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 2024
Caroline Danforth
PhD Student
My name is Caroline Danforth, and I am a first-year PhD student in the Department of Psychology and Human Development. I couldn’t be more excited to join the Hands-On Play Lab! 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.
Monica Bashir
Lab Manager
My name is Monica Bashir, and I graduated in May from Auburn University with a B.S. in Neuroscience and a B.A. in Spanish. I am interested in the intersections between second- and heritage-language learning in children and the effects that these have on their cognition. I am excited to be getting started in the lab this year, and I am looking forward to learning more about the ways that children might improve their motor skills through environment interactions!
Emma Kerr
Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2024
My name is Emma Kerr, and I’m currently a senior double majoring in Psychology and Medicine, Health, and Society. After graduation, I hope to go to graduate school and become a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner. I’ve always had an interest in child development, so I’m very excited to start my second year working in the lab!
Tasfia Alam
Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2025
My name is Tasfia Alam, and I am a junior 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 junior 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.
Suman Mohanty
Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2025
Supreethi Sridhar
Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2025
Hello! My name is Supreethi Sridhar and I am a junior 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.
Amelia Cook
Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2026
My name is Amelia Cook, and I am majoring in Special Education with a double minor in Child Development and Spanish. As a Special Education major, I have worked with children of all ages and varying cognitive and social capabilities. I am very excited to offer unique insight into the development of children with intellectual disabilities and to learn more about child development in the Hands-On Play Lab!
Eric Duarte
Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2027
My name is Eric Duarte, and I am an undergraduate from Las Vegas studying Human and Organizational Development with a minor in Child Development. I am excited to help the Hands-On Play Lab understand how children learn — even while they’re playing and having fun. Outside of the lab, you can find me watching soccer matches from around the world or struggling to speak Italian.
Wendy Wang
Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2027
My name is Wendy Wang, and I am a Freshman majoring in Child Studies. I am so excited to join the Hands-on Play Lab and I have always been interested in child development. I’m looking forward to having a further understanding of children’s behavior and how it shapes their everyday lives and overall development. I hope to gain valuable insights through a variety of meaningful research and activities in the lab!
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
Emma Kerr, Research Assistant
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