Gabriela Gomez
Hi, my name is Gabriela Gomez, and I’m a fourth-year Biological Sciences major with a minor in Linguistics. English is my second language, and since I learned it later in life, I’ve always been fascinated by how people acquire new languages. I still remember the moment when English started to click for me, how one day I didn’t understand anything, and the next I could listen, speak, and even write. That experience made me realize how incredible the human brain is and sparked my curiosity about how language learning actually works. Over time, I became even more interested in bilingualism, especially how I can switch between English and Spanish so naturally without thinking about it. This curiosity is what inspired me to join the lab and learn more about the complexity and beauty of bilingualism.
Frida Ayala
Hello Everyone! My name is Frida Ayala and I am a 4th – year student majoring in Education Sciences and Chicano/Latino Studies. I like to read and learn about other cultures and languages. Growing up I lived in a predominantly Spanish speaking household, speaking in Spanish to my parents and English to my siblings. An experience that has pushed me to want to learn more about language acquisition and how we recognize what language to use at such a young age. My interest in learning more about my own bilingual experiences and others has pushed me towards the BMB lab. I am very excited to start this new journey and further learn about bilingualism.
Su Pyone
Hi! My name is Su. I’m a Bio major and Accounting minor. I’ve always been fascinated by how language shapes the way we think and connect with others, especially in multilingual environments. Growing up around multiple languages, I noticed how people switched between them so effortlessly, yet with subtle differences in fluency and expression. This made me curious about the cognitive processes behind bilingualism and how language experiences differ from person to person. I’m excited to learn more about how our brains manage and adapt to multiple languages and how research can shed light on the relationship between language, learning, and identity.
Sint Paing
Hi everyone! My name is Sint, and I am a second-year Bio major. I grew up surrounded by multiple languages and cultures, which made me curious about how bilinguals process language and how that shapes memory, emotion, and identity. I joined the Bilingualism, Mind, and Brain Lab to explore how language backgrounds shape the way we think, remember, and connect with others. I’m excited to gain hands-on research experience, learn from my peers, and contribute to studies that reflect the diverse experiences of multilingual communities.
Priscilla Flores
Hi ! My name is Priscilla Flores, and I am a third-year Psychology B.S major. Growing up in a bilingual household, where English and Spanish were being used, I saw firsthand how fast human brains can switch between languages. What initially sparked my interest in bilingualism research was noticing the gap between my parents’ Spanish and my own. From a young age, I became aware that my comprehension of Spanish was stronger than my ability to speak it. This discrepancy led me to question how bilingualism functions on a cognitive level. I am excited to explore my interests in the process of maintaining two languages and the different life experiences that shape bilingualism.
David Cai Basa
Hello! My name is David Cai Basa, my pronouns are he/him. I am a third-year student majoring in Education Sciences. I grew up in a bilingual household, so I can speak both Mandarin and English. I joined this lab to gain a better grasp on how people communicate and how bilingualism impacts brain development.
Cari Chen
Hi! My name is Cari, and I’m a second-year Language Science major. I grew up in a bilingual household (Mandarin and English), so when I was in high school and learning a foreign language, I realized how different the learning process was when I didn’t grow up with it. This made me curious about the cognitive processes behind bilingualism and how different it is from learning a language later in life. From this lab, I hope to gain research experience while learning about something I’m genuinely curious about!
Bella Johnson
Hello everyone! My name is Isabella Johnson, and I am a 3rd-year Cognitive Science major on a pre-health track. I am bilingual in English and Spanish—growing up, my extended family spoke to me in Spanish, which led me to attend a Spanish immersion elementary school from kindergarten through 3rd grade. After that, I continued Spanish courses throughout middle and high school. I love learning about all aspects of the brain and am especially excited to gain hands-on experience while deepening my understanding of how language shapes cognition. I find it fascinating how language connotations can differ across cultures, shifting meaning and use depending on context.
