Our Team

I am a first-year Psychology major at the University of Southern California. I am interested in studying brain development and neural networks in early childhood, especially through language and visuospatial function. As I continue my studies, I hope to pursue graduate work in neuroimaging and eventually earn a doctorate in psychology with a focus on neuropsychology.

I’m a second-year Psychology major at USC. I’m interested in developmental psychology and child psychopathology. In the future, I hope to attend medical school and pursue a career as a physician, possibly focusing on pediatrics or psychiatry.

I am a second-year student studying Neuroscience at the University of Southern California. I’m interested in brain development and especially how early neurological differences can relate to neurodevelopmental disorders and conditions. I hope to pursue a career in pediatric medicine as a physician after graduating.

Hello! I am a junior transfer student majoring in Psychology at the University of Southern California. My research interests include understanding how the brain and consciousness develop over time, how familial structures affect infant cognition and development, and cognitive processes in neurodivergent brains. When I’m not in the lab, you can catch me grabbing coffee or attending a SCA screening!

I am very excited to be starting a lab at USC and to work with the many amazing people I get to work with here in sunny southern California!

Website:  www.heatherkosakowski.com

Google Scholar Profile

Hi there! I’m Josephine Ramirez, but feel free to call me Josie. I was born and raised in South East Los Angeles, SELA, and am proudly a daughter of Mexican immigrants. I received my B.A. in Data Science with a concentration in Social Justice from Wellesley College where I discovered my love for research. My interests revolve around utilizing statistical techniques to address various research questions and promote social change.

Hello! I am a Psychology Ph.D. student joining the lab from UC Davis, where I earned a B.S. in Cognitive Science and a B.A. in Design in 2025. I am broadly interested in how the visual statistics of infants’ everyday experiences shape early learning and the neural mechanisms that support it. Before coming to USC, I worked as a lab manager in the Infant Cognition Lab with Dr. Lisa Oakes, where I studied scene perception in infancy. Outside of lab, I enjoy making ceramics and trying new cafes!

I am a second-year Psychology major at the University of Southern California. My research interests include infant and child development, particularly the neural mechanisms underlying early cognitive and emotional processes. After completing my undergraduate degree, I plan to pursue a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology with a focus on children and adolescents.

I am a third-year Cognitive Science major at USC with a minor in Applied Analytics. As a first-generation college student, I’ve been incredibly excited to immerse myself in research opportunities that bridge cognition and data analysis. In the future, I hope to pursue graduate study to continue conducting research that deepens our understanding of learning, development, and individual differences.

I am a second-year Neuroscience student at the University of Southern California. I am particularly interested in infant and child development, cognitive neuroscience, and the neural mechanisms underlying early social and perceptual processes. After completing my undergraduate degree, I plan to pursue medical school and hope to build a career that bridges neuroscience and clinical care.

Juno is a rescue from Alabama. We call him our Alabama boy. Trained by Operation Delta Dog, Juno became part of the family in 2021.