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 3rd 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 second-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 7th 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..
DMP STUDENT
Caroline Tallungan is a third 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.
RESEARCH ASSISTANTS
Hatoon Abdulrahman. Besides the sciences we all love, Hatoon enjoys cartoons, reading, and taking naps!
Maria Isabel Arostegui is a third year student from Chester, New Jersey. She is studying Psychology and Foreign Affairs with a minor in French. After UVA, she hopes to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and help others. Maria Isabel enjoys baking, drawing, as well as spending time with friends and family.
Glenda Asare is a fourth-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.
Malyha Bashar is a 1st year student at the University of Virginia from Alexandria, VA, studying Psychology and Youth & Social Innovation. Her goal is to become a clinical psychologist for neurodivergent youth. She is passionate about social justice, and hopes to engage in advocacy work for the neurodivergent community as a part of her career. Outside of the lab, she enjoys playing the violin, creative writing, and reading.
Amanda Boateng is a third‑year behavioral neuroscience major on the pre‑medical track from Woodbridge, Virginia. Amanda is really interested in understanding human neural circuitry and brain function. After finishing undergraduate studies, she plans to attend medical school and work toward becoming a neurologist, providing care to individuals with mental illnesses. She also aims to better advocate for and support neurodivergent communities, wanting to help create a space where they feel safe and heard. In my free time, she loves cooking, running and working out, spending time with friends, and doing makeup!
Ruqiya Hussein is a fourth 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!
Madeline Kamholz is a second year student from Arlington, Virginia. She intends to major in Behavioral Neuroscience on the pre-med track. She hopes that her work at the Jaswal Lab will lead to an increased sense of community for neurodivergent individuals, while spreading awareness and advocating for each person’s voice. Outside of school, Madeline is involved in global health equity, the Brody Jewish Center, and loves to bake and hike!
Alice Lee is a second year student from Fairfax, Virginia, who plans to major in Behavioral Neuroscience on the pre-med track and minor in Creative Writing. They are interested in studying the comorbidity and intersectionality between diverse disabilities, disorders, and identities. In the future, she hopes to become a physician-scientist. Outside of academics, Alice is a competitive archer who enjoys playing games and meeting new people.
Lila Rowland (she/her) is a third 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.
Lizzy Tierney is a third-year undergraduate student from Richmond, Virginia. She is majoring in Biochemistry and Spanish on the pre-medical track. She volunteers at the UVA hospital with Madison House and is a manager at Kindness Cafe. In her free time, she enjoys running and playing intramural soccer.
Madelyn Vann is a third year student from Charlottesville, Virginia. She is majoring in psychology and sociology. She is extremely interested in going into clinical psychology and working with neurodiversity. Her hobbies include drawing, board games, and walking.
Wannie Xie is a second-year student on the pre-med track, majoring in Behavioral Neuroscience and Biology. Originally from Shanghai, China, she is interested in understanding communication styles within the autistic community and is committed to advocating for greater accessibility, accommodation, and inclusion for neurodivergent individuals. In her free time, she enjoys reading fiction, baking, and making crafts..
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, Imahkus Manns, 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 