People

/ Lab Members

Beatrice Beebe, PhD | Lab Director

As a leading expert in the analysis of mother-infant interaction, Dr. Beatrice Beebe is a clinical professor of psychology at Columbia University Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Department. She is faculty at several psychoanalytic institutes and has a private practice for adults and mother-infant pairs. She is the author or co-author of six books. Her work focuses on the mutual mother-infant bond and optimizing 4-month infant social development. Her studies examine; the roles of infant distress and maternal distress (such as depression and anxiety) on mother-infant communication; the effects of early mother-infant communication patterns on emerging infant attachment styles and infant cognition; the long-term continuity of communication and attachment styles from infancy to young adulthood.

Hannah Lubowitz | Lab Manager

Hannah Lubowitz graduated from the University of Michigan in 2025, where she was first exposed to research. She found “homes” in the Emotion and Self-Control Lab and the Well-Being, Health, and Interpersonal Relationships Lab. For her Honors thesis, she studied how interacting with an AI companion impacts loneliness and the motivation to socialize with others in-person, over a seven-week period. During the summers, for six years, Hannah worked at a sleepaway camp, supporting campers’ and counselors’ social and emotional well-being, aiming to meet their daily, and long-term, developmental needs. Enjoying both research and practice, Hannah intends to pursue doctoral studies within psychology. In Dr. Beebe’s Lab, she is excited to (1) learn about early relational dynamics between parents and children, (2) expand and develop her research skills and interests, and (3) immerse herself in its warm and supportive community. In her free time, Hannah can be found listening to a good podcast, spending time with friends and family, or going for a run in Central Park.

Maya Shkolnik | Media Team Lead

Maya Shkolnik earned her BA from Columbia University in May 2025. There, she studied a combination of psychoanalysis, visual arts, computer science, and Russian language. For her senior thesis, Maya staged a 2-hour performance with her mother in the style of Dr. Beebe's dual camera mother-infant video. In an accompanying paper, Maya wrote about the role of the camera in these mother-infant interactions. Maya is an aspiring photographer and filmmaker and centers her own family in her work, keeping psychoanalytic themes in mind. Her works have been featured in the Harvard Film Festival (May 2025), Oxford University Isis Magazine, and UCLA Slavic Journal. The Columbia spectator interviewed about psychoanalysis and photography for a feature in May 2025.

Lily Roche VanOot | Project Coordinator | Film Team Lead

Lily graduated from Georgetown University with a B.A. in Psychology in 2025. At Georgetown, she worked as a research assistant at the Thrive Center for Children, Families, and Communities, where she evaluated the DC Maternal, Infant, Early Childhood Home Visiting Program (MIECHV) by analyzing qualitative data and preparing reports from the DC Health client database. She has also built a strong foundation in education and child development through her work with JumpStart, where she supported preschool-aged children in developing early literacy and social-emotional skills, and through Teach for America’s Ignite Fellowship, where she led small group lessons for elementary students in underserved schools and collaborated closely with teachers to adapt instruction to student needs. These research and teaching experiences have fostered her interest in how early environments and family systems shape development, and she plans to pursue a doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology with the goal of integrating research and practice to support children and families across diverse contexts.

Amelia Cohen | Research Assistant - Coder | Audit Team Lead

Amelia earned her BA in Psychological and Brain Sciences from Colgate University in 2025. During her undergraduate studies, she actively participated in various research projects, including her senior thesis, which examined the effects of interparental conflict and parent-child attachment on future romantic relationships. In addition to her academic pursuits, Amelia gained experience in clinical settings, where she received training in Parent-Child Interaction Therapy adapted for Selective Mutism (PCIT-SM). Through this work, she supported children facing communication challenges, further fueling her passion for developmental psychology and attachment theory. Amelia is committed to advancing her expertise in child development and clinical research. She plans to pursue a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, with a focus on early intervention and attachment-informed therapies.

Nalinda Wanikpun | Research Assistant - Coder

Nalinda is a Master's student in Clinical Psychology at Teachers College, Columbia University. She received her bachelor's degree in psychology at New York University, where she also minored in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Studies. During her undergraduate studies, she was a research assistant for Dr. Moira Dillon at the Lab for the Developing Mind at NYU and for Dr. Jay Van Bavel at the Social Identity and Morality Lab. Nalinda's interests are within researching mentalization based treatments and its application to families who have undergone trauma and neglect, as well as mothers with personality disorders. In the future, she hopes to pursue a PhD in Clinical Psychology to work in family therapy. In her free time, Nalinda enjoys rock climbing, playing chess, and watching F1 with her friends.

