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 fourth 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. 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 STEM. Outside of academia, she enjoys visiting new coffee shops and exploring outdoor activities with her family.
Sean Dick — Lab Manager
Sean graduated with a M.Ed in Child Studies from Vanderbilt in 2026, on the developmental research track. 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.
Taylor Ditsworth — Undergraduate Research Assistant
Taylor is a rising senior double majoring in Child Development and Psychology. She joined the lab driven by her interest in early cognitive development and plans to pursue graduate training in neuropsychology after graduation. Outside of the lab, Taylor loves rewatching her favorite sitcoms, baking for friends and family, and exploring Nashville.
Ryan Hudacek — Undergraduate Research Assistant
Ryan Hudacek is a senior 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 senior 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.
Shakthi Krishna – Undergraduate Research Assistant
Shakthi is a junior majoring in Human and Organizational Development from Suwanee, Georgia. She has a passion for education policy, research, and teaching. In her free time, she likes to read thrillers, watch comedy shows, and listen to music.
Nicole Talledo – Undergraduate Research Assistant
Nicole is from Northern Virginia, and a junior studying psychology and neuroscience on the pre-med track. She hopes to become a child psychiatrist in the future, because of her passion for mental health and how it affects recent generations. Some of her hobbies include singing, running, swimming, and solving puzzles any chance she gets!
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)