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Our Team

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Lab Director

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Dr. Maggie Guy

Associate Professor, Department of Psychology, Loyola University Chicago

Ph.D., University of Tennessee, 2014

Postdoc, University of South Carolina, 2014-2017

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My research interests are in the area of developmental cognitive neuroscience with an emphasis on the development of attention, information processing, and recognition memory in typically developing infants and infants at elevated likelihood of developing autism spectrum disorder (ASD). My primary research aims are to define the developmental trajectory of social and nonsocial information processing in infancy, to identify neural mechanisms contributing to differences in responses to social and nonsocial stimuli, and to understand environmental influences on the development of social information processing.

Graduate Students

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Cidnee Hall

I am a fourth year Ph.D. student in the Developmental Psychology program at Loyola. My research interests are centered on how early social experiences, such as exposure to racial and ethnic diversity and maternal psychopathology, impact attention and processing of emotional expressions across infancy. Furthermore, I am interested in how these individual differences may contribute to vulnerability for psychopathology. When I’m not in the lab, I enjoy crocheting, playing cello, and hanging out with my dogs.

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Natalie Turner

I am a first year Ph.D. student in the Developmental Psychology program at Loyola. I am interested in studying social-emotional development within the family context, focusing on how early cognitive skills like attention and information processing might shape emotional responses. I’m particularly curious about whether delays in these skills are linked to early emotion regulation difficulties and/or increased risk for psychopathology, and which protective factors might mitigate this risk. In my free time I enjoy reading, watching sports, and taking in all Chicago has to offer! 

Undergraduate Research Assistants

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Mohammedhanzalah Behlim

I am currently a sophomore on the pre-medical track studying Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience. My interests lie at the intersection of neural development and neuroplasticity, specifically regarding how these processes shape and affect complex behaviors. Following my graduation, I plan to pursue a medical degree in a related field. Outside of the lab, I am a member of the Club Golf team and take part in intramural basketball.

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Moriah Billingsley

I am a junior double majoring in Cognitive/Behavioral Neuroscience and Psychology. I am interested in research in developmental neuropsychology and neurodevelopmental disorders. I've worked with kids with autism and ADHD, and I am interested in studying learning, memory, and attention. After graduation, I hope to work as a research assistant before getting my Psy.D. in clinical neuropsychology, working in pediatric unit in a hospital. Some of my hobbies include going to the gym, eating food, getting coffee or matcha with my friends, and crocheting!

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Isabella Conley

I am currently a senior studying Biology with a minor in Neuroscience. I am interested in child development and how a child's surroundings can impact their cognitive processes, especially as infants. After my undergraduate schooling, I plan to attend medical school and to become a physician, hopefully in neurology. In my free time, I enjoy reading, spending time with my friends, and dancing.

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Kae Cunningham

I am double majoring in Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience and Psychology, with a minor in Biology. My research interests include learning disabilities, particularly within childhood development. After graduation, I want to pursue a PhD at the intersection of neuroscience and psychology. Outside of school, I enjoy fiber arts like crochet and making knotted bracelets, video games, and music.

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Sam Fritsch

I am a junior studying Biochemistry with a minor in Spanish. I love interacting with and being around kids and am curious to learn about their behavioral and cognitive development. After graduation, I wish to attend medical school and apply the information I have learned in the lab to specialize in pediatrics. Outside of school, I enjoy going to the gym, cooking, listening to music, and spending time with friends. 

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Saniyah Fuzail

I am a senior studying Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience and Psychology. My interest in Neuroscience sprouted from my curiosity about the formation of neurological disorders in elders that I volunteered with and in individuals in my family. My research interests include the developmental patterns of neurological disorders, like ASD, in children and infancy. After I graduate, I hope to pursue a career in neurology, and I am considering pediatric neurology! Outside of school, I enjoy spending time with my family, discovering local coffee shops, and looking for interesting reads. 

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Bella Hain

I am a sophomore studying Psychology with a minor in Psychology of Crime & Justice. I have been interested in early development since I got into psychology, which peaked when my cousin had my niece about a year ago. I am very interested in how children develop, specifically the effect of maltreatment at a young age on the brain. I was drawn to our lab since I first heard it mentioned, finding the work truly fascinating. After graduation, I plan to pursue a graduate degree in Clinical Child Psychology. Outside of school, I love reading, playing video games, and exploring Chicago.

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Esohe Igbinovia

I am a senior, double majoring in Behavioral/Cognitive Neuroscience and Psychology. I am interested in research on cognitive development and neuropsychology. After graduating, I plan to attend graduate school to pursue a Ph.D. and become a clinical neuropsychologist. In my free time, I enjoy knitting, crocheting, watching anime, and playing video games.

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Rachel Kinsella

I am a senior majoring in Biology and Neuroscience and minoring in Bioethics. After graduation, I plan to continue my studies in medicine and work as a women's healthcare provider. I am interested in the unknowns of child development, and have been fascinated with our lab's work involving detecting patterns in infants at elevated likelihood for autism spectrum disorder. Some things I enjoy outside of school are reading, adventuring in nature, and teaching spin classes!​

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Milena Lamparska

I am currently a junior double majoring in Psychology and Criminal Justice & Criminology. After graduating, I plan to pursue a PhD in clinical psychology, with the intention of specializing in forensic psychology. In particular, I am excited to contribute to research on the other-race effect with underrepresented racial groups that is happening within the lab. Outside of academics, I enjoy exploring new cuisines with my family, debriefing with friends at coffee shops, and winding down by reading a romcom book!

