I am currently a Ph.D. student in the Cognitive Neuroscience Ph.D. Program at Florida International University (FIU) under the mentorship of Dr. Shannon M. Pruden in the Project on Language and Spatial Development (PLSD) Lab. 

As a Ph.D. student, my research interests revolve around spatial experience, cognition, and language, specifically in early childhood populations. I am deeply interested in exploring how the environment, past spatial experiences, peer-parent interactions affect children's neurobiology and spatial abilities, which are often related to their school-readiness abilities. 

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My interest in research is deeply rooted in my experiences working preschool and kindergarten classrooms as a teaching assistant and summer camp counselor. Through my classroom observations, I was always fascinated with the unique ways children navigate their environments and communicate information. Moments like these sparked questions about how children explored and communicated in the world around them, which lead me to the exciting world of research.

 

My research foundation spans from developmental psychology to neuroscience. I earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Behavioral Neuroscience and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from FIU in December 2024. Early in my undergraduate career, I conducted research on learning and adult memory discrimination. As my research interests narrowed toward early childhood, I joined labs focused on infant development and spatial cognition. I presented my research at a variety of undergraduate research conferences across South Florida. Throughout my research experiences, I learned important developmental theories, fundamental research skills in transcribing and analyzing data, and the ability to effectively communicate research with diverse participants.