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, Research Associate
![](https://sites.utexas.edu/childslab/files/2023/08/Virginia-225x300.jpg)
![](https://sites.utexas.edu/childslab/files/2023/08/Virginia_child-e1692978933818-210x300.jpg)
Virginia is a research associate 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.
Caroline Lai, Research Assistant
![](https://sites.utexas.edu/childslab/files/2023/02/Caroline-Lai-baby-photo-225x300.jpg)
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
![](https://sites.utexas.edu/childslab/files/2023/03/Liliana_current-225x300.jpg)
![](https://sites.utexas.edu/childslab/files/2023/03/Liliana_baby-223x300.jpg)
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.
Natalia Orozco, Research Assistant
![](https://sites.utexas.edu/childslab/files/2024/01/Natalia_Current-225x300.jpg)
![](https://sites.utexas.edu/childslab/files/2024/01/Natalia_Baby-154x300.png)
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.
Marlizeth Castaneda Hernandez, Research Assistant
![](https://sites.utexas.edu/childslab/files/2024/06/Marlizeth_Current-240x300.jpeg)
![](https://sites.utexas.edu/childslab/files/2024/06/Marlizeth_Baby-169x300.jpeg)
Marlizeth is a fourth-year undergraduate student at the University of Texas at Austin. She is currently completing a B.S.A in Neuroscience and a minor in Mexican-American Studies. After graduation, she plans to apply to medical school to become a pediatrician. As a doctor she hopes she can help mitigate the language barriers in healthcare as well as make it more accessible. In her free time, Marlizeth enjoys running, baking, and spending time with friends and family.
Her favorite childhood memory is playing soccer and eating breakfast with her family every Sunday morning.
Audrey Bactad, Research Assistant
![](https://sites.utexas.edu/childslab/files/2024/06/Audrey_Current-225x300.jpg)
![](https://sites.utexas.edu/childslab/files/2024/06/Audrey_Baby-233x300.jpg)
Audrey is a second-year undergraduate student at the University of Texas at Austin. She is currently completing a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a minor in Chinese. After graduating, she plans to pursue a PhD in psychology. Her research interests revolve around human behavior, and her personal experiences in a mixed household as well as partially growing up in Singapore sparked her interest in the development of multilingualism in children. Audrey also enjoys making music, watching films, and doodling in her spare time.
Audrey’s favorite childhood memory is creating and playing inside of an entire world of make-believe with her siblings and all of their stuffed animals.
Cyndi Liang, Research Assistant
![](https://sites.utexas.edu/childslab/files/2024/06/Cyndi_Current-225x300.jpg)
![](https://sites.utexas.edu/childslab/files/2024/06/Cyndi_Baby-256x300.png)
Cyndi is a second-year undergraduate student at the University of Texas at Austin. She is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Statistics and Data Sciences while on the pre-medical pathway. After graduating, she hopes to attend medical school whilst growing her interest in neurological-based research. In her free time, Cyndi loves making desserts, running outside, and watching shows with her friends and family.
Her favorite childhood memory is playing video games with her older sister.
Teresa Nieto, Research Assistant
Teresa is a third-year student at the University of Texas at Austin. She is pursuing a B.S. in Human Development and Family Sciences and a B.S.A. in the Plan II Honors Program. After graduating, she plans to attend medical school to become a pediatrician. She enjoys hiking with friends, reading, listening to music, and traveling.
Her favorite childhood memory is learning to cook with her mother and grandmother.
Interested in becoming part of the research team? Fill out the undergraduate RA application here!