Undergraduate Students

Current Undergraduate Students


Ethan Blum

Ethan Blum

Major: Psychology

Ever since I was a child, I have been very interested in both social and developmental psychology. I find it fascinating how so many seemingly insignificant factors in one’s life can drastically affect how a person thinks and reacts in a certain situation. I hope to learn more about what leads to these differences and how it impacts emotional well-being. As well as learn how to help those individuals who deal with mental disorders. 


Noel Brusnahan

Noel Brusnahan

Major: Psychology

As a psychology major aspiring to become a psychiatrist, I am passionate about understanding how childhood development shapes resilience, particularly in managing stress and deriving a sense of self. I want to learn evidence-based ways that alter a person’s life for the better. When I am not studying, I enjoy cooking, badminton, and sharing conversations about good books over good coffee. 


Will Bush

Will Bush

Major: Neurobiology and Education Policy

I am studying Neurobiology and Education Policy. I’m excited to be joining the Child Emotion Lab and begin contributing to the valuable work that takes place here. I’m interested in how neuroscience and psychology can be used to inform policy, especially related to children’s health and development.


Anna Eisenegger

Anna Eisenegger

Major: Psychology

I am currently an undergraduate studying psychology, and I am specifically interested in psychopathology and child development. I have prior experience working with children through babysitting, tutoring, and mentoring. In my free time, I like listening to music, reading, and spending time with friends and family. I hope to attend graduate school to study clinical psychology, with the goal of eventually working as a child psychologist. 


Cece Gray

Cece Gray

Major: Psychology and Pre-Nursing

I am a psychology and pre-nursing student with an interest in pediatric healthcare. I am especially interested in how lifestyle factors and early interventions can help children build healthy habits and improve long-term emotional well-being. After graduation, I hope to work with children as a registered nurse before completing more schooling to become a nurse practitioner. Outside of academics, I love running, baking, and reading.


Alyson Holub

Alyson Holub

Major: Pre-Nursing

I am an undergraduate aspiring Nursing student with a certificate in Global Health. After college, I aspire to work in psychiatric or pediatric nursing. I have always loved working with children, whether it be as a counselor or volunteering. I am interested in how children process difficult experiences like grief, and how they manage feelings of social anxiety or depression. Outside of academics, I enjoy listening to music, working out, and baking. 


Carly Johnson

Carly Johnson

Major: Psychology

I’ve worked with kids for as long as I’ve been able to work and love them! I’m hoping to continue my education after I graduate and further my specialization into the emotional effects of chronic illness in children. 


Payton Fuller

Payton Fuller

Major: Psychology

I am majoring in Psychology with a certificate in Studio Art. I am fascinated by the intersection of art and psychology and hope to one day combine that with my interest in child psychology. After graduation, I aspire to attend graduate school and earn my PhD in clinical psychology. Outside of academics, I enjoy reading, traveling, and baking!


Kayleigh Lara

Kayleigh Lara

Major: Psychology

I am an undergraduate student studying psychology with a certificate in disability rights and services. In the future, I hope to attend graduate school to study clinical psychology and ultimately become a child psychologist. Outside of academics, I enjoy cooking, spending time with friends, and watching movies.


Shea Luo

Shea Luo

Major: Psychology

I am fascinated by how human emotions can seem unpredictable, yet still reveal meaningful patterns when we look more closely. I am particularly interested in how childhood experiences and interactions with adults shape children’s emotional development. Through my work in the Child Emotion Lab, I hope to deepen my understanding of these processes and encounter new questions and perspectives that broaden the way I think about children and emotions.


Ruby Maillet

Ruby Maillet

Major: Psychology and Neurobiology

I am interested in the diverse ways we interpret emotions across the world, particularly how different societies perceive facial expressions.  Through my time in the lab, I hope to investigate how navigating these cross-cultural variations in emotion reading affects a child’s development. Ultimately, I want to translate research-based evidence into clinical practices that foster a more supportive environment for children to express their emotions.


Ella Meudt

Ella Meudt

Major: Psychology and Social Welfare

I am majoring in Psychology and Social Welfare with a certificate in Educational Services. I am particularly interested in how childhood adversity, including long-term illness, trauma, and grief, can affect a child’s emotional development. In the future, I hope to pursue a career supporting children and their families in a medical setting. Outside of academics, I enjoy traveling, reading, spending time outdoors and doing arts and crafts.


Isabelle Parr

Isabelle Parr

Major: Psychology and Human Development & Family Studies

I am majoring in Psychology and Human Development & Family Studies. I am especially interested in working with children and hope to pursue a career in the psychology field where I can work with kids after graduation. In my free time, I love reading, trying out new restaurants and coffee shops, spending time outside, and hanging out with friends and family. I am very excited to have the opportunity to work in this lab! 


Maddie Pecak

Maddie Pecak

Major: Psychology and Neurobiology

I am an undergraduate student double majoring in psychology and neurobiology and have a deep passion for understanding children’s emotional development and psychopathology. At home, I work as a children’s camp counselor through my local park district, and in Madison, I am a member of the student radio, WSUM. I also love to read, shop sustainably, and spend time in nature. In the future, I hope to pursue graduate school and continue working with children through research and clinical practice!


