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Our Team

Our Team

CLAD Lab group pic in front of Corbett Family hall

Our research team includes people at all levels of education who are interested in cognition, learning, and development. Cognitive science is an inherently interdisciplinary field, so our team includes people who are interested in cognitive psychology, developmental psychology, neuroscience, education, learning sciences, computer science, philosophy, linguistics, anthropology, statistics, and mathematics! Our students go on to graduate school, medical school, law school, teaching, social work, consulting, and more!

Lab Members

Nicole McNeil is the director of the CLAD Lab. She was recently named the inaugural Sweeney Family Director of IEI's Center for Educational Research and Action (Era) at Notre Dame. She is a professor of psychology and is the ACE College Professor. She received her B.S. from Carnegie Mellon and her Ph.D. from University of Wisconsin. She did a postdoc at Yale. Her research focuses on learning and development in the areas of mathematical cognition, symbolic understanding, quantitative reasoning, print awareness, and problem solving. Prof. McNeil is a member of the CBB area group in the psychology department. She is also affiliated with the Education Schooling and Society program on campus and is a Fellow of the Institute for Educational Initiatives, which houses the Center for Research on Educational Opportunity, the Center for Literacy Education, the Global Center for the Development of the Whole Child, and the Center for STEM Education. She is an affiliate of LEO and the Lucy Family Institute for Data & Society. She previously served on the RJE Committee for the SBCSC and founded Tutor-ND. In 2007, she recieved a Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE), which is the highest honor bestowed by the US federal government on outstanding early career scientists and engineers. In her spare time, she serves as an Associate Editor for Cognitive Science ;) For more information, check out her CV, email nmcneil@nd.edu, follow her on X (formerly Twitter) or Bluesky, or listen to her on the podcast Think. Pair. Share.

Patrick Kirkland is an assistant professor in the Institute for Educational Initiatives. He teaches courses in elementary mathematics methods for ACE Teaching Fellows and research methods for the education, schooling, and society program. He also continues to lead the NSF-funded mature number sense project and collaborates with the CLAD Lab. Prior to obtaining his Ph.D. in psychology, he taught middle school math as an ACE Teaching Fellow in Savannah, GA and then working for the ACE team here on campus. Patrick is interested in how middle school students solve word problems and make sense of numbers in their math classrooms. He is particularly interested in how to measure and improve students' number sense.

Michelle Luna is an assistant research professor in the CLAD Lab and the Institute for Educational Initiatives. She is the managing director of Tutor-ND. She received her B.A. in Psychology and M.A. in French from the University of Notre Dame. Afterward, she spent a year in France teaching English at the University of Rennes 2. She obtained her Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology from the University of California, Los Angeles where she studied children's word and category learning with the Language and Cognitive Development Lab. Her current work will focus on implementing various shared book reading interventions and examining factors at the intersection of language and cognitive development.

Julianna Hakel is the lab manager for the CLAD Lab. She graduated from the University of Kentucky in 2025 with her B.A. in Psychology. As an undergraduate, she was an intern at Jesse G. Harris Center as well as a mentor for elementary students. At UK, she was also a research assistant in the Cognition & Development Lab. In the lab, she worked on projects involving mathematics anxiety and the implementation of positive and constructive feedback. She completed a senior honors thesis exploring the role of mathematics anxiety in student learning and motivation. Julianna plans to continue to explore topics at the intersection of education and psychology, and she's particularly interested in studying factors that help students from diverse backgrounds achieve their full academic potential.

Chineme Jane Otuonye is a doctoral graduate student in the CLAD Lab and a Burns Fellow in ND PIER. She obtained her B.S. in Psychology in 2022 from Alcorn State University and her M.A in psychology from the University of Notre Dame.Throughout her undergraduate years, she gained experience as an intern in a variety of developmental psychology labs at several universities. Prior to joining the lab as a doctoral graduate student, Jane worked as a postbac research-practice associate w/ Tutor-ND. Broadly, Jane is interested in children's early number knowledge with particular interest in studying how environment factors such as dyadic interactions and early learning materials can support the development of number knowledge.

Emma Page is a doctoral graduate student in the CLAD Lab and a Burns Fellow in ND PIER. She graduated from Furman University with a B.S. in Psychology and Mathematics. As an undergraduate, Emma worked as a research assistant in the Furman Memory Lab studying collective temporal thought and volunteered in the Furman Development Lab to gain experience in developmental research. In graduate school she is broadly studying mathematical cognition with a particular interest in improving mathematics education outcomes for students in 3rd through 8th grade.

