Our Team | Baby Learning Lab

Lab Director
		Dr. Lauren Emberson Associate Professor, Psychology Director, Baby Learning Lab Dr. Emberson’s research is in the areas of learning, perception (audition, vision, crossmodal or multisensory), language development, face/object perception, and attention. Emberson investigates these capacities in young infants using behavioral and neuroimaging techniques (e.g., fNIRS: functional near infrared spectroscopy). Dr. Emberson works primarily with very young infants (starting at birth through 1 year) and also investigates preterm/premature infants who are at-risk for developmental delays. The overarching goal of Dr. Emberson’s research is to understand the incredible learning capacities of the infant brain, and how these learning abilities contribute to an infant’s rapid development of perception (vision, audition, crossmodal perception). Dr. Emberson is driven to understand perception in its ecological context (i.e., what infants sees and hears all day long), so her work is often conducted in the contexts of language and face or object perception. Her work bears on the question of how early life learning and development contribute to later life outcomes and investigates this with premature infants and infants being raised in adverse early life conditions (e.g., lower socioeconomic status in the developing world). Dr. Emberson’s research has been funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the James S. McDonnell Foundation, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), and the National Institutes of Health (NIH in the US). Dr. Emberson’s secondary research area is Cognitive. In addition to the lab's anti-racism pledge, find Dr. Emberson's personal anti-racism and sustainability pledge here. Contact Dr. Emberson: emberson@psych.ubc.ca

Lab Coordinators
		Fengting Yan Pronouns: She/her/hers Lab Coordinator Fengting Yan joined the UBC Baby Learning Lab as a Lab Coordinator in 2024, bringing with her valuable experience from her time as a Directed Studies student under Dr. Lauren Emberson starting in 2022. During her directed studies, Fengting contributed significantly to a face recognition project, investigating how early cognitive and neural development influences facial recognition abilities. With a strong foundation in child development and cognitive psychology, Fengting’s work at the Baby Learning Lab focuses on supporting and coordinating research projects that explore early brain development and its impact on cognitive functions. Her role involves overseeing the smooth operation of various studies, managing research protocols, and ensuring that the lab’s research activities align with its mission to advance our understanding of early cognitive processes. Fengting is passionate about applying research findings to improve developmental outcomes for children and is dedicated to fostering a collaborative and productive research environment. In her free time, Fengting enjoys exploring Vancouver’s diverse community and natural beauty, contributing to her well-rounded approach to both research and personal life. For inquiries related to lab operations or research, you can contact Fengting at fengting@psych.ubc.ca.

Graduate Students
		Zahra Abolghasem Graduate Student Pronouns: She/her/hers Zahra (she/her/hers) is a graduate student in Dr. Emberson’s Baby Learning Lab! She received her H.B.Sc in Psychology from the University of Toronto in 2020. Before joining the University of British Columbia, Zahra had the pleasure of working as a lab manager at the University of Toronto where her work broadly investigated factors that influence memory integration across development. Zahra’s masters work will focus on what neural mechanisms and experiences are involved in prolonging experience-induced perceptual changes. Outside of the lab, Zahra spends her time embroidering, exploring Vancouver, and cooking various dishes.
		Zohreh Soleimani Graduate Student Pronouns: She/her/hers Zohreh (she/her) holds a BSc in Electrical Engineering and Communications and a MA in Educational Psychology from the University of Tehran, Iran. Her thesis was on the Emerging Adulthood stage and its cultural implications in Iranian culture. She found out that one of the most important markers for emerging adults to perceive someone as an adult was social skills and being mature in relationships, which includes moral values and prosocial behavior such as being helpful or supportive for others. Since then moral development has become her passion. More specifically, she is interested in human sociomoral nature and the cognitive and emotional mechanisms underlying moral functioning in infants. She is a graduate student in Developmental Psychology and working under the supervision of Profs Emberson and Hamlin at UBC. In her spare time, Zohreh enjoys hiking, swimming and sometimes embroidering! Contact Zohreh: zrsoleimani@gmail.com
		Jingyun Zhu Graduate Student Pronouns: She/her/hers Jingyun received her BSc in Psychology from Peking University in 2023. Her thesis focused on how experience and learning can influence the neural processing of faces of different races. Jingyun now works under the supervision of Dr. Lauren Emberson and currently focuses on the development of infants’ fronto-parietal networks during learning and rest. In her spare time, Jingyun enjoys doing grocery shopping and idling about around the city. Contact Jing: jyzhuu@mail.ubc.ca

Research Assistants
		Jaimie Muller Directed Studies Student Pronouns: She/her/hers Jaimie is a B.A. psychology and French minor graduate. She is eager to develop a more in-depth understanding of babies’ cognitive and neurological processes as they perceive the world. She hopes to further incorporate findings into future thesis work of her own. Jaimie has previously led camps with Pedalheads and the Richmond Olympic Oval, and she is passionate about working with parents and families. In her spare time, Jaimie enjoys reading, skiing, and playing volleyball (both indoor and beach).
