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 second 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
Virginia is a research associate at the ChiLDS Lab and currently works full-time in the Department of Women’s Health at Dell Medical School 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, spatial language and 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
Caroline 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 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.
Marlizeth Castaneda Hernandez, Research Assistant
Marlizeth is a volunteer research assistant in the ChiLDS Lab. She recently completed a B.S.A in Neuroscience and a minor in Mexican-American Studies at the University of Texas at Austin. 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
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
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.
Leah Chhay, Research Assistant
Leah is a third-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. After graduating from UT, she plans to attend graduate school to further my passion of working with children and families. Her current research interests include mental health and diagnoses, child development, and analyzing data. In her free time, she enjoys going to the gym, thrifting, and spending time with friends.
Her favorite memory as a child is playing with her sisters in their backyard.
Emily Tran, Research Assistant
Emily is a fourth-year undergraduate student at the University of Texas at Austin, currently completing a BSA in Human Development and Family Sciences. She plans to attend medical school to become a physician, furthering her passion for neurodegenerative diseases and her commitment to addressing healthcare disparities in underserved populations. In her free time, she enjoys going on walks, traveling, trying new foods, and spending time with family and friends.
Emily’s favorite childhood memory is spending weekends at the beach in California with her family, enjoying cookouts, watching sunsets, and playing volleyball together.
Vanessa Munguia, Research Assistant
Vanessa is a fourth-year undergraduate student at The University of Texas at Austin. She is currently completing a Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience and working towards a certificate in Spanish for Medical Professions. After graduating, she plans to attend medical school and achieve her life-long goal of becoming a physician. As a doctor, she hopes not only to be a voice for the Latin American community in the medical field, but also help as many people as she can through continuing research and clinical aid. Her research interests include a range of neuroscience topics, and she is especially interested in language and synaptic plasticity. Her hobbies include playing volleyball, hanging out with her friends, and slowly but surely learning new things on the guitar and ukulele.
Vanessa’s favorite childhood memory is sharing a birthday month with her sisters and having joint ice skating birthday parties with all of our friends!
Dayanara Carbajal, Research Assistant
Dayanara is currently a second-year undergraduate student at the University of Texas at Austin. Her major at the moment is Psychology of Arts and she’s minoring in Business. After she graduates, she wants to go to graduate school to further her studies in Psychology. Growing up in an immigrant household has granted her abilities that she would not switch with anyone else. She became interested in how children have a much easier time adapting and learning languages while amidst their environments. During her free time, she enjoy watching new movies, painting, going for walks, reading, and spending time with her family.
Her favorite childhood memory was catching ducks at the park in her old neighborhood.
Dana Ramirez, Research Assistant
Dana is a third-year undergraduate student at the University of Texas at Austin. She is currently completing a B.S.A in Human Development and Family Sciences with a certificate in Spanish for Health Professions. After her undergraduate studies, Dana plans to attend medical school to become a family medicine doctor. As a doctor, she hopes to provide accessible health care and advocate for her community’s health rights. Growing up in an immigrant household, Dana appreciates the importance of being bilingual and how it can help shape a child’s future. In her free time, she enjoys crocheting, taking her dog on walks, and spending time with friends and family.
Analiese Smith, Research Assistant
Analiese is a third-year undergraduate student at the University of Texas at Austin. She is currently completing a BS in Biochemistry and a certificate in Healthcare Reform and Innovation. Analiese became interested in language acquisition because she was a part of a Chinese Immersion program from kindergarten until her senior year of high school. After graduation, she hopes to attend medical school. She enjoys going to concerts, exploring Austin, and spending time with friends.
Analiese’s favorite childhood memory is going to swim meets in the summer with her two older sisters.
Interested in becoming part of the research team? Fill out the undergraduate RA application here!