Welcome to the Cognitive Origins Lab!
We study the evolutionary, developmental, and cultural origins of human thought. Our focus is on how children, adults from different cultures, and animals think about numbers, sequences, objects, and logical concepts.
Click the tabs above to learn more about our research.
2025-26 Lab Photo
Alessandra at CogSci 2025
Elijah at CogSci 2025
Meredith speaking at the 2025 LASER Symposium
Maimoona presenting at the 2025 PREP symposium
Alessandra and Elijah getting touchscreens running at the Henry Vilas Zoo!
Summer 2025 lab outing at the terrace
Sam (BA, 2025) and Gracie (BS, 2025) with Menjadi at the Henry Vilas Zoo
2025 end of year lab celebration
CO Lab members at Spring 2025 undergraduate awards
Hannah receiving a research award
Alessandra presenting at MPA 2025
Elijah at MPA 2025
Sam at MPA 2025
Gracie presenting at MPA 2025
Gracie (Margarete E. Lubach Undergraduate Research Award), Sam (Travel Awards recipient), and fellow CO Lab members at 2024 awards event
Katie at the 2024 STaRS event
Sam, Gracie, and Arielle receiving research fellowships
2023-24 Lab Photo
Sydney at CDS 2024
Running a study at the Madison Children's Museum
Tabling at the Discovery Expo
Lab pumpkin carving!
Alessandra and Sam at MPIG 2023
Sam receiving a department award
Ashley presenting at the 2023 Undergraduate Symposium
2022-23 Lab Photo