		Rowah Gherian Directed Studies Student Rowah is entering her 4th year at UBC with a major in Biology. She is fascinated by the biopsychosocial factors influencing neurological development and its interpretation using fNIRS technology. Rowah has experience in various projects ranging from studying naturalistic play, cognition of social interactions, and is currently interested in motion localization in infant brains. Outside of school, she enjoys all kinds of painting and cafe-hopping- you’ll probably catch her at all the cafes in Vancouver!
		Elisa Sierra Senior Research Assistant Pronouns: She/her/hers Elisa is a fifth-year B.A. student majoring in Psychology and minoring in Family Studies and is thrilled to join the Baby Learning Lab as a research assistant. Her goal is to deepen her understanding of various research techniques when working with infants and children, while also exploring the neurological aspects of child development. With a background in tutoring young children and a close relationship with her little nephews, Elisa possesses a deep fascination for child development and the rapid acquisition of various skills. Her drive goes beyond gaining experience for future graduate school endeavours; she is eager to collaborate with a team to uncover valuable discoveries in psychological research. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, being outdoors, and re-watching her favourite comfort shows!
		Annie Wang Senior Research Assistant Pronouns: She/her/hers Annie is a 4th year Honours B.Sc. student majoring in Cellular, Anatomical, and Physiological Sciences at UBC. With research interests lying at the intersection of molecular neuroscience and developmental psychology, Annie is excited to contribute to the Baby Learning Lab as a Research Assistant. She is especially interested in understanding the development of pediatric neurological disorders and their causes. Her previous experience tutoring and volunteering with recreation programs at her local community centres sparked her passion for working with infants and children. In her free time, she enjoys baking, exploring new restaurants across Vancouver, and going to concerts.
		Dixie Santo Research Assistant Pronouns: She/her/hers Dixie is a 4th year international undergraduate student in the University of British Columbia, majoring in Psychology and considering a minor in Family Studies. She is invested in developmental psychology and wants to pursue a career in psychology related to children, where her experience as an English tutor further solidified her passion in nurturing the youth. Dixie considers the conversation of mental health in children as an essential topic to discuss both with adults and adolescents themselves, as well as how they might impact individuals within the context of development. Outside of university, she is passionate about the arts and music. A sketchbook and a good novel are must-haves in her bag!
		Jade McMillan Senior Research Assistant Pronouns: She/her/hers Jade, recipient of the Quinn Award, is a recent UBC graduate entering her Masters at UBC, studying Human Development, Learning and Culture. Passionate about early childhood development, she has extensive experience from volunteering at summer camps and babysitting. Jade is eager to expand her knowledge of child development in a research setting and hopes to acquire vital skills for her ambition to pursue a PhD in Psychology. Outside of class, you can often find Jade dancing, acting, and engaging in various fine arts activities in any capacity.
		Madison Yang Research Assistant Pronouns: She/her/hers Madison is a 3rd year B.A student majoring in Psychology and minor in Commerce at the University of British Columbia. She is excited to join the Baby Learning Lab as a research assistant and work with like minded peers and professionals, such as Dr. Emberson. Madison hopes to deepen her knowledge in developmental psychology by learning about a baby’s visual system and the various factors that affect a baby's growth and ability to retain information to boost language acquisition, learning, and perception. Her experience working as a piano teacher as well as a tutor for young children with autism sparked her passion for working with children and understanding learning across all ages. In her spare time, she enjoys playing the piano, listening to music, watching shows, reading, and taking photos.
