Catarina Vales, Ph.D.
Research Director
Bio
Catarina Vales, Ph.D. is the new Director of Research at the CMU Children’s School. She joined the CMU Department of Psychology as a postdoctoral researcher in 2016 after completing a Ph.D. in Psychology from Indiana University the same year. Since 2022, she is a Research Scientist in the Department of Psychology where she leads the Cognitive and Social Development Lab. Her research focuses on understanding how children come to know what they know about the world and the people around them, with a focus on using this knowledge to help all children grow and thrive.
In addition to research, Catarina teaches courses on developmental science, cognitive science, and research methods. Outside of work, Catarina enjoys spending time in nature, biking, reading, and traveling. She lives in Point Breeze with her spouse, 6-year-old, and cat.