I am an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychological Science at Loyola Marymount University (LMU) and the Director of the Cuenta Lab: Counting, Stories, and Play en Familia. My research sits at the intersection of developmental science and education. I design and evaluate playful learning tools and environments across school, home, and community settings to understand how they can support children’s engagement, motivation, and learning in math and science during early childhood. 

Methodologically, my research combines participatory approaches with experimental designs and quantitative and qualitative methods. This allows me to examine not only the effectiveness of playful learning environments, but also how children and families experience them, how they are implemented across contexts, and how the perspectives and expertise of families and educators can inform their design.

My work takes a strengths-based approach that recognizes children, families, and communities as bringing valuable knowledge, experiences, and cultural practices to learning. I approach families as equal partners and work alongside families and educators, particularly within Latine communities, to co-create games and learning experiences that build from their knowledge and practices. I also work with educators to develop strategies for learning from families and to use that knowledge to inform their math and science instruction. Through this work, I aim to expand equitable opportunities for children’s learning and strengthen connections across home, school, and community contexts.

My research has been recognized with the AERA Family, School, and Community Partnerships (FSCP) Outstanding Dissertation Award and the Next Generation of Family Math Researchers Dissertation Fellowship.