People – The Thinking and Learning Lab

People in Our Lab

Principle Investigator

Elida V. Laski
Ph.D., Developmental Psychology, Carnegie Mellon University
Ed.M Early Childhood Education, Boston University

Dr. Laski received her Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology from Carnegie Mellon University in 2008. Prior to earning her Ph.D., she received a Masters degree in Early Childhood Education and worked in public schools for over 5 years, first as a kindergarten teacher, then as a Reading Recovery teacher, and later as a literacy coach for the Boston Public Schools providing professional development to teachers of children in preschool through lower elementary school.

Dr. Laski joined the faculty at Boston College’s Lynch School of Education as an assistant professor of Applied Developmental and Educational Psychology in 2009. Upon arriving at Boston College she established the Thinking and Learning Laboratory. Research in the lab focuses on understanding the role of cognitive and social factors in the development of academic concepts, particularly those related to mathematics. Her work explores the mechanisms that promote, constrain, or impede learning and how psychological learning principles can be used to develop and improve educational activities. In 2011, she was nominated for a prestigious James T. McDonnell Scholar Award. In 2013, she was selected to participate in the American Education Research Association Early Career Scholar Mentor Program.

To view her complete CV, visit her department webpage.

Interested in a doctoral program or gaining research experience, consider joining the Thinking and Learning Lab?

Send us a message for more details.

Graduate Students

Evelyn (Evangelia) Panagakou

Evelyn has completed the second year of the Applied Developmental and Educational Psychology Doctoral Program. She already holds a M.S. in Applied Mathematics and a PhD in Physics. She has also experience in teaching mathematics and physics to children of middle school and high shcool and to undergraduate students. Evelyn is interested in curriculum and program development, education outreach, and in studying the cognitive processes that support math and science learning. Further, she is interested in the interaction between such cognitive processes and contextual and cross-cultural factors. She believes that all students should have access to high-quality education, and as an educator would like to contribute to this direction.

Meghan Coughlan

Meghan is a fourth-year doctoral candidate in the Applied Developmental and Educational Psychology program. She earned a degree in Mathematics from Boston College in 2013, with a minor in Applied Psychology. Meghan is interested in mathematics learning and cognition, as well as motivation in math contexts. She has experience providing math support to students in grades K-8 and is passionate about ensuring that every student has the opportunity to develop a love for math.

Alumni

Graduate Students