Director
Dr. Perla B. Gámez is an associate professor of psychology at Loyola University Chicago. She received a PhD from the University of Chicago and was a post-doctoral fellow at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Dr. Gámez leads a program of research focused on the language and literacy development of English Language Learners (children from homes in which English is not the only or primary language spoken; also referred to as bilinguals, dual language learners, English learners). Her current research examines how variations in the features of language that children are exposed to at home and in school impact their language and literacy skills (native language, English). Currently, her work is funded by the National Institutes of Health. Her work has been funded by the William T. Grant Foundation and the National Science Foundation. She also received a National Academy of Education/Spencer Postdoctoral Fellowship and an Institute for Education Sciences Dissertation Year Fellowship. Dr. Gámez’s teaching and mentoring of undergraduate and graduate students has earned her the Sujack Award for Teaching Excellence at Loyola University.
Graduate Students
Paola Pinzon-Henao, M.A.
is a first-year Ph.D. student in the Developmental Psychology program at Loyola University Chicago. She received a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology with a concentration in Children and Adolescents from Montclair State University. Her research interests include the effects of parental engagement and classroom environments on children’s bilingual language development. (Paola's picture is forthcoming.)
is a first-year Ph.D. student in the Developmental Psychology program at Loyola University Chicago. She received a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology with a concentration in Children and Adolescents from Montclair State University. Her research interests include the effects of parental engagement and classroom environments on children’s bilingual language development. (Paola's picture is forthcoming.)
Danieli Marie Mercado Ramos, M.S.
is a second-year student in the Developmental Psychology Ph.D. program at Loyola University Chicago. She is an SRCD Horowitz Early Career Scholar and is interested in bilingual language development and its relation to identity development in Latinx adolescents. She is the lead graduate student in the Juntos Lab, directed by Dr. López Hernández.
is a second-year student in the Developmental Psychology Ph.D. program at Loyola University Chicago. She is an SRCD Horowitz Early Career Scholar and is interested in bilingual language development and its relation to identity development in Latinx adolescents. She is the lead graduate student in the Juntos Lab, directed by Dr. López Hernández.
Cristina Manteca Gacho
is a second-year master’s degree student at the University of Illinois Chicago studying Hispanic Linguistics. She is a member of Bilingualism Matters Chicago and is interested in bilingual language development and language disorders. She previously was awarded Valedictorian in Preschool bilingual teaching and Special education at Acalá de Henares University (Spain).
is a second-year master’s degree student at the University of Illinois Chicago studying Hispanic Linguistics. She is a member of Bilingualism Matters Chicago and is interested in bilingual language development and language disorders. She previously was awarded Valedictorian in Preschool bilingual teaching and Special education at Acalá de Henares University (Spain).
Undergraduate Students
Eileen Dominguez (Class of 2024)
is a Psychology major at Loyola University Chicago. She is interested in Clinical child psychology and bilingual learning.
is a Psychology major at Loyola University Chicago. She is interested in Clinical child psychology and bilingual learning.
Sophie Grippo (Class of 2024)
is a psychology major at Loyola University Chicago. She is a Provost Scholar 2022-2023 and is interested in counseling and bilingual language development.
is a psychology major at Loyola University Chicago. She is a Provost Scholar 2022-2023 and is interested in counseling and bilingual language development.
Sofia Marcic (Class of 2024)
is a Psychology major with an Anthropology minor at Loyola University Chicago. She is interested in development psychology and psychopathology. Sofia plans on pursuing research and a career in clinical psychology.
is a Psychology major with an Anthropology minor at Loyola University Chicago. She is interested in development psychology and psychopathology. Sofia plans on pursuing research and a career in clinical psychology.
Bella Olvera (class of 2025)
is a Psychology major at Loyola University Chicago. Her minor is in History and Criminal Justice. She is interested in Counseling and Developmental and Clinical psychology.
is a Psychology major at Loyola University Chicago. Her minor is in History and Criminal Justice. She is interested in Counseling and Developmental and Clinical psychology.
Anmol Patel (Class of 2025)
is a Psychology and English double major in the Interdisciplinary Honors Program at Loyola University Chicago. She is interested in Education and bilingual language development.
is a Psychology and English double major in the Interdisciplinary Honors Program at Loyola University Chicago. She is interested in Education and bilingual language development.
Berenice Santana (Class of 2025)
is a Psychology major at Loyola University Chicago. She is interested in bilingual language development.
is a Psychology major at Loyola University Chicago. She is interested in bilingual language development.
Annie Sullivan (Class of 2024)
is a psychology major at Loyola University Chicago on a Pre-Physician's Assistant track. Her research interest is in multilingual language development.
is a psychology major at Loyola University Chicago on a Pre-Physician's Assistant track. Her research interest is in multilingual language development.
Carson Simril (Class of 2024)
is a Psychology major at Loyola University Chicago. He is interested in Industrial and Organizational psychology and executive advising.
is a Psychology major at Loyola University Chicago. He is interested in Industrial and Organizational psychology and executive advising.
Nikki Tsolakidis (Class of 2025)
is a Psychology major at Loyola University Chicago. She is an ASN scholar and is interested in counseling and developmental psychology.
is a Psychology major at Loyola University Chicago. She is an ASN scholar and is interested in counseling and developmental psychology.