Patrick Diao| Research Assistant - Coder

Patrick Diao is an MA student in Clinical Psychology at Teachers College, Columbia University. He graduated from the University of Southern California with a dual BA degree in Psychology and History. Patrick is currently a research assistant at the Mother-Infant Communication Sciences Lab at New York State Psychiatric Institute (focusing primarily on vocal rhythm coding) and the Regulation of Emotion in Anxiety and Depression Lab (READ) at Teachers College, Columbia University. Patrick is particularly interested in how patterns of early mother–infant affective attunement shape emotion recognition and emotion granularity later in life, and how disruptions in these developmental processes contribute to maladaptive emotion regulation strategies such as non-suicidal self-injury for patients with severe distress and personality disorders. He is also passionate about incorporating developmental and psychodynamic insights to enrich evidence-based interventions. He plans to pursue a Clinical Psychology PHD and loves reading philosophy in his free time.

Deandre Samples | Research Assistant - Coder

DeAndre obtained a BA in psychology from Stony Brook University in 2020. He previously completed an undergraduate project focusing on the effect of race/ethnicity on the Attachment and Bio-behavioral program (ABC). Currently, he works at Power Of Two as a parent-coach/parent mentor delivering the ABC program and the Fostering Relationships program. Research interests include early-childhood development, child maltreatment, and early childhood adversity. He hopes to pursue a Phd in clinical psychology.

Rachel Kim | Audit Team | Infant Vocal Affect Coder

I was born and raised in Colorado, but have lived in England, France, and Korea. I graduated from CU Boulder with a bachelor's in both French and Psychology in May of 2026. I am specifically interested in the developmental and clinical field of Psychology, and am thrilled to be a part of this lab. I was a research assistant at CU in a social psychology lab that examines how we view one another and how social categories (such as ethnicity and gender) influence our perceptions. I then wrote my thesis in French, connecting all my interests of philosophy, French, and psychology, looking at the question: How does racialization hinder the individuation of the subject? This question can be illuminated by contemporary research on racial categorization in the perceptual processing of faces. I plan to pursue a PhD in either clinical or developmental psychology in the future.

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Kristofer Thomas | Vocal Rhythm Coder

Kristofer graduated from Barnard College, Columbia University, with a B.A. in Theatre. He is currently completing his master’s degrees in Early Childhood Education and Special Education at the University of Mount Saint Vincent. Before joining Dr. Beebe’s lab, Kristofer worked as an early childhood educator at a public school in his native Harlem and taught children with diverse developmental and learning needs, which sparked his interest in psychological research and clinical practice. He also tutors elementary school students with dyslexia. Kristofer plans to pursue a doctoral degree in Psychology and is excited to further explore his research interests through his work in Dr. Beebe’s lab. In his spare time, he enjoys aquascaping, film and television, and spending time with his pug, Wilbur.

Arielle Saber | Lab Manager Understudy

Arielle Saber holds an MA in Secondary Education from Johns Hopkins University and a BA in Literature, Psychology, and Hispanic Studies from Hamilton College. She has spent the past six years working with students, with a focus on young adult development, education, and mentorship. Previously, Arielle served as Manager of Teen Voice & Leadership at The New York Public Library, overseeing Young Adult programming that enriched teens’ literary experiences, amplified their voices, and provided critical out-of-school support. She previously taught middle school English, prioritizing culturally responsive pedagogy and social-emotional learning. Arielle is currently gaining research experience in Dr. Beebe’s Mother-Infant Communication Lab and plans to pursue a doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology.

Taryn Buford | Mother Facial Coder | Film Team

Taryn graduated from USC in 2024 with a B.A. in Psychology. She was born and raised in Carmel, Indiana. She is passionate about understanding child development and spent many years working as a nanny and case worker, where she developed a love for working with youth and their families. She is particularly interested in understanding how children navigate and communicate about experiences of trauma. In the future, Taryn plans to attend graduate school and pursue further training in psychology. Currently in the lab, Taryn contributes to mother facial affect coding and is a member of the film team. Outside of the lab, Taryn enjoys going on walks, traveling, and trying new food spots throughout the city.

Zoe Lusk | Infant Face Coder | Film Team

Zoe graduated from Pitzer College in May 2025, where she studied literature and philosophy with a concentration in Russian literature and psychoanalytic theory. She also worked with Jumpstart, helping early-childhood educators support preschool-aged children in developing early literacy and social-emotional skills. After graduation, Zoe enrolled in the Columbia Postbaccalaureate Psychology program to pursue further study in psychology. At Columbia, she worked as a research assistant at the Center for Justice, analyzing qualitative data for Project Restore Bed-Stuy, a community-led initiative that provides support, mentorship, therapy, education, and paid internships for young adults at risk of experiencing gang-related gun violence. Building on this interest in relational dynamics, Zoe is excited to join Dr. Beebe's lab, where she looks forward to learning more about early attachment. She hopes to pursue a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology and, ultimately, to complete training at a psychoanalytic institute.

