The Laboratory for Infant Studies

Principal Investigator

Mark Schmuckler graduated with high honors from the State University of New York at Binghamton in 1983, with degrees in psychology and music. From there he went on to do graduate work at Cornell University to work with Carol Krumhansl, one of the leading researchers in the field of music cognition. While at Cornell, he also began working with Eleanor J. Gibson, a well-known and extremely influential developmental psychologist, who was conducting research in infant perceptual-motor development. Graduating with a Ph.D in 1988, he then became a post-doctoral fellow at the University of Virginia, where he continued his research interests in both music cognition and infant development. In 1989 Dr. Schmuckler began as an assistant professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Toronto Scarborough. He is currently a full professor in this department, and is, at present, serving as the Vice-Dean, Undergraduate, with responsibility for overseeing the undergraduate curriculum at the University of Toronto Scarborough.

Professor Schmuckler teaches courses in both music psychology and child development. Over the years he has taught undergraduate courses at a variety of levels, from a large introductory class in developmental psychology, to different laboratory courses in child development and human movement, to upper level undergraduate seminars in perceptual and motor development. He has also taught graduate courses in both child development and music psychology. Professor Schmuckler continues to pursue his research interests in infant perceptual-motor development, and in adult music cognition. Professor Schmuckler’s research in developmental psychology focuses on infants’ and toddlers’ changing abilities to integrate perceptual, and primarily visual information, with motor movement, in accomplishing everyday tasks such as reaching and searching for hidden objects, using tools, controlling one’s balance, and moving around a cluttered world. His work in music cognition examines how listeners’ organize pitch information when listening to music, as well as how such pitch structures influence listeners’ perceptions of musical similarity, musical expectancy, and their memory for music.

For more information about Mark and his research interests, visit his personal website.

Project Student

Ninthujah is currently studying a Human Biology and Mental Health Studies double major at the University of Toronto Scarborough Campus. She is currently a Independent Research study student in Dr. Mark Schmuckler’s Infant Laboratory. Her research is focused on visual perception, particularly in the perception of biological motion in infants. In her spare time, Ninthujah likes to play basketball and spend quality time with her friends.

Shabiga Ragunathan is a second-year undergraduate student majoring in Human Biology and Health Studies–Population Health at the University of Toronto Scarborough. Through her experiences and undergraduate coursework, she has developed a research interest pertaining to perceptual-motor interactions in children. Outside of school, she enjoys drawing and exploring new places.

Kaynaat is a second-year student completing her HBSc pursuing Psychological and Health Sciences at the University of Toronto. She is interested in both child development and psychopathology. She enjoys working with young children and is passionate about creating safe spaces for diverse communities. Aside from academics, Kaynaat enjoys making jewelry, listening to music, and participating in outdoor activities.