Undergraduate Research Assistants – Language Acquisition Lab

Anagha Dogiparthi

Hi! My name is Anagha Dogiparthi and I am a second-year student studying neuroscience. My interest lies in how young children develop language, understanding the challenges they face along the way, and the clinical supports that can be designed to meet them. Working with children has always been a joy for me, and it’s what draws me toward a future in developmental pediatrics or neurology. In my free time I enjoy reading, crafting, and exploring local cafes.

Arantza Becerra

Hello! My name is Arantza Becerra and I am a second-year Political Science and Psychology double major at UCLA. As an international student from Peru, I am passionate about language perception and production, particularly regarding bilingualism and sound pattern recognition. I find it fascinating how language-learning abilities vary across age groups, and how children’s minds process and acquire new information. Beyond academics, I enjoy reading, writing, and going on runs.

Hesed Finkelman

Hi! My name is Hesed Finkelman, and I’m a third-year Cognitive Science major and Linguistics minor. Growing up trilingual sparked my fascination with the connection between speech and cognition, and my love for working with children inspired my interest in language development and research. Looking ahead, I hope to pursue a master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology, specializing in pediatrics. Outside of academics, I enjoy playing volleyball, making the most of UCLA’s free Canva Pro subscription, and spending time outdoors with friends.

Bailey Flores

Hi! My name is Bailey and I’m a second-year student studying Applied Linguistics. Growing up bilingual sparked my interest in infant language acquisition. I’m passionate about language learning and development. In my free time, I enjoy reading, trying new cafes, and photography.

Desiree Gonzalez

Hi! My name is Desiree Gonzalez and I am a fourth-year Linguistics and Psychology major with a minor in Environmental Systems and Society. I have an interest in bilingual acquisition research, and have been helping to collect data at the lab since 2025. I also have an interest in code-switching research, neuroscience, cognitive science, and environmental advocacy. Outside of school I enjoy running, nail art, painting, and crocheting!

Tianyuan (Tiffany) Guo

Hi! My name is Tianyuan and I am a 1st year Linguistics and Computer Science major. I am interested in learning about language acquisition processes and representing them through models. Outside of school I am a passionate language learner, and I like to discover food spots, listen to music and travel!

Reese Martin

Hi! My name is Reese Martin, and I am a fourth year from Atlanta, majoring in Psychology & Disability Studies with a minor in Global Studies. I am planning on pursuing a doctorate in Psychology after graduating from UCLA. Amongst other areas of psychology, I am interested in the intersection between developmental psychology, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and language acquisition in infants. In my free time, I love to hangout with my dogs, go hiking, try new foods, and I’m learning how to play the piano!

Jasmine Moon

Hello my name is Jasmine! I am a second year studying Public Health and planning on adding a Linguistics and Applied Developmental Psychology minor. I have always been very interested in child development, particularly the unique learning styles and processing variations that every person possesses. I plan on furthering this passion by working a pre-health profession in pediatrics! In my free time, I enjoy cooking, crafting, playing soccer, and being in nature!

Nikki Tran

Hello! My name is Nikki Tran and I am a 4th year Human Biology and Society major with a minor in Global Health! I am interested in the development and environmental effects that could directly influence language perception of infants. In the future, I hope to pursue a career as a physician assistant working in pediatrics! I am passionate about fostering communities within school as well as giving back to my own community via healthcare and education. Outside of school I love to explore new places, surf, go to concerts and play tennis!

Seungli Yeo

Hello, my name is Seungli Yeo! I’m a third-year student majoring in English Language Education and Business at Korea University. I’m currently studying Linguistics at UCLA. I’m interested in language acquisition and development, and I’m also passionate about teaching and developing educational materials. In my free time, I enjoy listening to music, singing, creating videos, and traveling!

Ziyue (Amy) Zeng

Hi! I’m Amy, a third-year Music Performance major. As an aspiring Speech-Language Pathologist and Occupational Therapist, I’m passionate about language development and communication across different populations. I especially enjoy working with children, whom I have the opportunity to teach and support as an Instructional Aide with the local County Office of Education. In my free time, I love playing piano, exploring different music, and going for walks.