Elizabeth Clark is a Postbac Research Associate in the Early Learning Foundations (ELF) Lab and CLAD Lab. She earned her BS in Psychological Sciences from Purdue University with a minor in Human Development and Family Science. As an undergraduate, she assisted in various clinical and developmental psychology labs, primarily focusing on preschool children’s early learning and development. In her past and current post-baccalaureate experience, Elizabeth has collaborated with research that investigates accessible avenues for early learning and mental health support, including schools, outpatient pediatric settings, online tools, and AI-integrated apps. Moving forward, she aims to research 1) early development, early life stress, and risk factors for psychopathology, and 2) the implementation of accessible developmental and mental health supports. Elizabeth plans to apply to clinical and school psychology PhD programs to pursue her interests in accessibility, prevention, and promoting young children’s well-being both inside and outside the classroom.

Trey Cobb is a consultant and instructional coach with the lab. Trey previously taught middle school math as an ACE teaching fellow in New York. After ACE, Trey worked with several non-profits focused on education policy and community building and taught high school math in Chicago. Trey is interested in designing learning environments that connect to and expand Black students' strengths. Trey is passionate about working together with Black students to strengthen cooperative practices of service to the Black community.

Ella Hunter is a senior studying Neuroscience and Behavior with a minor in Education, Schooling, and Society from Washington D.C. She is experienced working as a swim instructor and is interested in how children develop. After graduation, she hopes to focus on addressing the needs of children with neurodevelopmental disorders in school.

Bridget Bodey is a senior from Carmel, Indiana, majoring in Neuroscience and Behavior with a supplementary major in Spanish. She is interested in children's cognition and learning processes. She is interested in children's cognition and learning processes. After graduation, she plans to attend law school.

Anna Hawkins is a junior from Indianapolis. She is majoring in Psychology with a supplementary major in Peace Studies. With the CLAD lab, she tutors with Tutor ND to support students in the South Bend community. She is interested in researching the best intervention techniques that support children that are at a disadvantage. After graduation, she hopes to attend graduate school.

Carlton Clay is a junior from Merrillville, Indiana, majoring in Neuroscience and Behavior with a minor in Education, Schooling, and Society. He is interested in adolescent cognition. Carlton hopes to pursue a career that bridges medicine and education, with the goal of deepening our understanding of adolescent cognitive development while giving back to underserved and underrepresented communities. After graduation, he plans to attend medical school and is considering a career in anesthesiology, with the long-term goal of teaching at a medical school.

Nora Kulak is a junior from the Chicago suburbs, and is a Psychology and Pre-Health major. She is experienced and interested in working with children and hopes to attend medical school and become a pediatric primary care physician.

Jennifer Jo is a junior majoring in Neuroscience and Behavior at Notre Dame. She joined the CLAD Lab because of her deep interest in child development and her belief in education as a tool for equity and empowerment. With prior experience tutoring in her local community and through service programs, she is excited to continue working closely with students and to contribute meaningfully to research-informed education. After graduation, she hopes to pursue a career in medicine, where she can combine science, empathy, and service to others.

Irene Lee is a junior from Torrance, California, majoring in Neuroscience with a supplementary major in ACMS. She is interested in working with children to develop their learning skills, especially in areas of mathematics. After graduation, she hopes to attend graduate school.

Abbie Uche-Ejekwu is a junior majoring in Neuroscience and Behavior with a minor in Compassionate Care in Medicine. She is deeply interested in how children think, learn, and grow—especially through the lens of cognitive science and developmental psychology. She is a member of the CLAD Lab, where she contributes to interdisciplinary projects focused on supporting underserved and vulnerable populations. She is especially interested in how research can inform effective educational practices for children from diverse backgrounds. After graduation she hopes to pursue a career in pediatrics after attending medical school and has the goal of earning both an MD and a PhD.

Evan Mollick is a senior from Pennsylvania majoring in Neuroscience and Behavior with a minor in Compassionate Care in Medicine. He is intersted in understanding childhood development and advancing equity in education. He would like to contribute to research that supports educators in developing the most effective teaching methods, moving toward a gold standard that fosters more equitable learning environments. Evan hopes to attend medical school to become a physician, potentially assisting pediatric patients.

