SEED Lab

Kristen Bub is a professor and program coordinator in the applied cognition and development program in the Department of Educational Psychology. She also serves as the director of graduate students for the department. Bub received her Ed.D. in human development and psychology from Harvard University. Her research lies at the intersection of development and learning, centering on the systems and experiences that shape social and cognitive development. In particular, she aims to understand the processes by which young children’s cognitive and behavioral regulatory skills develop and to evaluate the impact of simple, evidence-based practices designed to support these skills in understudied and at-risk populations. Bub’s research has been published in top-tier journals, and her work has been funded through grants from federal agencies as well as foundations.

Erin Hamel is an assistant professor of educational psychology whose research is aimed at advancing early childhood education through studies on educator well-being, teacher preparation, and child development. She partners with schools and communities to translate research into practical strategies and policies that improve teachers’ work environments and children’s learning environments. Her work has been funded by federal agencies, private foundations, and internal university initiatives, with projects focused on strengthening the early childhood workforce, promoting social-emotional learning, and expanding access to high-quality early education.

Stacey Neuharth-Pritchett is a professor of educational psychology with research interests that center on the contexts of early educational intervention, children’s transition to school (particularly the Head Start population), and intervention for children with chronic health problems. She has served as the principal investigator and co-investigator on a number of externally-funded research projects on Head Start, early literacy, and teacher quality. Neuharth-Pritchett teaches courses in educational research methodology, applied educational measurement, and seminars on psychological issues for young children placed at risk. She is a Distinguished Scholar in the Owens Institute for Behavioral Research at the University of Georgia.

Sinan is a fourth-year doctoral student in the applied cognition and development program. His research interests center around stress physiology, basic psychological need satisfaction, executive functioning, and creativity across the lifespan. He is currently exploring associations between early educators’ basic psychological needs and a set of stress biomarkers, gathered using Oura Rings. Upon completing his Ph.D., Sinan hopes to move into an academic position. In his free time, Sinan likes to exercise, learn new things, go out with friends and play with his dog.

Awards: Outstanding Master of Arts Student in Applied Cognition and Development

Kirstin is a second-year doctoral student in the Applied Cognition and Development program. Her research interests center around trauma, child development and elementary education. Upon completing her PhD, she hopes to teach preservice teachers at the University level to help them best support the needs of their future students. During her free time, she enjoys spending time with loved ones, completing word searches and puzzles, and taking long walks outside.

Awards: Mary Frances Early College of Education Research Conference Outstanding Poster Award, University of Georgia, 2026

Jazmine is a second-year master’s student in the applied cognition and development program. Her interests center around early childhood development, special education, and intellectual and developmental disabilities, with a particular interest in autism spectrum disorders. Upon completing her master’s, Jazmine intends to continue her studies in a Ph.D. program and ultimately become a child psychologist specializing in intellectual and developmental disabilities. She enjoys spending time with her fur babies (a miniature dachshund and a black cat) in her free time. She also loves listening to true crime podcasts and watching documentaries and reading mystery/thriller novels.

Kelsey is a fifth-year doctoral student in the applied cognition and development program. Her research interests center around early childhood education, play and play materials, motor development, embodied cognition, historical perspectives on childhood, and play. She is currently exploring how materiality shapes sensory-motor behavior in young children. Upon completing her Ph.D., she hopes to support teachers to be play advocates and facilitators. In her free time, Kelsey loves to do things with her hands: making toys and trinkets for her nieces and nephews, quilting, or learning how to play the harp after recently building her own folk harp. She is also a big reader and dog mom.

Awards: Outstanding Ph.D. Student in Applied Cognition and Development

Abby is a second-year student in the M.Ed./Ed.S. program in school psychology. Her interests lie in better understanding school climate, school safety, and student mental health and social-emotional development. Upon completing her degree, she plans to become a school psychologist in a K-12 setting. In her free time, Abby enjoys spending time with friends and loved ones, cooking, and exploring the local botanical gardens.

Awards: Outstanding Ed.S. Student in School Psychology

Chantal is a third-year doctoral student in the school psychology program. Her research interests center around educator burnout (caring for the caregiver), social-emotional learning in early childhood education, trauma-informed care, and the relationship between home and school. In the coming semesters, Chantal hopes to refine her interests and strengths through the School Psychology Clinic at UGA and through practicum experiences before deciding on her next steps. In her free time, she enjoys trying new recipes, sewing, creating, and exploring Georgia.

Abby is a second-year doctoral student in the applied cognition and development program. Her research interests center around social-emotional learning, non-traditional school and curriculum design, school climate, family-school partnerships, and implementation science. Upon completing her Ph.D., Abby hopes to work on bridging gaps between research and practice by connecting educational practitioners with evidence-based practices, curricula, and interventions. In her free time, she loves spending time with friends, family, and her two miniature schnauzers, Auggie and Margot. She also enjoys going on walks, reading on her porch, and traveling.

Ya-Wen is a second-year doctoral student in the school psychology program. Her research interests focus on early childhood education, social-emotional learning, teacher-child interactions, and early childhood educator’s health conditions and well-being. She is currently exploring how chronic health conditions among early childhood educators are linked with stress manifestations. Her goal is to become a licensed school psychologist serving children and adolescents in a children’s hospital, university health center, or private practice. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, cooking, taking walks, and singing with music.

Awards: Mary Frances Early College of Education Research Conference Outstanding Poster Award ($100)

Jingjing is a third-year doctoral student in the applied cognition and development program. Her research interests center around parental involvement, parent-teacher partnerships, preschool teachers’ well-being, and early childhood learning environments. Her career goal is to work in a school and continue doing research. In her free time, she enjoys painting, baking, and photography.

Liwei is a third-year doctoral student in the applied cognition and development program. Her research interests center around teacher-child interactions and early childhood teachers’ well-being. After completing her Ph.D., Liwei hopes to pursue a career in academia and conduct research that supports children and educators. In her free time, she enjoys making drinks, especially milk tea and strawberry lemonade refreshers, and spending time with her cat.

Awards: Mary Frances Early College of Education Research Conference Outstanding Poster Award ($100)

Caroline is a senior majoring in communication sciences and disorders. Her interests center around child development, educational psychology, and special education. In the future, she hopes to become a speech language pathologist. In her free time, she enjoys swimming, baking, reading, and being with friends.

Molly is a senior majoring in health promotion with an emphasis on behavioral medicine. She is also working towards a minor in dance. Her interests center around social-emotional learning, special education, access to education, and autism. Upon finishing her undergraduate studies, Molly plans to go to medical school, focusing on developmental-behavioral pediatrics. In her free time, Molly enjoys dancing, pilates, reading, spending time with friends, and hiking!