Dr. Candice Mills, Director

Candice Mills is a Professor in the Department of Psychology at The University of Texas at Dallas. Dr. Mills earned a bachelor’s degree, summa cum laude in cognitive neuroscience, from the University of Florida, and a PhD in developmental psychology from Yale University.

Dr. Mills’s research examines how children learn from others. Her research incorporates methods and theories from developmental, cognitive, social, and educational psychology, with participant populations spanning from early childhood through adolescence and adulthood. Her previous research has been published in professional psychology journals as well as discussed in national resources such as the New York Times, Scientific American Mind, and National Public Radio.

See Dr. Mills’s Curriculum Vitae.

Natalie Quintero, M.S.
Doctoral Student

Joined in Fall 2021. Natalie’s research interests include caregivers’ explanations to children, developmental changes in children’s science knowledge, and science learning. She aims to explore individual differences in caregiver explanations to children about science. Outside of the lab, Natalie enjoys hiking, traveling, and spending time with her friends and family.

Yilin Liu, M.A.
Doctoral Student

Joined in Fall 2023. Yilin graduated with her B.S. in psychology from the University of Arizona and pursued her M.A. in social science with a psychology track at the University of Chicago. Yilin is interested in children’s learning experiences. She wishes to explore how children’s learning and thinking processes are shaped by the information provided by their parents, precisely, the qualities of the information. Yilin loves road trips, learning various instruments, and designing educational comics.

Joined in Summer 2018 as an undergraduate, Fall 2020 as a graduate student. Anthony’s interests include scientific skepticism, epistemology, and science learning. Anthony plans to earn a PhD and pursue a career in academia, to do research and teach in the interest of helping end the replication crisis in psychology. He is also interested in being involved with science communication. Anthony’s experiences in the Think Lab will help him develop the skills to become a scrupulous researcher. You can learn more about him here: https://anthonyjose.ph/

Faith Crighton
Undergraduate Student

Joined in Summer 2023. Faith is double majoring in psychology and child learning and development. She plans on earning a PhD in clinical psychology after graduating from UTD. During her time in the Think Lab, Faith hopes to learn more about how children evaluate and apply information. In her free time, Faith enjoys baking, going to concerts, and doing makeup.

Sheryl George
Undergraduate Student

Joined in Spring 2023. Sheryl is a third year undergraduate studying neuroscience. She hopes to attend medical school and pursue a career as a pediatrician. Sheryl’s interest in working with children stemmed from her time volunteering with special needs kids. While at the Think Lab, she hopes to understand more about the cognitive process in children and their unique perspectives on knowledge. In her free time, Sheryl loves to test out new recipes and travel with friends and family.

Ameera Hussain
Undergraduate Student

Joined in Spring 2023. Ameera is majoring in Psychology. She plans to attend Medical School and continue working with children. During her time with the Think Lab, Ameera hopes to gain an understanding of how children process information and apply it to the world around them. In her free time, she likes to read, bake, and spend time with family and friends.

Areeba Khan
Undergraduate Student

Joined in Spring 2022. Areeba is double majoring in Psychology and Child Learning and Development. She plans to pursue a career in clinical psychology. During her time with the Think Lab, she hopes to learn more about how children’s thoughts change as they receive feedback and learn from people around them. In her free time, Areeba loves to bake, read, and hang out with friends and family.

Raj Mitra
Undergraduate Student

Joined in Summer 2023. Raj is pursuing a double major in Psychology and Neuroscience. He is intrigued to learn about the cognitive processes of youth and how children learn effectively during his time working at the Think Lab. For fun, Raj likes to read, write, walk, and game.

Graycen Runyan
Master’s Degree Student

Joined in Summer 2023. Graycen is a master’s student in the Psychological Sciences Program. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Texas Tech University, with a minor in Spanish. With a research background in relationship dissolution’s impact on future marital success, she aims to apply her knowledge toward a Ph.D. in developmental psychology.