Infant Cognition Lab

David Rakison DPhil | Carnegie Mellon University

David Rakison

LAB DIRECTOR

Education

Doctor of Philosophy
Developmental Psychology
University of Sussex


Deon Benton

GRADUATE STUDENT

Education

Ph.D. Candidate
Developmental Psychology
Carnegie Mellon University

Bio

Deon T. Benton is a sixth-year PhD student who studies how infants, children, and adults percieve and reason about causal events in the world as well as how they represent them in the mind. In his free time, Deon enjoys solving Rubik's cubes, making puns that only he enjoys and finds funny, and learning recondite words...like recondite!


Bo Powers

GRADUATE STUDENT

Education

Ph.D. Candidate
Developmental Psychology
Carnegie Mellon University

Bio

My name is Bo Powers. I’m a 5th year PhD student in the Department of Psychology. I am interested in the development of social cognition: how infants learn about themselves and others. In my spare time I play classical guitar.


Phuong (Phoebe) N. Dinh

GRADUATE STUDENT

Education

Ph.D. Student
Psychology
Carnegie Mellon University

Bio

Phượng, also known as Phoebe (she/they), is a second-year PhD student in the Psychology department here at CMU. Co-advised by Dr. David Rakison and Dr. David Danks, Phoebe studies how knowledge of causal relations and mechanisms is obtained in infants and adults, and how this knowledge enables or impedes one's interactions with the causal world. She can be found humming to herself or dreaming of coffee at any time during the day, though you will be more likely to reach her at 4 am than at 8 pm.


Lily Marty

Lab Manager | Senior

Education

Bachelor of Science
Decision Science and Psychology
Carnegie Mellon University

Bio

Lily is a senior pursuing a double major in Decision Science and Psychology, and has been working in the lab since January of her freshman year. She is currently the co-Lab Manager at the Infant Cognition Lab. Outside of lab, Lily is involved in greek life as a member of KappaAlpha Theta, is currently working on an independent research project on mate selection, and is a TA for Social Psychology and Decision Analysis.


Michelle Madlansacay

Lab Manager | Junior

Education

Bachelor of Science
Psychology and Global Studies double major
Arabic minor
Carnegie Mellon University

Bio

Michelle is very interested in studying language and language learning from both cultural and scientific perspectives. Outside of the lab, Michelle is involved in The Tartan, Dietrich Peer Advisor Program, and the Arab Student Organization. During her free time she enjoys writing, going to the library, and spotting bunnies in Pittsburgh.


Kaily Bruch

Research Assistant | Senior

Education

Bachelor of Science
Neuroscience major
Carnegie Mellon University

Bio

Kaily is a senior Neuroscience major from Chicago. Outside of school and the lab, Kaily is a member of the Carnegie Mellon Women's Soccer team and volunteers with the Special Olympics of Pennsylvania. She also enjoys reading, eating, and travelling. Kaily is excited to be back for another year working in the Infant Cognition Lab!


Rui Si

Research Assistant | Junior

Education

Bachelor of Science
Biological Sciences and Psychology double major
Buisness Administration minor
Carnegie Mellon University

Bio

Rui is a junior pursuing a double major in Biological Sciences and Psychology and a minor in Business Administration from NYC! Outside of academics, she is involved in several cultural organizations as well as a volunteer for the Emergency Department at UPMC! When she’s not in the lab, you can find her going to various different restaurants in PIttsburgh, exploring museums, and spending time with friends.

James Greenwell

Research Assistant | Junior

Education

Bachelor of Science
Biological Sciences and Psychology double major
Carnegie Mellon University

Bio

Jamie is a premed Junior from Dallas, Texas, pursuing a degree in Biological Sciences and Psychology. He has been working in the lab since the summer of 2018. Outside of academics, Jamie is a member of the Tartans varsity football team and track and field team.

Elizabeth La

Research Assistant | Sophomore

Education

Bachelor of Science
Cognitive Science
Carnegie Mellon University

Bio

Ellie is a sophomore studying Cognitive Science. She loves interacting with children so she's involved with Camp Kesem, the Children's School, and of course, the Infant Cognition Lab! When she is not in class or TAing a computer science course, she likes to get crafty, bike, read, or explore Pittsburgh! Fun fact: she can form a clover with her tongue so ask her to show you!

Anjie Cao

Research Assistant | Junior

Education

Bachelor of Science
Cognitive Science and Philosophy double major
Carnegie Mellon University

Bio

anjie is a junior pursuing a cognitive science and philosophy double major. She got involved in the lab due to baby-sharing system between ICL and ILLL and finally joined in Sophomore Spring. The main themes of her life are: reading and writing, trying new food, exploring random places, asking random questions (Can human really generate random questions?). She wants to pursue a PhD in Cognitive Science in the future, but she’s also very interested in philosophy of science, philosophy of mind and ethics.

