Meet the Lab
Lab Manager
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 manager.buchsbaum@gmail.com
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 manager.buchsbaum@gmail.com
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.
Erik Herbst, M.A.
I am a first-year PhD student in Psychology and recent member of the lab. I recently graduated from the University of Texas at Austin, where I had the privilege of working with Dr. Jacqueline Woolley to study how children make distinctions between fantasy and reality. My undergraduate thesis explored how children learn moral lessons from human and anthropomorphic animal characters in children’s television shows. I am particularly interested in studying the development of beliefs– particularly, the factors that determine how testimony leads children and adults to rationalize current beliefs or seriously consider alternative views. I enjoy writing, hiking, and scuba diving when I get the chance.
I am a first-year PhD student in Psychology and recent member of the lab. I recently graduated from the University of Texas at Austin, where I had the privilege of working with Dr. Jacqueline Woolley to study how children make distinctions between fantasy and reality. My undergraduate thesis explored how children learn moral lessons from human and anthropomorphic animal characters in children’s television shows. I am particularly interested in studying the development of beliefs– particularly, the factors that determine how testimony leads children and adults to rationalize current beliefs or seriously consider alternative views. I enjoy writing, hiking, and scuba diving when I get the chance.
Kay Otsubo, B. Sc.
I recently completed my Honours Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience and Cognitive Science at the University of Toronto. By working in this lab, I have had the opportunity to combine my passion for social cognition research with my love for working with children. My research interests include how children learn from other people given various social cues and how children develop complex cognitive abilities, such as Theory of Mind, to assist them in these social situations. In the future, I hope to pursue graduate school in developmental psychology.
I recently completed my Honours Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience and Cognitive Science at the University of Toronto. By working in this lab, I have had the opportunity to combine my passion for social cognition research with my love for working with children. My research interests include how children learn from other people given various social cues and how children develop complex cognitive abilities, such as Theory of Mind, to assist them in these social situations. In the future, I hope to pursue graduate school in developmental psychology.
Undergraduate Students
Justine Biado, Volunteer Research Assistant
Hi! My name is Justine and I'm a volunteer research assistant. I graduated from the University of Toronto, Scarborough Campus with a Specialist in Psychology and this jump started my interest in developmental and music psychology. I really enjoy working with children and hope to have a career in music therapy someday.
Hi! My name is Justine and I'm a volunteer research assistant. I graduated from the University of Toronto, Scarborough Campus with a Specialist in Psychology and this jump started my interest in developmental and music psychology. I really enjoy working with children and hope to have a career in music therapy someday.
Calvin Choi, Work Study Student
I'm a third year student at the University of Toronto, specializing in Computer Science with a major in Cognitive Science. My main interests concern the interdisciplinary constructs between computer science and psychology, a passion I have been developing since high school. I believe that world-changing applications can arise out of this effort. I enjoy working on independent projects in my spare time, coding small scripts and widgets. Recently, I gained an interest in mobile development, a skill I hope will be of great use in developing applications for the lab. When I'm away from the computer, I like to eat and hang out with friends.
I'm a third year student at the University of Toronto, specializing in Computer Science with a major in Cognitive Science. My main interests concern the interdisciplinary constructs between computer science and psychology, a passion I have been developing since high school. I believe that world-changing applications can arise out of this effort. I enjoy working on independent projects in my spare time, coding small scripts and widgets. Recently, I gained an interest in mobile development, a skill I hope will be of great use in developing applications for the lab. When I'm away from the computer, I like to eat and hang out with friends.
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.
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.
Isaac Ehrlich, ROP299
I am a second-year undergraduate student pursuing a double major in cognitive science and statistics. Through my experience working as a badminton coach and debate instructor over the past 6 years, I discovered my passion for working with kids. My previous work experience also includes performing statistical analyses for an evaluation of a government-funded project aimed at reducing avoidable hospitalizations. 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.
I am a second-year undergraduate student pursuing a double major in cognitive science and statistics. Through my experience working as a badminton coach and debate instructor over the past 6 years, I discovered my passion for working with kids. My previous work experience also includes performing statistical analyses for an evaluation of a government-funded project aimed at reducing avoidable hospitalizations. 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.
Hazel Hou, Volunteer Research Assistant
I am a fourth-year student pursing a double major in psychology and economics. Through my experience of observing children in the lab course PSY319, I found my research interests in Developmental psychology. I am particularly interested in how children make decisions based on the limited information from external environment. Now, I am working as a research assistant in the Dependency Study. In my spare time, I love singing, listening to music and cooking. I am excited to gain more research experience in CocoDev Lab.
I am a fourth-year student pursing a double major in psychology and economics. Through my experience of observing children in the lab course PSY319, I found my research interests in Developmental psychology. I am particularly interested in how children make decisions based on the limited information from external environment. Now, I am working as a research assistant in the Dependency Study. In my spare time, I love singing, listening to music and cooking. I am excited to gain more research experience in CocoDev Lab.
Maureen Huang, Work Study Student
Hi! My name is Maureen, I’m in second year doing research as well as a work study in this lab. I’m currently pursuing a psychology specialist and a minor in education and society. 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!
Hi! My name is Maureen, I’m in second year doing research as well as a work study in this lab. I’m currently pursuing a psychology specialist and a minor in education and society. 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!
Nishat Kazi, ROP399 and Work Study Student
I am a third 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).
I am a third 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).
Raymond Li, Independent Project Student
I'm a CS undergraduate student currently in my last year. My currently project deals with using computer vision methods for detecting features on Blickets in order to assists researchers in various experiments. Joining this lab gives me the unique opportunity to pursue my interests in researching and implementing different techniques for the task, and further enrich my understanding in the field of computer vision. Outside of school, I enjoy various activities including basketball, skiing/snowboarding, as well as working on some of the side projects that's currently in development.
I'm a CS undergraduate student currently in my last year. My currently project deals with using computer vision methods for detecting features on Blickets in order to assists researchers in various experiments. Joining this lab gives me the unique opportunity to pursue my interests in researching and implementing different techniques for the task, and further enrich my understanding in the field of computer vision. Outside of school, I enjoy various activities including basketball, skiing/snowboarding, as well as working on some of the side projects that's currently in development.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Yvonne Wang, Independent Study Student
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.
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.