Meet the Lab
Lab Manager
Katherine McGinn
I first became involved in the lab as a ROP student in our sister lab, the Canine Cognition Lab at the University of Toronto. I graduated from the University of Toronto with an Honours Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Human Biology: Global Health. I am now the CoCoDev Lab manager at Brown University, and I am very excited to be working on online research studies with children. Outside of work, I like to try new recipes loosely following the instructions, re-learning to play the piano, and re-watching TV series. You can reach me at manager.buchsbaum@gmail.com (UoftT) or manager-buchsbaum@brown.edu (Brown). |
Graduate Students

Elisa Felsche
Elisa is a PhD student studying at the University of St. Andrews, under the supervision of Dr. Amanda Seed.
Elisa is a PhD student studying at the University of St. Andrews, under the supervision of Dr. Amanda Seed.
Rebekah Gelpi
I am a PhD student currently studying at the University of Toronto. I am particularly interested in the differences between children’s and adults’ learning in social environments, and whether these differences reflect strategies that children and adults are uniquely suited to using. Outside of the lab, I love seeing new films at TIFF and trying out new recipes from the Great British Bake Off. |

Pablo León-Villagrá
I am a visiting Ph.D. student from the University of Edinburgh. During my stay at Dr. Buchsbaum's lab I'd like to explore how children form representations of the world around them and how these representation allow them to perform rapid generalization and transfer. Outside of work I like to play chess, read and try out new recipes.
I am a visiting Ph.D. student from the University of Edinburgh. During my stay at Dr. Buchsbaum's lab I'd like to explore how children form representations of the world around them and how these representation allow them to perform rapid generalization and transfer. Outside of work I like to play chess, read and try out new recipes.
Undergraduate Students

Jessica Cichocka, Volunteer Research Assistant
I am a recent graduate from the University of Toronto with 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’m excited to be a part of this research team and in discovering new knowledge. In my free time, I enjoy biking, exploring nature trails, discovering new music, and reading books.
I am a recent graduate from the University of Toronto with 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’m excited to be a part of this research team and in discovering new knowledge. In my free time, I enjoy biking, exploring nature trails, discovering new music, and reading books.

Gabriel Carlin-Coleman, Volunteer Research Assistant
I’m an undergraduate student at U of T going into my second year, intending to major in cognitive science and socio-cultural linguistic anthropology. I’ve spent my last few summers volunteering as a camp counsellor, and I now I continue to work with kids at the lab. I like running, reading, playing soccer, and of course learning about the mind!
I’m an undergraduate student at U of T going into my second year, intending to major in cognitive science and socio-cultural linguistic anthropology. I’ve spent my last few summers volunteering as a camp counsellor, and I now I continue to work with kids at the lab. I like running, reading, playing soccer, and of course learning about the mind!
Isaac Ehrlich, Volunteer Research Assistant
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. |
Nishat Kazi, Work Study Student
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). |
Nafisa Mahbub, Work Study Student
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. |
Tran Thai, Work Study Student
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! |