Dr. Laurie Bayet is a developmental psychologist interested in early visual, cognitive development, with particular focus on the early development of affective communication. Her laboratory uses behavioral, neuroimaging, and computational tools to investigate the early development of representations involved in understanding facial expressions of affect and other complex visual stimuli. Dr. Bayet’s work has been recognized with a Rising Star award from the Association for Psychological Science (APS), and a Distinguished Early Career Contribution Award from the International Congress of Infant Studies.

CV | Google Scholar

Kira Ashton is a PhD candidate. In the lab she studies child development using both neuroimaging (EEG) and behavioral methods. She has a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and Psychology from the University at Buffalo SUNY, and worked at the Buffalo Neuroimaging Analysis Center using neuroimaging techniques to study mental health outcomes in multiple sclerosis. Kira is an avid saxophone player, and a casual philatelist.

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Olivia is a first year PhD student studying child development. She received a Bachelor’s Degree in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Tennessee in 2019. She then pursued a career in applications engineering at an industrial manufacturing company before returning to school to receive a Master’s of Science in Anatomy and Neurobiology from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2023.

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Victoria Fracalossi received her BS in Integrative Neuroscience from Binghamton University in 2020. While there, she worked as a research assistant and later as a lab manager in the Visual Attention and Distraction Lab, where her interest in visual sciences was sparked. She is currently pursuing a Master’s in Psychology at American University, after which she hopes to pursue a Ph.D. and a career in psychology research.

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Matthew Rooney received his BS in Psychology with minors in Accounting, Management, and Health Resources Management from Bridgewater State University in 2018. Since graduating he has worked in the fields of research, education, and health and human services, working as a Research Project Assistant for the Vermont Child Health Improvement Program from 2021-2023. He is currently pursuing a Master’s in Psychology at American University, with interests in social development, intergroup relations, and stigma. In his free time, Matthew enjoys playing tabletop games, ultimate frisbee, and practicing yoga.

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Benazir is a full time Research Assistant in the Bayet Lab. She graduated in 2021 with a BA in Linguistics with a Related Field in Psychology from Harvard University, and studied language development and speech planning in the Harvard Lab for Developmental Studies. Benazir took time off after graduating to complete a travel fellowship, and has now returned to doing research. In her free time, she enjoys reading, writing, walking her dog, and traveling.

Dany double majored in Public Health and Psychology while minoring in Health Promotion. She graduated in December of 2023 and is now assisting in the lab before attending graduate school in the Fall. Her goal is to earn a PhD and become a clinical psychologist for children and adolescents. Outside of the lab, Dany served as Vice President of AULULAC. She enjoys spending time with friends, cooking, and discovering new coffee shops across DC.

Emma is a senior undergraduate student at American University graduating in May 2024 with a major in Psychology and a minor in Dance. She is conducting her honors psychology capstone research project exploring complex social communication skills in infants, focusing on the development of facial movement stimuli. Emma is interested in studying cognitive development throughout the lifespan of both neurotypical and neurodivergent populations with a focus on clinical application. She plans to pursue a PhD in Clinical Psychology or Neuropsychology with a Developmental focus. Extracurricularly, Emma is involved with the AU Dance Company and is on the executive board of Psychology Club. She enjoys yoga, spending time with friends, and trying new restaurants and activities around DC.

Jack is a sophomore at American University, pursuing a Bachelors of Science in Computer Science with minors in Neuroscience and Biology. He is currently starting on his second year of research, primarily focused on the analysis of behavioral and EEG data. Jack’s main interest revolves around the field of deep/machine learning, and he aspires to pursue a PhD in Computational Neuroscience upon completing his undergraduate studies. Beyond the lab, Jack actively assumes the Role of secretary for the College of Arts and Sciences Undergraduate Council, and also loves to cook for others and explore to find the best places to eat in DC.

Naomi is a third-year undergraduate student majoring in Psychology. She hopes to graduate in May of 2025 and attend graduate school at AU. Her goal is to earn a PhD or PsyD, become a clinical psychologist, and aid People of Color in accessing mental health services. Naomi is part of the Ethiopian/ Eritrean Student Association executive board and wrestling club outside the lab. She enjoys spending time with friends, reading, and watching sunsets.

Elli is a 1st year undergraduate student studying neuroscience. She received an Associate’s Degree in psychology from Champlain Regional College (Québec City) in May 2023. She plans to earn a PhD in neuropsychology or neurocognition. Outside of the lab, Elli is a choreographer and dancer with AU in Motion, and an external team member of Eaglethon. She enjoys jigsaw puzzles, trying new coffee shops, and spending time with friends and her cat, Bing.

Jane graduated from American University in December 2023 with majors in Psychology and Communication Studies and a minor in Studio Art. She conducted her honors psychology capstone research project investigating affective social communication in early toddlerhood. Jane is interested in the development of social cognition and the influence of digital media. She plans to pursue a PhD in Psychology with a Clinical Developmental track. Outside of the lab, she is a member of Psi Chi, The International Honor’s Society in Psychology, and a member of the psychology club at AU. She loves live music, drawing and painting, and making people laugh.

Ian was an undergraduate Independent Study student in the lab, investigating face perception in infants. He graduated in Spring 2023 with a BA in Psychology. Outside of the lab, Ian enjoys language learning, art, reading, and a mild obsession with corgis.

From NYC, Natasha graduated from American University in 2022 with a Bachelor’s in Film & Media Arts and Psychology. Natasha worked as an undergraduate research assistant in the lab. She now  aims to pursue a Masters in Clinical Psychology or a PsyD.

