Research Team
Principal Investigator
Myrto Grigoroglou is Assistant Professor in the Department of Linguistics and the Cognitive Science Program at the University of Toronto. Myrto completed her doctoral work in Linguistics and Cognitive Science at the University of Delaware. She received postdoctoral training at the University of Toronto, in the Department of Applied Psychology and Human Development at OISE. Before these, Myrto did undergraduate studies in Communication and Linguistics at the University of Athens, Greece and postgraduate studies in Communication in Université Paris 3 - Sorbonne Nouvelle, France. Myrto is broadly interested in the study of meaning; how it is acquired in development, how it is achieved in conversation and how it interacts with non-linguistic cognition.
Dr. Myrto Grigoroglou
Graduate Students
Christiana Moser is a PhD student in the Department of Linguistics at the University of Toronto. Her background is primarily in syntax, she did her MA on the argument structure of Icelandic figure reflexives with Dr. Martha McGinnis at the University of Victoria. Christiana is interested in how the systems of morphology, syntax, and semantics work together to express the meanings that are possible in human language, especially when describing complex events where entities play more than one grammatical role. In her spare time, Christiana loves hiking, cycling, sleeping, and needle-felting.
Christiana Moser
Claudia Raihert is a PhD student in Linguistics at the University of Toronto. She is interested in creative and figurative language use, more specifically metaphor and its cognitive underpinnings, in both typical and ASD populations. During her MSc by Research at the University of Edinburgh, Claudia explored using semantic networks to model metaphor comprehension, and is now interested in conducting experimental research on this topic. Prior to that, she completed a BA in French Literature and Linguistics at McGill University. In her spare time, Claudia likes to compose music, write poetry, advocate for climate change, and she is notoriously bad at finishing a book.
Claudia Raihert
Lucy Li is a PhD student in the Linguistics Department at the University of Toronto. She is interested in the acquisition of tense, aspect, and modality (TAM) in young children. During her MA at Western University, she completed a corpus study on the acquisition of modals by L1 Mandarin Chinese speakers. Prior to her graduate studies, Lucy completed her BSc at the University of Toronto with a specialist in Psychology. In her spare time, Lucy likes reading, hiking, playing violin, and staring mindlessly at bodies of water.
Lucy Li
Lab Manager
Amina completed her studies at the University of Toronto with a Major in Cognitive Science and minors in Computer Science and Psychology. Her primary focus lies in the exploration of the fundamental processes governing human cognition, as well as the application of computer-based technologies to enhance neuropsychological research. In her spare time, Amina can be found gorging on books, watching anime, and exploring new coffee places in Toronto.
Amina Shmanova
Undergraduate Students
Rio is currently a third year student at the University of Toronto majoring in Philosophy and Cognitive Science. His research interests span various topics ranging from understanding how human cognition is understood through artificial intelligence, to researching how irony is developed in children at different ages. Outside of school, Rio has been play the blues on his electric guitar for 8 years, and regularly takes parts in street dance battles.
Rio Tang
Tony (Juntao) Hu is a third year student at the University of Toronto specializing in Linguistics with a major in Computer Science. He is interested in (second) language acquisition and is aiming to pursue a research career in language pedagogy. In addition to everything linguistics, he enjoys skating, cycling, playing board games, and cooking. Nothing wins his heart more than a hearty bowl of stew!
Tony Hu
Sophia is a second-year student at the University of Toronto, specializing in Psychology with a minor in creative writing. Her interests lie in neurological and cognitive development, as well as clinical psychology, and she aims to eventually become a therapist. Outside of school, Sophia spends most of her time reading books, watching movies, and observing figure skating competitions.
Sophia Joulaei
Hira is a third-year student at the University of Toronto Scarborough specializing in Mental Health Studies. She is interested in the effects of childhood mental and developmental disorders on cognitive functioning. In addition, she is also interested in how language acquisition can differ in varying neurodivergent children. Outside of school, Hira enjoys exploring nature, watching shows, and trying out new food spots.
Hira Tahir
Mishaal Kandapath is in his third year specializing in Computer Science and a major in Cognitive Science at the University of Toronto. His interests revolve around how living things make sense of their worlds and is thus interested in language - how it acquires meaning, how it gives meaning, and how we use it to explore our everyday. He likes to cycle, go out on walks, read, and stare out of windows.
Mishaal Kandapath
