Meet the Lab
Lab Manager
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Rachel Eng, Lab Manager
I recently graduated from the University of Toronto with an Honours Bachelor of Science degree in Neuroscience and Psychology. Some of my research interests include learning and memory, sensation and perception, and attention and performance. I have been working with children for many years and I enjoy it because I get the opportunity to teach them something and learn something from them at the same time! It reminds me that learning is a lifelong process and there is so much to learn from each other. Outside of work I enjoy running, reading, and playing board games and card games! You can reach me at at manager.buchsbaum@gmail.com |
Graduate Students
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Elisa Felsche
Elisa is a PhD student studying at the University of St. Andrews, under the supervision of Dr. Amanda Seed. |
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Rebekah Gelpi
Hi! I'm Rebekah and I'm an incoming graduate student in the Department of Psychology. My primary interests in the field are in developmental psychology, and I am interested in discovering the ways in which children's ways of learning and reasoning about the world are different from adults', and how this impacts how we talk to and teach children. Outside the lab, I love seeing new films at TIFF and trying out new recipes in the kitchen. |
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Kay Otsubo, B. Sc.
Currently, I am completing my first year Masters in Developmental Psychology looking at how the concept of categories change over time from infancy to adulthood and how we can best visualize these changes. Prior to my Masters, I worked with Dr. Buchsbaum looking at how children learn from the majority in a population, and with Dr. Amy Finn on how children may visually perceive illusions differently to adults. When I’m not in the lab trying to uncover how children navigate the world, you can find me exploring the city and practicing my breakdance! |
Undergraduate Students
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Jessica Cichocka, Volunteer Research Assistant
My name is Jessica and I am a recent graduate from the University of Toronto. I completed an Honours Bachelor of Science majoring in psychology and history. My studies have been centred around conflict resolution on the individual level, such as children's problem solving skills, and on a global scale, such as diplomatic tactics between nations. I am currently a volunteer research assistant at the Coco Development Lab amongst a few other labs. I’m excited to be a part of this research team and in discovering new knowledge. In the near future, I wish to pursue graduate studies in development or clinical psychology. In my free time, I enjoy biking, exploring nature trails, discovering new music, and reading. |
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Jessica Da Cunha, Volunteer Research Assistant
I'm a recent graduate from UTSC where I majored in Neuroscience and Psychology. Through my coursework, I was exposed to different psychological phenomenon which is where my interest in research began. Prior to CocoDev, I volunteered as an RA at Roots of Empathy, which works to teach children around the world to be more empathetic. In my spare time, I am an avid foodie, and love exploring new Toronto restaurants. I also enjoy playing with my German Shepherd/Lab mix named Molly. |
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Isaac Ehrlich
I am a third-year undergraduate student pursuing a double major in cognitive science and statistics. I discovered my passion for working with kids through my experience as a badminton coach and debate instructor over the past 6 years. Beyond studying cognitive development, I am interested in learning more about the application of statistical and computational methods in research analyses. Outside the lab, I love playing badminton, practicing guitar, and backpacking with my friends. |
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Maureen Huang, Volunteer Research Assistant
Hi! My name is Maureen, I’m a fourth year student currently pursuing a psychology specialist. Through my experiences in this lab as well as other opportunities, I've found that I absolutely love working with children and I plan to go into a field regarding developmental clinical psychology in the future :) When I’m not geeking out over psychology, I’m often binge-watching Netflix, reading, or styling hair! |
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Hazel Kang, Volunteer Research Assistant
Hi! I’m Hazel, and I’m in my fourth year of pursuing the Psychology Specialist and Cinema Minor programs here at U of T. My main interests are social cognitive development, childhood psychopathology, and psychotherapy. Having been engaged in youth mental health awareness and support networks since high school, I am excited to learn about cognitive development in children and contribute to current research that can lead our society to change its policies and norms in a positive way. Outside of classes, I like to watch independent films, visit art galleries, and explore new coffee shops with my friends. |