Maxwell Raynes

Maxwell Raynes

Major: Psychology

I’m from Williston, Vermont. I love to hike, swim, and hang out with friends.  I am interested in developmental psychology and love working with children; I am also an after-school programmer at the Amphora Apartments. I hope to work with children in the future and move to another country after I graduate.


Clara Sainz Prats

Clara Sainz Prats

Major: Psychology and Neurobiology

My name is Clara Sainz Prats and I am an international student from Barcelona, Spain. I am a junior majoring in psychology and neurobiology who’s deeply interested in the intersection of both. In my free time I like to read mystery novels, bake fruit pies for my roommates, and go on runs. I look forward to furthering my education on psychology research through the Child Emotion Lab.


Gabriella Waldron

Gabriella Waldron

Major: Psychology and Neurobiology

I am an undergraduate student studying psychology and neurobiology. Following years of working with kids, I have become very interested in the intersection between school psychology and developmental psychology, and the impact caregivers and parents have on children’s development. After college, I plan to attend graduate school to further my studies in these areas. Outside of school, I enjoy reading, nature walks, and watching sitcoms.


Amber Weiss

Amber Weiss

Major: Psychology and Human Development & Family studies

I could not be more excited to be a part of this team since psychology has always been a passion of mine. Outside of the lab, I enjoy running, group fitness classes, grabbing coffee and shopping with friends, and binging sitcoms. My goal is to work as a behavioral scientist in the future and I am so thankful for this job opportunity because it gives me the experience that I need to be successful in the future!


Hannah Weissman

Hannah Weissman

Major: Psychology

I am particularly interested in neuropsychology, specifically how the brain affects behavior and learning in children. After completing my bachelor’s degree, I hope to pursue a doctorate in clinical psychology with a focus in neuropsychology. Outside of my academics, I enjoy spending time with my friends and family, traveling, and cooking.


Audriana Zeuske

Audriana Zeuske

Major: Psychology

I am a psychology major with a strong interest in developmental and clinical research. I am particularly passionate about working with children, especially those with special needs, and I hope to use research to better understand how to support their emotional and psychological well-being. Through my involvement in this lab, I aim to gain valuable research experience that will prepare me for graduate study in counseling psychology. My long-term goal is to become a licensed counselor and eventually open my own private practice, where I can provide compassionate, individualized care to children and families.

Undergraduate Alumni

Elizabeth Ahlers

Sydnee Akubuiro

Julia Alexander

Rachel Alter

Kayley Anderson

Sophie Baird

Nick Ballweg

Olivia Bartell

Patrick Bauer

Eric Biolos

Michelle Block

Zach Bloomberg

Julian Bok

Chris Buckley

Cory Burghy

Maureen Butler

Daniel Byrd

Anisa Ciaciura

Aaron Cohn

Emma Collins

Eden Comer

Gwyneth DeLap

Zoey Dlott

Elisa Donovan Walker

Taylor Dorlack

Abigail Durst

Erin Eatough

Katie Ebinger

Anneliese Elmer

Sarah Fieweger

Rachel Filipiak

Danielle Fogelson

Tanzea Freeman

Ashley Frykland

Zoe Gawlinski

Adriana Gonzalez

Selin Gok

Andrew Goodman

Andy Gostisha

Alex Graf

Anna Grassley

Zhihan Guo

Courtney Heim

Alex Henoch

Sophie Huddelstun

Jessica Jenness

Finola Kane-Grade

Abhipsa Kar

Sascha Krause

Jasmine Li

Xinjie Lu

Erin Long

Mallory Madden

Anita Mantha

Justin Martin

Dana May

Kinjal Mehta

Carolyn Meissner

Mike Messner

John Millerhagen

Felix Mireles

Emily Mischel

Michael Montgomery

Robyn Offenbach

Susan Perlman

Kira Peterson

Rista Plate

Sarah Pluck

Rachel Posener

Ashley Prosocki

Rachel Rans

Stephanie Reiter

Rachel Reynders

Alex Rokni

Ron Rosenberg

Lauren Rosmarin

Ashley Roy

Amber Schemmel

Katherine Schnettle

Jenna Seiler

Craig Selinger

Smile Shi

Mark Siegel

Abbie Silverstein

Mira Singh

Sarah Skinner

Alex Solberg

Emma Southard

Alaina Struve

Heather Steele

Sara Steinberg

Chloe Stevens

Stacey Sukoff

Hailey Sullivan

Yue Sun

Joanna Swinarska

Maria Szalkowski

Judy Tan

Ellie Thoma

Michaela Topitzes

Gabriella Torzewski

Sonya Troller-Renfree

Teresa Turco

Shira Vardi

Aimee Von Arx

Natalie Walker

Emily Weiss

Cassandra Windau

Alison Wismer

Allison Wojnar

Kristina Wolosek

Bingbin Xia

Nanxi Xu

Brennan Young

Kaitlyn Young

Jaclyn Zavoral

Chongjin Zhou

Judy Zhu