Meet our research team

2025-2026 LDLS research team

Laboratory Director and Principal Investigator

Dr. Kristen Syrett

Kristen Syrett

Dr. Kristen Syrett is a Professor in the Department of Linguistics, with a co-appointment in the Rutgers Center for Cognitive Science (RuCCS). Her areas of specialization are language acquisition and psycholinguistics, with a focus on semantics and pragmatics (meaning). She earned her Ph.D. in Linguistics from Northwestern University in 2007, with specializations in Language and Cognition and in Cognitive Science. She also has an M.Ed. and AMI Montessori certification. Dr. Syrett has completed the Co-Active Training Institute coaching curriculum and the CTI leadership experience, and assists regularly for these leadership training programs. She is a proud HERS alum. Before joining the faculty at Rutgers in 2011, Dr. Syrett spent three years as an NIH post-doctoral fellow at RuCCS, and one year as a RuCCS post-doc. She devotes her time outside of research to advocacy and service in the field of Linguistics, her two kids, her yoga practice and working out, baking, and her two mischievous beagles.

Lab Coordinator

Kristina Mihajlovic

Kristina Mihajlovic has a BA and an MA in Linguistics (from Indiana University and the University of Arizona, respectively). Her research focus has been on phonology and heritage language speakers.

Her tutoring and teaching experiences include serving as a reading and spelling tutor for children with dyslexia, a K-12 and reading teacher, and an undergraduate statistic instructor. She is also a longstanding active member and volunteer with the National Junior/Senior Classical League. As a first-generation college student, Kristina is passionate about helping students and colleagues navigate academic and professional environments. Outside of education and research, she enjoys Latin dancing around the world, cooking global cuisines, and daydreaming about owning many dogs.

Undergraduate Research Assistants

Tirzah Carvalho

Tirzah is a senior majoring in Linguistics with a Speech and Hearing certificate. She is also minoring in Psychology. Tirzah comes from a Brazilian background and is the first person in her family to attend college. After her undergraduate studies, Tirzah plans on completing her Master's in speech pathology and becoming a speech pathologist.

Nithya Devarajan

Nithya is a junior double majoring in Linguistics and Cognitive Science. She has always held a love for languages, speaking conversational Spanish and Tamil. Nithya is interested in language acquisition, specifically in the area of syntax. On campus, she is involved with Rutgers Green Print and a member of the Cognitive Science Club. Outside of school, Nithya enjoys reading a good book, dabbling in poetry, and playing the drums. In the future, she hopes to work at a tech company in the emerging field of AI.

Samantha Krasner

Samantha is a senior majoring in Linguistics and Cognitive Science pursuing the Speech and Hearing Sciences Certificate, and minoring in Developmental Psychology. On campus, she works as a Scarlet Ambassador, is a member of the professional honor fraternity Phi Sigma Pi, is involved in the Rutgers University Pep Band, and participates in the speech and hearing club. Samantha is very interested in language acquisition, specifically concerning semantics and pragmatics. Outside of school, Samantha loves to spend time with family and friends and cheer on all the Philadelphia sports teams. After graduating, she aims to attend graduate school and become a medical pediatric speech-language pathologist in a hospital setting.

Aliyah Lima

Aliyah is a sophomore majoring in Speech and Hearing Sciences in Linguistics with a minor in Disability Studies. On campus, she serves as a Red Pine Ambassador, Douglass Welcome Ambassador, and holds leadership roles in both the First-Generation Student Union and Central American Student Union. She also works as a Job Coach for the Rutgers Center for Adult Autism Services, where she supports neurodivergent adults in achieving their goals. Aliyah aspires to become a bilingual pediatric speech-language pathologist and plans to attend graduate school after earning her bachelor’s degree. She is passionate about breaking down communication barriers and looks forward to gaining hands-on experience in language development research that supports inclusive communication.

Sarah Nichols

Sarah is a junior majoring in Speech and Hearing Sciences in Linguistics with a minor in Cognitive Science. Sarah aspires to work as a Speech and Language Pathologist in a pediatric clinical setting. She is very interested in child language acquisition, specifically in the area of Syntax, and the relationship between language and cognition. In addition to her major areas of study, Sarah is very involved in music at Rutgers. She is a proud member of the Rutgers University Marching Scarlet Knights and the Rutgers University Voorhees Choir. Outside of school, she loves going to the beach, shopping, and spending time with friends and family.

Leticia Rodriguez

Leticia is a junior majoring in Speech and Hearing Sciences in Linguistics and minoring in Developmental Psychology. She is especially interested in language acquisition in bilingual children. On campus, she works as a Student Educator at the Zimmerli Art Museum and also serves as a Peer Mentor for first-year students at the Honors College. Outside of school, her favorite activities include reading, baking, and traveling. After graduating, she hopes to become a pediatric speech-language pathologist.

Current Team