Aaron Dustin

Aaron is a full-time research associate for the Thinking and Learning Lab. He earned his B.S. in Psychology and Sociology with a minor in Criminal Justice from the University of Maine, and his M.A. in Criminal Justice from the University of Massachusetts. His primary research interest is the use of number board games as a math learning intervention, particularly how different instructional cues and physical features impact their effectiveness. Outside of the lab, he loves coffee, hiking, and playing saxophone.

Hyun Young (Katie) Cho

Hyunyoung, who goes by Katie, is a doctoral candidate in the Applied Developmental and Educational Psychology program at Boston College. Her main research interests are children’s cognitive development and math knowledge. She is currently studying different predictors of children’s learning of arithmetic principles, specifically examining student and task characteristics. Her home is Seoul, Korea, but she has a lot of experience living in different cities growing up! She likes to travel, look for good coffee shops, and collect stationery items.

Jiwon Ban

Jiwon, a fifth-year PhD candidate, graduated from Carnegie Mellon University in 2019, with her BS in Psychology (Developmental Concentration) and a minor in Hispanic Studies. Prior to graduate school, she worked as a lab manager for two years in Dr. Robert S. Siegler’s lab at Teachers College, Columbia University, where she gained an interest in improving numerical magnitude knowledge in middle school students. Currently, her research interests are focused on how early education teachers influence children’s math learning. Outside of academia, Jiwon enjoys going to Crossfit, doing long runs on the Esplanade, and spending time with her dog, Otis!

Kennedy Damoah

Kennedy, a third-year doctoral student, graduated with a BSc in Psychology from Worcester State University in 2019. He spent a year as a Social Worker with the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families before completing his MS degree at the Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) in 2022. At WPI, he worked at the African Community Education as a College Corps Fellow with the Worcester Education Collaborative, providing STEM enrichment activities to elementary school students during after school programs. He’s particularly interested in investigating differences in math cognition across contexts and the factors that influence these differences to improve math learning.

Shophika Vaithyanathasarma

Shophika is a second-year doctoral student in the Curriculum & Instruction program at the Lynch School of Education and Human Development at Boston College. She earned her MA in Educational Sciences (with thesis) from the University of Montreal and during that time taught grade 9 mathematics.  Her current research interests center on  mathematics learning, interdisciplinarity in mathematics education, and the role of education in fostering informed and democratic citizenship. Outside of academics, she enjoys reading, writing, engaging in public dialogue on social issues, spending time with family and friends and discovering new languages.

Stacey Hoffmeister

Stacey is a first-year doctoral student in the Applied Developmental and Educational Psychology program. She earned her BA in Psychology with a minor in Business Administration from the University of Tampa, where she worked in several psychology research labs. Stacey also worked as a Research & Development intern at a psychological assessment company, where she learned the ins and outs of the production of assessments. Her research interests focus on how parent–child interactions shape learning in math and STEM, and on fostering positive engagement to support children’s cognitive development. Outside of academics, Stacey enjoys exploring new cafes and restaurants, reading, and spending time with her family back home in New Jersey!

Karla Mercedes

Karla is a first-year doctoral student in the Applied Developmental and Educational Psychology program. She earned her BA in Psychology from Williams College, where she conducted research on children’s mathematical cognitive development in Dr. Eliza Congdon’s C.A.L.F. Lab. Before starting graduate school, she spent two years as a lab manager in Dr. Giovanna Morini’s S.L.A.M. lab at the University of Delaware, where she developed a research focus on supporting Spanish-speaking families. Her current research examines how parent-child homework interactions can support, or hinder, children’s STEM motivation and achievement. Outside of academia, Karla enjoys reading, crocheting, and Latin dance.