Lab Members

Screenshot 2023-06-21 at 1.44.19 PM New Amy headshot

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

Fall 2025

Caroline Danforth

PhD Student

My name is Caroline Danforth, and I am a third-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.

Abby Blum

PhD Student

My name is Abby Blum, and I am a third-year PhD student in the Clinical Science program within the Department of Psychology and Human Development. I graduated from Northwestern University with a degree in psychology and creative writing, and my current research interests include exploring different attachment styles between caregivers and babies, as well as examining the ways in which differences in early caregiving can affect infant mental health, particularly with children with developmental disabilities. Outside of the lab, I enjoy travelling to new cities, going on hikes with my two puppies, and snuggling up with a good book.

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!

Sunny Zhao

Master’s Student

My name is Sunny Zhao, and I graduated from Beijing Normal University. I am now a first-year student in the Cognitive Psychology in Context program. I am interested in how fine motor development in newborns can both predict and shape cognitive growth, as well as how targeted early interventions can support brain function in infants with neurological disorders. I am excited to explore these questions in depth and to translate scientific findings into practical strategies that make a real difference in children’s lives.

Alison Rubin

Lab Manager

My name is Alison Rubin. I graduated from William & Mary with a B.S in Neuroscience and a minor in Hispanic Studies. I am excited for the opportunity to research how children learn through play in the HOP Lab. I am passionate about child development research and combining it with my neuroscience background. I hope to one day pursue a PhD in developmental neuroscience. In my free time, I love to go on walks, explore thrift stores, and spend time with my pets.

Supreethi Sridhar

Research Assistant

Hello! My name is Supreethi Sridhar and I double majored 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.

Anna Robbins

Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2026

My name is Anna Robbins, and I am an undergraduate student studying Child Development and Human Organization and Development (HOD). I am very interested in how environment factors and interactions play a role in early child development and education. This experience will provide an interesting insight into this idea, and how we can support growth and development in early childhood.