Research Affiliates
Paris Gappmayr
Paris Gappmayr is a PhD candidate in the Speech, Language & Hearing Sciences program studying sign language perception and acquisition. She is affiliated with the Wheelock Deaf Center through her work as a research assistant in the Language Acquisition & Visual Attention (LAVA) Lab and is mentored by Dr. Amy Lieberman. Paris’ dissertation investigates the […]
Amanda Gundlach
Amanda Gundlach is a research scientist at Boston University Wheelock College of Education & Human Development. In this role, she supports researchers in creating and implementing early elementary reading curriculum to better meet the needs of struggling readers. Before coming to BU Wheelock, Ms. Gundlach was an elementary school teacher for 10 years. Pronouns: she/her
Laura Hawkinson
Dr. Laura Hawkinson, Ph.D., is a Senior Research Scientist and Deputy Director of the Center on the Ecology of Early Development (CEED) at Boston University. Dr. Hawkinson has over 20 years of experience conducting applied research and is a nationally recognized expert in early childhood systems. Her work focuses on the child care workforce, measurement […]
Destiny Ho
Destiny Ho is a research fellow at the Center on the Ecology of Early Development (CEED) at Boston University Wheelock College of Education & Human Development. At CEED, she works on the Reimagining Childcare Study and serves as the RISER Network coordinator. Before joining CEED, Ms. Ho worked as a graduate research assistant to Dr. […]
Kristin Kane
Kristin Kane is a senior research scientist with the National Center on Improving Literacy (NCIL) at Boston University Wheelock College of Education & Human Development. Ms. Kane has dedicated the last 12 years to advocacy and awareness, with a focus on family engagement and the intersection of public school, special education, and dyslexia. This includes […]
Kaj Kraus
Dr. Kaj Kraus is a postdoctoral associate in the Deaf Center at the Boston University Wheelock College of Education & Human Development. He studies how language and cognitive development are shaped by perceptual experience, language input, and modality. His current work spans three projects that investigate: 1) how early language skills relate to later language […]
Jennifer Lillis
Dr. Jennifer Lillis is a research scientist at the Wheelock Education Policy Center at Boston University Wheelock College of Education & Human Development. In this role, she investigates the roles and working conditions of special educators, aiming to improve support systems and instructional quality. Her research also focuses on enhancing college and career readiness, and […]
Julianne S. Masser
Dr. Julianne Masser is a research scientist and technical assistance provider at Boston University Wheelock College of Education & Human Development. Her expertise is in educational assessment, intervention, and multitiered systems of support. She collaborates with local and state education agencies to provide training and on-site coaching to assist with implementation of evidence-based instructional practices. […]
LaRen Morton
LaRen Morton, PhD, is a research scientist at BU Wheelock’s Center on the Ecology of Early Development (CEED) where she contributes to research projects that support the healthy development and well-being of Black children and their families. A skilled social science researcher, Dr. Morton is passionate about connecting research, policy, and practice to improve educational […]
Jenny Nissel
Dr. Jenny Nissel is a research assistant professor at Boston University Wheelock College of Education & Human Development. Her research explores the imagination across cultures and development. In her primary line of work, she investigates possibility conceptions, with a particular focus on how theories about the way the world works—both natural and sociocultural—constrain developing beliefs […]