Dr. Nguyen is the founder and director of the CDL and a professor of Psychology at University of North Carolina Wilmington. She is a developmental scientist specializing in cognitive development, with expertise in how children and adults form and use concepts and categories. Dr. Nguyen serves as a Consulting Editor for Journal of Cognition & Development and on the Editorial Board of Cognitive Development. She earned her Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology, with a concentration in Cognitive Psychology, from the University of Illinois, Urbana Champaign, and holds a B.A. from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. At UNCW, Dr. Nguyen enjoys mentoring students and is grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the field through research.
Bella is the Lab Coordinator and is a doctoral student in the General Clinical Ph.D. program at UNCW. She graduated from the University of Notre Dame where she earned her bachelor's degree in Neuroscience and Behavior. Bella loves all research related to cognitive development but has a special interest in examining cognitive development in atypically developing children. Bella's Master's thesis, "Children's best possible selves: A best possible self intervention with children in preschool and elementary school" reflects her passion for the subject.
Bea is the Assistant Lab Coordinator and is a Master's student in the Psychological Science program at UNCW. She completed her Honors Thesis, "Exploring the effects of health status labels on children's and adults' perceptions of the future possible selves of others," in the CDL and graduated from UNCW in 2023 with a B.A. in Psychology. She has an ongoing interest in child development, specifically the impact of chronic illness in childhood on cognitive development.
Frankie is a senior at UNCW and is majoring in Psychology with a minor in Spanish. His research interests include cognitive psychology and abnormal psychology. He plans to attend graduate school and pursue a career in clinical psychology. This is Frankie’s fourth semester in the cognitive development lab and he is very excited to be a part of it!
Hannah is a junior in the Honors College at UNCW majoring in Psychology. This is Hannah’s first year in the Cognitive Development Lab. She became interested in cognitive development after discovering how fascinating the field is and is excited to learn more through research.
Chloe is a senior majoring in Psychology and minoring in Applied Behavior Analysis. She has a passion for working with children and making an impact on the world. This is Chloe’s first year in the Cognitive Development Lab and is eager to grow her skills as she prepares for a future career working with children.
Brianna recently graduated from UNCW in 2025 with a B. A. in Psychology. She is delighted to continue contributing her skills and enthusiasm to ongoing research as a postbaccalaureate volunteer. Her research interests include child cognitive and behavioral development, and the intersection of art therapy and mental health. She is planning to attend graduate school and hopes to continue working with children and families.
David graduated from UNCW in 2024, majoring in Psychology with a minor in Leadership Studies. David is excited to continue dedicating his time and skills as a postbaccalaureate volunteer in the CDL, supporting our research efforts. His research interests include child behavior and clinical psychology. He plans to attend graduate school and pursue a career in behavior analysis.
Micah earned a M.S. from UNCW in 2023 after completing her Master's thesis on "The influence of socioeconomic status labels on children's and adults' perceptions of others' future possible selves." She also holds an undergraduate degree in Psychology with a concentration in Sociology from UNCW. Micah's research interests are focused on social influences on developing children. She remains a collaborator with the CDL, contributing to the lab's research efforts.
Alexis graduated from UNCW in 2022 with a BA in Psychology. She has been in the CDL since August 2021. Alexis is currently an Elementary Special Education teacher for students in first, second, and third grade. She is also pursuing her MA in Teaching Special Education program at UNCC. Alexis continues to collaborate with the CDL, and is enthusiastic about sharing our research!
Kristy Brooks
Mychelle Denney
Amy Gaither
Niki Moehring
Kevin Frederick
Liz Nitzkin
Kim Canfield
Heather Mosier
Heather Rath
Krista Williams
Kristina Callan
Paige Gambill
Kristen Wilfong
Tess Chevalier
Bethany Kratoska
Ashley Noble
Alyssa Fritz
Julie Robinson
Noelle Dupont
Mary Beth McCullough
Jamie Chaffman
Angela Pratt
Nina Thigpen
Scott Ferris
Lani Girgis
Bethany Wentworth
Taylor Gwyn
Ashley Morton
Tonya Vandenbrink
Bethany White
Chelsea Abraham
Kayeloni Everhart
Jessica Upperman
Ashleigh Griffin
Jenna Huff
Catherine McDermott
Ashley Parham
Lauren Bongiorno
Sophie Karp
Maggie Wolfe
Suzanne Gescak
Rebecca Bauer
Mindy Nguyen
Nathan Sharpton
Katherine McGirt
Hunter Reeves
Lauren Schmidt
Jessica Glenn
Ashlyn Russo
Lili Blue
Grace Anne West
Sydney Podwika
Jenna Leon
Hannah Raftery
Kathryn Swaim
Trinity Williams
Lili Askew
Summer Dow
Hannah Owings
Peyton Erdek
Emily Parks
Ansli Ponder
Kamylah Wagner