Our Team | Movement & Learning Lab

Lab Director

Dr. Elizabeth Wakefield is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at Loyola University Chicago and director of the Movement & Learning Lab. Dr. Wakefield earned her B.A. from Kalamazoo College and her Ph.D. from Indiana University. She continued her training as a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Chicago, before joining the faculty at Loyola.

Dr. Wakefield employs behavioral and eye tracking methods to understand how children and adults process and learn through different forms of movement experience: actions and gestures. Learn more about research happening in the lab by visiting "Our Research"!

Outside interests: cooking, singing, friends, and family

Graduate Students

Dr. Wakefield plans to admit a graduate student to the Developmental Psychology PhD Program for the 2024-25 academic year. Please reach out to her for more information and/or if you plan to apply to the program!

Undergraduate Research Assistants

Marcella Accardi is a junior at Loyola University of Chicago and a Psychology Major with a Bioethics Minor. She is on the Pre-Med track and wants to become a Child Psychiatrist. She is in the Interdisciplinary Honors Program and is involved in on-campus organizations such as Supplies for Dreams Volunteering Group and AMSA.

Outside Interests: Fashion, museums, reading, piano, music, and weight lifting

Maddie Bowers is a junior at Loyola University of Chicago and a Psychology and Music double major. She hopes to attend graduate school to become a child psychologist. She is in the interdisciplinary honors program and is heavily involved in the music program at Loyola. She enjoys being outside and hopes to incorporate her love of nature into her future career path.

Outside Interests: piano, field hockey, camping, hiking, traveling, music

Leah Curtis is a junior at Loyola University Chicago majoring in Psychology and minoring in Behavioral and Cognitive neuroscience. She is interested in pursuing pediatric neuropsychology or going into social work. On campus, she is involved in the Interdisciplinary Honors Program, club lacrosse, Phi Sigma Sigma Sorority, and is a volunteer leader for Loyola4Chicago.

Outside interests: Reading, backpacking, photography, thrifting, sushi, and spending time with friends and family!"

Lisa Gallo is a sophomore at Loyola University of Chicago and a Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience major. She is on the Pre-Med track and hopes to become a Neurosurgeon. She is in the Interdisciplinary Honors Program and is involved in on-campus organizations such as Neuroscience Society, AMSA, AMWA, and Brain Exercise Initiative.

Outside Interests: traveling, viola, field hockey, music, and running

Jennifer Kavina is a junior at Loyola University Chicago double majoring in Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience and Psychology. She is on the Pre-Med track in hopes of becoming a pediatrician. She is in the Interdisciplinary Honors Program and is also involved in organizations on campus such as the Gannon Scholars Program, Friends of MSF, and HOSA!

Outside interests: traveling, playing basketball, and swimming.

Chloe Michel is a senior at Loyola and a cognitive behavioral neuroscience major on the pre-PA track, hoping to go to physician assistant school after Loyola. She is also a part of Loyola’s Neuroscience Society and she enjoys spending time with family and friends, being outside, and exploring new places.

Outside interests: tennis, skiing, piano, cooking, traveling, music

Aashi Patel is a senior at Loyola majoring in Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience with minors in both Psychology and Finance. She hopes to attend graduate school to obtain her M.D. and eventually open her own medical practice. Although she is unsure as to which field of medicine she will specialize in, she has voiced a special interest in both neurology and pediatrics. Additionally, she is part of the Interdisciplinary Honors Program and the HSO organization at Loyola. Outside of Loyola, she volunteers as a tutor for refugee children.

Outside Interests: traveling, hiking, reading, spending time with her friends and family

Maya Reina is a sophomore at Loyola University of Chicago and is a Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience major with a minor in Psychology. She is on the Pre-Med track in the Interdisciplinary Honors Program. She is also involved in the Neuroscience Society and American Medical Students Association. Maya hopes to pursue a career in medicine as either a neurosurgeon or gynecologist.

Outside interests: painting, gardening, listening to music, and swimming.

Megan Weiss is a senior studying cognitive and behavioral neuroscience. She is on the Pre-med track with interests in pediatric neurology. She is also apart of the interdisciplinary honors program and is involved in Loyola’s new SSO, A Moment of Magic! Outside of Loyola, she tutoring and works as a camp counselor for children with disabilities!

Outside interests: The Chicago Cubs, Hiking, Music, and spending time outdoors with family and friends!

Lab Alumni

Demiana Agaiby (2018-2019): graduate student
Laura Bottei (2019-2021): graduate student
Erin Foy (2019-2021): graduate student
Allison Haussler (2019-2020): graduate student
Sarah Heimberg (2016-2017): veterinary assistant
Kristina Humphrey (2021-2023): research assistant
Mady Jurcev (2017-2020): medical school student
Connor Karwowski (2022-2023)
Erick Larios-Bautista (2016-2017): medical school student
Mary Nagai (2020-2022)
Dylan Nelson (2020-2021)
Kiril Nikolovski (2020-2021): dental school student
Agna Patel (2020-2022)
Krupa Patel (2021-2022)
Tori Roberts (2019-2021)
Natalie Schomas (2016-2017): film freelancer
Mariana Sosa (2019-2020): graduate student
Sam Spain (2020-2022)
Sasha Stojanovich (2017-2019): assistant teacher - loyola university preschool
Emma Tumminaro (2021-2022)
Sierra Webber (2021-2023)
Gina Wrolstad (2018-2019): search coordinator and office manager - koya partners
Natalia Zielinski (2018-2021): graduate student

External Collaborators

We also have wonderful research collaborators:

Dr. Susan Goldin-Meadow (University of Chicago)
Dr. Miriam Novack (Northwestern University)
Dr. Eliza Congdon (Williams College)
Dr. Lauren Howard (Franklin & Marshall College)