		Nyomi Lo-Rolls Senior Research Assistant Pronouns: She/her/hers Nyomi is 3rd year student in the BSc+MM program at UBC, majoring in integrated sciences where she is integrating behavioural neuroscience and pharmacology. Nyomi’s interest in developmental neuroscience is driven by her experience of having a younger sibling who she shares a 10-year age gap with. She feels incredibly honoured and humbled to be part of the Baby Learning Lab and aspires to become an asset to the team. She also wants to use her position as an opportunity to grow as a researcher, critical thinker, and appreciator of infant neuroscience. Nyomi also has a deep fondness for fitness and nutrition, and she is always browsing for new, healthy recipes to add to her meal prep menu. Outside the lab, she stays active by weight-training, walking her dog and skiing with her friends in the Winter and she relaxes by playing games with her friends.
		Iman Adanijo Senior Research Assistant Iman is a 4th B+MM undergraduate student majoring in Psychology at the University of British Columbia. She is thrilled to join the research team at the Baby Learning Lab, where she aims to deepen her understanding of how babies perceive and learn from their everyday environment. Iman looks forward to applying her classroom knowledge in a research setting, contributing to early developmental studies, and exploring how early interactions with the environment shape cognitive development later in life. Additionally, she hopes to learn more about the neuroimaging techniques at the lab. In her free time, she enjoys reading, exploring new places, making crochet arigurumi and binge-watching mystery TV shows.
		Lucy Schoeffel Senior Research Assistant Pronouns: She/her/hers Lucy is a 4th year student majoring in Psychology and minoring in English Literature at the University of British Columbia. Her summers spent working with pre-k and kindergarten students have sparked her passion for working with kids, particularly fascinated by understanding early risk factors for neuropsychological dysfunction and how experiences of adversity and trauma impact the developing brain and later functional connectivity. She is eager to get to work in the Baby Learning Lab, both humbled and excited to learn with and from her gifted peers and advisors within the lab. Outside of the lab, Lucy enjoys cooking, thrifting, and watching old movies.
		Elizabeth Marsh Research Assistant Elizabeth is 3rd year B.A. student majoring in Psychology at the University of British Columbia. Her research interests focus on childhood development and its influences on formulating our identities and perceptions of the world. Elizabeth is excited to contribute to the Baby Learning Lab as a Research Assistant. She is especially interested in gaining hands-on experience in a lab setting to deepen her knowledge of psychological methodologies and procedures. Her passion and interest in working with infants and youth stems from her experiences in volunteering at summer camps. When not being involved on campus, she enjoys baking, finding fun places to eat with friends all over Vancouver, and working on her cooking skills.
		Gurnimrat Brar Research Assistant Gurnimrat Brar is a 3rd Year B.A student passionate about psychology and gender studies. She is thrilled to be working with children and observing how their development differs across different cultures and with age. She is particularly interested in seeing how children interpret the world at such a young age and how that develops their understanding in the future. She has also worked as a shadow educator in the counseling department of a local high school in India with primarily responsibilities of teaching children with special disabilities such as Autism and ADHD. Outside of school life, you can find her enjoying traveling, trying new restaurants around the city, hiking, and rewatching her comfort shows on a Friday night-in.
		Tarin Shultana Oli Ahmed Research Assistant Tarin is a 4th year B.A. student, majoring in psychology at the University of British Columbia. Her interest in developmental psychology began with her young sibling, whom she co-parented with her mother. Some of her favourite memories with him include painting, dancing to K-pop, and watching Marvel movies in the cinema. Every glimpse into his rich inner world encouraged her to start exploring various themes in child psychology. Tarin plans to use the experience and knowledge gained from this lab to pursue graduate studies and develop a skillset that will allow her to explore questions on generational trauma, childhood trauma, emotional regulation, and more. After completing her degree, she looks forward to helping children and teenagers heal and navigate their life after traumatic events. Outside of academic life, Tarin is obsessed with films, art and storytelling and is currently on a (side) mission to explore Vancouver’s restaurants, music, and art scene.
		Grace Gale Coding Research Assistant Grace is a fourth-year student at UBC, pursuing a Bachelor of Arts with a double major in Psychology and Computer Science. She enjoys working with children and is thrilled to be part of the Baby Learning Lab’s research team. Grace is particularly fascinated by the complexities of the infant mind, with a strong interest in language development during early childhood. Additionally, her background in computer science inspires her to explore how it can be applied to enhance and innovate future psychological research. She hopes that her experience working as a research assistant will better prepare her for future postgraduate studies in psychology. In her spare time, Grace enjoys practicing yoga, visiting new coffee shops, spending time at the beach, and exploring the beautiful nature in Vancouver.