Kassandra Valencia (Class of 2023)
is a Psychology major at Loyola University Chicago. She is minoring in Spanish Language and her research interests include bilingual language development.
is a Psychology major at Loyola University Chicago. She is minoring in Spanish Language and her research interests include bilingual language development.
Previous Lab Members
Undergraduate:
Natalie Kuchler '23
Carla Jauregui '22
Alexia Flores '21
Ashely Delgado '22
Andraya Carse '22
Maya Hernandez '22
Paola Ponce '22
Danah Atassi '18
Agnes Bucko '14
Mary Bui '18
Nayeli Cervantes '21
Sophia Cipriano '18
Joline De Castro '13
Rogelio De La Vega-Verde
Raquel Diaz de Leon (currently a graduate student at DePaul University)
Humberto Dominguez (currently a graduate student at Syracuse University)
Lana Elborno '17
Dinha Farooqui '12
Cara Fontana '19 (currently a graduate student at Rosalind Franklin University-North Chicago)
Saadia Gaziuddin '14
Maily Galindo '21 (currently a graduate student at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign)
Dahlia Gonzalez '16 (currently a graduate student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison)
Victoria Hagan '15 (currently a graduate student in School Psychology at Loyola University Chicago)
Mallika Iyer '18
Nathalie Kacik '18
Urooba Khaleelullah '17
Abigail Kinsella '18
Brittany Maglish '17
Celeste Martinez '19
Natalie Merza '23 (currently at the UIC School of Law)
Mary Mick '20
Julia Minkevitch '21
Michelle Moskal '18
Michelle Navarrete '15
Athena Neofotistos '13
Emily Nuila '15
Sydni Partee '19
Nicholas Petrus '17
Guadalupe Perez
Abigail Perez-Gonzalez
Gloria Santana '14
Marcela Mendez Steiner '18
Melissa Ramirez '19
Brenda Reyes
Marilyn Rodriguez
Thelma Sammanasu '20
Karina Sanchez
Macarena Soto-Ferri
Ha Tran '17
Melissa Vazquez '17
Anna Waksmundzka '17
Camila Wever '20 (currently a graduate student at Nova Southeastern University)
Lindsey White
Dana Zakieh '18 (currently a graduate student at Northwestern University)
Sarah Zechariah '20 (currently a graduate student at Northwestern University)
Graduate:
Jordan Perry, MA '22
Holly Griskell, PhD '21
Valerie Flores, PhD '15
LaNette Urbin, MA '18
Post-baccalaureate:
Yaxal Sobrevilla
Natalie Kuchler '23
Carla Jauregui '22
Alexia Flores '21
Ashely Delgado '22
Andraya Carse '22
Maya Hernandez '22
Paola Ponce '22
Danah Atassi '18
Agnes Bucko '14
Mary Bui '18
Nayeli Cervantes '21
Sophia Cipriano '18
Joline De Castro '13
Rogelio De La Vega-Verde
Raquel Diaz de Leon (currently a graduate student at DePaul University)
Humberto Dominguez (currently a graduate student at Syracuse University)
Lana Elborno '17
Dinha Farooqui '12
Cara Fontana '19 (currently a graduate student at Rosalind Franklin University-North Chicago)
Saadia Gaziuddin '14
Maily Galindo '21 (currently a graduate student at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign)
Dahlia Gonzalez '16 (currently a graduate student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison)
Victoria Hagan '15 (currently a graduate student in School Psychology at Loyola University Chicago)
Mallika Iyer '18
Nathalie Kacik '18
Urooba Khaleelullah '17
Abigail Kinsella '18
Brittany Maglish '17
Celeste Martinez '19
Natalie Merza '23 (currently at the UIC School of Law)
Mary Mick '20
Julia Minkevitch '21
Michelle Moskal '18
Michelle Navarrete '15
Athena Neofotistos '13
Emily Nuila '15
Sydni Partee '19
Nicholas Petrus '17
Guadalupe Perez
Abigail Perez-Gonzalez
Gloria Santana '14
Marcela Mendez Steiner '18
Melissa Ramirez '19
Brenda Reyes
Marilyn Rodriguez
Thelma Sammanasu '20
Karina Sanchez
Macarena Soto-Ferri
Ha Tran '17
Melissa Vazquez '17
Anna Waksmundzka '17
Camila Wever '20 (currently a graduate student at Nova Southeastern University)
Lindsey White
Dana Zakieh '18 (currently a graduate student at Northwestern University)
Sarah Zechariah '20 (currently a graduate student at Northwestern University)
Graduate:
Jordan Perry, MA '22
Holly Griskell, PhD '21
Valerie Flores, PhD '15
LaNette Urbin, MA '18
Post-baccalaureate:
Yaxal Sobrevilla
Joining the Research Team
Students who are interested in joining the Bilingual Language Development Laboratory should send an email to Dr. Gámez ([email protected]) indicating their interest and please include the following information: full name, current academic year of study, GPA, research interests, experience with children, and cv/resume listing completed coursework relevant to psychology, language and/or education.
Spanish speakers are encouraged to apply.
Spanish speakers are encouraged to apply.