LAB DIRECTOR
- Alia Martin is the director of the Infant and Child Cognition Lab and lecturer in Psychology at Victoria University of Wellington. Dr. Martin received her PhD in developmental psychology from Yale University, and her research focuses on how infants and children understand and learn about the social world. Outside the lab and the classroom, she enjoys traveling, reading, exercising, and discovering new restaurants.
LAB MANAGER and PHD STUDENT
- Michaela Dresel is the lab manager of the Infant and Child Cognition Lab and started her PhD in our lab in early 2020. Her research interests lie in how young babies learn that other people can have different motivations, thoughts, and beliefs than they do. In her spare time, Michaela enjoys writing and performing poetry, listening to podcasts, and cross-stitching.
HONOURS STUDENTS
- Camille Driscoll O’Keefe has recently completed a Bachelor of Science, with a major in Psychology and a minor in French. She is now doing her Honours in Psychology and hopes to pursue a career in developmental or clinical psychology. When she’s not studying, Camille works in a café and in her free time enjoys being outdoors, going out for good food and spending time with family and friends.
- Georgia Bueno is currently studying towards her Honours in Psychology. During her undergraduate degree she has enjoyed taking papers on lifespan development, with a particular interest in child development. Ultimately, she intends to do postgraduate study and work with children and youth in the future. She is passionate about accessible, inclusive education and young men’s mental health.
RESEARCH PROJECT STUDENTS
- Laura Clayton is studying towards a graduate diploma in science, majoring in psychology. She currently works as a Registered Social Worker, but hopes to re-train in clinical psychology and continue working in infant, child, and adolescent mental health. Outside of work, study and volunteering at the lab, Laura spends time with her friends and family, trail running, mountain biking and knitting.
- Liam Crowley is currently in his first year of his PhD in psychology, where he is investigating the relationship between body and emotion, and how we can predict emotional states through bodily movement. Liam is helping out in the lab with transitioning some of our experiments into an online format. In his spare time he enjoys playing volleyball or watching tv shows.
- Nina Volkmer is currently working towards a Bachelor of Science in Psychology in Germany. She is keen on exploring all the different domains psychology has to offer and is especially interested in neuropsychology. In her free time she enjoys dancing, painting, learning foreign languages and travelling.
RESEARCH ASSISTANTS
- Allie Mckenzie is currently working towards a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Psychology and Media Studies. She hopes to eventually register as an NZ Psychologist, and work under a multicultural focus. Allie is fascinated by the ways in which children communicate their thoughts and feelings, with evolving complexity over time. You might catch her perusing Wellington’s bookstores, dancing, or skateboarding.
- Jess van Niekerk is almost done with her Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Psychology and Criminology. She is planning to pursue postgraduate study and is interested in forensic and developmental psychology. When she’s not in the lab, Jess can be found listening to podcasts, going for a walk around town, or spending time with friends.
- Laura Anderson completed her PhD in our lab in 2021. Her research focuses on what 2- to 7-year-old children understand about knowledge, and how we can use knowledge to better communicate with others. Laura is also interested in learning how we start to help others, and what children think about others’ minds. Outside of the lab, Laura enjoys spending time with friends and family, and being in the sunshine!
- Sophie London is in her third and final year of a Bachelor of Commerce, majoring in Psychology and Public Policy. She aims to pursue postgraduate study focusing on clinical and developmental psychology. When she is out of the lab Sophie is spending time with Whānau and friends, or watching reality tv.
Infant and Child Cognition Lab 