		Melissa de Paula Brega Senior Coding Research Assistant Pronouns: She/her/hers Mel is a Coding Research Assistant in the Baby Learning Lab and a 3rd year Psychology student at UBC. She is deeply interested in how early life experiences impact development and is excited to explore this area further while gaining research experience and interacting with babies, families, and fellow researchers. In her free time, Mel enjoys spending time with family and friends, listening to music, dancing, and crocheting.
		Jenny Chen Coding Research Assistant Pronounce: she/her/hers Jenny is a 5th year Psychology major with a minor in Interpersonal Development at the University of British Columbia. Her experience as an infant and toddler teacher has sparked a deep curiosity about the intricate processes of children's growth and learning, inspiring her to learn further about the mechanisms that influence how infants perceive and interact with the world around them. With a strong interest in infant development, Jenny is eager to expand her knowledge of how these early learning experiences contribute to cognitive and emotional growth. She is excited about the opportunity to join the Baby Learning Lab as a Research Assistant, where she can contribute to the lab's innovative research on child development. Through this role, Jenny hopes to gain insights that will enhance her understanding of learning processes and enrich her teaching practices, enabling her to better support the developmental needs of the children she works with. In her free time, Jenny enjoys spending time with family and friends, watching movies, and listening to music.
		Pari Surjani Coding Research Assistant Pronouns: She/her/hers Pari is a 4th year undergraduate student at UBC, majoring in psychology and intending to minor in Health and Society, and is deeply interested in clinical and developmental psychology. Her focus is on the cognitive and behavioral aspects of clinical disorders, with a particular passion for working with infants and young children. This interest is fueled by her experience growing up and interacting with infants, which has solidified her commitment to supporting early emotional and psychological development. Outside of academics, she enjoys singing, playing sports, and spending time at the beach. As Pari continues her studies, she is eager to contribute to the field through both research and practice, aiming to help individuals manage and overcome mental health challenges.
		Isabella Assaf Research Assistant Pronouns: she/her Isabella is a 3rd year student in the faculty of science. She is currently majoring in neuroscience and plans to specialize in behavioural neuroscience in her third year. Isabella’s interests lay in developmental psychology and molecular neuroscience. In the lab, she hopes to advance her understanding of cognitive processes, especially in the developing brain, as well as gain valuable lab experience that she hopes to bring into her future. She plans to pursue a masters in neuroscience and then plans to go to medical school, specializing in neurology or psychiatry. Isabella’s interest in working with children sparked early on, as she has previously worked in many summer camps, babysitting jobs and volunteer work with younger children. Outside of school, Isabella enjoys going to the gym, going out with her friends and playing with her dogs back home in Ontario 🙂
		Dilnoor Cheema Research Assistant Dilnoor is a 3rd year B.Sc. student majoring in Neuroscience at UBC. With a strong passion for neurodevelopment research, she is thrilled to contribute to the Baby Learning Lab as a Research Assistant. Her research interests include memory formation and retention, synaptic plasticity, and the impact of different toys on the developing brain. Dilnoor’s past experiences working with infants as a Tutor and Pharmacy Assistant have inspired her interest in working with babies and families at the lab. She is eager to deepen her understanding of ways to support infant health and hopes to apply this knowledge to benefit her community. In her free time, she enjoys running, reading, and exploring new coffee shops.
		Harsimrat Brar Coding Research Assistant Pronouns: she/her Harsimrat is a 3rd year Arts student majoring in Psychology at the University of British Columbia. With her previous experience working with children in multiple contexts, Harsimrat developed a keen interest in understanding the developing brain from a biological standpoint with a specific interest in learning further how different experiences shape children’s behaviours via knowledge acquisition. She is excited to be a part of the ongoing research at the Baby Learning Lab and to apply her current knowledge in different ways as well as learning from experiences at the lab to apply to future academic endeavours. In this role, she hopes to gain knowledge in understanding the cognitive processes of the developing brain in a more rounded manner in order to enrich her areas of interest, developing further passions. In her free time, Harsimrat enjoys spending time with her dog on long walks, reading books, and discovering new cafes in Vancouver.