Keanu Saenz is a junior from Houston, Texas, majoring in Neuroscience and Behavior and minoring in Catholic Social Tradition at Notre Dame. He has experience working with younger students in an educational setting and he is interested in contributing to research-informed educational programs that support student learning. After graduation, he plans to attend medical school to combine his interests in neuroscience, medicine, and service to children.

Natalie Gildea is a senior from West Chester, PA. She is studying Neuroscience and Behavior, with a minor in Irish Language and Literature. She is a Cognition Fellow with the TutorND program, using high-impact tutoring strategies to support grade school students throughout South Bend. In her research, she is interested in how word frequency and structure impacts children's oral reading fluency and the development of literacy. After graduation, she plans to take a gap year before applying to medical school.

Claire Cassidy is a junior from San Rafael, California. She is studying Science Pre-Professional with a minor in Compassionate Care in Medicine on the premed track. She has been working with TutorND for the past year, has been a swim instructor and coach for the past nine years, and is captain of the Notre Dame Women's Water Polo Team. She is working with the PK Assessment team this semester and is interested in researching child learning and development. After graduating from Notre Dame, Claire hopes to attend medical school and become a Pediatrician.

Golden Anni is a senior from Irving, Texas. She is studying Neuroscience & Behavior with a minor in Global Health. She is interested in children's development and learning. As part of the CLAD Lab she works with children in mathematics. After graduation, she hopes to take a gap year and apply to medical school.

Kelechi Nduka is a senior from La Crosse, Wisconsin, majoring in Psychology with a concentration in Pre-Health. Kelechi has a passion for psychology and understanding development, especially in children. She is also interested in helping younger students in math through the CLAD Lab. After graduating, she hopes to attend medical school and pursue a career in psychiatry.

Claire Quinn is a junior from Washington, D.C. She is majoring in Pre-Professional Studies with a minor in Science and Patient Advocacy. She is experienced working with children and wants to deepen her knowledge of childhood development to make her a better physician. She hopes to attend medical school to become a pediatrician. career in psychiatry.

Kiara Taylor is a senior from Fishers, Indiana. She is majoring in Neuroscience and Behavior, with a minor in Health, Humanities, and Society. On campus, she has served as a teaching assistant for Biology and Calculus. She is passionate about improving education for all children and she is interested in researching how children learn most effectively. After graduating, Kiara hopes to attend medical school and become a physician, potentially a pediatric neurologist.

Mandy Piña is a junior from Alamo, Texas, majoring in Biology on the pre-med track with a minor in Bioengineering. She is interested in research regarding childrens cognitive development. She is a tutor with Tutor-ND and hopes to attend medical school and become a cardiologist, with the goal of integrating medicine and education to support holistic learning and health outcomes, especially within underserved Latino communities.

Joanna-Thi Phung is a sophomore from Concord, California, studying Neuroscience and Behavior with a minor in Health, Humanities, and Society. As part of her work with CLAD, she tutors in the Galvin Scholars program and is interested in how teaching structures shape student learning and their effectiveness. After graduation, she hopes to become a physician assistant while contributing to research in public health and education.

Reagan Sincak is a sophomore from the suburbs of Chicago, majoring in Science Pre-Professional Studies and Theology. In the CLAD Lab, she is interested in early literacy acquisition, assessment, and children’s cognitive development, building on her practical work as an early literacy tutor with Tutor-ND. After Notre Dame, she hopes to attend medical school, seeking to integrate healthcare and education to support children’s holistic development.

Layla Khatiblou is a sophomore from London, England. She is majoring in Neuroscience and has a minor in Science and Patient Advocacy. On campus, she serves as a tutor at the Robinson Community Center and volunteers in the NICU at Memorial Beacon Hospital. Layla is interested in child development and learning, hoping to improve education for children of all ages. After graduation, she plans to attend medical school and become a physician.

Eva Fetahagic is a sophomore from Indianapolis, Indiana. She is studying Neuroscience and Behavior with minors in Science, Patient, Advocacy and Health, Humanities, and Society. She has been volunteering with Tutor-ND for the past year and has experience working with children in both a clinical and educational setting. Eva is interested in better understanding human cognition and how different learning techniques can be implemented to better serve hospitalized children. After graduation, Eva plans on attending medical school with hopes of pursuing a career as a surgeon.

