Undergraduate Students

Spring 2023 Undergraduate Students

Eden Comer

Major: Psychology

My name is Eden Comer, and I am majoring in psychology. I have previously worked as a children’s music instructor and summer camp counselor and found that I really enjoy working with kids! I’m interested in emotional development in children, and my long-term career goal is to become a child psychologist. In my free time, I like to read, do yoga, and play guitar!

Hannah Curran

Major: Psychology

My name is Hannah Curran, and I am majoring in psychology with a certificate in graphic design. I love working with children and am excited to be a part of this team! I am most interested in learning about how external factors in childhood impact the development of psychopathology. In the future, I hope to pursue a Ph.D. in clinical psychology to continue research and eventually practice counseling as well. I also enjoy art, music, running, hiking, and playing the guitar.

Jackson Hedegaard

Major: Neurobiology & Psychology

I’m majoring in Neurobiology and Psychology along with a certificate in Science Communication. I find neuroplasticity to be very cool, particularly how the brain changes in those who experience disabilities, mental illness, and trauma. I’m also interested in learning more about modern treatments for mental health as well as how research in this field can be translated to obtain real world changes. I enjoy biking, exploring the city, playing the saxophone, and cooking.

Jasmine Li

Major: Psychology & Human Development and Family Studies

My name is Jiaxin(Jasmine) Li, and I am currently double majoring in Psychology and Human Development and Family Studies (HDFS). I’m interested in how early childhood experiences directly impact an individual’s development and how genetic and environmental factors can interplay to affect the development of child psychopathology. I love golfing and doing group fitness classes with friends in my free time.

Kinjal Mehta

Major: Psychology

I’ve always been interested in the mechanisms of the human brain and want to learn more about human behavior and emotions. I want to be able to use logic and reason to understand the core passions like love, hate, envy, fear, hope, and how these emotions are influenced by external and internal factors starting from infancy.

In my free time, you can find me curled up in a couch, reading a book or exploring the outdoors.

Rachel Rans

Major: Psychology

My name is Rachel Rans. I am a junior studying psychology at UW. This is my first time doing research outside of a classroom so I am super excited! I hope to go onto graduate school and then become a therapist for children when I’m older. I enjoy traveling, playing piano, and eating good food!

Mira Singh

Major: Psychology

I am excited to gain research experience and explore topics of child development with this lab. I hope to take what I have learned in my courses about typical and atypical development and apply those theories to the research I will be helping with in this lab. I am majoring in Psychology with two certificates in Health and the Humanities, and Disability Rights and Services. Ultimately, my goal is to go to graduate school for either a master’s in Counseling Psychology or a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology. I do have previous experience with children; I currently teach taekwondo to kids in my hometown of Milwaukee, and this summer I will be a teacher to grade school children through the Center for Urban Learning.

In my free time when not running around campus, I love to read (particularly books on psychology, crime, or social justice), practice taekwondo (I am a third-degree black belt in ITF), or watch a good movie.

Alex Solberg

Major: Biology

I am a undergraduate student in my second year. I’m majoring in biology and getting a certificate in Scandinavian studies. I’m interested in learning about the body and also about how the mind impacts development of children. In the future I have aspiration of going to medical school and becoming a physician.

Ellie Thoma

Major: Neurobiology & Spanish

My name is Ellie Thoma, and I’m currently double majoring in Neurobiology and Spanish. I love working with kids, and I’m really interested in learning about children’s resilience and cognitive science in general. I’m excited to be a part of this research team, and I look forward to seeing how we can help implement intervention strategies to support kids in the community. In my free time, you can find me reading a good book, watching Wisconsin sports, or spending time outside with friends.