Lab Members
My research focuses on the early development of the social, cognitive and brain processes that underpin adaptive social cognition and behavior. I earned my Ph.D. in Psychology from the Max Planck Institutes for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences and Evolutionary Anthropology in Leipzig, Germany.
Website | tg3ny@virginia.edu| Publications
Tobias Grossmann
Principal Investigator
Graduate Students
Olivia Allison
PhD Candidate
My broader research interests include identifying biological and environmental factors that are associated with early social development, and understanding how brain function is linked to social information processing and behaviors. I am particularly interested in studying facial and emotional processing throughout infancy to understand how underlying mechanisms give rise to individual differences in social cognition and behaviors. I received my B.A. in Psychology and Cognitive Neuroscience from Temple University where I completed a thesis project that investigated anticipatory motor behavior towards tactile stimulation in infant development. Additionally, I worked as a full-time research assistant at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia where I completed a project that investigated face-encoding neural activity in preschool children with and without Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Contact Olivia: yjg9uy@virginia.edu
Halle Miller
Graduate Student
My research explores how contextual and environmental factors shape social and cognitive development in early life, from infancy through early childhood. I am particularly interested in how social factors including early adverse childhood experiences or a child’s social network may influence a child’s brain function and behavior, both within an individual and intergenerationally. I received my B.S. in psychology from Harding University in 2023.
Contact Halle: yqg7ay@virginia.edu.
Lab Manager
Camile Bernard
Lab Manager
Camile is the lab coordinator for the Early Social Development Lab and Baby Lab and serves as the project coordinator for the Development of Gratitude Project. She earned her B.A. in Psychology and History from Pomona College. Her research interests include the impact of media on children’s education and how growing up in a digital age shapes the learning experiences of the new generation. During her undergraduate studies, Camile’s research focused on social psychology and the psychology of climate change, with her senior thesis examining children’s perceptions of environmentalists.
Contact Camile: vnp4hd@virginia.edu
Research Assistants
Nikky Grau
Research Assistant
I am a third-year student from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, majoring in Psychology with a minor in Health, Ethics, and Society. I have always loved working with children and hope to become a child psychologist, supporting them in developing a healthy self-image and well-being. My main interests are understanding the role that trauma, culture, family dynamics, and emotional experiences play in shaping how children think, feel, and interact with their self-image and the world. In my free time, I love to cook, go on walks, read, and listen to music!
Lisa de Groot
Research Assistant
I’m a fourth-year from Manassas, Virginia, majoring in Psychology with a minor in Biology on the Pre-Med track. I am passionate about working closely and engaging with children and I’m enthusiastic about gaining new insights into children’s development while working with Babylab! Outside of the lab I love running, rowing, hiking, and reading.
Caroline Ivey
Research Assistant
I am a forth-year from Atlanta, GA majoring in Behavioral Neuroscience on the Pre-Med track. Working with children has always been a passion of mine, so I hope to work in pediatrics one day. Participating in Babylab propels me toward this goal while allowing me to combine my love of children with my interest in psychology! I also volunteer at Martha Jefferson Hospital and walk children to and from school with Madison House. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, baking, and going on walks.
Anvi Kompalli
Research Assistant
Anila Noushin
Research Assistant
Lucy Nguyen
Research Assistant
Lucy Nguyen is a third-year at UVA and is planning on majoring in Biochemistry with a minor in Spanish. She plans to specialize in oncology pediatrics in the future. Her future goal is to be able to help immigrant children find a healthy life in America since she comes from an immigrant family that have worked extremely hard to get where they are. Lucy is a part of the VR study team in baby lab. Outside of research she enjoys weightlifting, finding new sweet cravings, and meeting new people.
Kaci O'Brien
Research Assistant
I am a third-year student from Ashburn, Virginia, double-majoring in Psychology and Cognitive Science. I am passionate about child development research and hope to work in a clinical setting one day. I love learning about how children think, grow, and interact with the world around them, and I am excited to be part of research that aligns with these interests. Outside of academics, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, traveling whenever possible, and exploring new coffee shops.
Clariann Sanchez
Research Assistant
I am a third-year undergraduate student at UVA from Alexandria, VA. I am planning to major in Cognitive Science while on the pre-med track.
Sophie Talreja
Research Assistant
I am a fourth-year from Virginia Beach, majoring in Psychology and Economics. I am very passionate about working with children and hope to be a children’s psychologist or school psychologist. In my free time, I enjoy reading, rock climbing, baking, and just being outside.
Lab Alumni
Dr. Kenn Dela Cruz
Harvard Strategic Data Project Fellow
Dr. Johanna Chajes
Assistant Professor at the University of Delaware
Dr. Jessica Stern
Assistant Professor at Pomona College
Dr. Caroline Kelsey
Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Boston Children’s Hospital
Dr. Kathleen M. Krol
Senior Product Researcher at WillowTree
Research Assistant Alumni: Lauren Jochims (2026), Meron Zebro (2026)
