Dr. Nicole B. Perry, Director
Dr. Perry is an Assistant Professor in the Human Development and Family Sciences Department at the University of Texas at Austin. She received her Ph.D. from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and subsequently trained as a post-doctoral research scientist at the Institute of Child Development at the University of Minnesota. Her research has been published in many scientific journals including Developmental Psychology, Development and Psychopathology, Child Development, Developmental Psychobiology, and Psychoneuroendocrinology.
Dr. Perry’s research program centers on the development of self-regulatory processes during early childhood, particularly the regulation of emotion. Her work is grounded in a developmental science perspective which emphasizes the interconnected structure of developmental domains, the longitudinal nature of development, and the social environment as a critical developmental context. She uses biological indices of nervous system functioning (e.g., RSA), neural activity (e.g., EEG), sleep (e.g., actigraphy), and stress mediating systems (e.g., HPA cortisol reactivity), in combination with observational and caregiver/self-report, to conduct longitudinal biopsychosocial studies aimed at investigating how development across levels of functioning (i.e., biological, behavioral, environmental) contributes to variation in the acquisition of emotional, cognitive, and behavioral regulatory processes.
Dr. Perry also investigates the impact of the caregiving environment for the development of early self regulation. Because sensitive and responsive caregiving are critical in fostering the acquisition of independent self-regulatory skills, early deprivation and caregiver neglect is detrimental, particularly for emotional adjustment. By studying typically-reared and previously-institutionalized (PI) children, she has developed a comprehensive understanding of the role caregiving has on the developmental trajectories of biological systems and children’s psychopathology and mental health.
Fun Fact About Me: I love being on or in the water so much that I was nicknamed “Seadog” as kid and wanted to be a Marine Biologist when I grew up. I also cannot be convinced that there is any better music than 90’s R&B and hip hop.
Tose Akinmola-Milone
3rd Year Ph.D Graduate Student
Hey! I received my BS in Psychology from The University of Georgia in 2021. My research interests are development of emotion regulation and prosocial behavior in early childhood, parenting practices, and interparental relationship. When I was younger, I wanted to be a marine biologist!
Fun Fact About Me: I am a Wes Anderson enthusiast!
Christy Nguyen
Lab Manager
Good Hello! I graduated from UT Austin in 2023 with a degree in Health and Society and a double minor in Business and Healthcare Reform & Innovation. My research interests include emotion regulation and education in early childhood development. When I was little, I wanted to be a teacher!
Fun Fact About Me: I have a cracked skull from a traumatic brain injury!
Lillie Loose
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Hi! I am a senior undergraduate studying Honors in Advanced Human Development and Family Sciences on the pre-med track. I am interested in how physiological components and the environment affect emotional development in early childhood. When I was little I wanted to be a dolphin trainer.
Fun Fact About Me: A fun fact about me is I love to bake or do any kind of craft project!
Faith Connolly
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Hi! I am a senior Human Development & Family Sciences major at UT Austin, and I’m on the path to graduate school for Clinical Mental Health Counseling. I hope to become a Clinical Psychologist later in life! I’m currently interested in researching how mothers’ emotionally-regulating speech patterns can shape future child executive functioning and mental health outcomes. When I was little I wanted to be an astronaut!
Fun Fact About Me: My childhood nickname was “Ribbit” because I was obsessed with water and would often puff up my cheeks and stick my tongue out like a frog!
Amithi Gopisetty
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Hi! I’m a junior majoring in Honors Human Development and Family Sciences. My research interests are early childhood development, especially how sleep, stress, and emotional regulation shape long term outcomes for kids. I specifically hope to go into pediatrics, ideally working in child psychiatry where I can support children and families both medically and emotionally. Growing up, I always wanted to be a doctor!
Fun Fact About Me: I was actually born with one tooth and it had to be removed two days later!
Katelyn Wilson
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Hi! I am a third year undergraduate studying Human Development & Family Sciences on the pre-medical track. I am interested in how early caregiving environments shape emotional and behavioral development in young children and relate to later health outcomes. When I was little I wanted to be a Pediatrician, and I still do!
Fun Fact About Me: I went waterfall rappelling in Costa Rica last summer!
Liliana Munguia
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Hi! I’m a Psychology Departmental Honors student! I realized I wanted to be in a field where I could help others, especially kids. I’m hoping to become a developmental psychologist, and I’m particularly interested in researching maternal mental health, early childhood development, and how family relationships shape emotional regulation and well-being across the lifespan. Growing up, I imagined myself in a multitude of careers from dreaming of becoming a chef to wanting to be a teacher.
Fun Fact About Me: I have a 16 year old cat named Sam, he’s the best!
Sydney Morgan
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Hi! I am a sophomore undergraduate student at UT Austin majoring in Chemistry with a BDP certificate in Children & Society on the pre-med track. I am interested in how brain activity relates to children’s relationships and social behavior. When I was little, I wanted to be an elementary teacher!
Fun Fact About Me: I have a cat named Tortellini!
Hadley McDonell
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Hi! I am a second year undergraduate studying Health and Society on the pre-medical track. I am interested in how family relationships and social determinants of health shape development in children and affect long term health outcomes. When I was little I wanted to be a teacher!
Fun Fact About Me: My dog is named after Texas Football legend Earl Campbell!
Olivia Vigran
Alumni Undergraduate Research Assistant
Hi! I graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in 2025, and I majored in Human Development and Family Sciences. Some of my research interests include childhood and adolescent development, emotional regulation, and attachment styles. When I was younger, I wanted to be a doctor and I am now pursuing the pre-medical track!
Fun Fact About Me: I am a middle child with two brothers, one sister, and a dog named Blizzard.