Ytzel Delgadillo
Hi everyone! My name is Ytzel Delgadillo, a second-year Education Sciences major hoping to double-major in History. I love to visit museums, read books, watch films, go on hikes/nature walks, and paint in my free time. Growing up in a bilingual household blossomed my interest in understanding the minds of bilingual individuals, and I hope to learn many fascinating things about the topic here at the BMB Lab. I am excited to work with everyone and develop a deeper understanding of linguistics and research in general!
Jolin Ma
Hi, my name is Jolin, and I am a third-year Education Sciences major with a double major in Chinese Literature. As a Chinese American immigrant who grew up in both the United States and China, I have experienced two cultures and languages in very different environments. Being bilingual in English and Mandarin has sparked my interest in language, how it works and the impact of knowing more than one language. I am particularly interested in how language development differs when learned through cultural immersion versus in environments where the language is not widely spoken. This curiosity led me to join the BMB Lab, where I hope to deepen my understanding of bilingualism, language development, and its effects.
Rishav Sar
Hey, Everyone! I’m Rishav, and I’m a first-year student at UCLA! I’m majoring in Cognitive Science and am joining the lab for this upcoming Fall quarter to explore my interests in the connection of language and emotion. I came from a Tamil and English speaking background, but grew up in a Spanish speaking environment! Since all three languages were intertwined into my life at a young age, I became connected to expressing myself through different languages and connecting with people. In my free time, I enjoy baking, reading, and gardening!
Catherine Huang
Hello, my name is Catherine Huang, and I am currently a junior majoring in Psychology B.S. In the past, I collaborated with a professor on a project that used brainwave activity to control external devices, such as turning lights on and off. This experience sparked my curiosity about the relationship between brain activity and cognitive processes. I am particularly interested in the cognitive and neural processes that allow bilinguals to manage and switch between two languages. The BMB Lab appeals to me because it provides the opportunity to gain experience with EEG methods and apply them to questions about language and cognition. Through working in this lab, I hope to gain hands-on research experience and strengthen skills such as data analysis, which will support my long-term goal of pursuing I/O Psychology.
Ara Cuasay
Hi, my name is Ara Cuasay, and I am a 4th-year Education major with a minor in Psychological Science! Growing up in a bilingual Tagalog and English household has allowed me to form a strong appreciation for language acquisition, which naturally led to my interest in being a part of the BMB Lab. With that, I am eager to strengthen my understanding of the cognitive learning process of bilingualism and wish to gain critical skills in the research field. As for a personal goal, I am currently learning Spanish, so I hope to acquire insight into the process of language learning as an adult. For my future aspirations, I plan to gain my Master’s and pursue a career in Early Childhood Education!
Sharon J. Chang
Hi! My name is Sharon Chang and I am a third-year Education Sciences major with a minor in International Studies. Having grown up in a bilingual household, I had firsthand insight on code-switching between Mandarin and English. I have always been curious about how we learn and process various languages along with how our life experiences shape bilingualism. After discovering the EEG test, it just seemed cool to me that we have such a tool to help with bilingualism research and I wanted to see it in action. I am excited to work along with my team leader and other research assistants in my team, and I look forward to gaining hands-on experience that can solidify my future career path, help me develop stronger research skills, and deepen my understanding.
Eridani Marie Gleason
Hi everyone, my name is Eridani! I’m a third-year Language Science and Art double major returning to campus after a year of medical leave, so I’m very excited to be back! I speak English and Spanish, which I owe to attending a dual-immersion elementary school. Having lessons of all subjects taught in both languages was a neat experience, and is what sparked my interest in simultaneous bilingual language acquisition. I look forward to helping out in the lab and learning even more.
