Research Assistants

Anika Ajwani
Lab Manager 
Layla Giordano
Research Assistant
Sophie Nagarajan
RESEARCH ASSISTANT
Jack Arruda
Research Assistant
Emily Maradiaga
Research Assistant
Clara Manole
RESEARCH ASSISTANT
Alexis Moreira
Research Assistant
Zane Mourad
Research Assistant

Interested in being a research assistant at the Early Minds Lab?

Research assistants get hands-on experience with experimental methods, and after successfully completing their coursework, can receive more personalized letters of recommendation from the supervising professor and mentoring in continuing their studies on the graduate level. Students participate in laboratory work for 7 hours/week for 3 credits (Psych 286 in their first semester and Psych 486, Research Apprenticeship in their second semester in the lab). Psych 486 also involves an extensive literature survey and the writing of a 15-20 page literature review based on a minimum of 25 sources. Besides their faculty mentor, each undergraduate research assistant will have an assigned PhD student mentor as well. If you have any questions, please visit our research opportunities FAQ page.

Please note: Drs. Kaldy, Ciaramitaro, and Vogel are all accepting RAs for Spring 2026. Complete the application above and contact the lab manager, Anika ([email protected]), with any questions!

A FEW OF OUR ALUMNI

Tessyia Roper, 2025: UMass Boston, Master's in School Psychology
Alexa Soto, 2025: University of Massachusetts Boston, B.S. in Psychology
Alireza Rozati, 2025: University of Massachusetts Boston, B.A. in Psychology
Dayana Ukraine, 2025: University of Massachusetts Boston, B.A. in Psychology
Rong Tan, 2024: Currently Crisis Clinician at Advocates
Darlene SantanaBatista, 2024: University of Massachusetts Boston, B.S. in Psychology
​Livia Trindade, 2024: University of Massachusetts Boston, B.S. in Psychology, Research Assistant at UConn
Melody Stelmaszek, 2024: University of Massachusetts Boston, B.S. in Psychology
Zarwah Kanwal, 2024: University of Massachusetts Boston, B.S. in Psychology
Hana Lee, 2024: University of Massachusetts Boston, B.S. in Health Science
Mahita Mudundi, 2022: University of Massachusetts Boston, B.S. in Biology
Bella Baidak, 2019: Cornell University, MA in Connective Media
Laura Keegan, 2017: Boston University, PhD in Neuroscience
Daniel Harris, 2016: Currently, Assistant Professor, University of Delaware
Alexia Williams, 2015: University of California, Davis, PhD Program 
Shaun O'Grady, 2014: University of California, Berkeley, PhD Program 
Luke Eglington, 2013: Dartmouth College, PhD Program 
Marisa Biondi, 2012: Texas A&M University, PhD Program 
Uchenna Eneh, 2010: University of Rhode Island, PhD Program 
Emily Higgins, 2009: University of California San Diego, PhD Program 
Charlene Volk, 2008: Indiana University Bloomington, PhD Program 
Aaron Crug, 2008: Rutgers University, PhD Program 
Maria Dolores Vazquez, 2007: formerly, Assistant Professor, Murray State University
Sarah Nestor, 2006: University of Vermont, MA Program 
Marie Sillice, 2005: Currently, Assistant Professor, Stony Brook University 
Melissa Kibbe, 2004: Currently, Associate Professor, Boston University