Lab Director

Brianna Devlin, Ph.D.

Dr. Devlin is the director of the PaLM Lab. She is an assistant professor in the Department of Learning and Instruction at UB. She received her Ph.D. in Education, Learning Sciences from the University of Delaware and completed postdoctoral training at Purdue University and the University of Oregon. Outside of the lab, you will probably find her on a hike or learning to play the piano!

Graduate Student Collaborators

Samantha Didrichsen

Sam Didrichsen is a graduate student assistant in the PaLM Lab. Her research interests include understanding executive function and self-regulation skills in young children, particularly those with disabilities. She is also interested in inclusivity and equity issues in early childhood/early childhood special education and early childhood special educator well-being. Outside of research, Sam likes listening to emo music. Greywind is her favorite!

Mary DiCioccio

Mary is an interventionist on the Kindergarten Number Project. Her research interests include math education, interdisciplinary math and music learning, and STEAM learning. Outside of research, Mary enjoys playing the bass!

Shana Liu

Shana is an interventionist on the Kindergarten Number Project. Her research interests include Social Emotional Learning (SEL) and its relationships with school engagement, mathematics achievement, and student well-being, particularly at the K–12 level.  Outside of research, music is a big part of Shana’s life. She plays the piano, clarinet, and ukulele. She is also a proud cat person who loves spending time with her kitties. Finally, she can’t imagine her life without cheese, it is absolutely essential to her happiness!

Melissa Elliott

Melissa is an interventionist on the Kindergarten Number Project. Her research interests focus on K–12 STEM education, with an emphasis on elementary science and teacher education. Outside of research, she loves to play frisbee with her dog, Venture!

Undergraduate Research Assistants

Kaylie Mo

Kaylie is an undergraduate research assistant in the PaLM Lab, assisting with multiple projects. Her research interests are in early childhood education, educational psychology, and math and literacy development in children. Outside of research, she likes to listen to music and spend time with friends.

Zaara Malik

Zaara is an undergraduate research assistant in the PaLM Lab, assisting with multiple projects. Zaara is interested in children’s behavior in social settings, as well as developmental and behavioral psychology. Outside of research, she enjoys traveling and exploring new places and experiencing new things.