Meet Our Students
Tianyi Li
Student researcher
Tianyi Li is a Psychology and English major student. In DEER lab, her current research interests include the impacts of adverse and positive childhood experiences on one’s (young) adult life. In the future, she hopes to pursue a PhD in Clinical Psychology.
Olivia Weiss
Student Researcher
My name is Olivia, and I’m a senior at BMC, majoring in Neuroscience with a minor in Data Science. I’m interested in how we can use algorithms to analyze ERP components and their relationship to cognitive functions, particularly in connection with childhood experiences. After graduation, I plan to pursue a PhD in Neuroscience, with a focus on clinical research. Beyond the lab, I am a French Teacher Assistant, a support group facilitator, I work at the gym and love to cook, bake and hike.
My name is Olivia, and I’m a senior at BMC, majoring in Neuroscience with a minor in Data Science. I’m interested in how we can use algorithms to analyze ERP components and their relationship to cognitive functions, particularly in connection with childhood experiences. After graduation, I plan to pursue a PhD in Neuroscience, with a focus on clinical research. Beyond the lab, I am a French Teacher Assistant, a support group facilitator, I work at the gym and love to cook, bake and hike.
Sofia Vinci
Student Researcher
Hello! My name is Sofia Vinci and I am a Psych major and Spanish minor at Bryn Mawr, class of ‘25. I came to working with the DEER Lab because I am particularly interested in the way that positive figures in childhood can mitigate trauma; this will inform my future work as a therapist. I’m excited that the lab has a focus in neuroscience as well as psychology! Outside of the lab, I am a support group facilitator, musician, and David Bowie fan.
Ariel Zhao
Student researcher
My name is Ariel Zhao, also known as Yining Zhao in Chinese. I am a psychology major and currently a rising junior at BMC. I am passionate about developmental psychology, which led me to join this lab. I am particularly interested in investigating the factors that shape childhood experiences, such as parenting styles and cultural influences, and their impact on children’s development. I am excited about the opportunity to learn EEG techniques and gain hands-on experience in the lab.
Sofia Hanson
Student Researcher
Hello! My name is Sofia Hanson, and I’m a psychology major in the class of 2025. I’m very excited to work in the DEER Lab this upcoming year! While working in the lab, I’m interested in investigating the lasting effects of early experiences and childhood adversity and their influence on psychopathology later in life. I look forward to developing my skills as a researcher and hope to take the experience I gain over the next year into my future career as a child therapist.
Grace Foresman
Student researcher
Hi, my name is Grace Foresman and I am a Psychology major and East Asian Studies minor at Bryn Mawr College (‘25). I joined the DEER lab because I am interested in researching more about the potential effects early adversity has on executive functioning, focusing specifically on performance during EEG-monitored tasks. I am incredibly excited to work with Dr. Mukerji and learn from her research! Outside of the lab, I enjoy playing the violin, reading, and re-watching episodes of Derry Girls.
Clare Hann
Student researcher
Hi! I'm Clare Hann and I'm a psychology major at Bryn Mawr college, class of '27. I'm working with the DEER lab because I am interested in how childhood experiences shape lifelong mental health. I am particularly excited to learn how mental health providers can help people overcome childhood trauma to become happy and healthy adults! I hope to use what I learn in the lab in my future career as a psychologist to have a meaningful impact on people's lives. Outside of the lab, I love going to concerts, teching for my theater troupe, and taking care of my bunny, Delilah!
Mahveen Wani
Student researcher
Hi, my name is Mahveen Wani, and I’m a sophomore at Bryn Mawr, majoring in psychology with a minor in data science. My interests focus on understanding how societal expectations and childhood experiences shape behaviour later in life, with a particular passion for exploring the cultural influences on child development. Outside the lab, I enjoy practising Indian classical dance, reading books and sunsets!
Masa Hasegawa
Student researcher
My name is Masa and I am a junior Neuroscience major and Child and Family Studies minor at Haverford. I am interested in the extent to which early life experiences shape children’s social and behavioural development and affect their mental health and well-being in adulthood. It fascinates me how rapidly a child’s brain responds and adapts to changes in the environment, and I wish to further explore the role of neuroplasticity. My hope for the future is to apply some of the knowledge and skills gained from this lab to settings that offer early intervention programmes for those who need it.