Research Team
Interested in joining the Think Lab as a research assistant? Complete our application here: https://forms.gle/BwufCqeyz1xHC4Tc6
Faculty
Dr. Candice Mills, Director
Candice Mills is an Associate 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.
Staff
Ian Chandler-Campbell, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Research Associate
Ian Chandler-Campbell is a Postdoctoral Research Associate in the Think Lab, working on Project GARDEN, an NSF-funded collaboration between developmental psychologists across the U.S. aimed at improving the accessibility and reproducibility of developmental science research through online infrastructure. He received his Ph.D. in Applied Human Development from Boston University.
Dr. Chandler-Campbell’s research examines how children develop the ability to engage in inquiry practices, seeking out knowledge in the world around them. In particular, he is interested in how understanding of knowledge artifacts (information media such as books, YouTube videos, etc.) as well as other knowledge agents or algorithms (voice assistants, search engines, etc.) affects people’s learning practices.
Doctoral Students
Doctoral Student
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.
Graduate and Undergraduate Research Team Members
Master’s Degree Student
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.
Elham Doust
Master’s Degree Student
Joined in Spring 2023. Elham is a candidate for the Master of Fine Arts degree, and her area of concentration under Art, Technology, and Emerging Communications is Animation. She has experience working in the animation industry as a character animator in Iran, Turkey, and the United States of America. Her curiosity in psychological research, in particular the impact of animation on children, is what brought her to the Think Lab.
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.
Undergraduate Student
Joined in Spring 2023. Shreya is majoring in Psychology. She plans to enter medical school and pursue a career in anesthesiology or radiology. During her time with the Think Lab, she hopes to gain a greater understanding of how children learn as well as how their perceptions develop as they grow. Shreya enjoys ice skating, baking, and shopping in her free time.
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.
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.