People: Lab Members

Jamie Edgin, Ph.D.
Professor and Chair, Psychology
Director, Memory Development and Policy Lab, Blacksburg Neuroimaging Center

Jamie Edgin is a Developmental Cognitive Neuroscientist (Developmental Psychology PhD, 2003) specializing in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. Dr. Edgin’s recent work centers on the intersection of disability advocacy, policy, and memory science. Her expertise lies in cognitive development in typical and atypical development, with over 20 years of experience in designing and validating assessment strategies for children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Her work has led to the publication of two assessments: the Arizona Test Battery for Down Syndrome and the Arizona Memory Assessment for Preschoolers and Special Populations (A-MAP). Dr. Edgin currently serves as the Chair of the Department of Psychology at Virginia Tech.

In recognition of her community outreach, she received the University of Arizona’s Koffler Prize for Outreach in 2018. Dr. Edgin’s policy interests have also earned her a Policy Fellowship from the Morris Udall Foundation, through which she studied nationwide policy regarding children’s eyewitness reports. In Arizona, she has been involved in various working groups to support policies on abuse prevention in schools and health systems. In 2020, she received the Distinguished Contribution to Science Award from the Arizona Psychological Association. Since 2016, she has been continuously funded by federal agencies through both PI-led and collaborative grants. Dr. Edgin is a first-generation college student, born in the upper Appalachian Mountains in Pennsylvania.

Research in the Memory Development and Policy Lab is made possible by the generous support of the Virginia Tech Whole Health Consortium, PCORI, the National Institutes of Health, and donors, including a gift made in memory of Brenda DeSliva.

Chelsea Armour, M.A.
Research Associate and Co-Director, Memory Development and Policy Lab

Chelsea Armour is on the research faculty of the Virginia Tech Department of Psychology, working in the MaP Lab. She is interested in working with individuals with developmental disabilities and working with data to decrease healthcare and resource inequity. Prior to coming to Virginia Tech, Chelsea was part of the research team at the Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders at Children’s National Hospital, working on construction of research databases comprising common measures collected from different groups, including longitudinal data, online surveys, and entry from clinical reports and research battery measures. She oversaw the operation of the ECHO Autism Clinic series, a Project ECHO program for primary care, diagnosing, and educational professionals who work with autistic individuals. She attended Sarah Lawrence College, graduating with a B.A. in Liberal Arts in 2000 and earned an M.A. in Applied Developmental Psychology from George Mason University in 2010.

Lavinia UscAtescu, Ph.D. 
Research Assistant Professor, Affiliated Research Faculty

Lavinia Uscătescu’s research focuses on differential and personalized diagnosis and translational psychiatry. She primarily uses fMRI and eye tracking to investigate topics related to autism and psychosis. She also moderates a monthly online autism journal club that fosters discussions among clinicians, researchers, psychiatrists, and other professionals whose work intersects with or centers on autism; please get in touch if you would like to join.

Hailey Van Vorce, B.S.
Doctoral Student, Clinical Science, Ph.D. expected 2028

Hailey Van Vorce is a second-year graduate student in the Clinical Science PhD program here at Virginia Tech. She works as a graduate clinician at the Child Assessment Clinic (CAC) and the Psychological Services Clinic (PSC) alongside working as a graduate research assistant in the MaP Lab. Hailey is a first-generation college student from a disadvantaged background who values mentoring students and being involved in the community.

Alyssa An
Undergraduate Student, degree expected 2026

Alyssa is studying at Virginia Tech, majoring in Psychology and Political Science and minoring in Adaptive Brain and Behavior Studies. She is active as a psychology ambassador, member of the College Mentors for Kids program, and assistant coach for New River United Soccer. Alyssa’s research interests include memory within the lifespan, diseases that cause memory loss, and sleep’s effect on cognitive function. She is interested in pursuing a career in law. 

Madison Fleming
Undergraduate student, degree expected 2026

Madison Fleming is from the Arlington, Virginia area. While her mom is a historian at one of the major museums in Washington, DC, and her dad is a quality assurance engineer, Madison’s interest in becoming a therapist for kids and teens was a surprise to them almost as much as it was to her. Madison is a junior studying psychology, with a special interest in developmental studies and clinical psychology. After getting her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology at Virginia Tech, she hopes to be part of research that looks at the links between anxiety and socioeconomic status and its impact on children in lower income communities. One of her most memorable experiences, within psychological work, was last summer when she got to provide ABA therapy to autistic kids.

Bryanna Taylor
Undergraduate student, degree expected 2025

Bryanna Taylor is a third-year honors student at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, pursuing her Bachelor of Science. She is double majoring in Criminology and Psychology while minoring in Adaptive Brain and Behavior. Her research interests include behavioral analysis, forensic psychology in interviews, interrogation techniques, and developmental psychology. Upon graduation, Bryanna hopes to go on to obtain her master’s in forensic psychology at a to-be-determined accredited university, and eventually become a Special Agent for the FBI, specializing in behavioral analysis in the interrogation unit. A personal fact about Bryanna is that she loves to read psychological thrillers and could read three in one day! Bryanna is excited to assist in the development of this research.

Courtney Horn
Undergraduate student, degree expected 2025

Courtney Horn is an undergraduate student majoring in Psychology with a minor in Adaptive Brain and Behavior, anticipated to graduate in 2025. Her research interests focus on understanding how learning and memory processes differ between neurotypical individuals and those with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), with a particular emphasis on how these insights can improve early diagnosis and intervention in ASD populations. After completing her degree, she plans to pursue a master’s in social work and become a licensed clinical therapist. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, cooking, and traveling. 

Hunter Tufarelli
Undergraduate student, degree expected 2026

Hunter Tufarelli is an undergrad psychology major who is anticipated to graduate with their bachelor’s degree in 2026. Their interests in research are in Autism Spectrum Disorder and, more broadly, neurodiversity as a whole. They are currently working as a research assistant with a focus on Autism and Alexithymia. In the future, they plan on attaining a PhD, becoming a psychologist, working as a counselor for neurodivergent adolescents and young adults, and continuing research within their field. Hunter has been studying this topic as a hobby since they were in middle school, a hobby completely and solely born of curiosity and interest.

Kilee Pearson
Undergraduate Student, degree expected 2026

Kilee Pearson is a psychology major with a sociology minor. Her research interests center around how child abuse impacts development. Post-graduation, Kilee aims to pursue a PhD or PsyD in clinical psychology, aspiring to become either a forensic or clinical psychologist. Kilee is a transfer student to Virginia Tech.