Natasha Rathi is a senior from Pune, India, majoring in Neuroscience and Behavior with minors in Foundations of Business and Italian Studies at the University of Notre Dame. Over the summer, as a Cognition Fellow with Tutor-ND, she supported students from pre-K through third grade while contributing to research on children’s early numerical development. She is the President of the Neuroscience Club on campus and is interested in how cognitive science research can be translated into evidence-based teaching strategies for students with varying learning styles. After graduation, Natasha hopes to pursue a postbaccalaureate research position before attending graduate school for neurobiology.

Marie Stier is a sophomore from Iowa City, Iowa. She is studying Neuroscience and Behavior with minors in Science & Patient Advocacy and Health, Humanities, and Society (HHS). She joined the CLAD Lab because of her interest in neurodevelopment, especially as it pertains to children’s cognition. She serves as a tutor in the South Bend community and in the Notre Dame Writing Center. After graduation, Marie hopes to attend medical school to become a pediatrician.

Undergraduates, this could be you! Check out the info on our Contact Page to learn more about how to join our team.

After the CLAD Lab

Rose Beacham (postbac research associate '26). Graduate student in School Psychology @ UW Madison.
Brooke Azzinaro (postbac reseach associate '26). Graduate student in psychology @ IU Bloomington.
Maxine Zamora '26. Graduate student for the Master of Theological Studies program @ University of Notre Dame.
Sabrina Bouchot '26. Clinical intern @ Arbor Autism Center in Ypsilanti Michigan.
Brody Rolston '26. Medical assistant and then attending Medical School.
Katie Honegger '25. PACE Graduate Teaching Program.
Bridget Blaney '25. Medical Student @ University of Minnesota.
Tommy Hedman '25. Clinical research year then Medical Student @ University of Minnesota.
Daniela Leal Bonifasi '25. Masters student @ Teachers College at Columbia University.
Caroline Bishop '25. ACE Teaching Fellows.
Riley Bock '25. ACE Teaching Fellows.
Ryan Georgi '25. ACE Teaching Fellows.
Kelly-Ann Gesuelli (postdoc '25). Assistant Professor @ University of Florida.
Amy Miyahara (postbac research associate '25). Graduate student in psychology @ WashU St. Louis.
Nicholas Buhay '24. Consultant in Boston.
Emmanuel Levy '24. Medical Student @ LSU.
Tiana Sullivan '24. Service year through AmeriCorps.
Sarah Ochocki '24. Civic Innovation Fellow @ EnFocus.
Stephanie Ona '24. ACE Teaching Fellows.
Shaker Erbini '24. Medical Student @ Indiana University.
Saachi Kumar '24. Medical Student @ Emory University.
Sophia Alvarez '24. ACE Teaching Fellows.
Emma Sayler '24. ACE Teaching Fellows.
Christian Yoder '24. Medical Student @ University of Cincinnati.
Alina Boada (postbac research associate '24). Masters in Speech-Language Pathology @ Syracuse.
Claire Guang (postbac research associate '23). Graduate Student in Psychology @ University of Chicago.
Shannon Celeste ’22 (and postbac research-practice associate '23). Child Life Specialist Student @ Miami University.
Nicole Campbell '23. ACE Teaching Fellows.
Caroline Mohammed ’23. Postbac Neuro-oncology Research Technician @ University of North Carolina Chapel Hill.
Sofia Nakfoor ’23. Fulbright English Teaching Assistant @ Asturias, Spain.
Alexa Mogan ’23. Graduate Student in Psychology @ Vanderbilt University.
Maddie Zajas ’23. EMT @ Northwest Indiana.
Amy Bahadursingh '22. Consultant in Chicago.
Grace Monagan '22. Corps Member @ Teach For America Indianapolis.
Grace Fjermedal '22. Postbac Research Associate in the Child Study Center @ Yale.
Ellyn Jarrell '22. Application & Program Analyst @ Deloitte Consulting.
Isabella Seip '22. Graduate Student in Clinical Psychology @ the University of North Carolina Wilmington.
Mitchell Kennedy '22. Medical School @ University of Massachusetts.
Megan Dillon '22. Masters in Speech-Language Pathology @ Vanderbilt.
Joanna Azar (research associate '21). Math Intervention Specialist in North Carolina.
Olivia Jazbutis '21. Fulbright English Teaching Assistant in Spain.
Micaela Maron '21. Postbac Clinical Research Assistant @ Brown University.
