Lab Members
Dr. Amy Needham, Principal Investigator
Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.I am the Director of the Hands-On Play Lab and Professor of Psychology and Human Development, which is in the Peabody College of Education and Human Development at Vanderbilt University. I am fascinated by how infants learn to use their hands to accomplish their goals and by what they learn when they use their hands to play with and explore objects. I earned my PhD in Developmental Psychology at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. I came to Vanderbilt in 2009 after working at Duke University for 16 years. When I’m not working, I enjoy taking walks with my husband and dogs and finding new ways to cook vegetables.
Email : amy.needham@vanderbilt.edu Telephone: (615) 322-8380
Spring 2025
Caroline Danforth
PhD Student
My name is Caroline Danforth, and I am a second-year PhD student in the Department of Psychology and Human Development. My academic background is in psychology and biology, and I worked closely with children with developmental disabilities for several years. I am very interested in how neurodevelopmental differences influence early childhood development, and would like to pursue research that promotes effective, considerate early intervention techniques.
Siwen Wang
Master’s Student
My name is Siwen Wang, and I am a master’s student enrolled in Cognitive Psychology in Context program. I graduated from Tsinghua University with a B.S. in psychology. I’m so glad to join hands-on play lab and explore the world of infants and toddlers through engaging research! I will mainly focus on the research of investigating the impact of Montessori education on the development of fine motor skills in young children.
Jinghan Liu
Master’s Student
My name is Jinghan Liu. I graduated from New York University this year with a B.A. in Psychology and I am a first-year Master’s student in the Cognitive Psychology in Context program. I am interested in studying how infants learn through their actions, specifically the development of perception, action, and cognition. I am looking forward to learning more about the development of manual explorations in the Hands-On Play Lab!
Monica Bashir
Lab Manager
My name is Monica Bashir, and I graduated in May of 2023 from Auburn University with a B.S. in Neuroscience and a B.A. in Spanish. In my second year in the HOP Lab, I am looking forward to continuing to learn more about the ways that children learn through play and environment interactions. In my free time, you can find me spending time with friends and family, baking, and taking prerequisite courses to attend nursing school!
Tasfia Alam
Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2025
My name is Tasfia Alam, and I am a senior double majoring in Neuroscience and Political Science, with a minor in Gender and Sexuality Studies. After graduation, I hope to attend medical school to pursue a career as a neurologist. I’m looking forward to learning about children’s behavior during play and their motor skill development while at the Hands-On Play Lab!
Kiet Hua
Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2025
Hi, my name is Kiet Hua, and I’m currently a senior majoring in Neuroscience and Cognitive Studies. I joined HOP Lab because I have always been intrigued by the growth and development of children. In the future, I plan to pursue a career in Biotech, which will allow me to find meaningful solutions to neurodegenerative diseases targeted toward children. This field combines many of my interests in STEM and the development of children.
Supreethi Sridhar
Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2025
Hello! My name is Supreethi Sridhar and I am a senior double majoring in Neuroscience and Medicine, Health, and Society. I am looking forward to learning more about how play influences behavior and habits in children through the Hands-On Play Lab! After graduation, I plan to attend medical school and hope to specialize in pediatric surgery.
My name is Maya Azzato and I am currently a sophomore majoring in child development. I am passionate about working with and for children, and exploring how we can better support them. I have especially done a lot of work with children with special needs, and it is something very close to my heart. I look forward to exploring what insight children’s play gives us into their development, and how it might enhance it!
Lucy Hu
Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2027
My name is Lucy (Yuchang) Hu, and I am currently a sophomore majoring in Child Studies and Cognitive Studies. With a little sister 10 years younger than me, I have developed a deep understanding of child development and have been tutoring children of all ages for the past five years. I am passionate about supporting children from diverse backgrounds in achieving personal growth. Through my research, I aim to explore how educators can design meaningful play activities that foster motor skill development and enhance children’s long-term learning outcomes.
Emma Boualaphanh
Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2027
My name is Emma Boualaphanh, and I am an undergraduate student from Nolensville, Tennessee, majoring in child development. I am excited about understanding how children learn and develop through play and am looking forward to working with the lab team to explore more ways we can help children grow!
Josie Gaynor
Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2027
My name is Josie Gaynor and I am a sophomore in Peabody College, majoring in Elementary Education and Child Studies! Post graduation, I plan to become an elementary school teacher and possibly transition into Speech Language Pathology down the line. I joined the HOP lab so that I can grow as both a researcher and an educator and see first hand the intricacies of the research I read about in my classes every day!
Omar Hernandez Ramon
Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2027
Hello! My name is Omar Hernandez Ramon, and I am an undergraduate student majoring in Human and Organizational Development and Cognitive Studies, with a minor in Business. I’m passionate about exploring how children’s play impacts cognitive, social, and emotional development. I’m thrilled to join the Hands-On Play Lab and contribute to research that helps us better understand how children learn through play. Outside of academics, I love traveling, finding new coffee shops, listening to music, and going on spontaneous adventures!
PREVIOUS LAB MEMBERS
Katie Swift, Junior Lab Manager
Jasmyne Yeldell, Lab Manager
Laura Green, Honors Student
Melody Li, Research Assistant
Judy Min, Research Assistant
Jacob Wade, Research Assistant
Stella Owings, Research Assistant
Grace Rupert, Research Assistant
Abigail Phillips, Research Assistant
Chelsea Yang, Research Assistant
Sarah Megan Erb, Research Assistant
Frances Garrard, Research Assistant
Charlotte Jeanne, Honors Student
Caitlin Hertzendorf, Summer Research Assistant
Angie Zhao, Summer Research Assistant
Brooke Berger, Lab Manager
Sarah Wiesen, PhD Student
Mandy Kaur, Postdoctoral Fellow
Darcy Smith, Masters Student
Lindsey Rae, Research Assistant
Georgia Wilson, Research Assistant
Tara Webster, Research Assistant
Rachael Holstine, Research Assistant
Molly Sokolosky, Research Assistant
Kelly Willard, Research Assistant
Shannon Shiffer, Research Assistant
Doreen Li, Research Assistant
Savannah Diamond, Research Assistant
Sarah Barrett, Research Assistant
Theresa Brogan, Research Assistant
Ivy Han, Research Assistant
Anna-Grace Lilly, Research Assistant
Ava Murchison, Research Assistant
Isabell Plotsker, Research Assistant
Kashope Anifowoshe, Research Assistant
Aunnika Short, Master’s Student
Mabel Donahue, Lab Manager
Maggie Huntley, Research Assistant
Amelia Murray, Research Assistant
Frances Farrell, Research Assistant
Evy Mattson, Lab Manager
Hijaan Mitha, Research Assistant
Iris An, Research Assistant
Lauren Malley, Honors Student
Lauren Malachowski, PhD Student
Maggie McGowan, Lab Manager
Daniyah Bowen, Research Assistant
Jana Yan, Research Assistant
Wendy Wang, Research Assistant
Emma Kerr, Research Assistant
Suman Mohanty, Research Assistant
Amelia Cook, Research Assistant
Eric Duarte, Research Assistant