Kelsey Lucca, PhD

Principal Investigator | email

Kelsey is an Associate Professor at Arizona State University in the Psychology Department. She received her Ph.D. in Psychology & Neuroscience from Duke University, and conducted a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Washington. Her research on curiosity and cognitive development has been recognized through the Society For Research in Child Development’s Early Career Award and the National Science Foundation’s CAREER Award. She is the co-director of the Early Childhood Cognition Research Group, a lead investigator on the ManyBabies project, and faculty at the Diverse Intelligences Summer Institute. When Kelsey is not in the lab, she can be found exploring the Southwest with her dogs, Homer and Juno.

Elise Mahaffey, M.A.

PhD Student

I graduated from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in 2019 with a B.S. in Child Development. Before coming to ASU, I was a Lab Manager at Rutgers University-Newark (PI: Vanessa LoBue) and at the Harvard Graduate School of Education (PI: Elizabeth Bonawitz). My research explores adult-child pedagogical interactions, including how children interpret nuances from their social environment to determine when it is optimal to take on challenging tasks. Through my research, I hope to better understand under what conditions adult caregivers can best support children's learning, persistence, and challenge-seeking behavior. Outside of the lab, I enjoy weightlifting, running, and reading fiction (my favorite author is Liane Moriarty)!

Noah Tang

Research Assistant & Student Lab Manager

Hello! My name is Noah, and I am a senior at Barrett double majoring in Psychology and Anthropology.My interest in psychology lies largely in developmental psychology where I want to research educational methods for children and how to better education in general for minority and non-traditional families. I also have an interest in cross-cultural psychology and speech and hearing science. In my free time, I love writing and performing music, and I also have a very extensive Converse collection! 

Diana Espinoza

Research Assistant & Emerging Scholars Summer Intern & Mini Minds Team Lead

Hello, my name is Diana Espinoza Aguilar, and I am a senior double majoring in Psychology and Sociology with a minor in Classical Civilizations!! I am interested in developmental psychology, family structures, and cultural influences. I plan on furthering my education by attending graduate school after receiving my undergraduate degree. In my free time, I enjoy watching movies and shows, playing games, and reading!!

Sindhuri Nayudu

Research Assistant

Hi everyone! I am a senior at ASU majoring in Biomedical Sciences. I am interested in studying the cognitive development of young children. After graduation, I plan on pursing medical school with the intent of specializing in pediatrics! In my free time, I enjoy photography, baking, watching TV/movies and hanging out and making memories

Pragalbha Ghatigar

Research Assistant & Emerging Minds Scholar

Hi! I’m Pragalbha, a Neuroscience major at Arizona State University with a strong interest in developmental psychology and epigenetics—especially how early-life experiences and environmental factors shape the brain. I'm passionate about women's health and plan to take a gap year after graduation to gain more clinical and research experience before applying to medical school. My long-term goal is to become an OB-GYN and help bridge the gap between research and patient care. In my free time, I enjoy cooking, yoga, and playing the guitar!

Sera Cherian

Research Assistant

Hi everyone! I’m currently a junior at Arizona State University majoring in Psychology. I’m especially interested in clinical psychology and hope to pursue graduate studies in the future to become a clinical psychologist. I’m currently a research assistant for the Persistence Team, where I’m gaining valuable experience exploring psychological concepts in a research setting. In my free time, I enjoy writing, reading, singing, and playing the violin—creative outlets that help me relax and express myself.

Filipe Santos

Research Assistant

Hi everyone! My name is Filipe, I’m a junior at ISPA majoring in Psychology. My academic journey is driven by a deep curiosity about human behaviour, along with a desire to support others in overcoming challenges and reaching their full potential. In my free time I love to listen to music and hang out with my friends! 

Lauryn Dunkley

Research Assistant

I am a senior studying Psychology and Neuroscience. Currently, I am interested in brain development and early childhood learning. More specifically, I want to explore how the brain learns and develops and what that implies for later educational outcomes.  After graduating, I hope to go to graduate school and apply my research in public outreach to help bridge educational gaps within communities. In my free time I love to knit/crochet and explore new coffee shops!

Valeria Aguayo

Research Assistant

Hello! My name is Valeria Aguayo, and I am a senior majoring in Psychology and minoring in Family and Human Development. I am passionate about developmental psychology, and I have always loved working with kids! I enjoy learning and discussing how our early childhood experiences really shape who we are. I aspire to attend graduate school, and in my free time, I love to hang out with my friends, play volleyball, and listen to K-pop!

