Meet our Team

Helena Girgis

Helana Girgis, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Psychology & Director of the Children’s Learning Lab (CLL)

Ph.D., University of Arkansas, 2015
M.A., University of North Carolina Wilmington
B.A., University of North Carolina Chapel Hill

 

I am an assistant professor of psychology and the director of the Children’s Learning Lab (CLL). My research focuses on 3- to 10-year-olds’ cognitive development. I find it both illuminating and rewarding to uncover how and why children learn about the world as they do, especially as it relates to complex concepts. In my five years at ÒùÐÔÊÓƵ (two of which were during the COVID-19 pandemic!), we completed six studies covering areas like children’s knowledge about where food comes from, their consideration of others’ viewpoints when judging behaviors as right and wrong, and knowledge of contamination about an unfamiliar contagious illness (COVID-19) compared to a familiar one (cold), among others. Our research is dedicated to gaining a comprehensive understanding of how children's concepts evolve with age, including identifying universal thinking patterns and exploring the influence of culture on these patterns

Through this research, we can provide the best environment for children to reach their full potential, which is not possible without the help of our community, specifically our schools, directors, principals, teachers, parents, and children. We are incredibly thankful for your support and dedication to children’s cognitive and social development!

 


ÒùÐÔÊÓƵ Research Assistants

 

Alex Heltzer

Alex Heltzer

Psychology major, General
Carlita Holloway 

Carlita Holloway 

Psychology major, General
Julianne Johnson

Julianne Johnson

Psychology Major, Mental Health Concentration
Lexi Kripetz

Lexi Kripetz

Psychology Major,  Elementary Education concentration 
Kasey Nguyen

Kasey Nguyen

Psychology Major, Mental Health Concentration
Riley Perron

Riley Perron

Psychology Major, Mental Health Concentration
Jason Schaub 

Jason Schaub 

Psychology Major, Mental Health Concentration
Julia Sykes

Julia Sykes

Psychology Major, Mental Health Concentration
Juan Haro-Vasquez

Juan Haro-Vasquez

Psychology Major, Mental Health Concentration

Lab Alumni

 

  • Amal Alkhatib
  • Josephine Sykora 
  • Victoria Corless 
  • Bryanna Storck
  • Sam Hoffman               
  • Karly Pratt
  • Eileen Noland
  • Gabrielle Friel
  • Brenna Borgstede         
  • Hanya Abdelbadie
  • Dalia Afifi
  • Fatimah Badawy
  • Claire Berman
  • Gloria Boutros
  • Veronica Campbell
  • Anna Caputo
  • Stephanie Coulman
  • Alivia Elliot
  • Shoruq Elmeligy
  • Allison Fitzsimmons
  • Devon Freed
  • Tania Gafanha
  • Michaela Giaquinto
  • Sherine Hassan
  • Kaylee Heslin
  • Hailey Jones
  • Alexandria Lamoreaux
  • Ethan Mays
  • Reem Naber
  • Alexandra Nicoletti
  • Reet Patel
  • Olivia Roth
  • Abigail Schreder
  • Belgusa Sherifi
  • Sheren Sobeih
  • Sherine Soliman
  • Anthony Staton
  • Justin Supnick
  • Briana Sylejmani
  • Sousana Thabit
  • Cheyanne Wyble
  • Danielle Yaeger
  • Melissa Zou