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Lab Director
![Federica Bulgarelli headshot](https://ubwp.buffalo.edu/buffaloearlylearning/wp-content/uploads/sites/194/2022/08/Bulgarelli_headshot-scaled-1-683x1024.jpg)
Dr. Federica Bulgarelli (she/her)
I am an Assistant Professor in the departments of Psychology and Learning and Instruction at the University at Buffalo. I first became interested in language development and bilingualism when I took a Communication Science and Disorders course in college and was able to put names to the experiences I remembered from learning English after moving to the US in middle school. I received my Ph.D. from the Pennsylvania State University in 2018, and was a postdoc at Duke University prior to starting at UB.
Lab Manager
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Marina Rabideau (she/her)
I am from the Rochester, NY area and graduated from SUNY Geneseo in May 2023 with a BA in Psychology and a minor in Human Development! I enjoy doing anything artsy- especially drawing, painting, and photography. My ultimate goal is to get my PhD in Developmental Psychology!
Graduate Students
![](https://ubwp.buffalo.edu/buffaloearlylearning/wp-content/uploads/sites/194/2023/08/marzie-website-pic.jpg)
Marzie Samimifar
I am from Esfahan, Iran. I earned my M.A. in Linguistics, focusing on psycholinguistics and bilingualism. Currently, I’m a Ph.D. student at UB, on the way to learning and enjoying a new chapter of my life. I usually spend my free time painting, listening to music, and walking.
Research Assistants
![Brianna Siem headshot](https://ubwp.buffalo.edu/buffaloearlylearning/wp-content/uploads/sites/194/2023/03/BriannaSiem_picture-1-557x1024.jpg)
Brianna Siem (she/her)
As of Spring 2024, I am a University at Buffalo alumni with a Bachelors of Arts in Psychology. I am originally from Brooklyn, New York, but moved to Buffalo for my bachelors. When I’m not working in the lab, I am reading, waitressing, or spending time with my family and friends! I will also be attending the University of Denver in 2025 for a Master of Social Work to eventually become a school social worker!
E. Wisdom Akinyele
I am a sophomore at the University at Buffalo studying Psychology B. S. on the Pre-Medical track. In my free time, I enjoy training in martial arts (specifically taekwondo), crocheting, and spending time with friends and family!
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Evia Zhang
I am originally from Rochester, NY but my family moved to San Diego, CA a few years ago. I am majoring in Cognitive Science and my interests include design, playing the guitar, and reading.
Stephani Mejia
I am from Westchester, NY. I am a senior at UB majoring in Psychology and minoring in Counseling. In my free time I like to swim, paint, and spend time with my sisters/friends. In the future I would like to work in child psychology!
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Loise Allen C. Pador (she/her)
I was born in the Philippines and moved to Watertown NY at the age of 5. I am majoring in psychology with a minor in counseling. In my free time, I enjoy shopping, hiking, and going to the beach with my friends. I also love seafood and anything pink!
Gabi Filipski
I am from Buffalo, NY and I am a 3rd year student at UB, majoring in Psychology, minoring in Criminology and Social Justice. In my free time, I work part-time at a restaurant in the city of Buffalo, go to the gym, and listen to music!
![](https://ubwp.buffalo.edu/buffaloearlylearning/wp-content/uploads/sites/194/2024/05/Gabi-Website-Pic-768x1024.jpg)
Alumni
![](https://ubwp.buffalo.edu/buffaloearlylearning/wp-content/uploads/sites/194/2024/05/grad-1024x768.jpg)
Class of 2024
Amanda Rissman
Brianna Siem
Maddie Lehmann
Past Members
Mariza Khalaf
Ebony Ngo
Riley Godwin
Sanai Sudlow