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Nishat Kazi, Volunteer Research Assistant
I am a fourth year undergraduate student pursuing a Psychology specialist and a major in Neuroscience. Alongside, my Education & Society minor has strengthened my passion for developmental psychology and love for kids; I am personally inspired by the reward it is to motivate children to achieve their fullest potential. In my spare time, I love to go to the gym, do activist work, and laugh over an episode of the Real Housewives of Atlanta. Fun fact: I still listen to music on my iPod touch (4th generation). |
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Yiqi (Betty) Luo, Volunteer Research Assistant
I am a third-year student specializing in Psychology and minoring in Education. I love working with kids, getting to know them and exploring their world. I think that learning about children's mind is necessary to understand human nature, and how people grow up to be who they are. My future career goal is to be an educator and have a positive influence on children. I have worked with kids of most ages from various backgrounds, and I am excited to work with them more and discover more! |
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Nafisa Mahbub, Volunteer Research Assistant
I’m a third-year student at the University of Toronto’s Scarborough Campus, completing a double major in the Biochemistry and Psychology programs. I am strongly interested in the relationship between the functioning of the brain with behaviour and how humans have developed to become the most cognitively complex beings on Earth. I hope to learn as much as possible and strengthen my in-lab skills while experiencing psychology from an experimental perspective with the CoCo -Developmental Lab. In my spare time, I love to read science-fiction books and spend time with my family, friends and lovely parrot. |
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Joon Park, Volunteer Research Assistant
Hello! I am a fourth year student at the University of Toronto, specializing in Neuroscience with a major in Cognitive Science. I developed my interest for cognitive development, especially in the filed of learning and memory during my time here at the University while learning myself! My main interest is maximizing learning and memory efficiency while making the process enjoyable. Though my experience teaching as a tutor for six years, I discovered my passion for working with kids. In my spare time, I love to play soccer, socialize, and travel. |
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Katrina Palad, Volunteer Research Assistant
Hi, my name is Katrina, and I am a research assistant for the Child Lab. I am a recent HBSc graduate from UofT with a double major in health studies and psychology. I love working with children, and have worked with them both in an academic setting as a previous assistant teacher at a daycare, and as a current research assistant at this lab and at SickKids. Aside from volunteering and working, I enjoy singing, working out, and watching movies. |
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Nicholas Robichaud, Volunteer Research Assistant
I'm Nick! I'm a third-year undergraduate student completing my Honours Bachelor of arts in Cognitive Science and Philosophy here at the St. George campus. A few of my personal interests in consciousness and learning have fascinating overlap with the work done in this lab. I have had lots of great experiences with children, from summer camp leadership to working with underprivileged children abroad. In my personal life, I am an avid reader, writer, and passionate music fan who loves traveling, pets, and life! |
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Tran Thai, Volunteer Research Assistant
Hi there! My name is Tran and I'm a third-year double majoring in Psychology and in Global Health. I love working with children and I'm ecstatic to be a volunteer research assistant at the CoCo Lab! I'm excited to learn more about how children think and interact with the world. Outside of the lab, I love bullet journaling, reading and hanging out with friends and family! |
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Melisa Trujillo, Volunteer Research Assistant
I am a fourth year undergraduate student at UTSG, majoring in Neuroscience with minors in Psychology and French. I love working with children and helping them learn so I am very excited to be a part of this team. Through my studies I have also grown to really appreciate developmental research and cognitive psychology. I look forward to being able to apply and expand my experience and skill set in a laboratory setting. Outside of academics I enjoy playing intramural sports, hanging out with friends, and, of course, Netflix! |
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Yvonne Wang
I am in my last year of undergraduate pursuing molecular genetics and psychology double majors. As an only child who grew up not having any younger sibling to play with, I love young kids a lot and have worked with kids for a long time. I used to volunteer as an assistant to teach disabled children how to ski. Afterwards, I joined the lab and have been here since May, 2016. |