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.
Stephanie Castro, Graduate Student
Stephanie is a first year PhD student in the Human Development and Family Sciences program at the University of Texas at Austin. She completed her bachelor’s in Psychology and Child Learning and Development from the University of Texas at Dallas (UTD). She worked as a lab manager at two labs at UTD: first, at the Developmental Neurolinguistics Lab under Dr. Mandy Maguire, and second, at the Language in Motion Lab under Dr. Lisa Goffman. Stephanie’s research interests lie in bilingualism, language learning and acquisition, culture, and academic success with a focus on Latinx children. In her free time, Stephanie likes to discover new music, play Stardew Valley, and spend time with friends and family.
Stephanie’s favorite childhood memory is going to the flea market with her family on the weekends.
Virginia Chen, Lab Manager
Virginia is the lab manager at the ChiLDS Lab in the HDFS department at the University of Texas at Austin. They received their Bachelor’s of Psychology from the University of Texas at Austin, where they worked in the Texas Twin Project under Dr. Elliot Tucker-Drob. They received their Master’s in Psychology from the University of Texas at Dallas, where they worked in the Developmental Neurolinguistics Lab under Dr. Mandy Maguire. Virginia’s research interests include bilingualism, conceptual development, semantic development, and L1 and L2 language acquisition. In their free time, Virginia enjoys reading, creative writing, and sketching in pen and ink.
Virginia’s favorite childhood memory is exploring bamboo forests and snacking on wax apples in Taiwan.
Isabelle Costello, Research Assistant
Isabelle is a fourth-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 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 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.
Liliana Beltran, Research Assistant
Liliana is a third-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 fourth 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 major in Psychology with a minor in Social Work. 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.
Macy Katz, Research Assistant
Macy is a fourth year undergraduate student at the University of Texas at Austin. She is currently completing a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Development and Family Sciences, with a minor in Business. After graduating from UT, she plans to go to graduate school to get a degree to further her passion of working with children and their families. Macy’s research interests include mental health and diagnoses, children’s development, and behavioral functionings. In her free time, Macy loves to spend time with her friends and family, be outside, and explore everything in Austin!
Macy’s favorite childhood memories include going to the beach with her family and playing in the ocean.
Natalia Orozco, Research Assistant
Natalia is a third-year undergraduate student at the University of Texas at Austin. She is currently pursuing a B.S. in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences and an interdisciplinary certificate in Children and Society. After graduating, she plans to attend graduate school and become a practicing bilingual speech pathologist. Her experience being raised in a Spanish-speaking household has made her want to learn more about language development in bilingual children. Her hobbies include reading, listening to music, and thrifting.
Her favorite childhood memory is visiting extended family in Mexico and eating delicious food with them.
Interested in becoming part of the research team? Fill out the undergraduate RA application here!