		Margaret Xu Coding Research Assistant Pronouns: She/Her/Hers Margaret is a 4th year BA student majoring in Psychology and Minoring in Counseling psychology at UBC. She is greatly passionate about the intersection between cognitive and developmental psychology and is particularly fascinated by how these fields unveil mechanisms of learning and adaptation. She hopes to expand her knowledge through hands-on research experiences, develop new skills and contribute meaningfully to this wonderful team led by Dr. Emberson. Her previous experience running personal lab projects and tutoring young children has further deepened her interest in these areas, which she is eager to contribute to future research endeavors in the lab and collaborate with the rest of the team! Outside of school, she enjoys guitar playing, singing and travelling.
		Arden Maloney Coding Research Assistant Arden is a 3rd year biomedical engineering student at UBC with a keen interest in bioinformatics and cellular biology. She has extensive experience working with children through babysitting and her role as a Peer Leader in high school. As part of the Baby Learning Lab, she is excited to explore the infant brain through neuroimaging and investigate how brain plasticity in infants allows them to build neural networks to enhance their senses. She hopes to expand her knowledge of neuroimaging and coding during her time at the lab, while also enhancing her research skills for future work in biomedical engineering. Outside the lab, Arden enjoys hiking, cooking, running, and discovering new restaurants with friends and family.
		Patrick Zhang Coding Research Assistant Patrick is a 3rd year undergraduate student in the Faculty of Science. He is currently majoring in Neuroscience, but hopes to add a major (or honours!) in philosophy to his degree soon. Patrick’s interests lie in the development of cognition, especially how the environment influences social development throughout childhood. He is especially interested in how advances in knowledge of said fields may influence childcare policies and philosophical thought. Patrick is ecstatic to be given the opportunity to work as a Research Assistant with the wonderful group of thoughtful, caring individuals at the Baby Learning Lab to further his knowledge and contribute to the field. When Patrick isn’t struggling with school assignments, he enjoys discussing philosophy, playing Stardew Valley, and spending time with friends and family.
		Zen Vaillancourt Coding Research Assistant Pronouns: They/He Zen is a 4th year B.A. student majoring in Psychology at the University of British Columbia. Their interest in psychology began at a young age with a focus in mental health and psychopathology support. While this remains a primary focus, their interest to explore how neuro and cognitive development impact vulnerabilities for mental disorders has brought a special interest in Dr. Emberson's work, in the hopes of finding a deeper understanding of young development and differences in primary learning methods. Outside of the lab, Zen is a passionate advocate in various fields of social justice work, with a special interest in Trans and Queer rights. In their free time they enjoy art, music, photography, and spending time with their bunny.
		Alexander Guardado Coding Research Assistant Alex is a third-year B.A. psychology major at UBC. His experience volunteering at a summer day camp provided him with first-hand exposure to how fulfilling working with children can be, and he is excited to transition this experience into an academic and research context. Alex is interested in how formative and critical the period of infancy is, as it can offer insights into how the brain operates and how humans, in general, learn and develop over time. In his free time, he enjoys going to the gym, spending time with his cat (Taby), and watching movies with his friends.
		Fei Han (Zoe) Chen Coding Research Assistant Pronouns: She/her/hers Zoe is a 3rd year B.A student majoring in Psychology and minoring in Sociology at UBC. Her love for working with young kids began at her very first summer camp job. Now with over 6 years of working with children, she hopes to work towards her goal of supporting the mental well-being of children facing psychological challenges. In the Baby Learning Lab, she hopes to continue to explore topics related to the intersection of developmental, cognitive, and social psychology. In her free time, she loves scrapbooking, baking, and spending time with her two cats.
		Anne Tu Coding Research Assistant Pronouns: She/her Anne is a 3rd year undergraduate student at UBC majoring in Neuroscience. She is passionate about early brain development and hopes to pursue a career in pediatric medicine and developmental neuroscience. Her research interests lie in understanding how early experiences shape cognitive and emotional outcomes across childhood. As an undergraduate research assistant with the Embers on Baby Lab, she is excited to contribute to research that supports the health and well-being of children and families. Outside of the lab, she enjoys baking, running, scrapbooking, and exploring new coffee spots around Vancouver.