Jadee Do

Research Assistant

Hi! I graduated from the University of Virginia with a B.A. in Cognitive Science with a concentration in Cognitive Psychology and Sociology. I’m currently a graduate student in the Masters of Science in Psychology program at Arizona State University. My research interests are focused on strategies to promote resilience in adolescent mental health and healthy child development. Outside of lab, I love to hike, kayak, and read!

Maehur Aulakh

Research Assistant & Social Media and Recruitment Co-Lead & Optimal Challenges Project Lead

Hi! My name is Maehur, and I’m a junior in Barrett at ASU majoring in Biomedical Sciences with minors in Public Service & Public Policy and Psychology. I have always loved working with children, and am very interested in gaining a deeper understanding of child cognitive development. In the future, I look to attend medical school, where I’ll hopefully be able to specialize in psychiatry. In my free time, I love listening to music, spending time with friends and family, and travelling!

Aniyah Roberson

Research Assistant

Hello, my name is Aniyah, and I am a junior in Barrett at ASU, majoring in psychology. Right now, I’m passionate about child development, mental wellness, and cultural inclusivity. I aspire to become a clinical psychologist for kids and eventually start my own mental health foundation. To decompress, I like to work out, film and edit my content, draw, listen to music, and spend time with my friends and family.

Sophie Byrd

Research Assistant & Social Media and Recruitment Co-Lead

Hi everyone! My name is Sophie, and I am a junior in Barrett, the Honors College. I am currently double majoring in Psychology and Family and Human Development. My interests are in learning about early childhood learning and how a child’s environment can affect their development. My long-term goal is to pursue clinical psychology, specifically working with children. In my free time, I love hanging out with friends, traveling, and dancing!

Adela Campo

Research Assistant

Hello! My name is Adela Campo and I am a junior at Barrett majoring in psychology! My interest in psychology lies mostly in developmental and clinical psychology, where I want to research ways to make learning more accessible and adaptable for those with learning challenges. After I receive my undergraduate degree, I plan on attending graduate school and then pursuing a PhD to become a clinical psychologist to help students with learning disabilities. In my free time, I enjoy woodworking, crocheting, and hanging out with friends!

Izzy Howell

Research Assistant

Hello! My name is Izzy. I am a senior majoring in Psychology and minoring in Human/Family Development. Ever since I was a kid I have loved babies. I am excited to be able to go from toting around my dolls to researching early childhood development. After I finish my Bachelors next spring I hope to go into a PhD program in Clinical Psychology.

Laney Rock

Research Assistant

Hi everyone! I'm Laney Rock, and I'm a senior at ASU majoring in Psychology. Right now I'm particularly interested in self-control and decision making within developmental and social contexts! After graduating I plan to continue gaining research and clinical experience to apply for graduate school. During my free time I love to read, bake, craft, and journal!

Licia Tinsley

Hi everyone! My name is Licia and I am currently a Junior at Barrett, the Honors College at Arizona State University where I am double majoring in Psychology and Family and Human Development. I have always had a strong passion for working with children, and I am especially interested in childhood mental health and behavior, and in understanding how early life experiences shape long-term development and overall well-being. In the future, I plan to pursue a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology and specialize in working with children and adolescents, contributing to research and clinical practice that promotes positive developmental outcomes. In my free time, I enjoy trying new coffee shops, going to the gym, dancing and hanging out with my friends and family.

Caleb Panepinto

Hello! My name is Caleb and I’m currently a fourth year at Arizona State University studying psychology. I am deeply interested in the cognitive side of psychology and how diagnoses of anxiety and depression shape adolescence into early adulthood. Upon completion of my undergrad I hope to pursue research on the impacts anxiety and depression have on children as they develop, and identify external factors that can increase or decrease symptoms and their frequency. My hobbies are traveling, piano, and running as well!

Homer

Daisy

Arwen

Blueberry Jr.

