Lab Director
Lin Tan, PhD
Dr. Lin Tan is an Assistant Professor of Psychological Science at the University of Arkansas. She received her Ph.D. in Human Development and M.A. in Applied Statistics from Virginia Tech. She completed her postdoctoral training in the Department of Psychology at the University of Michigan. As a developmental psychologist and methodologist, Dr. Tan explores children’s emotional development and family dynamics. She also collaborates on projects investigating alcohol prevention among college students.
For more information: Faculty Page | Google Scholar
Research Coordinator
Marta Balconi
Marta Balconi is an undergraduate student from Italy studying Psychology and Philosophy at the University of Arkansas. She plans to pursue a Ph.D. in Experimental Psychology with a focus on Developmental Psychology. Her research interests center on how mentorship can support positive development in youth. Currently, she is partnering with Dream B.I.G. to lead a study on the impact of mentorship programs on middle school girls. Marta believes mentorship can help bridge the opportunity gap created by systemic inequalities, such as differences in access to resources based on where someone grows up. Drawing from her research, she hopes to one day create her own mentorship program to empower young people and expand access to mental health support.
Graduate Research Assistant
Cheng Hu, MS
Cheng Hu is a second-year Experimental Psychology PhD student in the Department of Psychological Science at the University of Arkansas. She received her MS in Applied Developmental Psychology from the University of Pittsburgh. Cheng is interested in children’s social-emotional competence and development, especially focusing on preschoolers. Cheng is interested in how to establish a safe and healthy environment to promote children’s development in both school and family settings.
River Lee, BS
River Lee is a first-year Experimental Psychology PhD student in the Department of Psychological Science at the University of Arkansas. She received her Bachelor of Science degree from Southern Utah University. River’s research interest is in children’s social-emotional development, with a focus on ages from within utero into early adolescence. River is also interested in the parent-child relationship impacts, and how that can help foster a child’s ability to process emotions in a healthy manner.
Senior Undergraduate Research Assistants
Alyssa Schmit
Alyssa Schmit is a junior honors undergraduate student majoring in Psychology. This is her second year working with the FEELab. After graduation, she plans to attend graduate school and later obtain a Doctor of Psychology in clinical psychology. Alyssa wants to specialize in sports psychology to either work with adolescents or in collegiate and pro.
Lexi Webb
Lexi Webb is currently a senior undergraduate student majoring in Psychology, with minors in Medical Humanities and Human Development and Family Sciences. After graduation, she plans to attend graduate school in hopes of becoming a marriage and family therapist. She is particularly interested in researching family dynamics, emotional development, and how interpersonal relationships influence mental health and well-being.
Madison Rownd
Madison Rownd is a senior undergraduate student pursuing a major in Psychology with a minor in Human Development and Family Sciences. She works as a Registered Behavior Technician, providing Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy to children diagnosed with autism. After graduation, Madison plans to further her education by pursuing an Education Specialist degree (Ed.S.) in school psychology. She also owns her own nonprofit organization, called “Birthdays By Madi,” where she provides birthday cakes to children from families facing financial burdens, free of charge.
Naomi Stein
Naomi Stein is a Senior Research Assistant in the FEELab and an Honors Psychology major. She is preparing to defend her undergraduate thesis in the fall and plans to pursue a PhD in Clinical or School Psychology. Her research interests center on children with neurodevelopmental disorders, with a focus on emotion regulation, motivation, and persistence. Naomi is passionate about contributing to research that informs evidence-based interventions to support children’s development and well-being.
Taylor Maddox
Taylor Maddox is graduating with her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology in Fall 2025 and will begin the Doctoral Program in Occupational Therapy in January 2026. She has extensive experience working with children as a Registered Behavior Technician, lead preschool teacher, and through her own nannying business. Taylor is passionate about the power of play-based learning and is especially interested in nervous system regulation and recovery following traumatic events in pediatric settings.
Undergraduate Research Assistants
Ada Norcross
Ada Norcross is a junior undergraduate student majoring in Biology and Psychology. Combining both her passions for human biology and the complexities of the mind, Ada hopes to attend medical school and possibly specialize in psychiatry. She actively serves on the Dream Big board for the Volunteer Action Center, working to support and educate middle school girls through one-on-one mentorship with college aged women.
Anna Marie Kemper
Anna Marie Kemper is a junior undergraduate student majoring in Psychology. She plans to attend graduate school after college to become a Physical Therapist. She has a passion for working with children and wants to specialize in Pediatric Physical Therapy. She is looking forward to working in the FEELab to understand more about developmental psychology and how children regulate their emotions.
Brooklyn Farmer
Brooklyn Farmer is a junior undergraduate student majoring in Psychology with minors in Child Services and Child Advocacy Studies. After graduation, she plans to attend graduate school in hopes of becoming a therapist specializing in play therapy. Brooklyn loves working with children and in her spare time, she volunteers for a local non-profit called Circles NWA. She is excited to start working in the FEELab and to get the opportunity to work with children and learn more about developmental psychology.
Cierna Gear
Cierna Gear is a junior undergraduate student majoring in Psychology with a minor in Human Development and Family Sciences. Having worked with children for several years, she is very passionate about effective parenting, goodness of fit, and how that relates to emotional development. After graduation, she plans on attending graduate school to eventually become a Parenting and Family Counselor.
Elsie Jones
Elsie Jones is a junior undergraduate student majoring in Psychology. After graduation, she plans to attend graduate school and hopes to one day become a family counselor. She is particularly interested in working with children and is excited to contribute to meaningful research that will further our understanding of children’s emotional development and help families thrive.
Emily Tigue
Emily Tigue is a second-year undergraduate student at the University of Arkansas, where she is pursuing a major in Biology. Following graduation, she plans to attend medical school to further her commitment to healthcare and serving others. Emily has a particular interest in working with children and exploring the impact of emotional development. She is excited to join the team and looks forward to gaining hands-on experience, contributing to meaningful research, and expanding her knowledge in child development and emotional regulation.
Isabela Orellana
Isabela Orellana is a senior undergraduate student majoring in psychology and political science. After graduation she plans to pursue a master’s in social work with a focus on family counseling. She is interested in the intersection of physical and emotional well-being, especially with regards to child development.
Natalie Garcia
Natalie Garcia is thrilled to be a part of the Feel Lab as a research assistant this year. She is a senior at the University of Arkansas, where she is studying psychology. The lab provides her with the perfect opportunity to explore her interest in pediatric therapy, an area in which she hopes to pursue a career in clinical psychology. Natalie is truly looking forward to spending the year discovering research findings and contributing as a valuable member of this incredible lab.
Sherlin Joe
Sherlin Joe is a junior majoring in Psychology with minors in Human Development & Family Science, Social Work, and Child Advocacy Training. She plans to pursue her masters in School Psychology and eventually work as a school psychologist. Sherlin is especially passionate about working with children and studying how their emotions develop. She joined the FEELab because it aligns with her interests in child development and mental health. Being part of the lab also gives her the chance to build research experience and strengthen her understanding of children and their mental health.