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.
Leila Abel, Research Assistant
Leila is a fourth year undergraduate student at the University of Texas at Austin. She is currently completing a Bachelor of Science and Arts in Human Development and Family Sciences along with a certificate in Spanish for Medical Professions. After she graduates, she hopes to pursue a Ph.D. in Physical Therapy. A few of Leila’s interests include hiking, buying new plants, and going out to eat with her friends.
Leila’s favorite childhood memory is swimming at her aunt’s pool with her cousins during the summer breaks.
Paola Celis, Research Assistant
Paola is entering her fourth year as an undergraduate student at the University of Texas at Austin. She is pursuing a BSA Honors in Biology and a certificate in the Business of Healthcare. After completing her undergraduate degree, Paola plans to attend medical school to become a Pediatrician and potentially continue her research in child development.
Paola’s favorite childhood memory is sliding down the large playground slide with her dog, Michael, in her lap.
Calista Hemarga, Research Assistant
Calista is a fourth-year student completing a B.S. in Honors in Advanced Human Development and Family Sciences with a Certificate in Creative Writing. After graduating, she plans to attend medical school to become a pediatrician. Growing up bilingual herself, she is particularly interested in how bilingualism can shape a child’s cognitive development and interpersonal relationships to play a role even into adolescence and adulthood. She also enjoys writing poetry, playing several instruments, and indulging her passion for vintage items.
Calista’s favorite childhood memory is putting on weekly Saturday night plays with her best friend and their siblings for their families.
Daniella Varela, Research Assistant
Daniella is a third-year student at the University of Texas at Austin. She is currently completing her Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing. Her main goal is to become a pediatric Registered Nurse because of a hospitalization she went through as a child. She is interested in learning the importance of bilingualism for a child to grow cognitively.
Ana Guevara, Research Assistant
Ana is a fourth year undergraduate student at the University of Texas at Austin. She is currently studying for a Bachelor of Science and Arts in Human Development and Family Sciences along with a Business minor. After finishing her studies, she hopes to become a children’s therapist in order to help provide mental health services to low socioeconomic minorities. She wants to help change the narrative some ethnic minorities have on mental health. Her interest in the development of children who are bilingual stems from growing up hispanic and finds it interesting to see how children learn in those settings. She loves to spend time with family and friends watching movies. Some hobbies she enjoys are embroidery, reading, and yoga.
Ana’s favorite childhood memory is hosting movie nights for her family especially during the holidays.
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.
Alyssa Carrasco, Research Assistant
Alyssa is a third-year first-generation college student at the University of Texas at Austin. She is double majoring in Psychology and Plan II Honors with a minor in Sociology. Alyssa’s research interests center on investigating child-rearing practices and their influence on child development within Hispanic/Latinx communities. After her undergraduate studies, Alyssa hopes to pursue a Ph.D. to continue her research in child development. In the future, Alyssa hopes to become a child development psychologist and bring awareness to mental health issues and disparities within Latinx/Hispanic populations. During her free time, Alyssa loves to bake, go on hikes, and spend time with her friends and family!
Alyssa’s favorite childhood memories are having snowball fights with her siblings and building snowmen during the Chicago winters.
Isabel Alamo, Research Assistant
Isabel is a fourth-year student completing a B.S. in Biochemistry while pursuing a minor in French Studies and a certificate in Spanish for Healthcare Professions. Some of Isabel’s interests include childhood neurological development, hiking, and her dog, Louis. After graduating, she hopes to pursue medicine in the field of pediatrics.
Isabel’s favorite childhood memory is dressing up like Ariel from The Little Mermaid every year for Halloween.
Julissa Medina, Research Assistant
Julissa is a rising third-year at the University of Texas at Austin, pursuing an undergraduate degree in Public-Health and a Health Professions Certificate. After completing her undergraduate degree in the year 2024, she plans to attend medical school to become a pediatrician. Her experiences having learned Spanish as a first-language, to later being adept in both languages (alongside English), have encouraged a sense of appreciation for bilingualism, thus contributing to her interest in how bilingualism affects the rate of cognitive development and ultimately determines which language bilingual children choose to speak. In her leisure time, she enjoys attending indoor-cycling classes, hiking, reading, and exploring the many coffee shops in Austin.
Julissa’s favorite childhood memory is going to her grandparents home for the holidays, which were filled with attempts to help cook tamales and cases of uncontrollable laughter with family.
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.
