Jessica Church-Lang, Ph.D.
Principal InvestigatorDr. Jessica Church-Lang grew up in Michigan, got her B.A. at Smith College, and received her Ph.D. in Neuroscience from Washington University in St. Louis. She had a joint postdoc with Dr. Silvia Bunge (UC Berkeley) and Dr. Brad Schlaggar (Washington University School of Medicine) before starting the Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience lab in the Psychology Department at the University of Texas at Austin. Dr. Church-Lang has a strong interest in how cognitive control processes develop over age, and in how research on atypical development illuminates the vulnerable aspects of cognitive development. Dr. Church-Lang is head of the Austin neuroimaging site of the Texas Learning Disabilities Research Center project on reading intervention and brain change (texasldcenter.org). Research in the lab currently focuses on the development of cognitive control and academic skills in late childhood and adolescence, and the role of the brain’s putative control networks in learning change over intervention, educational interruption, or puberty. To address these topics, the lab uses behavioral methods such as cognitive tests, pubertal hormone assessments, neuropsychological assessments, actigraphy, neuroimaging (fMRI, resting-state fcMRI), and studies of patient populations (e.g. children with Tourette disorder, ADHD, or dyslexia).
Lab Manager
Chuu Nyan, B.S.
Lab ManagerChuu received her A.S. in Biology from Austin Community College in 2020 after moving to the US from Burma. She then got her B.S. in Neuroscience from the University of Texas at Austin in 2023. Throughout her senior year as an undergraduate, Chuu worked as a research assistant in the Duarte Lab and assisted in projects that used EEG and FMRI imaging techniques to study sleep and memory correlations across the lifespan. During the same time, She also worked at the Child Development Center to work closely with young children and observe their social interaction through intentional play. In June 2023, Chuu joined the Dr. Church-Lang’s Lab to further her research experience. She is curious in exploring the impact of early-life social interactions on cognitive and social development.
Postdoctoral Fellow
Tin Nguyen, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral FellowTin is drawn to figuring out and implementing ways and tools to elevate the lives of individuals facing disadvantaged circumstances and headwinds in life—through community services and scientific research. He has been involved with organizations and community programs that support students with learning difficulties through the San Antonio Youth Literacy, individuals experiencing poverty and housing insecurity through Daybreak Arts (formerly Poverty and the Arts), and others. Currently, he has the opportunities to be a part of and contribute to research projects conducted by Dr. Laurie Cutting’s team at Vanderbilt University and Dr. Jessica Church-Lang’s team at University of Texas, studying problems and questions that deal with how contextual variables, such as families’ socioeconomic backgrounds, relate to children’s brain development and learning outcomes.
Graduate Students
Blaire Porter, B.S.
Graduate StudentBlaire Porter graduated from Trinity University (San Antonio, Texas) in 2018 with a B.A. in Psychology. During her undergraduate career, she worked as a lab coordinator in Dr. Jane Childers’ lab where she examined the role of structural alignment in verb learning in preschoolers. Post-graduation, she worked as a Research Specialist in Dr. Patricia Bauer’s lab at Emory University where she studied the development of memory integration and semantic knowledge accumulation in children and adults. Blaire is interested in the relationship between mental well-being, cognitive skills and academic achievement, specifically in people with ADHD.
Research Assistants
Sneha Kesavan
Undergraduate Research AssistantSneha is a Sophomore at the University of Texas at Austin majoring in Neuroscience and Plan II Honors with a Core Texts and Ideas certificate through the Jefferson Scholars Program. She is also involved in Women in Natural Sciences and the Freshman Research Initiative at UT. Sneha has always been intrigued about the inner workings of the brain and the many unanswered questions regarding childhood personality development, learning processes, and neuropsychological disorders. She joined the Church lab in 2021 to understand the practicalities of research and grow in a new learning atmosphere. Sneha hopes to attend medical school and pursue political advocacy in healthcare.
Klaudia Misztal
Undergraduate Research AssistantKlaudia is a freshman at the University of Texas at Austin double majoring in Plan II Honors and Psychology (BS). She is passionate about psychology and mental health, and is especially interested in the intersection of neural activity and human behavior, including how this relates to the development of psychological disorders. She joined the Church Lab in 2023 to learn about neuroimaging and childhood development as well as to gain exposure to a research environment. After graduating, Klaudia hopes to attend medical school and pursue psychiatry.
Caroline Painter
Undergraduate Research AssistantCaroline is a junior at the University of Texas at Austin pursuing a degree in Psychology with a minor in Health Communications. She participated in UT’s Psychology Undergraduate Mentoring Program, which confirmed and strengthened her interest in conducting research. Her areas of interest include developmental psychology, cognitive development, and their interaction with neuroscience. Caroline joined the Church Lab in 2023 to learn more about how cognitive processes develop in children and to further explore her interest in neuroscience. Caroline plans to attend graduate school for clinical psychology, and she hopes to one day work with children in both research and clinical settings.
Kenadi Pearson
Undergraduate Research AssistantKenadi is a sophomore at the University of Texas at Austin pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a minor in Educational Psychology. She is interested in developmental and cognitive psychology, specifically in understanding how children learn and finding accommodations for the various ways kids process information. Kenadi joined the Church Lab in the Spring of 2024 to explore her interests and acquire training in research with children. She hopes to eventually get a Ph.D. and work in academia so that she can make an impact on future generations.