Abu Mian '21. AmeriCorps Behavioral Health Care Coordinator @ University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.
Jisel Gomez '21. ACE Teaching Fellows.
Connor O'Rear (Ph.D. '20). Postdoc @ Purdue.
William Huffman '20. Medical School @ Penn.
Alli VanOverberghe '20. Graduate Student in Education at Teachers College @ Columbia University.
Alice Felker '20. L'Arche Greater Washington, DC then MBA at UVA.
Claire Rudden '20. ACE Teaching Fellows.
Julia Crant (research-practice staff '19). Nursing School.
Sara Norwood (research-practice staff '19). Graduate School in Library and Information Science.
Grace Devitt '19. Research Assistant @ University of Chicago.
Elizabeth Chen '19. Postbac service with Bon Secours volunteer Ministry in Baltimore.
Wiktoria Kozlowska '19. Mathematics Teacher (6th grade) in Chicago.
Christina Hayford '19. LU Choice Graduate Student @ Loyola University in Chicago.
"Lily" Maria Kenesey '19. Graduate Student in Education @ University of Michigan.
Kimberly Walter '19. Medical School @ Texas A&M.
Bridget Naylor-Komyatte '19. Postbac service with Jesuit Volunteer Corps Northwest.
Carolina Botero '19. Graduate Student in Education @ Columbia University.
Megan Miranda (postbac research associate '18). Graduate Student in School Psychology @ Tufts University.
Regina Ekaputri '18. ACE Teaching Fellows.
Rachel Iverson '18. AmeriCorps VISTA member @ North Park University.
Zosia Zdanowicz '18. Medical School @ Loyola University in Chicago.
Jenna Galuska '18. Analyst with Huron Consulting Group.
Caroline Byrd Hornburg (Ph.D. '17). Postdoc @ Purdue University.
Lauren Crawford (postbac research associate '17). Graduate Student in Applied Developmental and Educational Psychology @ Boston College.
Tom Hughes '17. Deloitte in NYC.
Natalie Vos '17. PACE Graduate Teaching Program.
Alex Viegut '17. Graduate Student in Educational Psychology @ University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Elena Silla '17. ACE Teaching Fellows.
Shannon Gaylord '17. Masters in Social Work @ University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Bri Devlin (postbac research associate '16). Graduate Student in Learning Sciences @ University of Delaware.
Ellie Sato '16. Medical School @ University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Alex Bohnsack '16. ACE Teaching Fellows.
Taylor Kelly '16. ACE Teaching Fellows.
Cristina Carrazza (postbac research associate '15). Graduate Student in Psychology @ University of Chicago.
Valerie Williams '15. Masters in nursing at NYU.
Emily Geiger-Medina '15. Mathematica Policy Research.
Alice Tollaksen '15. Au Pair for family in Paris, France.
Marisa Rieber '15. PACE Graduate Teaching Program, Hawaii.
Erin Celeste '15. ACE Teaching Fellows @ Notre Dame.
Grace Bunsa '15. Position in Human Resources.
Casey Hall '14. Graduate Student in Psychology @ University of Chicago.
Lori Petersen (Ph.D. '13). Postdoc @ University of Chicago.
Dana Chesney (postdoc '13). Postdoc @ Ohio State then Assistant Professor @ St. John's University
Andrea Renfroe '13. Graduate Student in Speech Language Pathology @ University of Washington.
Rebecca Kibler '13. French Embassy's Teaching Assistant Program in France then TFA.
Paul DiGaetano '13. Medical School @ St. George's University.
Mary McKeever (postbac research associate '12). Veterinary Medicine School @ Ohio State.
April Dunwiddie (postbac research associate '12). Stay at home mom.
Stephanie Borjas '12. Graduate Student in School Psychology @ University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Percival Matthews (postdoc '12). Assistant Professor @ University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Anne Smrek '12. Graduate Student in School Psychology @ Ohio State.
Mary Wheeler '12. Research Assistant in Psychology @ UT-Dallas.
Lauren Wester '11. Fullbright Fellow.
Erica Pepitone '11. Graduate Student in Irish Writing at Trinity College Dublin.
Emily Fyfe '10. Graduate Student in Psychology @ Vanderbilt University.
Jenny Heil '10. Graduate Student in Sociocultural Anthropology @ Washington University in St. Louis.
Noelle Crooks '09. Graduate Student in Psychology @ University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Matt Gibson '08. Teach For America in Miami.
Krysten Williams '08. Graduate Student in Psychology @ Rutgers University.