Mamie Slevin

Research Assistant | Senior

Education

Bachelor of Science
Social and Political History and Psychologyy double major
Carnegie Mellon University

Bio

Mamie is a senior pursuing a double major in Social and Political History and Psychology and has been working in the Infant Cognition Lab since the summer after her sophomore year. She is from the Pittsburgh area. On campus, she is a member of Delta Gamma and serves on the executive board for the 1000Plus Day of Service. When she’s not working in the lab, you can find her reading, watching Netflix, or eating pasta.

Nikita Sareen

Research Assistant | Sohopmore

Education

Bachelor of Science
Biology and Psychologyy double major
Carnegie Mellon University

Bio

Niki is a junior studying Biology and Psychology. She loves working with kids and is actively involved in organizations like Camp Kesem and Kappa Kappa Gamma at CMU. She hopes to pursue a career working with children in the future and in her free time, she enjoys traveling and trying new foods!

Julie Kim

Research Assistant | Junior

Education

Bachelor of Science
Psychology and Professional Writing double major
Carnegie Mellon University

Bio

Julie is a junior studying psychology and professional writing. This is her first semester working in the Infant Cognition Lab. Outside of taking classes, she is the co-editor in chief of The Oakland Review and a teaching assistant in the English department. Aside from that, she enjoys reading, writing, and binge watching Korean dramas.

Alana Mittleman

Research Assistant | Sophomore

Education

Bachelor of Science
Cognitive Science and Statistics double major
Carnegie Mellon University

Bio

Alana is a sophomore in the infant cognition lab. She is studying cognitive science and statistics. In her free time, she is part of the Carnegie Mellon cheerleading team and enjoys rewatching the office.

Marina Selenica

Research Assistant | Senior

Education

Bachelor of Science
Cognitive Neuroscience
Carnegie Mellon University

Bio

Hi my name is Marina Selenica, and I'm a senior majoring in Cognitive Neuroscience. I've been with the Infant Cognition Lab since the end of my Sophmore year.I am also the Captain of the Women's Varsity Tennis Team! I really enjoy exploring the ins and outs of Pittsburgh, especially when it comes to unique restaurants and fun activities, such as kayaking on the rivers.

Shalaya Minor

Research Assistant | Sophomore

Education

Bachelor of Science
Psychology major
Carnegie Mellon University

Bio

Shalaya Minor is a sophomore psychology major, graduating class of 2021. She plans to pursue a career in psychology studying educational policy and currently works in the Infant Cognition Lab and The Carnegie Mellon Children's school.

Hannah Wang

Research Assistant | Junior

Education

Bachelor of Science
Biological Sciences and Psychology double major
Carnegie Mellon University

Bio

Hannah Wang is a junior from New Jersey studying Biological and Psychological Sciences at Carnegie Mellon University. Her greatest passions include helping others and working with children which is why she plans on going to medical school to pursue pediatric psychiatry. In her free time, Hannah enjoys cooking, reading, playing the piano/singing and socializing with friends. She is very excited to be a part of the Infant Cognition Lab family and hopes to learn a lot conducting research during her undergraduate years!

Rose Pagano

Research Assistant | Junior

Education

Bachelor of Science
Biological Sciences and Psychology double major
Carnegie Mellon University

Bio

Rose is a junior undergraduate biology and psychology major in the Infant Cognition Lab. She is passionate about helping disenfranchised communities and hopes to be involved with organizations like the Peace Corps and Doctors Without Borders. In her free time, she likes to read and go thrift shopping. She’s looking forward to being a part of the lab this year!

Agnes Zhou

Research Assistant | Freshman

Education

Bachelor of Science
Psychology
Carnegie Mellon University

Bio

Agnes Zhou is a freshman psychology major, graduating in 2022. She is also on the CMU varsity softball team for its inaugural season. She wants to pursue a career in clinical psychology and hopes to learn a lot about research through the Infant Cognition Lab.

Sahara Aqui

Research Assistant | Junior

Education

Bachelor of Science
Psychology
Carnegie Mellon University

Bio

Sahara is a junior studying Psychology. Outside of academics, Sahara is the co-captain of the Women's Varsity Volleyball team. In her free time, she enjoys going to museums and traveling the world. She loves children and is on the path to becoming a pediatric Nurse Practitioner. She is extremely excited to be a part of the Infant Cognition Lab family this year!

Amy Lopata

Research Assistant | Sophomore

Education

Bachelor of Science
Statistics and Machine Learning
Carnegie Mellon University

Bio

Amy is a sophomore studying Statistics and Machine Learning. She is from the suburbs of Chicago and loves the snow! Her favorite organization on campus is Camp Kesem which is a free week long camp for kids affected by their parents' cancer. In her free time, Amy likes to cook, watch movies and try new restaurants with her friends.