Outside of the lab, Alice likes to read, walk outside, and watch shows/movies.
Christina Zuo — Research Assistant (she/they)
Christina is a freshman intending to major in Psychology and Early Childhood and Family Studies, with a minor in Leadership. Outside of her academics, she serves as a Behavioral Health Specialist in the Army Reserve. She has a long-standing passion for studying children’s cognitive development, understanding what children can learn from various settings, and exploring the roles we can play in assisting children to learn and thrive. In the future, she hopes to attend graduate school to study child psychology and become a child psychologist. Christina enjoys reading, cooking, and exercising.
Jiayu He — Research Assistant (she/her)
Jiayu is a second-year student at UW majoring in Psychology BS combined with a minor in Data Science. She is a motivated and responsible student with a desire to take on new challenges. She is interested in expanding her knowledge and skills in the field of developmental and cognitive psychology. She enjoys playing badminton, piano, and cooking in her spare time.
Lindsay Deng — Research Assistant (she/her)
Lindsay is a third year majoring in Psychology and minoring in Business Administration. She has always been interested and motivated to help children and adolescents who struggle with childhood trauma. Lindsay plans to pursue a PhD specializing in developmental or child clinical psychology. Outside of academics, she enjoys watching movies, baking, and traveling.
Izzy Motta — Research Assistant (she/her)
Izzy is a junior at UW majoring in Psychology with a minor in Education. She currently works as a behavior technician and loves working with kids on the spectrum! In the future, she hopes to obtain a PhD specializing in developmental disorders and become a research psychologist or professor. She loves trying new restaurants, crafting, and going to concerts!
Rachel Rabinowitz — Research Assistant (she/her)
Rachel is a third-year student double majoring in Psychology and Public Health. Originally from Santa Barbara, California, she plans to pursue a PhD in Clinical Psychology with the goal of increasing the inclusion of underrepresented populations in research and improving health outcomes for these groups. She is also interested in studying language, cognition, perception, and mental health. In her free time, Rachel enjoys swimming, trying new foods, and traveling with friends and family.
Lucy Nowicki — Research Assistant (she/her)
Lucy is a third-year student pursuing her double major in Psychology and Philosophy. Outside of school, she works at a preschool, where she loves to build connections with children and learn more about them through play. She is particularly interested in the areas of imitation, theory of mind, and self-concept. After graduation, Lucy plans to pursue graduate school, either in research or another child-related field. In her free time, she enjoys playing soccer, playing the piccolo or flute, and exploring new coffee shops.
Sarah Neumann — Research Assistant (she/her)
Sarah is a third-year student at the University of Washington pursuing a BS in Psychology with a minor in English. She aspires to earn a PhD in Developmental Psychology and one day lead her own research lab. Outside of academics, she enjoys crocheting, watching football, and spending time with her cat, Papaya.
Arthur De Moura Feres — Research Assistant (he/him)
Arthur is an incoming transfer student at the University of Washington majoring in psychology. One of his biggest interests has consistently been language, and how it can affect one’s world understanding and navigation. After graduating, he intends to attend graduate school, pursuing a PhD in Neurolinguistics. Outside of school, you can find him writing songs, reading, cooking, or running around campus.
Gnapika Kothakota — Research Assistant (she/her)
Gnapika is a third-year student double majoring in Psychology and Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology. She is passionate about pursuing a future career that incorporates research and medicine. Her current interests include learning about how childhood experiences affect later life, both psychologically and physiologically. Outside of academia, she loves to crochet, write poetry, sleep, and watch movies.
Sherwin Dai — Research Assistant (he/him)
Sherwin is currently a fourth-year student at the University of Washington pursuing a BS in Psychology with a minor in Data Science. He’s interested in mathematical cognition and learning more about how factors liking working memory and spatial cognition affect mathematical performance. He hopes to attend graduate school in the field of cognitive sciences. Outside of his academic pursuits, he enjoys watching soccer matches, going for runs, and reading.
Gauri Deshmukh — Research Assistant (she/her)
Gauri Deshmukh is a junior majoring in Psychology. She has an interest in understanding human behavior and a passion for mental health advocacy. She plans to pursue a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology, with the goal of becoming a licensed mental health professional. Outside of academics, she loves to crochet, paint, read, and watch movies and shows.
Greta Hearn — Research Assistant (she/her)
Greta is a senior psychology major at the University of Washington, with minors in education and dance. She plans to pursue her Master’s in School Psychology to achieve her career goal of becoming a school psychologist for elementary-aged children. Greta has a passion for fostering inclusive settings and using holistic perspectives, as she’s worked with both neurodivergent and neurotypical children in a multitude of settings. She enjoys dancing, watching sunsets, and photography!
Valerie Guenther — Research Assistant (she/her)
Valerie is a fourth-year double-degree Psychology and Linguistics student with a minor in Asian Languages and Cultures. She spent time volunteering with kids during her first year at UW, and after taking several different language courses became interested in language acquisition and psycholinguistics. In her free time, she likes to learn new languages, search for fun clothes, and cultivate her vast collection of Pinterest boards.
Zoe Chiang — Research Assistant (she/her)
Zoe is a third-year undergraduate at the University of Washington, majoring in Psychology and Early Childhood and Family Studies. She assists with research in the HINTS Lab, exploring how environmental exposure affects mental health. With experience in crisis intervention and a strong interest in child development, Zoe hopes to support individuals, especially children and families facing mental health challenges.
Ramya Kumarasuriar — Research Assistant (she/her)
Ramya is a sophomore pursuing a B.S. in psychology with a minor in data science. She is especially interested in cognitive psychology and working with children, and she aims to have a career in pediatric psychology or potentially become a professor. Outside of her studies, Ramya enjoys scrapbooking, playing tennis, running, and spending time with her loved ones.
Anvitha Mahankali — Research Assistant (she/her)
Anvitha is a junior at the University of Washington, pursuing a B.S. in Neuroscience and a minor in Data Science. With interests in neuroscience and genetics, as well as cognition and behavior, she hopes to build a career in healthcare and is exploring different paths within medicine and research. Outside of academics, she is passionate about dance, photography, and making bracelets!
Kate Magliaro — Research Assistant (she/her)
Kate is in her final undergraduate year at the University of Washington, majoring in Psychology and minoring in Business. Kate is from Menlo Park, California and in her free time she loves hiking and exploring Washington’s nature!
