Lab Manager
Irene Joy-Becker
Irene is the Lab Manager at the DOME Lab. She is from South Africa. She is a childhood cancer survivor and this lead to her interest in child development. She completed her BA and honorary degrees in clinical psychology at the North West University in South Africa, an Educational Psychology honorary degree at the University of Pretoria in South Africa, and completed a research psychology Masters at the University of Johannesburg in South Africa. She did her Developmental Masters degree at Maastricht University in the Netherlands. She loves working with our caring research team, our amazing families, and our kiddos. Outside of the lab, she loves traveling, crafts, and hiking.
Graduate Students
Sarah Peoples
Sarah is a third-year Ph.D. student in the DOME lab studying Clinical Psychology. After receiving a B.S. in Psychology with a minor in Neuroscience from Texas A&M, she completed her Master’s of Research in Developmental Neuroscience & Psychopathology at University College London and Yale University. Her research interests include parental brain development across the prenatal to postpartum period, its impact on child development and early attachment, and mental health within the family system. Outside the lab, I like to travel, play volleyball, and do arts and crafts.
Postdocs
Dr. Jungwon Choi
Dr. Choi attended Korea University in South Korea where she obtained her Master’s and Ph.D in child studies. Her research focuses on how early parent-child relationships shape children’s socio-emotional development. Outside of the lab, she loves to travel and spend time with her friends and family.
Research Assistants
Kylie McDaniel
Kylie McDaniel is a senior Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience major with a minor in Spanish. She is pursuing her dreams of being accepted into an M.D./Ph.D. program to study the psychiatric applications of cognitive and neurodevelopmental disorders, with the goal of leading her own research lab and applying her work to patients in a clinical setting. Kylie enjoys writing short stories, teaching English classes for international students through her church ministry, and choreographing hip hop routines for Fade to Black, a hip hop team run by Texas A&M students.
Chloe Van Noy
Chloe is a senior psychology major. After graduating, she plans to attend graduate school to gain a ph.D. In clinical psychology and specialize in developmental psychology. Her favorite part of working in the DOME Lab is getting to work with the other RAs in our lab as well as learning new things from Dr. Brooker and the families about the psychology field. In her free time, she enjoys playing tennis, reading, movie marathons, cooking, and photography.
Aliuna Schorn
Aliuna is currently a junior. She is majoring in Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience, with a minor in Women’s and Gender Studies. After graduation, she plans to attend graduate school for Developmental Psychology in order to pursue a career in research. She would also like to work with children one day, as a therapist. In her free time, Aliuna enjoys planning, reading, spending time with friends and family, and going to the gym.
Emily Mallin
Emily is a Senior. She is double majoring in English and Psychology and double minoring in Professional Writing and Science Fiction & Fantasy Studies. After graduation, she hopes to earn a PhD in Clinical Psychology and become a therapist for children and adolescents. She also wants to become a fiction author. In her free time, Emily enjoys writing, reading, crocheting and cross-stitching, drawing, working out, and listening to rock and roll.
Miriam Damian-Jacobo
Miriam is a senior. She is currently pursuing a bachelors of science in psychology with a minor in communication and health. After this, she hopes to work for Teach for America and get her masters in social work. Her favorite part would definitely have to be just seeing how excited the families get! Outside of the lab, she likes to write, crochet, make music and get involved in club activities.
Megan Perry
Megan is a part of the Class of 2025, Whoop! She is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology. She hopes to eventually pursue a Masters in School Psychology or counseling in hopes of working directly with children. After she graduates, she hopes to make a positive impact in children’s lives. Her favorite part about working in the DOME Lab is meeting and interacting with the amazing families all while learning valuable skills that will prove helpful in her future studies. Outside of the lab, she enjoys the outdoors, reading, exercising, and spending time with her loved ones.
Samantha Rodriguez
Samantha is a senior pursuing a Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology with a minor in Neuroscience. She dreams of obtaining a PsyD in clinical psychology and becoming a pediatric psychologist. Her experience in the Dome Lab has been splendid so far, as she is learning many new skills while receiving positive support from her peers. Outside of the lab, she enjoys exercising, reading, and traveling whenever she gets the chance, and her job teaching 4-year olds!
Kimberly Aguilar
Kimberly Aguilar is a junior currently majoring in Psychology with a minor in Neuroscience. After graduation, she would like to attend graduate school to get a PhD in Clinical Psychology. Her goal is to become a licensed psychologist and therapist; She would also like to pursue research. In her free time, she likes to read, especially psychological thrillers. She also loves puzzles of any kind, listening to music, writing, and spending time with her family.
Abbie Spaller
Abbie Spaller is a part of the 2027 graduating class. She is a psychology major and plans on adding a women and gender studies minor. After graduating, she is pursuing a Masters in Public Health and obtaining a career in Social Work. Her ultimate goal is to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Clinical Counselor, focusing on how developmental psychology can better the systems of social work. For fun, she likes to swim, crotchet, read, spend time with family, and hang out with her cats!
Vivica Vasquez
Vivica Vasquez is a senior psychology major with a focus on healthy development. She is interested in pursuing a career in either I/O psychology or child psychology. After graduation, she plans to take a gap year with hopes of further solidifying what field of psychology she would like to specialize in by exploring different fields prior to pursuing a higher education (Master’s/PHD). In her free time, she enjoys dancing, hanging out with friends/family & watching reality T.V. shows.
Leslie Garcia Perez
Leslie Garcia is a junior psychology major with a neuroscience minor. She has plans to earn a PhD in clinical psychology with an emphasis in child psychology. Her dream job is working as a pediatric psychologist working with children with ASD. Outside of the lab, her hobbies include, working out, cooking, reading, and making art for my friends. What she loves most about the lab is how helpful and supportive all the RA’s have been my first semester.
Allison Xu
Allison Xu is a part of the class of 2025. She is a psychology major planning on getting her PsyD in Clinical Psychology after graduation. She would like to become a licensed psychologist and therapist. One thing she loves about DOME Lab is how the research allows connections with families from different backgrounds. Outside of academics; she likes to read, write, and draw.
Aranza Perret
Aranza is a senior psychology major with a neuroscience minor. After graduation, she wants to go to a clinical psychology PhD program to do further developmental psychology research and work her way towards becoming a licensed psychologist. Ultimately, she wants to become a neuropsychologist for children. Her hobbies include singing in the women’s chorus, reading, drinking coffee, and playing cozy video games.
Katelyn Youngblood
Katelyn is a psychology major entering her senior year at Texas A&M. When she graduates, she plans to pursue a master’s degree in developmental trauma and work with children in the foster care system. In her free time, she enjoys reading, baking, and hanging out with her friends!
Reagan Watson
Reagan is a junior psychology major. After graduating she plans to apply to grad school and eventually get her PhD in clinical psychology. She aspires to be a child and family psychologist. In her free time, Reagan enjoys reading, working out, and traveling.
Jill Justice
Jill is entering her senior year as a psychology major. She hopes to get her PhD and become a clinical psychologist. In her free time she likes to go to the gym to weightlift, read, swim, and hang out with her friends.
Jenna Heerboth
Jenna is a senior Psychology major who wants to pursue her Masters to provide therapy to young adults and adolescents. She love to read, hike, and spend time with her cat!