Sofia Poulis
Hello everyone, my name is Sofia Poulis and I’m a Social Ecology and Psychology major focused on a pre-health track! Growing up in a Greek household, I’ve always been fascinated by language, and I even remember my family joking that they’d send me to a village in Greece so I could finally master the language. As a kid, I didn’t understand why my parents would consider doing that, but now I’d take them up on their offer in a heartbeat. I’m entirely interested in how learning a language can impact our experiences and understanding of the world. I’m so excited to be a part of the BMB Lab and take this experience with me throughout the rest of my life!
Karen Peralta
Hello! My name is Karen Ortiz Peralta, and I’m a first-year Education Science major hoping to minor in Spanish/English Education. Being raised in a predominantly Spanish-speaking Hispanic household, I became my family’s language broker from a young age. Breaking down language barriers for others and helping my community is an important aspect of my life and a passion of mine. Furthermore, the brain’s ability to comprehend and articulate our thoughts in and through multiple languages is truly a fascinating topic for me that I would like to gain more knowledge on. Through the BMB Lab, I plan to further this interest of mine and gain knowledge of the brain, the effects of bilingualism, and acquire insights useful to my future career.
Yuliana Avalos
Hello! My name is Yuliana Avalos, and I am a third-year Psychological Sciences major with a minor in Education. I grew up in a Hispanic household which means that I speak two languages: English and Spanish. For me, it has always been important to be able to communicate with people from my community and to be able to help them with certain barriers in regards of language. I am passionate to understand how language brokering has an effect on people because that was a huge part of my life, having to translate for my mom. I grew up in Guatemala until I moved to the United States and learned English. This made my interest in understanding how speaking multiple languages benefits an individuals’ cognitive processing which is what has led me to this lab so that I can better understand the effect of being a bilingual person.
Valerie Siao
Hello, I’m Valerie Siao! I’m a first-year Psychology B.S. major at UCI, with a minor in Management. I’ve always been fascinated by language, especially in the context of growing up in a bilingual environment where I spoke both Mandarin and English. My curiosity about how languages work has led me to explore the field of language acquisition further. In my free time, I enjoy watching anime, which has inspired me to start learning Japanese. I’m excited to be part of this lab and eager to deepen my understanding of language acquisition!
Jacqueline Arevalo
My name is Jacqueline Arevalo, I go by Jackie, my pronouns are she/her/ella. I am a third year, Gender and Sexuality Studies, and Global Cultures double major, and double minor in Chicano/Latino Studies and History. I love reading, my favorite genres are thriller and fantasy. The book I’m currently reading is “Sisters of Sword and Song.” Also, I like playing softball and volleyball.
Nicholas Lee
Hi! My name is Nicholas Lee, and I’m a first-year here at UC Irvine majoring in physics and hoping to major in linguistics. My own experiences speaking and learning in Cantonese, Mandarin and English growing up have sparked my interest in learning new languages, and as such I’m excited to join the BMB lab for this quarter and explore the mind and languages!
Mia Scherrer
Hello! My name is Mia Scherrer, and I’m a second-year Psychology B.S. major with a minor in Accounting. Growing up in a multicultural household, I was particularly curious about how language shapes the brain, which drew me to the BMB lab. Recently taking a cognitive neuroscience course at UCI made me fascinated by different neuroimaging techniques, and I’m looking forward to the opportunity to perform EEGs myself as part of this lab.
Taylor Pochron
Hello! My name is Taylor Pochron, and I am a third-year Psychological Sciences major in the BMB lab. Growing up in a multicultural household, I have always been intrigued by how multilingualism and language brokering may affect cultural identity. While I grew up speaking Spanish, I did not have to translate for my parents the way many of my peers did, which made me wonder if language brokering influenced how strongly we identified with our Latino culture. This interest led me to the BMB lab, where I hope to further develop my understanding of bilingualism and identity through language processing.
