Research Team

Principal Investigator

Dana Miller-Cotto, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor Dana Miller-Cotto (she/her) comes to the BSE via Kent State University. Dr. Miller-Cotto aims to answer three broad questions in her research: 1) Why is working memory, the ability to store and manipulate information, correlated with math skills? 2) How can we design learning materials/alter teaching practices to support students' working memory skills? and 3) How can we best capture children's executive function skills while accounting for the context and their cultural experiences? Outside of the BSE, you can find Dr. Miller-Cotto trying devouring a good book, participating in speed puzzle challenges, and running both for fun and after her four year old.

Email: dmillerc@berkeley.edu

Website: danamillercotto.com

Postdoctoral Scholar

Josh Medrano, Ph.D.

Josh Medrano is a postdoctoral scholar working with Dr. Dana Miller-Cotto. He earned a PhD in Human Development at University of Maryland, College Park. In his research, he aims to understand how students engage cognitive skills, such as executive functioning and spatial/relational reasoning, when learning math and science. Outside of the BSE, he enjoys exploring the Bay Area on foot and via public transit, cooking various cuisines, and playing team sports.

Email: joshmedrano@berkeley.edu

Website: joshmedrano.com

Graduate Students

Jetta McPhee, M.A.

Jetta McPhee is a PhD student in Learning Sciences and Human Development at UC Berkeley. They have an MA in Educational Technology from UNC Chapel Hill and a BS in Psychological Science from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. They are interested in designing math interventions for elementary students, culturally-responsive pedagogy, and supporting students in their development of executive functioning skills. Outside of the BSE, Jetta can be found competing for the Gymnastics Club of California, going to as many concerts as possible, and trying new recipes!

Email: jmcphee@berkeley.edu

Website: sites.google.com/view/jetta-mcphee

Elise Levin-Güracar

Elise Levin-Güracar is a master's student, a math educator and a researcher at TERC. Her master's is in the Learning Sciences Human Development cluster. At TERC she participates on both design and research teams. She studied education, public policy, and sociology at the University of California at Berkeley, and received her secondary math teaching credential after student teaching with a 7th-grade class. She continues to teach math to third- through eleventh-graders.

Undergraduate Staff

Cheyenne Paw

Lab Manager

Cheyenne Paw (she/her) is a sophomore at University of California, Berkeley studying Cognitive Science, Sociology, and Data Science. She is passionate about designing solutions to bridge gaps in education access.

Abigail Villa

Assessor Identity & EF Project Coordinator

Hi! My name is Abigail Villa (she/her/ella) and I am a fourth-year studying psychology and educational sciences at UC Berkeley. I am passionate about serving and learning from children and the intersection that education and culture play in cognition. I was drawn to Dr. Miller-Cotto's lab through her research related to cognitive processes with marginalized populations with an emphasis on culture and context. In my free time you can find me volunteering at K-12 schools, peer advising, or listening to music!

Helen Luong Bui

Meta-Analysis Project Coordinator

Hi! My name is Helen Luong Bui and I am a second-year at UC Berkeley currently studying Microbial Biology. As an aspiring pediatrician, I have always been fascinated by children, especially how their environment affects their academic and cognitive development, which is what initially drew me to Dr. Miller-Cotto's lab in the first place. On campus, I am actively involved in Volunteers for Medical Outreach and Volunteer Health Interpreters Organization. In my free time, I enjoy volunteering at elementary schools, babysitting my nephews and niece, and exploring new food spots with my friends and family.

Research Assistants

Kyla Burfoot

Kyla Burfoot is a second year undergraduate student intending to major in Cognitive Science and Integrative Biology. She is deeply interested in neuroplasticity, and is studying Cognitive Science with the intention of understanding early childhood knowledge acquisition. She is motivated by efforts for educational and mental health equity across socio-economic and gender barriers. Outside of her studies, she enjoys hiking, swimming, gardening, and live music.

Kiara Eng

Hi! My name is Kiara Eng and I am a second-year intending to major in psychology and linguistics at UC Berkeley. I joined the Berkeley Lab for Opportunities in Cognition and Knowledge because I am passionate about understanding how cognitive processes and environmental factors intersect with academic performance. I believe the research conducted here can effectively improve learning materials in schools in order to reduce educational inequities, and I am very excited to be a part of this change. Outside of academics, I enjoy playing volleyball, pickleball, piano, and spending time with family and friends.

Ayanna Lee

Hi! I’m Ayanna Lee, a third-year student at UC Berkeley from the Central Coast. I’m double majoring in Cognitive Science and Psychology because I’m passionate about exploring the connection between our behavior and the various influences that shape it, from our environment to our internal cognitive processes.

Razylin Magsino Avendano

Razylin (she/her) is a fourth-year studying Psychology with a strong interest in cognitive psychology and how research on executive function can be used to support children's education and development. She currently works as a literacy mentor for elementary school students and is excited to bring these perspectives into the Berkeley Lab for Opportunities in Cognition and Knowledge. Outside of school and work, she enjoys listening to music, swatching lipsticks at Sephora, and petting stray cats.

Aly Turfler

Hi! I’m Aly Turfler, a third-year student at UC Berkeley majoring in cognitive science and minoring in CalTeach. My interests in cognitive science, psychology, and education intersect in my research on the role of executive function in learning. I am passionate about education, particularly STEM education, and empowering students to find joy in their learning. Outside the classroom, you can find me playing club field hockey, coaching, or spending time outdoors with a book.

Taloa Yvonne Cardinal

Taloa Yvonne Cardinal is a Master of Public Health graduate from UC Berkeley, where she specialized in population health on a global and domestic level. She also holds a B.A. in Chemistry and Psychology–Neuroscience with a minor in Physics from the University of Denver. Her work spans public health research, policy, and digital innovation—collaborating with the California Department of Public Health, UC Berkeley, and UCLA on projects addressing adolescent health, food security, obesity prevention, and health equity.

Josie Lafontant

Josie is a junior majoring in Sociology and Linguistics. She is passionate about educational equality and child development, interests she also applies in the preschool classrooms at the Center for Early Intervention on Deafness in Berkeley. In the future, she hopes to study language acquisition in Deaf children. Outside of the lab, you can find her playing guitar, reading fiction, or looking at cool bugs.

Samir Ali

Hi! My name is Samir Ali and I am an exchange student (Junior) here at UC Berkeley from London. My home university is University College London (UCL) where I study Social Sciences. I joined the lab as I am excited to further my knowledge of educational equity and academic outcomes from a psychological lens. Outside the lab, you would catch me bouldering, hiking or blasting music out a speaker.

Kaho Furukawa

Hi, I'm Kaho Furukawa and I'm a sophomore from Tokyo studying Cognitive Science. I'm excited about interweaving Cognitive Science and EdTech, and I'm hoping to one day create technology that makes the learning experience more exciting and immersive for each student. In my free time, you can find me going on mini-trips with friends and family, discovering good food and sweets, playing the trumpet, climbing, and reading heartwarming novels.

Daniela Maciel Navarro

Hi! My name is Daniela Maciel Navarro, and I am a second-year student studying Cognitive Science and Educational Sciences. I am originally from the Central Valley, and I am working towards pursuing my goal of becoming a Curriculum and Content Writer for educational children's television. I am passionate about public media and early childhood education! In my free time, you can find me drawing, listening to my dozens of music playlists, or exploring San Francisco!