Dr. Maria M. Arredondo, Director
Dr. Arredondo is the director of the ChiLDS lab. She completed her Bachelor’s of Psychology at the University of Houston, and her Master’s and Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology at the University of Michigan. While at Michigan, she was trained on the successful use of fNIRS technology with children. After earning her Ph.D., she completed her postdoctoral work with infants at the University of British Columbia where she lived in lovely Vancouver (Canada) for two full years, before transitioning to Haskins Laboratories at Yale University. In 2020, Dr. Arredondo joined the Department of Human Development and Family Science at the University of Texas at Austin.
Dr. Arredondo’s research focuses on understanding how infants, toddlers and school-age children acquire their language(s). She is especially interested in why some children can become proficient bilinguals while others seem to struggle, what are the cognitive and brain networks that support successful bilingualism, and what provides diverse and multilingual children with the skills to succeed academically.
Dr. Arredondo’s favorite memory as a child is taking an afternoon nap while lying on the front yard of her family’s house back in Argentina.
Alyssa Garlepp, Research Assistant
Alyssa is a second-year student at the University of Texas at Austin pursuing a BSA Honors degree as a double major in Human Development and Family Sciences and Plan II Honors. She is also part of CNS’s Polymathic Scholars Honors Program. After undergraduate school, Alyssa plans to go to graduate school to pursue a career in child counseling. She is interested in learning more about child and language development. Her non-academic interests include listening to music, playing guitar, and going to coffee shops.
Alyssa’s favorite childhood memory is going to the local park to play in the creek with her sister.
Anika Bhatia, Research Assistant
Anika is a second year undergraduate at the University of Texas at Austin. She is currently completing a Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Sciences along with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. After she graduates she hopes to pursue a PhD in clinical neuropsychology. She is very interested in how injuries and illnesses of the brain impact cognitive and behavioral function. A few of Anika’s interests are playing with her dog, scrapbooking, running, hiking, and dancing.
Anika’s favorite childhood memory is going to India with her family during summer breaks to meet relatives and connect with her roots.
Isabelle Costello, Research Assistant
Isabelle is a third-year undergraduate student at the University of Texas at Austin. She is currently completing a B.S. in Honors in Advanced Human Development and Family Sciences and a B.S. in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences. After graduating, she plans to attend graduate school and practice as a medical speech-language pathologist for children. Isabelle enjoys teaching dance, browsing plant nurseries, and crocheting.
Isabelle’s favorite childhood memory is getting ready with her mom for her yearly dance recitals.
Caroline Lai, Research Assistant
Caroline is a second-year undergraduate student at the University of Texas at Austin. She is currently completing a B.S. in Honors in Advanced Human Development and Family Sciences and a minor in Chinese. After her undergraduate studies, Caroline plans to attend graduate school to become an occupational therapist, work with children, and explore various fields within occupational therapy to specialize in one. Her personal experience as a child of Taiwanese immigrants and growing up speaking Mandarin Chinese sparked her interest in how bilingualism affects the development of children. During her free time, Caroline enjoys painting, playing the piano, completing jigsaw puzzles, and spending time with friends and family.
Caroline’s favorite childhood memory is traveling to Taiwan with her family during summer and winter breaks to visit relatives, explore the country, and experience the food and culture.
Raul De Leon, Research Assistant
Raul De Leon is a fourth year undergraduate student at the University of Texas at Austin. He is pursuing a BSA Human Development and Family Sciences with a Pre-Health Profession certificate for science majors. After graduating he will pursue a counseling career and ultimately further his education to become a family therapist.
Raul’s favorite childhood memory is spending his weekends in Mexico with his family. During his visits he loved eating “Gansito’s”, a Mexican pastry sold in stores.
Liliana Beltran, Research Assistant
Liliana is a second-year first-generation student at the University of Texas at Austin. She is completing a Bachelor of Science and Arts in Human Development and Family Sciences with a minor in Communication studies. Upon completion of her undergraduate degree, she plans on going to graduate school to become a physician assistant while specializing in pediatrics. In her free time, Liliana enjoys watching rom-coms, listening to Harry Styles, or spending time with her friends and family.
Liliana’s favorite childhood memories are having themed birthday parties and being taught how to dance cumbias by her dad and sister
Claudia Wimsatt, Research Assistant
Claudia is a third year undergraduate student at the University of Texas at Austin. She is pursuing a B.A. in Psychology, with a minor in Sociology, and a B.S. in Human Development and Family Sciences. After completing her undergraduate studies, she plans to attend graduate school to pursue a PhD in clinical neuropsychology and work with young children. In her freetime, Claudia enjoys hiking, going to concerts, and playing with her two little dogs.
Claudia’s favorite childhood memories are visiting her Abuelita’s house in California over the summer, going to the beach, and swimming in the ocean.
Alejandro J. Banchs, Research Assistant
Alejandro is a second-year undergraduate student at the University of Texas at Austin pursuing a double major in Psychology and Interpersonal Communications. After graduating from UT, he plans to pursue a Ph.D. in clinical psychology and a career centered on patient care. His current research interests include communication in relationships and the role of bilingualism in child development. Some of his personal interests include rock climbing, slacklining, cooking, and spending quality time with friends and family.
Alejandro’s favorite childhood memories are visiting his cousins in Venezuela and playing hide and seek at his grandparent’s house. During these visits, he would spend time in his parent’s hometown eating lots of arepas and tequeños.
Oriana Pineda, Research Assistant
Oriana is a third year student at the University of Texas at Austin pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience along with a Bachelor of Arts in Asian Cultures and Languages specializing in Chinese and a Portuguese minor. Oriana’s research interests center around the intersection between language, memory, and the brain, which she hopes to research further in graduate school upon completing her undergraduate studies. In her free time, she loves baking, climbing, reading, and embroidery.
Oriana’s favorite childhood memory is baking pan de jamón, a traditional Venezuelan Christmas dish, with her family during the holidays.
Namuuka Mweene, Research Assistant
Namuuka is entering her second year at The University of Texas at Austin. She is currently studying Plan II and psychology on the pre-med track, hoping to become a pediatric psychiatrist. She is interested in the unique socialization of minorities in America, and how that impacts their psyche, especially as a young child. When she’s not busy studying, Namuuka enjoys reading, playing the piano, or binge-watching episodes of New Girl.
Namuuka’s favorite childhood memories are the times she went to Zambia to visit her non-immediate family.
