Meet our team!
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
Dr. Wilkey is an Assistant Professor in Vanderbilt University’s department of Psychology and Human Development and is affiliated with the Vanderbilt Brain Institute and the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center. Dr. Wilkey earned his M. Ed. in Mind, Brain and Education at Harvard University, his Ph.D. in Neuroscience from Vanderbilt University, and did a postdoctoral fellowship at Western University’s Brain and Mind Institute in London, Ontario. Dr. Wilkey’s research focuses on the development of mathematical skills and the neurocognitive mechanisms that enable mathematical cognition. In his free time, Dr. Wilkey likes to run, bike, and walk through Shelby-Bottoms Forest, garden indoors and out, and one day hopes to be a glass blower (he has not taken his first class).
CV | eric.d.wilkey@vanderbilt.edu | Google Scholar
GRADUATE STUDENTS
Alexa Mogan
Alexa is a second-year Ph.D. student in the Psychological Sciences program. She is interested in studying mathematical problem solving and the connection between conceptual and procedural understanding in mathematics. Alexa graduated from the University of Notre Dame, double majoring in Theoretical Math and Psychology. In her free time, she loves dancing, doing puzzles, and playing sports. Through her research, Alexa hopes to help make math as accessible as possible to all students, and help everyone see how fun math can be!
CV | alexa.d.mogan@vanderbilt.edu
Omair Khan
Omair Khan is a Ph.D. student in Educational Neuroscience in the Number Lab. They hold a BS in Biochemistry from Southern Methodist University and a masters degree in Applied Statistics from The Pennsylvania State University. Prior to starting their Ph.D., Omair had been practicing as a biostatistician for the past seven years at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Their research interests include language, orthography, and numerical cognition, especially among neurodiverse populations. In their free time, Omair enjoys playing video games, swing dancing, and learning languages.
Qiantong Liu
Qiantong is a master's student in the Cognitive and Developmental Psychology in Context program at Vanderbilt. She is interested in using neuroimaging methods to understand the development trajectory of executive function and cognition in adolescents. Qiantong hopes to pursue a PHD in cognitive science in the future. In her free time, she enjoys reading, hiking, and playing video games.
qiantong.liu@vanderbilt.edu
Jonathan is a Master’s student in the Cognitive Psychology in Context Program at Vanderbilt. Jonathan graduated from Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology in 2024 and taught Pre-k with Teach for America before enrolling at Vanderbilt. His research interests include the impact of learning disabilities in academic success and brain development in children. Jonathan plans to pursue a PhD in the future. His hobbies include exploring Nashville, rock climbing, playing video games, and cycling. Jonathan’s goal is to find new methods of helping students with learning disabilities achieve success in the classroom.
jonathan.j.reagan@vanderbilt.edu
Jonathan Reagan
LAB MANAGER
Alison Rubin
Alison graduated from William & Mary with a B.S in Neuroscience and a minor in Hispanic Studies. She is passionate about combining child development research with neuroimaging, and is excited to do so in the Number Lab. Alison plans to pursue a PhD in Developmental Neuroscience. In her free time, she loves to go on walks, explore thrift stores, and spend time with her pets.
alison.rubin@vanderbilt.edu
UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH ASSISTANTS
Sasha Bandler ‘27
Sasha Bandler is a junior on the pre-med track majoring in Cognitive Studies and Neuroscience with a minor in Sociology. She is interested in the neural processes underlying information processing and problem-solving as well as how neuroplasticity and neuronal recycling play a role in learning. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, jigaw puzzles, baking donuts for her friends, watching movies, and all things Taylor Swift.
Dan Han ‘27
Dan Han (he/him) is a junior studying Neuroscience and Data Science. In the lab, Dan focuses his research on magnitude processing, executive function, and is interested in the ways that our underlying neural circuitry in processing mathematics can be applied to the world! Outside the lab, Dan enjoys hiking (he used to be a park ranger in Shenandoah), perfecting his tiramisu recipe, and watching Cars.
Sophie Hochberg ‘27
Sophie is majoring in Psychology and Child Development. Sophie tutors children with Down Syndrome in math. She is interested in exploring the cognitive mechanisms involved in learning math with learning disabilities in the Number Lab. Sophie hopes to become a clinical psychologist in the future. Outside of school, Sophie likes to go to the beach, hike, and spend time with friends.
Taylor Ditsworth ‘27
Taylor is an undergraduate with majors in Psychology and Child Development and minors in Neuroscience and Spanish. She is passionate about developmental and educational neuroscience and is preparing for a career in Neuropsychology. In her free time, she likes to practice yoga, re-watch her favorite sitcoms, and bake sweet treats for the people in her life.
Belle Zinn ‘27
Belle is majoring in Neuroscience and Psychology at Vanderbilt University. She is passionate about developmental neuroscience and helping children with learning disabilities strengthen their math skills. In her free time, she enjoys dancing ballet and traditional Filipino dances, as well as drawing and spending time with friends.
Elyse Garcia ‘28
Elyse is majoring in Mathematics and Cognitive studies. She has a passion for math education and the various ways in which students learn mathematics. She is planning to pursue a career in the world of research, focusing on math education and cognition. Outside of academics, she enjoys working as a college advisor, being a food connoisseur, and playing video games with her friends.
Anna Auer ‘28
Anna is majoring in Mathematics with a minor in Russian. She is interested in connections between the philosophy of math, cognitive science, and math education. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, running, and learning new languages.
Sasha Saplitski ‘28
Sasha is majoring in Mathematics with a minor in Computer Science. She is interested in how children first interact with and understand math, and how these early experiences can inform better ways of teaching and learning mathematics. Outside of the lab, Sasha enjoys karaoke with friends, painting, and being in nature.
Emerald Tang ‘29
Emerald is from Houston, Texas, majoring in Psychology and Law, History, and Society with minors in Business and Data Science. She is particularly interested in studying neurodevelopmental conditions and psychological disorders that can impede a person’s ability to process numbers. Outside of academics, she enjoys listening to true crime podcasts, taking long scenic walks, and playing with her pet cat.
For more information about previous lab members, please visit our Lab Alumni page.