Lab Members
Current Lab Members
Dr. Amy Booth— Principal Investigator
Contact: amy.booth@vanderbilt.edu
Curriculum Vitae: Amy Booth CV
*Dr. Booth is not accepting new graduate students at this time.*
Dr. Booth’s research focuses broadly on early cognitive development and learning, with a special emphasis on exploring the origins and outcomes associated with individual variability in pre-academic skills. Through her work, she aims to better understand and support the development of key foundational skills so that we can help to overcome persistent opportunity gaps and maximize the developmental outcomes of all children in both science and language.
Margaret Shavlik, PhD — Post-Doctoral Research Scholar
Contact: margaret.e.shavlik@vanderbilt.edu
Margaret (Maggie) graduated from Northwestern University in 2016, where she double majored in Psychology and Cognitive Science. She has been working with Dr. Booth and the Little Learners Lab since Fall 2016, and received her M.S. in Psychology in May 2019 and her PhD in May 2023. Her research interests comprise the effects of socioeconomic status on young children’s language learning and literacy skills, as well as on their overall school readiness. When not in the lab or the classroom, Margaret enjoys darkroom photography, ceramics, and very slow walks with her dog, Dot.
Jihye “Erica” Bae — Graduate Research Assistant
Contact: jihye.bae@vanderbilt.edu
Jihye is a second year doctoral student in Developmental Psychology at Peabody. She received her M.Ed. in Child Studies from Vanderbilt, and her B.A. in International Relations from New York University. Before discovering her passion for child development, she worked in the corporate world for a while. Her research interests are understanding young children’s motivation to learn, as well as the formal and informal environment for optimal learning, particularly in the context of science. Outside of academia, she enjoys visiting trendy coffee shops and exploring outdoor activities with her family.
Sean Dick — Graduate Research Assistant
Sean is a second year master’s student in the developmental research track of the Child Studies program. A 2024 graduate of Davidson College, he double majored in Communications and Educational Studies. Raised on Schoolhouse Rock, Sesame Street, and BrainPop, Sean has developed a passion for researching and creating children’s educational media. Outside of the lab, Sean enjoys, writing, playing basketball, and getting too emotionally invested in Vanderbilt sports.
Jiya Patel — Undergraduate Research Assistant
Mae Gangi — Undergraduate Research Assistant
Mae is a senior majoring in Psychology and minoring in Neuroscience. She joined the Little Learners Lab because she has always been fascinated by kids, their behavior and interests, and what shapes their development. The lab combines many of her interests in STEM and in child development!
Jelissa Sasraku — Undergraduate Research Assistant
Jelissa is a senior majoring in Biological Sciences and Child Development. She is interested in going to medical school for general pediatrics, yet Little Learners Lab has helped open her attention to more specific avenues of working with children. She has research interest on how children develop, especially psychologically. Outside of the lab, Jelissa enjoys being involved in Vanderbilt’s cultural organizations, dancing, taking care of her niece, and taking lots of naps!
Taylor Ditsworth — Undergraduate Research Assistant
Taylor is a junior majoring in Psychology and Child Development. She joined the Little Learners lab because of her love for kids and interest in early childhood intervention. Outside of the lab, you can find Taylor working as an after-school teacher at a local elementary school, exploring Nashville, or spending time with friends and family.
Ryan Hudacek — Undergraduate Research Assistant
Ryan Hudacek is a junior majoring in Child Development and Medicine, Health, and Society. She joined the Little Learners Lab in 2024 because she wanted to apply the methods she learned in class to a tangible experience. Outside of lab, Ryan is a campus tour guide and tutors elementary school kids.
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Maya Dobrinsky — Undergraduate Research Assistant
Maya is a junior majoring in Child Development and Medicine, Health, and Society. She joined the Little Learners Lab in 2025 because of her passion for working with kids and her interest in early childhood intervention. Maya hopes to become a pediatric occupational therapist in the future. Outside of the lab, she enjoys running, spending time with family and friends, and trying new recipes.
Tamara Regalado Quiroz – Undergraduate Research Assistant
Tamara is a senior studying Cognitive Studies and Computer Science. Growing up as a non-native English speaker, she is curious about how kids acquire language and how early experiences and interactions can make that process easier or more challenging. She’s passionate about human-centered design and UX research and hopes to help build tools that make learning more accessible for all children. When she’s not in the lab, Tamara enjoys trying new coffee shops, clay-figure making, and staying active.
FALL 2023
LLL Holiday Party (December 2019)
LLL End of Semester Party (April 2019)
LLL End of Semester Party (Dec. 2018)
LLL Holiday Party (Dec. 2017)