Michelle Chan
Hello! My name is Michelle Chan, and I am a current post-bac student in the BMB Lab. I graduated from UCLA with a B.A. in Linguistics and Psychology in 2023. Growing up in Hong Kong, I developed a keen interest in how multilingualism could affect individuals’ cognitive processing. This fascination has driven me to explore the cognitive differences that arise in diverse linguistic environments. I am particularly interested in investigating the relationship between bilingualism and cognitive flexibility.
Francisca Castaneda
Hi everyone, I’m Francisca! I’m a fourth-year majoring in Public Health policy. Growing up in a multilingual environment has provided me with a unique lens through which to view communication. I’ve witnessed firsthand how language serves to connect with others while simultaneously reflecting cultural identities. I’m looking forward to exploring the multifaceted nature of bilingualism, from the subtle nuances of non-verbal cues to the intricate structures that form the backbone of language!
Alexa Betwarda
Hi everyone, I’m Alexa! I’m a third year Education Sciences major with a minor in biology. I’m currently researching the ASL Bloom Study, where our team is trying to determine the effect of being bilingual while learning a visual language. As someone who’s grown up with a variety of cultures and languages around me, I’ve always been interested in bilingualism and how we can use our languages to connect with each other, and the world at large.
Kylie Fitzpatrick
My name is Kylie Fitzpatrick and I am currently a third-year undergraduate student at UC Irvine pursuing a B.S. in Psychology and a minor in Hearing and Speech Sciences. As someone who grew up in a bilingual environment with my Peruvian mother speaking both English and Spanish to our family, I am very curious to investigate the cognitive processes associated with this. After I graduate from college, I plan to continue working in the language science field by enrolling in a master’s program to earn a degree in Speech-Language Pathology (MS-SLP). In the end, I hope to open my own private practice and work with children who struggle to reach their language developmental milestones, just like I did as a child.
Eden Liu
Hello, I’m Eden! I am a third-year Psychology major. Growing up in a Chinese- and English-speaking household, I found it intriguing how human brains could quickly switch between vastly different languages. Through this cognitive lens, I look forward to exploring the phenomenon of bilingualism in a hands-on manner while working in the Bilingualism, Mind, and Brain Lab!
Dan Quoc Nguyen
Hi everyone! I am a recent graduate from UCI where I majored in Cognitive Sciences and Language Science. I joined the BMB Lab Spring of 2023 and I was interested in this lab because I wanted to better understand my own experience as a heritage speaker of Vietnamese and I thought that it would be a great opportunity to learn more about the complexity of bilingualism. I feel very supported by all the lab members so I definitely recommend joining if you’re interested!
Catherine Tarek Maximous
Hello! My name is Catherine and I graduated from UC Irvine in Summer 2025 with a double major in Psychology B.S. and Education Sciences B.A. I joined Judy’s team as a Research Assistant during the 2023 Spring quarter where I developed a lot of interest in Bilingualism and Cognition research. I am currently a PhD student at UC San Diego’s Cognitive Science Program working in Dr. Anne Beatty-Martínez’ Lab!
Yuxin Liu
Hello! My name is Yuxin Liu, and I’m a fourth-year student at UCI double majoring in Psychological Science and Criminology, Law and Society. I can speak both Mandarin and English. I’ve been working in BMB Lab since 2023, where I help with EEG and behavioral studies on bilingual language processing. Outside of research, I enjoy hiking, car racing, reading, and playing tennis. Fun fact about me is I have two cats and one dog. I’m really grateful to be part of such a supportive and inspiring lab community!
Remie Lou Geha
I graduated from the University of California, Irvine, in 2022 with a degree in Language Science, and I earned a Sign Language Certificate from El Camino Community College in 2024. Growing up in a multilingual household where Arabic, English, French, and ASL were spoken, I developed a deep curiosity about how languages work. My experiences with code-switching and code-blending sparked a fascination with linguistic diversity and the cultures tied to each language. I’m passionate about learning new languages and challenging the idea of a critical period for language acquisition. Through my research and work in language studies, I’m excited to continue exploring the complexities of language and communication.
