Kimberly Cuevas, Ph.D.

Director

Professor Psychological Sciences

Dr. Cuevas (Ph.D. Rutgers University) is a Professor of Psychological Sciences at the University of Connecticut and Director of the CAP Lab. Her lab characterizes the building blocks of early cognition.  Dr. Cuevas examines the development of basic and higher-order cognitive skills from infancy through early childhood, identifying the mechanisms and contextual factors that shape them. Drawing on developmental psychobiology and neuroscience, the CAP Lab’s research centers on three core areas—learning & memory, executive function, and neural mirroring systems—while advancing developmental EEG methods and establishing functional links between neural activity and emerging cognition. Outside the lab, Dr. Cuevas enjoys seeing “development in action” on a daily basis with her daughters–from gymnastics-dance parties and pretend play to baking and plenty of silliness.  

Sarah Mannella, BA

Project Coordinator

Sarah is a UConn graduate with a BA in psychological sciences. She has enjoyed working with adolescents for the past 11 years and is eager to explore the field of developmental research with infants and toddlers in the CAP Lab. In her free time Sarah enjoys spending time with her husband and 2 young daughters, hiking, and caring for her plant collection. 

Nour al-Zaghloul, BA

Project Coordinator

Nour is a professional researcher with a bachelor’s in psychology from UC Davis. She has spent the last decade in developmental research working with youth from pre-natal to pre-teen and is excited to explore new facets of research with the CAP lab. When not in the lab, they can be found cooking up a storm or reading furiously about their latest interest. 

Kelsey Davinson, MS

Graduate Student

Kelsey is a fifth-year graduate student at UConn.  Her research interests include the behavioral and neural bases of memory development. She moved to Connecticut from California and has fallen in love with the fall season. In her free time, she loves hiking and exploring with her dogs.

Siqi Liang, MA

Graduate Student

Siqi is a Ph.D. student at UConn. She earned her BA in psychology in China and her MA in developmental psychology at Columbia University. Her research focuses on the interaction between environmental factors (such as family and maternal influences) and children’s individual characteristics, and how these dynamics shape their cognitive and social development. At UConn, she is excited to expand her work using EEG methods to better understand these processes. Outside of research, Siqi enjoys dancing, watching movies, and reading.

Delaney Mendoza

Graduate Student

Delaney is a second-year graduate student at UConn. She received her BA in psychology from Clemson University in 2024, and her research interests include memory and language development throughout infancy and early childhood. In her free time, Delaney enjoys reading, cooking, spending time with loved ones, and enjoying various outdoor activities around Connecticut and New England.

Kermina Salib

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Kermina is a sophmore at UConn majoring in Allied Health Sciences. Passionate about working with children and making a difference in healthcare, she plans to attend medical school after completing her bachelor’s degree to achieve her goal of becoming a pediatrician. She has gained experience working at a daycare and volunteering at Vacation Bible School, which further deepened her interest in caring for and supporting children. In her free time, she enjoys painting, reading, exploring new interests, and spending time with her friends and family.

Julia Motuzick

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Julia is a senior at UConn majoring in Psychological Sciences. After completing her bachelor’s degree, her plan is to attend an accelerated nursing program, with the long-term goal of becoming a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA). She enjoys working with children, and her research interests include memory development and learning during childhood. In her free time, Julia enjoys hiking with friends and trying new food places.

Anaya Waghmare

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Anaya is a sophomore at UConn pursuing a major in mathematics-statistics on the pre
med track, alongside dual minors in music and psychological sciences. Following
graduation, she plans to attend medical school with the goal of practicing pediatric
medicine. Her passion for working with children was strengthened through her volunteer
work supporting children with disabilities in water activities and swimming. Outside of her
studies, Anaya is an active member of a competitive hip-hop fusion dance team, enjoys
swimming and dancing, and loves Disney.

Julissa Alonzo

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Julissa is a Junior studying Psychology. She is passionate about working with children and
hopes to become a pediatric occupational therapist in the future. She loves learning about
child development and helping children grow, learn, and reach their full potential.
Currently, she works in the CAP Lab, where she is gaining valuable experience in child
development research and expanding her understanding of how children learn and
develop.

Najd Al-Shammary

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Najd is a junior at UConn majoring in Physiology & Neurobiology and Psychological Sciences.
After graduation, she plans to pursue a master’s degree in psychology with a particular interest in
neuroscience. She is passionate about making healthcare more accessible and learning more
about the brain. Outside of school, she enjoys reading, writing, and spending quality time with
her friends and family.

Isabella Gilchrist

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Isabella is a sophomore at UConn majoring in both Psychological Sciences and Human
Development and Family Studies. After completing her undergraduate degree, she plans to
pursue graduate school. She has gained experience working with children in various
settings, such as being a teacher’s aide in a childcare center and working as a youth
soccer coach. In her free time, she enjoys reading, going to the gym, and spending quality
time with her friends and family.

Emma Allen

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Emma is a senior majoring in Cognitive Science with minors in Human Development and Family Sciences and Psychology. She is passionate about working with children and plans to pursue a career working with children as a teacher after graduating in the spring. She currently works at the Child Labs on campus, where she enjoys gaining hands-on experience working with children and learning more about child development. In her free time, Emma enjoys taking walks outside, listening to music, and reading.

Leila Hammad

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Leila is a Sophomore at UConn on the Pre-Med track, pursuing a degree in Psychology and a minor in Neuroscience. In the future, she plans to attend medical school to become a psychiatrist. Her academic interests include neuroscience, mental health, and psychological disorders. In her free time, Leila enjoys reading, spending time with friends and family, and staying active.

Sophia Dmitriyeva

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Sophia is a senior undergraduate student at UConn majoring in cognitive science with a minor in psychology. Sophia has always had a passion and interest in working with children and researching early childhood development. After obtaining her bachelor’s degree, she plans to pursue medical school and future goals of working in pediatrics. When she is not in the lab, she enjoys being a part of various clubs at UConn, hanging out with friends, going on walks, and keeping up her fluency in Japanese and Russian.

Shaheen Hussain

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Shaheen is a junior at UConn Waterbury majoring in Allied Health Sciences with a minor in Human Development and Family Sciences. She is on the pre-med track and plans to attend medical school after graduation. She joined the CAP Lab through the RISE Micro-Internship program in summer 2026 and enjoyed the experience so much that she continued as a research assistant. She enjoys working with children and families, learning about child development, and gaining hands-on research experience. Outside of the lab, she works as a phlebotomist, a content coach, and an AI Literacy Lab instructor. She looks forward to continuing her work in the CAP Lab and growing her research skills.

Lauren Vellecca

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Lauren is a Junior at UConn Waterbury majoring in Psychological Sciences with a minor in Crime & Justice. She has always been passionate about understanding how the brain develops into adulthood and what makes you, you.  After completing her bachelor’s degree, she plans to attend graduate school to become a Forensic Psychologist. Lauren enjoys working with children, and her academic interests include child development, psychological disorders, and behavioral science. In her free time, Lauren enjoys hiking in the fall, boxing, and painting.

Lauren Bryant, Ph.D.

Research Associate

Dr. Bryant is an assistant professor at Sacred Heart University and CAP Lab Alum (2020). Her research examines cognitive development in infants and young children, including the neural correlates (EEG) of early social cognition. Dr. Bryant is especially interested in executive functions—processes that help us control our thoughts and behaviors—and pursues behavioral and psychophysiological research in this area.