Juno

Hiccup

Eggsy

Gracie

Mordecai

Wybie

Nuala

Cleo

Chewy

Harley

Kitty

Lab Alumni

Past PhD Students & Postdoctoral Fellows

Past Lab Managers & Post-Bac Research Staff

Past Research Assistants

• Saumya Sriram - Research Assistant ‘25-’26

• Isabella Martin - Research Assistant ’25-’26

• Ifeoma Ezechukwu - Research Assistant ‘25-26

• Jenna Fredenberg - Research Assistant ‘25-’26

• Emily Sager - Research Assistant ‘25- ‘26

• Miranda Salinas - Research Assistant ‘24-’26

• Lily Gosar - Research Assistant ’23-’26

• Angela Sun- Research Assistant ‘24-‘25

• Sarisha Trivedi- Research Assistant ‘24-‘25

• Isabel Camargo- Research Assistant ‘25

• Addison Vinck- Research Assistant ‘25

• Rachel Menna - Research Assistant ‘25

• Kristal Jensen - Research Assistant ‘24-’25

• Kristine Kim - Research Assistant ‘25

• Haley Ratcliffe - Research Assistant ‘24-’25

• Arianna Colosimo - Research Assistant ‘24-’25

• Michael Kim - Research Assistant ‘24-’25

• Isabella Ira - Research Assistant ‘24-’25

• Hanna Zubairi - Research Assistant ‘24-’25

• Heather Peters - Research Assistant ‘24-’25

• Dylan Perazzo - Research Assistant ‘24-’25

• Sarah Nesbit - Research Assistant ‘23-’25

• Natalia Gonzalez - Research Assistant ‘23-’25

• Soham Gawali - Research Assistant ‘24

• Avery Sulzer - Research Assistant ‘24

• Eva Stein - Research Assistant ‘23-’24

• Kendall Turk - Honors Thesis Student ‘23-’24

• Madison Saldano - Research Assistant ‘23-’24

• Subhana Siddiqui - Research Assistant ‘23-’24

• Sandra Lewkins - Research Assistant ‘23-’24

• Andrea Jamieson- Research Assistant ‘23-’24

• Alina Kurec - Research Assistant ‘23-’24

• Michael Moroz - Research Assistant ‘23

• Faith Keist - Research Assistant ‘23

• Neelsha Parekh - Research Assistant ‘23

• Emma Orser - Research Assistant ‘23

• Gemma Trimble - Honors Thesis Student ‘22-’23

• Anna Hinojosa - Research Assistant ‘21-’23

• Eryk Mejia - Honors Thesis Student ‘22-’23; Recipient of Barrett Honors College Thesis Funding Award

• Paola Hernandez - Honors Thesis Student ‘22-’23; Recipient of Barrett Honors College Thesis Funding Award & the Janessa Shapiro Undergraduate Research Award for outstanding research, “Using Curiosity to Build Resilience”.

• Anika Islam - Honors Thesis Student ‘22-’23; Recipient of Barrett Honors College Thesis Funding Award and the Barrett Honors College Mensch Award for creativity and innovation in research.

• Vijaya Nandiwada-Hofer - Research Assistant ‘21-’23; Awarded second place presentation at AZPURC 2023

• Brooke Smith - Research Assistant ‘21-’22, Student Lab Manager ‘22

• Lex Saguid - Research Assistant ‘20-’22

• Nicole Johnson - Honors Thesis Student '21-'22,  Recipient of the Barrett Honors College Thesis Funding Award

• Sonia Patel - Honors Thesis Student '20-'22,  Recipient of the Barrett Honors College Thesis Funding Award

• Kaitlin Van Houghton - Honors Thesis Student '21-'22, Recipient of the Barrett Honors College Thesis Funding Award

• Alejandro Caballero - Research Assistant ‘19-’22, Awarded first place presentation at AZPURC 2022 for work on children’s persistence.

• Natalie Snodgrass - Research Assistant ‘21-’22 

• Courtney Hoffman - Research Assistant ‘22

• Savannah Goshgarian - Research Assistant ‘21 

• Olivia Zimmerman -  Research Assistant ‘21 

• Kyleigh Gates-Haas - Research Assistant ‘21 

• Kalie Scirpo -  Honors Thesis Student '20-'21,  Recipient of the Barrett Honors College Thesis Funding Award 

• Shani McCollum - Honors Thesis Student '19-'21,  Recipient of the Barrett Honors College Thesis Funding Award

• Carlos Gomez - Research Assistant ‘19-’20 

• Nathan Tesman - Research Assistant ‘19-’20

• Mudita Belani -  Research Assistant ’20

• Taylor Henderson - Research Assistant ‘19-’20