All the way from California, Annie Barbour is a senior studying public health and biology on the pre-med track. She plans on graduating in May of 2023 and hopes to attend medical school. Her goal is to earn a PhD and work in pediatrics, conducting research on childhood development. Outside of research, Annie plays soccer for the women’s soccer team at American University, enjoys reading, and spending time with friends.

B.S. in Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University

After spending two years in early childhood education, Kat became interested in the ecological validity of neonatal imitation and its relevance for social-emotional growth. She is also interested in the role facial expressions play in an infant’s ability to infer an agent’s goal and examining the brain regions involved in this ability. When she isn’t doing research, Kat can be found hiking, practicing yoga, or traveling

Jeeya Hussain (Class of 2022) is from Fairfax, Virginia. She was a psychology major, public health minor, and on the pre-med track. Jeeya had previously worked on research at INOVA Fairfax Hospital, focusing on DNA methylation in promoter regions of protein-coding genes. After graduating from American University, she plans on going to medical school for Neurology and potentially do research on autism. Outside of the lab, Jeeya volunteered for One Tent Health at AU and during her free time she enjoys watching shows and being with her friends!

Rachel graduated from American University in 2021 with a Master’s degree in Psychology. She then joined the Language, Learning, and Multisensory Brain Lab at Haskins Laboratories and Yale University as a lab manager. Rachel will be starting her doctoral studies at Binghamton University in the fall of 2023.

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Alena Quinn (Class of 2021) was an honors psychology student and graduated with a BA in psychology and minor in health promotion. Alena received the Robyn Rafferty Mathias Undergraduate Summer Fellowship to support her work in the lab during Summer 2020. After two years as a research assistant at the Child Development Lab at UMD under Dr. Nathan Fox, Alena is beginning her PhD in school psychology at the University of South Carolina.

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Camila received her B.S. in Neuroscience with a Psychology minor May 2021 from American University. She is pursuing a Research Master in Cognitive Neuropsychology at Vrije University in Amsterdam. Camila’s career goal is to become a Clinical Neuropsychologist and research about how and why Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) impairs facial emotion perception. Outside of the lab, Camila can be found on a long run throughout the city, hiking or playing the violin.

Alyssa Block (class of 2022) was an undergraduate student originally from Boston, MA. She majored in psychology and pursued a certificate in leadership and ethical development. Alyssa additionally worked in a residential treatment center for children with severe emotional, behavioral, and cognitive challenges. After college she hopes to pursue a graduate degree in clinical psychology.

B.S., 2020, American University – DC

Fabiola received her B.S. in Neuroscience from the American University (AU) in Washington, DC in 2020. While at AU, Fabiola assisted with infant face processing research under Dr. Laurie Bayet, focusing on processing an existing dataset of electrophysiological responses to faces in infants. In her free time, Fabiola enjoys practicing yoga, baking, and spending time outdoors.

Kiersten Morris is a former Undergraduate Research Assistant. She graduated with honors from American University in Spring 2020 with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. She went on to obtain her Masters in Social Work from Fordham University and has accepted a position as a therapist at a private practice in DC set to begin in the summer of 2023.

Meghan Flannery earned her BA in Psychology and Writing-Intensive English from Marquette University. Meghan joined the American University Clinical Psychology PhD Program in 2018 under Dr. Dave Haaga; her current interests include obsessive-compulsive and related disorders, body-focused repetitive disorders, the relationship between obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and trichotillomania dimensions in pediatric OCD, and the neurological basis for body-focused repetitive behaviors and OCD.

Kaela Tidus was an Undergraduate Research Assistant on the Faces and Feelings project. She graduated Cum Laude from American University in December 2019. Kaela currently is an Institute of Education Sciences pre-doctoral fellow in the Educational Psychology-Applied Developmental Science PhD program. Kaela is working with Dr. Amanda Williford looking at intervention supports for early childhood teachers such as infant and early childhood mental health consultation.

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Alexis worked as an undergraduate research assistant in the lab. Alexis is currently majoring in Public Relations and Strategic Communication.

Nancy earned her B.A. in Psychology with Honors and a Certificate in Applied Statistics at American University in 2019. While there, she worked in multiple research labs including AU’s Clinical Research Lab, Child Anxiety Lab, and the Bayet Lab in addition to Georgetown’s CDMC. At the Bayet Lab, Nancy worked with Dr. Bayet to complete her honors thesis using infant EEG data to explore infants’ label-induced categorization abilities. She also received the Psychology Department’s Charles B. Ferster Award. Nancy is currently working as an Education Research Assistant at SRI International where she supports a range of research and evaluation projects focused on student behavior, social-emotional learning, and early childhood media.

Elijah earned his B.A in Psychology in May 2020, and his M.A in Psychology: Clinical Science in May 2021 at American University in Washington, D.C. During his time in the Bayet lab as an undergraduate research assistant, Elijah helped with recruitment and ordering lab materials. During his time at American, he wore several hats as an advocate for social justice, a research assistant, a volunteer with The Grassroot Project, and a student-athlete. Elijah is currently pursuing his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at the University of Houston.

Solomiya graduated in May 2019 and is currently working as an international economic consultant at Pricewaterhouse Coopers.

Eve received her B.A. in Psychology and Italian Studies from American University in 2021. She is pursuing a career in sustainability and gardening education.

Paige graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from American University in May 2020. After graduation, Paige plans to work in the field of Applied Behavioral Analysis at a pediatric autism treatment center. After a few years of working, she hopes to pursue a graduate degree in clinical psychology.