Franklin & Marshall College

Meet the current members of the Child Development Lab!

Krista Casler, Ph.D. — Lab Director (full bio)

Dr. Casler joined the faculty at Franklin & Marshall College in the summer of 2005. She came from Boston University, where she completed her doctoral degree in psychology under the advisement of Dr. Deb Kelemen. Here at F&M, Dr. Casler teaches developmental psychology, advanced research in developmental psychology, and introductory psychology. As director of the Child Development Lab, the present focus of Dr. Casler's research is on the development of young children’s understanding and use of tools. Outside of the office and lab, you'll usually find Dr. Casler enjoying her family: Jesse, her husband; Josiah, who's 5; and William, who's 2.

Lydia Bickel - Research Assistant & Hackman Scholar

Lydia is a senior Psychology and Spanish double major. After spending a semester studying in Madrid, she is excited to be working again in the field of psychology where her interests include social and developmental psychology. Lydia has worked with children for many years at day camps, assisting with therapeutic horseback riding lessons and tutoring with the Squash ACES program. After graduating, Lydia hopes to continue to work with children as a teacher before pursuing a graduate degree in psychology.

Elizabeth Hackett — Research Assistant & Hackman Scholar

Liz is a senior, double majoring in Psychology and Anthropology. She has very much enjoyed working with children in the past in many capacities from mentoring middle school aged students in The Ware Institute for Civic Engagement’s Manheim Mentoring Program, to tutoring elementary school children in Windsor, Connecticut in after-school library programs. Her academic interests include developmental psychology, cross-cultural psychology, and social anthropology. She is thrilled to work with members of F&M’s Child Development lab and looks forward to her future here! Liz hopes to one day become a clinical psychologist for children and adolescents.