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.
Anika Bhatia, Research Assistant
Anika is a third 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 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.
Marissa Seldes, Research Assistant
Marissa is a third year undergraduate student at the University of Texas at Austin. She is currently completing a Bachelor of Arts in Health And Society with a pre-health certificate. She is also a part of the Liberal Arts Honors Program. After graduation, she hopes to attend medical school to pursue a career as a pediatrician and conduct clinical research. In her free time, Marissa interests include spending time with her friends and family, going for walks, and trying new food in Austin.
Marissa’s favorite childhood memory is going to the beach with family.
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.
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.
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.
