Mercedes Spencer, PhD
Principal Investigator
(she/her)
Dr. Mercedes Spencer, PhD, is the principal investigator of the Reading, Education, and Development (READ) Laboratory and is an assistant professor in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at Northwestern University. She earned her PhD in Psychology from the Florida State University and completed her postdoctoral training at Vanderbilt University.
Broadly, Dr. Spencer’s research focuses on the cognitive-behavioral correlates of reading development and associated difficulties. Her research aims to identify early indicators of reading comprehension difficulties to better predict and prevent future reading problems in children. Her research has been funded by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.
Outside of work, Dr. Spencer enjoys reading novels, watching films, and spending time outdoors.
LAB MEMBERS
GRADUATE STUDENTS
Jiyoon Kim (she/her/hers), Graduate
Jiyoon Kim is a PhD student in Communication Sciences and Disorders at Northwestern University. She holds BAs in Linguistics and Psychology from Seoul National University in Seoul, South Korea. Her research focuses on understanding the processes and mechanisms underlying reading development, with a specific interest in identifying behavioral and neurobiological predictors of reading difficulties in children. Outside of research, Jiyoon enjoys swimming, painting, and opera.
UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS
Lynette Suk (she/her/hers), Undergraduate
Lynette Suk is an undergraduate student at Northwestern University majoring in Communication Sciences and Disorders and minoring in Global Health Studies. Through her involvement in Dr. Spencer’s READ Lab as a research assistant, she works on coding information on Illinois primary and secondary schools, as well as analyzing published research papers on the factors causing learning disparities in children. Outside of work, she likes to spend time with her family, shop, and eat good food!
Emma deVerteuil (she/her/hers), Undergraduate
Emma de Verteuil, originally from Trinidad and Tobago, is currently an undergraduate studying psychology at Northwestern University. She hopes to pursue a career in occupational therapy and conduct research to advocate for change in Trinidad. Her previous research focused on test anxiety in young children and she looks forward to expanding her interests to the human communications field. Outside of academics, Emma finds joy in dancing, spending time with children, and traveling. She is truly excited about being a part of the READ Lab and working with Dr. Spencer.
Sherry Huang (she/her/hers), Undergraduate
Sherry Huang is an undergraduate student majoring in Psychology and Data Science. She is interested in exploring how social and cultural factors influence people’s learning abilities and personality growth, and she looks forward to learning more about children’s reading comprehension through the involvement in the READ Lab. After graduation, she plans to attend graduate school and continue doing research. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, hiking, working in theater groups, and eating good food.
LAB ALUMS
Karyme Hernandez (Early Research Experience Award Recipient and Undergraduate Research Assistant)
