LAB DIRECTOR
Vikram Jaswal is Professor of Psychology at the University of Virginia and Editor in Chief of the Journal of Cognition and Development. He is a developmental psychologist whose work has addressed a range of topics in typical development, including in word learning, categorization, memory development, and social cognition. His current research focuses on communication and social interaction in autism. His work is inspired and informed by the lived experiences of autistic children and adults and their families. Learn more about the perspective and approach of the Jaswal Lab. Email Dr. Jaswal
LAB COORDINATOR
Raha Montazeri is a 2nd year student at the University of Virginia studying Behavioral Neuroscience on the pre-medical track. She is from Fairfax, VA and currently works as a medical scribe in the UVA Emergency Department. She hopes to continue conducting research on neurodevelopmental conditions in the future while pursuing a career as a physician. Outside of academics, she is involved in aerial dance and enjoys journaling, reading, running, and crocheting in her free time.
GRADUATE STUDENTS
Sofya Gektin is a first-year PhD student in the Developmental Area at UVA. Her current research focuses on communication in autism, with a particular interest in developing innovative supports for non-speaking autistic individuals. She received her Honours Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Toronto and is originally from Kharkiv, Ukraine. Outside of research, Sofya is a dedicated artist, passionate about storytelling and creative writing, often blending artistic expression with scientific themes. She also enjoys illustration and spending time with her cat, Simba.
Meredith Robertson earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Saint Joseph’s University. She is passionate about research conducted with and for autistic people and is excited to continue this work in the Jaswal Lab. Outside of the lab, she enjoys reading, baking, and going for walks.
Kayden Stockwell is a sixth year PhD student in the Jaswal Lab. He earned bachelor’s degrees in psychology and human development at Binghamton University, State University of New York. Kayden’s current research uses peripheral psychophysiology (e.g., heart rate variability) to understand how social relationships support nonspeaking autistic teens and adults. He also maintains a line of work focused on understanding the experiences of autistic college students. If Kayden had a day to himself, he would spend it camping, listening to musical theatre tunes, and playing board games..
RESEARCH ASSISTANTS
Glenda Asare is a third-year biology major on the pre-med track from Worcester, Massachusetts. She currently works as a clinical research intern at UVA Hospital, where she hopes to gain a new perspective on formulating and assessing treatments in medicine. She believes strongly in fostering a safe space for neurodivergent individuals and those suffering from mental illness. In her free time, Glenda enjoys exercising, trying new restaurants, and spending quality time with friends.
Ruqiya Hussein is a third year student from Fredericksburg, VA studying Global Public Health. She hopes to create a space where the neurodivergent community feels supported and advocated for. In the future, she aspires to become a physician. In her free time, she can be found doing various activities such as crocheting, spending time in nature, and trying new food!
Imahkus Manns is a fourth-year student from Ghana, West Africa, majoring in Cognitive Science with a concentration in Psychology. She plans to attend nursing school after graduation and hopes to become a pediatric nurse practitioner in the future. Her interest in autism research stems from caring for her sister, who is on the autism spectrum. In her free time, she enjoys thrifting, crocheting, and experimenting with new recipes.
Lila Rowland (she/her) is a second year student from Sammamish, WA. She is majoring in speech communication disorders and minoring in Spanish with the intention of becoming a speech language pathologist in hospital settings. She is interested in serving neurodivergent and disabled communities, especially those who speak English as a second language. In her free time she enjoys playing cello, going for hikes, and reading.
Caroline Tallungan is a second year student from Leesburg, Virginia intending on majoring in Behavioral Neuroscience. She hopes to finish at UVA early and pursue a graduate program in Boston. Outside of school, Caroline loves to go to concerts, bake treats, do theatre, and lay out on the Lawn with a book.
LAB ALUMNI
Graduate Students
- Zoe Robertson, PhD 2024, Assistant Professor, University of Virginia
- Abha Basargekar, PhD 2024, Assistant Professor, FLAME University (India)
- Andrew Lampi, PhD 2023, Research Specialist, Worcester Public Schools
- Marissa Drell, PhD 2018, Consultant, Deloitte Consulting
- Shaina Rowell, PhD 2017, Instructor of Psychology, Florida Atlantic University
- Robyn Kondrad, PhD 2013, Associate Professor, James Madison University
- Carrie Palmquist, PhD 2013, Associate Professor, Amherst College
Distinguished Majors Program Students
Heather Burns, Mary Isaac Cargill, Brynn Chavira, Caitlin Cole, Skye Ferris, Claire Galdun, Kate Kaufman, Nora Kramer, Jessica Lunsford, Alexander Maksiaev, Elyse Morris, Leslie Neely, Maura O’Fallon, Allison Parcell, Hannah Repke, Chelsea Rodi, Sydney Sampson, Shannon Savell, Jenna Small, Lauren Tindall
Undergraduate RAs
Kara Abshire, Anushey Ahmed, Keelah Andrews, Jennifer Bailey, Izzy Begej, Kaylin Belcher, Adrianne Bell, Haben Berhane, Danning Bisaga, Julia Bondi, Brenna Broadus, Grace Ann Brown, Kate Brunick, Sydney Cadogan, Harrison Calhoun, Caitlin Carnell, Christin Chambers, Angelica Chang, Laura Chennette, Christina Cheung, Grace Chiarella, Choa Choi, Elena Colliver, Michelle Cox, Ann Chung, Taylor Clark, Mira Cole, Morgan Crawford, Carrington Croft, Xara Davies, Katya Davydova, Andrea DeLeon, Chelsea Divers, Deanna Durben, Lindsey Eller, Lucy Emery, Chijindu Ene, Adona Fasil, Camille Favero, Kaylyn Feeley, Skye Ferris, Sarah Fredrik, Julie Furst, Lillian Gaertner, Chase Gastrock, Lindsay Goldman, Katherine Gould, Cindy Gray, Sally Gustafson, Christina Hammond, Matt Harold, Emma Hartman, Gillian Hatch, Lauren Hayden, Nadia Hernandez, Elizabeth Hobbs, Andrew How, Katie Huffman, Tiffany Hwang, Jordan Jackson, Anam Jafri, D.J. Jimenez, Charlotte Jump, Simran Kaur, Katherine Kettler, Erin Kirchoff, Johanna Kreafle, David Lessard, Sally Lewis, Doo Lim, Beth Luder, Madeline Luehr, Jennifer Luu, Lauren Malone, Lanita McCullerses, Emma McDonald, Brittany McLaughlin, Ashley Meinhardt, Nevin Meissner, Derek Meyers, Bessie Miller, Hira Mohyuddin, Emily Moore, Erline Morgan, Tara Morin, Kim Morris, Tnsae Mulu, Ashwin Murali, Susanna Murrell, Gabriella Napoli, Ian Nataro, Denica Obis, Mayra Perez, Veronica Pitts, Aniyah Pouncy, Sarah Puckett, Molly Rathbun, Lobna Raya, Jenny Redmond, Blair Robertson, Emily Rogers, Iksha Rohatgi, Roy Ruhling, Libbie Ryan, Natalie Ryan, Hannah Schmidt, Alison Setia, Jasleen Singh, Samina Singh, Shubhangi Sinha, Talyn Steinmann, Ashley Sullender, Kelsey Sundby, Valerie Swisher, Rachel Sylla, Julie Torres, Linh Tran, Ngan Tran, Amanda Tu, Erin Vines, Thuy Vuong, Sara Wagner, Amanda Walker, Molly Wallace, Anna Walters, Cristina Wilcox, Ida Yonas, Emma Ziselman
Jaswal Lab 