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Lilly Schiavo | Mother Touch Coder | Film Team

Lilly Schiavo graduated from Tulane University with a BA in Psychology and Early Childhood Education a minor in Sociology in fall 2025. During her undergraduate years, service-learning experiences in early childhood classrooms sparked her interest in development and in how children’s earliest relationships shape their social and emotional well-being. Outside the classroom, Lilly gained extensive experience working with children, including serving in a leadership role at a sleepaway camp and working at a preschool supporting children with learning disabilities and autism. These experiences strengthened her interest in understanding the foundations of social-emotional development and attachment. Lilly is excited to join Dr. Beebe’s lab to explore early mother-infant communication and attachment and hopes to pursue a doctoral degree in psychology focused on child development and mental health.

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Megan Polack | Film Team Lead Understudy

Megan is a master's student in Clinical Psychology at Teachers College, Columbia University. She graduated from Wake Forest University in May 2026 with a B.A. in Psychology and Communication. As an undergraduate, Megan held various research roles, including serving as a bilingual research intern with the TOGETHER Project through the Department of Family Science at the University of Maryland School of Public Health. In this role, she recruited English- and Spanish-speaking couples for a free relationship and financial education program, assisted with participant onboarding, and shadowed program sessions. This experience strengthened her interest in relationships, family well-being, and the ways interpersonal dynamics influence mental health, ultimately leading her to become involved with Dr. Beebe's lab. Megan is grateful for the opportunity to be mentored by Dr. Beebe and the team as she expands her knowledge of parent-infant communication and early relational development. In the future, she plans to pursue a doctorate in Clinical Psychology and become a practicing clinical psychologist.

Tequilla C. Williams | Mother Vocal Affect Coder | Public Relations Manager

Tequilla is currently a master’s student in Clinical Psychology at Teachers College, Columbia University, with the goal of pursuing doctoral training in Clinical Psychology. Her research interests center on culturally congruent, empirically informed approaches to psychopathology and psychological assessment, with an emphasis on advancing diagnostic precision and equity in the identification and treatment of mental health disorders among African American populations. She earned her B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Biology from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. Prior to graduate study, Tequilla spent several years engaged in international mission and community-based work in Cambodia, Kenya, and Thailand, which deepened her love for people and her interest in culture, human behavior, and diverse lived experiences. She joins Dr. Beebe’s lab as a Research Assistant, Mother Vocal Affect Coder, and the lab’s Public Relations Manager.

Yi Zhu | Research Assistant - Coder

Yi is currently an M.A. student in Clinical Psychology at Teachers College, Columbia University. She graduated from UC Davis with a double major in Psychology and Theatre & Dance. During her undergraduate studies, she worked as a research assistant in the Infant Cognition Lab, where she first developed her interest in mother–infant research. For her senior thesis, she explored how maternal speech and infant language development impact infant word learning. Yi joins Dr. Beebe’s lab as a mother and infant gaze coder and is excited to deepen her understanding of early mother–infant relationships and attachment, particularly how early interactions may shape later personality and emotional development. She is also interested in the therapeutic potential of art and drama and hopes to explore ways of incorporating creative approaches into her future clinical work. Yi plans to pursue a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology. In her free time, she enjoys spending time in nature, practicing yoga, and visiting museums.

Yagmur Buyrukbilen | Stats Team Lead Understudy

Yagmur is a master's student in Clinical Psychology, at Teachers College, Columbia University. She graduated from New York University in May 2026 with a B.S. in Neural Science and Psychology and a minor in Child and Adolescent Mental Health. As an undergraduate, Yagmur held numerous research roles across institutions including NYU, Mount Sinai, and Stanford. Her longest-standing role was as a research assistant in the Exploring People In Context (EPIC) Lab at NYU Steinhardt, where she contributed to an executive functioning intervention for immigrant children. She also designed psychological first aid kits for young children affected by the 2023 earthquake in Turkey, work aimed at supporting parent-child interactions and school readiness. This experience deepened her interest in early childhood development and the role of caregiver relationships in shaping children's emotional and cognitive outcomes, ultimately drawing her to Dr. Beebe's lab. Yagmur is very excited for the opportunity to be mentored by Dr. Beebe and the team as she expands her knowledge of parent-infant communication and early relational development.

Julia Williams | Media Team Understudy | Infant Head Coder

Julia graduated from Boston University in May 2025 with a B.A. in honors Philosophy and a minor in Film and Television; she also completed a 2-year liberal arts program in 2023 at BU’s College of General Studies. Julia wrote her senior philosophy thesis on the ontological ramifications of reenactment in documentary film—taking particular interest in the ethics of persons-representation in non-fiction film. Her fascination with psychology was nurtured through her studies of philosophy and film, where she asked questions surrounding medical-ethics, identity, character and inter-relational dynamics. Her clinical interest grew while helping fellow students during her 3 years working as a peer-mentor and tutor. In Dr. Beebe’s lab, Julia is particularly excited to learn about how non-verbal micro-behaviors, vocal affect, and dyadic interaction patterns adapt under influence of trauma and distress. Eventually, she plans to pursue a PhD in Clinical Psychology in hopes to apply this work to forensic contexts, specifically in investigative interviewing and psychological evaluations.