Child Study Center

Meet the Child Study Center!

Dr. Judy DeLoache: Lab Director

Dr. DeLoache has spent over 20 years researching early cognitive development. Her specific area of interest is the development of symbolic functioning. After a long career at University of Illinois, Dr. DeLoache established the Child Study Center at the University of Virginia.

Dr. DeLoache's webpage

Dr. Megan Bloom Pickard: Post-Doc

Megan came to UVA from the University of Pennsylvania. Although she occasionally craves a Philadelphia Cheesesteak, she loves Charlottesville and thinks it's one of the most beautiful places she's ever been. Megan studies the nature of children’s beliefs about reality, and young children’s affinity for animals.

Dr. Medha Tare: Post-Doc

Medha came to UVA after completing her Ph.D. at the University of Michigan and her B.A. at Rutgers University. Her research examines preschoolers' pragmatic language understanding and learning from various media, including picture books.

Tony Byers: Graduate Student

Before coming to UVa, Tony received a BA in English from Wesleyan University, an M.Ed in Early Childhood Education from Boston College, and spent four years teaching kindergarten in Newton, MA. He is interested in young children’s learning from picture books and children’s responses to praise. Away for the lab, Tony enjoys yoga, cooking, and discovering the south.

Kai Sherman: Lab Coordinator

Kai is an '04 UVA alum with a BA in Psychology. In addition to working full-time at the Child Study Center, she is enrolled in a Master's Program for Health Education. She loves exploring Charlottesville with her husband and enjoys working with the wonderful families who volunteer to come to CSC!

Catherine Thrasher: Research Assistant

Catherine is a 2006 graduate from UVA with a bachelor's degree in psychology. She is currently working with Vanessa, investigating the nature of fear in babies through snake studies. She is interested in pursuing graduate school in the future, but until then, she's hanging out in Charlottesville, photographing locals, waiting tables, and working in the most fun lab at UVA!

Nadia Islam: Reserach Assistant

Nadia is a 2009 graduate of the University of Virginia and completed her honors thesis in the Child Study Center on infants' perception of face-like objects. After spending 3 great years working in the CSC, Nadia decided she was not quite ready to leave Charlottesville. She is continuing her work as a researcher on several projects under the mentorship of Judy DeLoache, Joseph Allen, and Jim Coan. She is looking forward to being a true Charlottesville
resident and applying to Ph.D. programs in child
clinical psychology next fall.

Adrienne Schubert: DMP

Adrienne is a 4th year Psychology and Media Studies major. She is also a research assistant with Joseph Allen's lab. Born and raised in Charlottesville, she loves taking advantage of everything C'ville has to offer, from Friday's After Five to hiking in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains!

Katie Hudson: DMP

Katie is a 4th year psychology major from Baltimore, MD. She loves working with kids and along with being a research assistant at the Chlid Study Center, she is also a Program Director for the Madison House Daycare Volunteer Program. This is her first semester as a research assistant in the lab and she is really excited for the experience!

Robbie Oberholzer: DMP

Robbie is a 4th year psychology major from Greencastle, PA. This is his first year working with the Child Study Center, but he is very anxious to begin exploring the field of developmental psychology. In his free time, Robbie enjoys photographing Charlottesville and exploring the area with his two puppies.

Dana Schawelson: RA

Dana is a 2nd year student at UVA and hopes to be a psychology major. She has lived in Hong Kong her whole life but has also come to love everything that Charlottesville has to offer. She has always worked with children and is excited to have the opportunity to be a research assistant in the Child Study Center to
gain a better understanding of how children think
and learn. Dana may also have a slight obsession
with penguins.

Ning Tay: RA

Ning is a 3rd year psychology and English major from Singapore who grew up in China. She loves seeing the videos and pictures of babies and listening to tinkly baby music at the Child Study Center. She plays on the women's rugby club here at UVA and LOVES visiting the SPCA and playing with all the kittens!

Sara Friedman: RA

Sara is currently a 3rd year Psychology major at UVA. She loves being a research assistant at the Child Study Center and discovering how it is that children learn new things! Sara is also a program director for the Madison House Volunteer Program. When she is not doing work
or watching too much television, she is always on
the lookout for an adorable puppy to adopt!

Shivesh Puri: RA

Graduate Alumni

Dr. Vanessa LoBue: Post Doc at New York University

Dr. Lobue's webpage

Dr. Mieke Vanderborght: 2009 Graduate

Dr. Cynthia Chiong: 2007 Graduate

Dr. Patricia Ganea:Assistant Professor at Boston University

Dr. Ganea's webpage

Undergraduate Alumni

Autumn Fuller
Alexandra Lee
Amanda Johnson
Carolyn Humston
Charlotte Jump
Christina Danko
Chyrstal Propst
Courtney Filippi
Cynthia Pantaleo
Danny Drachsler
Emilia Szachowicz
Emily Bean
Erin Hallissy
Holly Singh
Jennifer Bailey
Joe Romano
Kara Morgenstern
Katie Ameringer
Kristen Knecht
Lauren Hughes
Leslie Buker
Lindsay Doswell
Marissa Mosk
Megan Roberts
Melissa Kelly
Micaela Connery
Molly Garland
Natalie Brito
Patty Chang
Priscilla Khuanglawn
Sarah Scott
Stacey Jacobs
Themba Carr