Maya Rosen (Lab Director)
I am a developmental cognitive neuroscientist investigating how environmental experience during childhood—including socioeconomic status, cognitive stimulation, and exposure to violence—are associated with cognitive and neural development in children from diverse backgrounds. The ultimate goal of my research is to understand how individual differences in cognitive and neural function influence children’s chances for success in life, including academic achievement, socio-emotional development, and mental health. I received my Ph.D. from the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences at Boston
University. My graduate work focused on understanding how we use past experience to guide attention and the neural correlates that support memory-guided attention. I moved into developmental work during my postdoctoral fellowship in the Stress & Development Lab at the University of Washington and Harvard University. Before embarking on my graduate studies, I graduated from Skidmore College with a dual degree in Neuroscience and Spanish. I am very happy to continue to pursue my love of understanding children’s development through neuroscience research at Smith College.
Catherine Mikkelsen (Post-Doctoral Fellow)
Dr. Catherine Mikkelsen is a Post-Doctoral Fellow in the lab. She is interested in how children’s environmental factors influence the development of executive function and resiliency. In her graduate work she utilized rodent and computational models, so she enjoys using a multi-modal lens to address her questions.
Maddie Scricco (Lab Manager)
Maddie recently joined the lab after finishing her Masters in Developmental Psychology at Teachers College, Columbia University. Her research focuses on the effects of early environments and experiences on the social emotional development of toddlers and young kids. After graduating from Vanderbilt University with a BA in Psychology in 2013, Maddie explored several avenues to work with children, first in medicine and then as a childcare professional. She is excited to apply decades of babysitting and nannying experience in this new role!
Current Lab Members
Annabelle Li she/her Neuroscience 2026
Hi! I’m Annabelle, I’m from the SF Bay Area, and I’m intending to major in neuroscience (and potentially minor in psychology or music). I’m not sure exactly which field I want to go into, but as of now, I’m interested in cognitive and behavioral neuroscience, personality and developmental psychology, and neuroendocrinology. In my free time, I enjoy playing piano and trumpet, taking walks around paradise pond, reading, listening to podcasts, and doing yoga.
Hannah Hafner she/they Neuroscience 2026
Hannah is a neuroscience major and statistical and data sciences minor from Chicago, IL. She is interested in the intersection of computational and cognitive neuroscience, specifically how emotions manifest in the brain and the computational underpinnings of human behavior. Outside of the lab, they love performing in theatre productions on campus, yoga, and reading.
Jackie Altman she/her Neuroscience and Film & Media Studies 2025
Jackie Altman is a current senior at Smith College majoring in Neuroscience. As a research assistant in the MIND lab, Jackie helped write a protocol for the DEEP OCEAN study, conducts data collection with both children and their parents, makes informational videos about the lab, helps out with recruitment events all over Western Massachusetts, does data entry, and helps create materials and upkeep social media for the lab! In the MIND lab, Jackie is able to pursue her interests in neuroimaging, child development, and making educational videos. Outside of the MIND lab, you can find Jackie doing research on Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) at the Peripheral-brain Interaction Neuropsych Center (PINC) at Mass General Brigham, cooking in her vegan co-op at Smith, singing in her acapella group Groove, making short films or music videos, and roller skating around campus.
Kris Cheaye they/she Neuroscience 2026J
Kris, a third-year Neuroscience major with a minor in Africana Studies, is currently a part of the MIND Lab, where they are developing a tutorial on hair braiding for fNIRS caps to increase accessibility for participants with curly or thicker hair. Their academic goals are driven by a desire to explore the intersection of Neuroscience and the African diaspora, particularly focusing on understanding how systemic challenges impact the neurology of Black individuals compared to other demographics. Beyond their research, Kris also works at the Smith College Botanic Garden and enjoys reading and binge-watching TV shows in their free time.
Ladan Yang Neuroscience and Statistics 2025
Hi! I major in Neuroscience and Mathematical Statistics. I am really interested in behavioral and computational neuroscience. And I like all kinds of sports. Contact me if you like sports and/or Latin dance!
Lizeth Sepulveda she/her Neuroscience and Psychology 2025
Lizeth is a senior from Chicago studying neuroscience and psychology. She is interested in pursuing a career in developmental neuropsychology and hopes to work with children with developmental disorders in the future. Outside of school, she also enjoys reading and learning how to crochet in her spare time.
Sadie Tschider she/her Neuroscience 2025
I am a senior neuroscience major on the pre-med track from the San Francisco Bay Area. My fascination with the intricacies of the human brain and passion for studying mental health and preventative medicine have lead me to my neuroscience major and position in the MIND Lab. In the future, I hope to become a primary care pediatric physician and take what I learn in the MIND lab into my future career! In my free time, I play on the Smith College Lacrosse team and give tours to prospective students as a Gold Key Guide.
Gabi Dondes, she/her, Neuroscience 2026
Gabi Dondes is a STRIDE scholar at Smith College studying Neuroscience and Chemistry. She has interests in studying neurodevelopment, specifically the chemical and neurological reactions that facilitate typical bodily growth and how they change over time. In her time outside of school and lab, Gabi is a classically trained opera singer and avid reader.
Zihan Lyu, she/her, Computer Science and Neuroscience, 2025
Zihan is a senior international student studying Computer Science and Neuroscience. She is interested in computational neuroscience and neuroengineering and works closely with our PostDoc Catherine to develop new MATLAB and Python pipelines. Outside of the lab, she is a passionate chef and casual reader. You can definitely find her at the Hopkins House kitchen inventing new dishes.
