Meet the Team

Dr. Elizabeth A. Simpson

Laboratory Director,
Email: simpsone@miami.edu
Dr. Simpson joined the Department of Psychology at the University of Miami in 2015. She loves research and hopes to inspire future generations of scientists. Outside of the lab she enjoys dog parks, the beach, running, and reality TV. 

Guangyu Zeng

Graduate Student
Email: gxz102@miami.edu
Google Scholar
Zeng joined our lab in 2018. He has a B.S.Sc in psychology from the Chinese University of Hong Kong and a M.A. in psychological science from from the Catholic University of America. He is interested in the development of social cognitive skills such as emotion recognition and joint attention in typically developing and at-risk infants and children. After graduation, he plans to continue research into infant and early childhood development. Zeng enjoys reading, cooking, swimming, and observing all kinds of animals.

Tiffany Leung

Graduate Student
Email: tsl51@miami.edu
Tiffany joined the lab in 2020 after graduating from Stony Brook University with a B.A. in psychology. Her primary research interests focus on how infants process social interactions to categorize and learn about the people around them. She hopes to one day become involved in teaching and continue research in developmental psychology. During her spare time, she loves ice skating, reading about philosophy, watching Disney movies, and visiting the beach.

Arushi Malik

Graduate Student
Email: axm8070@miami.edu
Arushi earned her B.A. in psychology with honors from the University of Delhi and her M.S. in psychology from Christ University in India. She joined our developmental psychology Ph.D. program in 2022. She is interested in studying the development of socio-cognitive skills such as social recognition. After graduating, she plans to become a professor to continue her research and teaching in developmental psychology. In her free time, she likes to read, explore new places, cook, and watch movies.

Roberto Lazo

Lab Manager
Email: Rjl69@miami.edu
Rob joined the lab as an undergraduate in 2017 and earned the title of Lab Manager soon thereafter. He graduated from UM with a B.S. in psychology and biology. He enjoys studying neuroscience, consciousness, and how the mind works. He plans to pursue an advanced degree in psychology and work in the field of mental health. In his free time, he enjoys meditation, Qi-kung, and exploring new ways to promote wellness.

Emily McNamara

Undergraduate Researcher
Email: ecm121@miami.edu
Emily joined our lab in spring 2021 as a second-year student majoring in psychology with minors in math and philosophy. After graduating she plans to obtain her Ph.D. in clinical psychology. She enjoys hanging out with friends, exploring new places, and working out.

Shirsika Reddy Kummeta

Undergraduate Researcher
Email: srk431029@miami.edu
Shirsika is a neuroscience and anthropology double major who joined the lab in the fall of 2021. Shirsika plans to attend medical school after graduating and wants to become a neonatologist. She enjoys reading books, swimming, and watching Netflix.

Catalina Sanchez Montenegro

Undergraduate Researcher
Email: cxs1427@miami.edu
Catalina joined our lab in the fall of 2021 as a junior majoring in psychology, sociology, and criminology. She enjoys working with kids and is planning to pursue a graduate degree in psychology. In her free time, she likes to cook, read, workout, and play the piano.

Juan Perez

Undergraduate Researcher
Email: jxp2053@miami.edu
Juan joined our lab in spring 2022 as a first-year undergraduate majoring in exercise physiology with a minor in psychology. After graduating he plans to obtain his M.D. and work with pregnant mothers and young children. He enjoys going to the beach, being around his friends, and trying new foods from different cultures.

Hayley Nathaniel

Undergraduate Researcher
Email: hin6@miami.edu
Hayley joined our lab in the spring of 2022 as a junior pursuing her B.S. in psychology, with minors in chemistry and architecture. After graduating, she plans to attend medical school. In her free time, she enjoys swimming, sailing, hiking, and painting.

Alex Hummel

Undergraduate Researcher
Email: alh1974@miami.edu
Alex joined our lab in the spring of 2022 as a sophomore majoring in psychology and health science with a minor in Spanish. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, playing soccer, going to the beach, and spending time with friends and family. After graduating, she plans to earn a Ph.D. or Psy.D. in counseling psychology.

Megan Chambers

Visiting Undergraduate Researcher
Email: megan_chambers@hotmail.com
In the summer of 2022 we're pleased to have Megan Chambers join our lab as a visiting undergraduate researcher! Megan is a student at the University of Sussex, United Kingdom, pursuing her B.Sc. in psychology. In the future, she plans to complete a Ph.D. in psychology and eventually direct her own lab, studying children's emotional and social development. Her hobbies include reading, fashion, and spending time with her friends exploring Brighton.

Caitlyn Murphy

Undergraduate Researcher
Email: cem257@miami.edu
In summer 2022 Caitlyn joined the lab as a junior double majoring in psychology sociology with minors in criminology and public health. After graduating, she plans to pursue a doctorate in clinical psychology. In her free time, she enjoys reading, playing piano, and cooking.

Katie Hoisch

Undergraduate Researcher
Email: krh113@miami.edu
Katie joined our lab in the summer of 2022 as a rising junior, majoring in psychology and criminology and minoring in communication studies and history. She enjoys going on bike rides, going to the beach, and spending time with friends and family. After graduation, she plans on earning a graduate degree in psychology.

Catherine Ann Green

Undergraduate Researcher
Email: cag322@miami.edu
Catherine joined our lab in fall 2022 as a junior pursuing a B.A. in psychology with minors in art/art history and two modern languages. She plans to attend graduate school and hopefully obtain a Ph.D. For fun, she enjoys reading, trying out new dishes, and spending time with her friends.

Collaborators

Graduate Student Alumni

Undergraduate Lab Alumni