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, M.Ed. — 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.
Anjuli Sharpley — Graduate Research Assistant
Anjuli is a second-year master’s student in the Human Development Counseling program at Peabody on the clinical mental health counseling track. She received her BA in Psychology and English from the University of Miami in 2022. Her research interests include how individuals’ social context impacts their language development. Outside of Peabody, Anjuli enjoys baking, hiking, and trying out local restaurants.
Jamelun Crutchfield — Research Coordinator
Jamelun graduated from Lipscomb University with a Bachelors in Psychology and a Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. She works as a Clinical Mental Health Counselor seeing kids and families when she is not in the lab. Her research interests are understanding how stress impacts children’s ability to learn in the classroom.
Outside of the lab , she enjoys yoga, exploring fun places in Nashville and spending time with her fur baby Sia.
Jiya Patel — Undergraduate Research Assistant
Mae Gangi — Undergraduate Research Assistant
Mae is a sophomore 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 sophomore 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 freshman 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 sophomore 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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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)