About me
Hello! My name is Bella Fascendini. I'm a PhD student at Princeton University, working with Prof. Natalia Vélez in the Psychology Department. I'm interested in studying the computational and cognitive mechanisms of motivation and learning. What drives us to explore and seek out new knowledge? How do we decide what's worth learning about? How do these intrinsic processes shape the way we understand ourselves and the world around us? Much of my work so far examines these mechanisms in young children, as developmental perspectives offer unique insights into the fundamental nature of human cognition.
Before joining Princeton, I worked with Prof. Kalanit Grill-Spector at Stanford University, where I studied how infants' brains develop in the first year of life. I also worked with Prof. Henrike Moll at USC, where I studied children's theory of mind development and causal reasoning. I received my BA in Psychology from Boston University.
Outside of research, I enjoy spending time in nature (I LOVE camping!), reading, practicing yoga, doing soothing art projects and hanging out with my furrends (check out their photos in "For Fun"!). From 2021 to 2023, I also served as a co-host for the Stanford Psychology Podcast – it was one of the coolest experiences I've ever had! If you are interested, check it out here!