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Vibhuti Patel

I am a first-year undergraduate in the Neuroscience program at Loyola. I am interested in studying the effects of autism in early childhood development. After my undergraduate studies, I plan on going to medical school to become a pediatrician with a neurology specialty. Aside from learning about behavior and the inter-workings of the brain, I enjoy listening to music, dancing, and spending time with loved ones.

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Eman Rana

I am a junior studying Psychology with a minor in Philosophy. My interest in developmental psychology began in high school when I shadowed my Dad's pediatric physician office. My research interests include ADHD and autism treatment in adolescents, as well as how infants process faces in different environments. After graduation, I hope to pursue a Ph.D. in Clinical or Developmental Psychology. It is my dream to stay in academia as a professor and clinical researcher. Outside of school, I love playing the violin and piano and I enjoy reading and writing. 

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Sonya Ricaurte

I am a junior majoring in Psychology with a minor in Women's Studies and Gender Studies. I have always had an interest in development. How children think and process the world around them! Being in the lab gives me an opportunity to learn more about this. I hope to dive deeper into this interest after my undergraduate years. In my free time, I like to read, cook, bake, go to the gym, dance, and hang out with friends!

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Emily Sarmiento

I am a junior majoring in Psychology and minoring in Neuroscience. After graduation, I plan to complete a PsyD program to become a clinical neuropsychologist. I am most interested in sensation and perception, specifically in relation to psychopathology. Outside the lab and school, I spend most of my time making music, taking photos, going to concerts, or playing games with friends.

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Emily Schwarz

I am a junior studying cognitive and behavioral neuroscience and psychology. I am really interested in developmental neuroscience and how the developing brain can shape future experiences. After I finish my undergrad, I plan to do my Ph.D. in a related field to hopefully pursue research as a career. When I am not researching, I enjoy dancing, shopping, trying out new restaurants, and fostering cats. 

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Ella Torno

I am a senior Psychology major with a minor in Communication Studies. I love learning about infants and early child development, and I am interested in the formation of neurological disorders. I enjoy any time I get to learn about all of our lab technology and the data behind our studies. After I graduate, I plan on pursuing my masters in Speech-Language Pathology and I would love to work with infants or in early intervention. In my free time I love reading, yoga, and trying new art projects.

Lab Alumni

Graduate Students​

  • Asli Bursalioglu (2018-2024), Postdoctoral Fellow, Northwestern University

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Undergraduate Students

  • Katya Aguilar (2020-2021)

  • Megan Alagna (2020-2022)

  • Eli Au Buchon (2020-2021)

  • Rachel Barbanente (2020-2022)

  • Trinity Bauer (2021-2023)

    • ​​Carbon Fellow​

  • Owen Caldwell (2023-2025)​​​​

    • Honors Thesis, Provost Fellow, Undergraduate Summer Research Experience participant​

  • Levi Cento (2024-2025)

  • Rebecca DePiero (2020-2021)

  • Nhi Duong (2020-2023)

    • Provost Fellow

  • Grace Ellerbeck (2022-2024)

  • Aleena Ferozuddin (2018-2021)

    • Provost Fellow​

  • Maria Gonzalez Rodriguez (2020-2022)

  • Mary Graebner (2020-2021)

  • ​Sabina Hajdarovic (2018-2019)

  • Olivia Hutchinson (2021-2022)

  • Osinigwe Ibekie (2022-2023)

    • Cura Scholar​

  • Kristen Jacob (2023-2024)

  • Batul Karimi (2020-2022)

  • Amardeep Kaur (2024-2025)

  • Safa Khatoon (2023-2025)

  • Samia Khatoon (2020-2021)

  • Aleks Kostic (2020-2021)

  • Milosz Krzewinski (2022-2024)​​

    • Provost Fellow​

  • Diana Mahlis (2018-2020)

    • Honors Thesis​

  • Maya Martin (2023-2025)​​​​

    • Honors Thesis, Provost Fellow, Undergraduate Summer Research Experience participant​

  • Kerri Maselli (2018-2019)

  • Bella Mershad (2020-2022)

  • Alexandria Michalak (2021-2022)

    • Cura Scholar​​

  • Mudra Patel (2018-2019) 

  • Sunny Patel (2021-2022)

  • Emily Pawelko (2022-2025)​​​​

    • Honors Thesis, Provost Fellow​

  • Abigail Pedersen (2024-2025)

    • Undergraduate Summer Research Experience participant​

  • Marcus Piatonni (2023-2024)

  • Priscilla Ruiz (2022-2024)

    • Provost Fellow​, Undergraduate Summer Research Experience participant

  • Nadira Shabbir (2021-2022)

  • Leighanna Sheran (2018)

  • Elizabeth Wolfgram (2018-2020)

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