Mya Levaughn
Undergraduate Research AssistantMya is a Junior at the University of Texas at Austin majoring in Neuroscience with a minor in Business. She is interested in cognitive and developmental neuroscience particularly neurodevelopmental disorders. She joined the Church lab in the spring 2024 to gain more hands-on research experience particularly with children and neuroimaging. After graduating, Mya plans to attend medical school and hopes to promote the education and understanding of neurocognitive disabilities.
Maya Peralez
Undergraduate Research AssistantMaya is a Junior at the University of Texas at Austin majoring in psychology and in the Liberal Arts Honors Program with a Pre-heath Professions For Non-Science Majors Certificate. She is interested in child-development and social behavior. She is specifically interested in how group behavior influences individual behavior, especially in relation to social media and self-diagnosis habits. She is joining this lab to understand the research process and learn about neurology and neuroimaging for children. After graduating I hope to attend graduate school and obtain my PhD with a focus in psychology.
Devin Wallets
Undergraduate Research AssistantDevin is a junior at UT this year, studying Psychology with a minor in Educational Psychology and a Forensic Science certificate! She has special interests in the rehabilitation efforts for inmates, and child development/how our diagnostic system along with treatment for children is progressing. She joined this lab to gain hands-on research experience, working with children and their families to uncover such progressions and to just learn the steps of working in a fully realized research lab. She is so excited to begin this collaborative journey! She intends to further her education in a grad school, so she can become a clinical child or forensic psychologist in the future.
Areebah Mubin
Undergraduate Research AssistantAreebah is a sophomore at UT Austin pursuing a Bachelor of Science in psychology on the pre-medical track. She has strong interests in child and adolescent psychology, as well as psychopathology. Areebah joined the Church DCN lab in Spring of 2024 to broaden her research experience in working with children and to better understand developmental psychology from a neuroscientific perspective. She plans to graduate early and attend medical school to pursue her career goals in psychiatry. Areebah hopes to further destigmatize treatment for mental health issues present within the community by working with children and families, specifically in trauma recovery.
Charlotte Ho
Undergraduate Research AssistantCharlotte is a junior at the University of Texas at Austin in the Liberal Arts Honors (LAH) Program majoring in Psychology (B.S.) with a Pre-Health Professions For Non-Science Majors Certificate. She is heavily involved in LAH, as the Co-President of the LAH Student Council and also is an Ignite Fellow through Teach for America, where she tutors underprivileged children math and reading. Charlotte joined the Church lab in 2024 to gain research experience concerning areas in psychology and neuroscience, but also for the opportunity to do research work with children. After undergrad, Charlotte plans to attend medical school and hopes to use her liberal arts education to offer a more holistic outlook in medicine and patient care.
Maximos Figueroa-Allen
Undergraduate Research AssistantI am a rising senior in Physics interested in data analysis and programming and how to apply these skills in fields beyond the physical sciences.
Aubrey Doyen, B.S.
Post-bac Research AssistantAubrey Doyen earned their B.S. in Biology from Binghamton University (New York) in 2022, with a minor in Evolutionary Studies, and moved to Austin, TX soon thereafter. Their niche for cross-disciplinary research emerged during their time at the Human Sexuality Lab within the University’s Psychology Department. They explored the impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic lockdown on sexual health, mental health, and consent among young people. After relocating to Austin, TX, Aubrey continued to invigorate their passions while taking classes as a Visiting Student at UT Austin. They are now a part of Dr. Church-Lang’s Lab, where they are continuing to build their skills in research. They plan to later attend graduate school for Neuroscience, with the goal of pursuing a career in clinical research. Long-term, Aubrey hopes to teach and contribute to the growing body of knowledge in developmental science, with a particular focus on better understanding how to accommodate those with neuropsychological disorders.
Alumni
Eliya Ben-Asher, Ph.D.
Lead Data Scientist, Lumen Technologies
Damion Demeter, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Scholar, University of California San Diego
Tehila Nugiel, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Psychology Department, Florida State University
Mary Abbe Roe Barnes. Ph.D.
Data Scientist, CatalystIQ
Laura Engelhardt, Ph.D.
Data Scientist, CatalystIQ
Jessie-Raye (Bodenhamer) Bauer, M.A.
Sr. Manager, Data Science @ Expedia GroupTyler Larguinho, Ph.D.
Previous Lab Members
Lab Managers:
AnnaCarolina Garza, Lab Manager (Project Coordinator, Gibson Consulting)
Brittany Davis, Lab Manager (Master’s Student, Villanova University)
Melissa Aristizabal, Lab Manager (Teacher, IDEA Public Schools)
Mackenzie Mitchell, Lab Manager (PhD Student, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill)
Annie Zheng, Lab Manager (PhD Student, Washington University)
Joel Martinez, Ph.D., Lab Manager (Data Scientist, Harvard University)
Leonel Olmedo, Lab Manager (educ. consulting, Safal Partners, in Houston, TX)
Past Research Assistants:Rawand Abdelghani (* = senior thesis) |
Alyssa Hernandez* |
Past Post-Baccalaureate Research Assistants:
Krista Barringer
Funmi Osofundiya
Dr. Khushboo Verma
Summer Research Interns:
Savannah Trevino, Summer 2024 SURE Student
Jessica Galvez, Summer 2016 SURE Student
Lynee Herrera, Summer 2015 SURE Student
High School Research Assistants:
Uday Dutt, High School Volunteer
Rose Griffin, High School Volunteer