Faculty
Hilary Barth, Ph.D. directs the Cognitive Development Laboratory. She is a psychological scientist working within the broad area of human cognition and development. Main areas of interest are mathematical cognition; thinking and learning about number, space, time, and probability; social cognition; and decision making. [Faculty Page; Publications]
Postdoctoral Fellow
Sifana Sohail, Ph.D. is a Postdoctoral Fellow working jointly with Dr. Barth in the Cognitive Development Lab (CDL) and with Dr. Royette Dubar in the Sleep and Psychosocial Adjustment Lab (SPA lab). She completed a BA in Psychology at Wesleyan University, after which she worked as a lab coordinator in the Department of Cognitive Sciences at UC Irvine. She then completed her Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology at Yale University, working in the Social Cognitive Development Lab with Dr. Yarrow Dunham.
Lab Coordinators
Deborah Campos ’27 (she/her) is a Student Lab Coordinator in 2026-2027. She is a Neuroscience & Behavior and Psychology double major from Waterbury, CT. Deborah became interested in early cognitive development while working with children in summer programs in her hometown. Outside of the lab, she is a TA for Developmental Psychology, teaches piano to kids, and volunteers at local elementary schools through the Wesleyan Science Outreach program.
Mia Dezelic ‘27 is a Student Lab Coordinator in 2026-2027. She is a Government and Psychology double major from Hudson, Ohio. She enjoyed working with children and observing how they perceive and react to the world around them. She first discovered her interest in child psychology while working with kids in an elementary school classroom as a student volunteer. Outside of the lab, Mia is a captain of the Women’s Swimming and Diving team, president of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), and works as a photographer in the athletics department. She also spends the summers working as an ocean rescue lifeguard in Maine!
Student Research Assistants
Emma Blakeley ‘28 (she/her) is a psychology major and data analysis minor from Long Island, New York. Emma is interested in child development, social cognition, and the psychology of gender. She initially became interested in cognitive development when working at an overnight camp and tutoring. Outside of the lab, Emma is on the Wesleyan water polo team, a national education opportunity fellow, and works on the Wesleyan media project in the Delta Lab.
Deborah Campos ’27 (she/her) is a Neuroscience & Behavior and Psychology double major from Waterbury, CT. Deborah became interested in early cognitive development while working with children in summer programs in her hometown. Outside of the lab, she is a CA for the Portuguese department, teaches piano to kids, and volunteers at local elementary schools through the Wesleyan Science Outreach program.
Carmen Chao ’29 is a prospective Psychology and Science & Technology Studies double major and Data Analysis minor from Los Altos, California. She became interested in cognitive and developmental psychology from working as a swim coach with young children and teenagers. Outside of class and the lab, Carmen is on the Wesleyan Club Water Polo Team and volunteers for the Traverse Square Afterschool Program where she mentors children of the Middletown community. She also loves to scrapbook and do crafts in her free time!
Mia Dezelic ‘27 is a Government and Psychology double major from Hudson, Ohio. She enjoyed working with children and observing how they perceive and react to the world around them. She first discovered her interest in child psychology while working with kids in an elementary school classroom as a student volunteer. Outside of the lab, Mia is a captain of the Women’s Swimming and Diving team, president of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), and works as a photographer in the athletics department. She also spends the summers working as an ocean rescue lifeguard in Maine!
Meredith Feiner ‘28 is a Psychology major on the Pre-Med track from Chappaqua, NY. She developed her love of working with children through coaching and taking care of kids. She is interested in a career working with children and is fascinated by developmental psychology. Outside of the lab Meredith is a member of the Wesleyan Women’s Soccer Team, and the Health Professions Student Advisory Board. She also loves adventures and hanging out with friends.
Lucinda Gatsiounis ‘28 is a Psychology major and Civic Engagement minor from Los Angeles, CA. Her interest in developmental psychology and cognitive development was first sparked while teaching tennis to children, which led to her fascination with how kids think, learn, and grow. Outside of class and the lab, Lucinda is a proud member of the Wesleyan Women’s Tennis team. In her spare time, she enjoys cooking, exploring new coffee shops and restaurants, spending time outdoors, and traveling whenever possible.
Kimberly Jung ’27 is a Psychology and Education Studies double major and Data Analysis minor from San Jose, California. She developed her love for child development research from running summer camps, and is specifically interested in exploring learning mechanisms of students in educational spaces. Outside of the lab, she serves as the president of the Student Athletes of Color Leadership Committee, and is a member of the Women’s Ice Hockey team. She also loves to play the guitar and cook!
Imogene Ostrom ‘27is a Psychology and Hispanic Literatures and Cultures double major with a minor in Education Studies from Seattle. She developed her love of working with children through student teaching and coaching. She is interested in child development and social cognition. Outside of the lab you may find her hiking, baking, napping in the sun, reading, taking orders at Swings or playing rugby or volleyball.
Isabella “Issy” Simpson ’27 is a Psychology and Education Studies double major is from Shropshire, England. From years of childcare experience, she became fascinated with developmental psychology, with a particular interest in the rapid development of infants. Outside of lab, Issy loves climbing, cooking, attending concerts, and going on spontaneous adventures.
Jamie Sloves ’27 is a Psychology and Computer Science double major and is from San Mateo, CA. She became interested in developmental psychology after working with kids through being a camp counselor as well as volunteering with Friendship Circle, an organization that works with kids with special needs. Outside of class, Jamie loves being a part of Wesleyan’s mock trial team and enjoys participating in Spike Tape productions.