Nancy Jimenez Sandoval, she/her, Statistics and Data Science 2026
Nancy is a junior from Oakland, California, majoring in Statistical Data Science (SDS) with a minor in Mathematics. She is most interested in the anthropological side of data science, exploring how data can be used to understand and address social issues, while simultaneously unpacking and dissecting the societal biases embedded within data. Outside of school, Nancy enjoys dancing and exploring nature!
Aranne Jung, she/her, Neuroscience 2027
Aranne Jung is a sophomore from Los Angeles, CA, studying neuroscience at Amherst College. She is interested in developmental neuroscience, neuroimaging, and neuromotor disorders. In her free time, Aranne enjoys practicing her cello, playing video games, and sleeping.
Natasha Woon, She/her, Neuroscience Major, Community Engagement and Social Change Concentration, 2025
Natasha is a senior Neuroscience major on the Pre-Med track. In the MIND lab, Natasha conducts behavioral and fNIRS data collection with children and their parents, and is working on a project looking into the effects socioeconomic status has on cognitive stimulation and its impacts on working memory and other executive functioning. Natasha’s academic and research interests come from wanting to better understand how a child’s environment influences their development and health outcomes, and how we can ultimately better help support under-resourced families to ensure that all children can thrive. Outside of the lab, you can find her hanging out with her cat, working with non-profit organizations in the pioneer valley and giving Gold Key tours to prospective students.
Sophia Dube, she/her, Biology & Anthropology 2027
Sophia is a Biology and Anthropology double major from Oregon. As a research assistant, she conducts parent interviews, helps run recruitment events, and revises the lab website for better community outreach. In the future, she hopes to make research more accessible through social engagement and public health initiatives . When she’s not in the lab, you can find her on the tennis court or in the kitchen whipping up a new dish.
Ayla Hauser, she/her, Neuroscience & SDS 2027
Ayla Hauser is a sophomore studying statistics (SDS) and neuroscience at Smith College. Ayla also plays tennis for the Smith College Tennis Team. She is interested in computational neuroscience, developmental neuroscience, and neurodegenerative diseases. When not in class, Ayla enjoys reading, scrapbooking, and playing video games!
Kate Hoban, she/her, Psychology 2027
Kate is a sophomore from the Bay Area studying psychology with an intended women gender & sexuality minor. She is primarily interested in developmental psychology, adverse environmental effects and gender impacts. In her free time she plays ultimate frisbee on Smith Colleges LunaDisc, reads and sings!
Emma Robertson she/her Neuroscience Major, Education Minor, Community Engagement and Social Change Concentration, 2025
Emma is a senior from Maryland studying neuroscience, education, and community engagement at Smith. In the MIND Lab, Emma assists with data management and behavioral coding for the DEEP OCEAN study as well as recruitment events throughout western Massachusetts. Emma is also conducting a special studies literature review about the potential role of stressor controllability interventions in mitigating self-harm and suicidality in youth and adolescents with experiences of early life stress. This work is heavily inspired by Emma’s past research in the Dissociative Disorders and Trauma Research Program at McLean Hospital and Clinical Affective Neuroscience and Development Lab at Yale University, and a source of motivation for her to become a child psychologist. Outside of the MIND Lab, Emma enjoys crafting, dancing, and outdoor activities like running, hiking, and biking.
Bernice Zhao, she/they, Neuroscience, 2028
Bernice is a first-year from Holmdel, New Jersey, planning to major in neuroscience and minor in English at Smith. She is interested in developmental and behavioral neuroscience. In her free time, she enjoys writing poems, singing, and playing the violin.
Adwoa Pokuaa, Neuroscience, 2027
Marielle Sauber, she/her, Neuroscience and Spanish, 2026
Marielle is a STRIDE Scholar at Smith studying neuroscience and spanish. She is from Houston, Texas, and is interested in studying child development, memory, and executive function. Outside of the lab, she serves as Smith’s SAAC President and competes on the Smith Tennis Team. In her free time, she likes to hike and read.
Karen Abdelsayed, Neuroscience and Psychology, 2027
Karen Abdelsayed is a sophomore at Smith College studying Neuroscience and Psychology from Hanover, Maryland. She is interested in research involving developmental neuroscience and neurological diseases with a special interest in pushing access to health and wellness resources to marginalized communities. Some of her favorite things to do outside of the lab is go to the beach and listen to live music.
Lab Alumni
Lucy Ducharme, they/she/he, Neuroscience, 2024
Lucy is a MIND lab alumni from Cambridge, Massachusetts. They have a wide range of interests, including childhood neurodevelopment, memory, and neurodivergence. They also are a dancer and play drums in a band! They are passionate about finding the intersections between neuroscience and the arts.
Sara Ellis, she/her, Neuroscience, 2024
Sara Ellis is a recent graduate of Smith College, Class of 2024, where she earned a degree in Neuroscience. Throughout her academic journey, she discovered a deep passion for advocacy work—a field that bridges her scientific background with a commitment to social change. While studying neuroscience, Sara became increasingly drawn to the intersection of science, policy, and social justice, focusing on how advocacy can amplify underrepresented voices and drive systemic improvements in healthcare, mental health, and education. With a strong foundation in research and a growing desire to advocate for change, Sara hopes to continue pursuing a career in advocacy, working to support and empower marginalized communities through science-informed policies and initiatives.