The Grown-up Experts

Our team of childhood researchers all have areas of specialty and serve as our go-to resource for learning what kids want and how best to help them as they grow from baby to toddler to preschooler and beyond. But more than anything, they have a passion for play, for helping parents make life easier and filled with more fun.

Meet the Play Lab Team

Lisa Lohiser Ed.D.

Ed.D. Learning & Teaching in Social Contexts. M.S. Creativity & Change Leadership B.S. Elementary Education

Expertise (aka, Superpowers): Creativity and creative problem-solving

Favorite Childhood Toy: My Barbie® Dreamhouse® with the yellow elevator!

Corrine Eggleston, Ph.D.

Ph.D. Elementary Education Ed.M. Early Childhood Education B.S. Early Childhood/Childhood Education

Expertise (aka, Superpowers): Preschool play-based learning

Favorite Childhood Toy: Fisher-Price® Puffalumps™ Bunny - I took her everywhere!

Erin D'Rozario

B.S. Human Services & Child and Adolescent Services & Development

Expertise (aka, Superpowers): Early childhood development

Favorite Childhood Toy: The Fisher-Price® Loving Family® Dollhouse.

Lisa Lohiser Ed.D.

Ed.D. Learning & Teaching in Social Contexts. M.S. Creativity & Change Leadership B.S. Elementary Education

Expertise (aka, Superpowers): Creativity and creative problem-solving

Favorite Childhood Toy: My Barbie® Dreamhouse® with the yellow elevator!

Corrine Eggleston, Ph.D.

Ph.D. Elementary Education Ed.M. Early Childhood Education B.S. Early Childhood/Childhood Education

Expertise (aka, Superpowers): Preschool play-based learning

Favorite Childhood Toy: Fisher-Price® Puffalumps™ Bunny - I took her everywhere!

Erin D'Rozario

B.S. Human Services & Child and Adolescent Services & Development

Expertise (aka, Superpowers): Early childhood development

Favorite Childhood Toy: The Fisher-Price® Loving Family® Dollhouse.

Rachel Wachowski

B.S. Childhood Education

Expertise (aka, Superpowers): Early childhood education & development and preschool play-based learning.

Favorite Childhood Toy: I loved my Fisher-Price® Loving Family® Grand Dollhouse.

Krystal Starke Ph.D.

Ph.D. Curriculum, Instruction & The Science of Learning. B.S. Psychology

Expertise (aka, Superpowers): Neurodiversity, play-based learning and child research methods

Favorite Childhood Toy: Fisher-Price® Viewmaster™ especially with my Winnie the Pooh reels!

Nicole Mackiewicz, M.S.

M.S Childhood & Special Education B.S. Fashion & Textile Technology/Merchanidising A.S. Liberal Arts and Sciences

Expertise (aka, Superpowers): Early childhood education & development, adaptive planning & research technologies

Favorite Childhood Toy: My "Mall Madness" board game & Polly Pocket® dolls

Rachel Wachowski

B.S. Childhood Education

Expertise (aka, Superpowers): Early childhood education & development and preschool play-based learning.

Favorite Childhood Toy: I loved my Fisher-Price® Loving Family® Grand Dollhouse.

Krystal Starke Ph.D.

Ph.D. Curriculum, Instruction & The Science of Learning. B.S. Psychology

Expertise (aka, Superpowers): Neurodiversity, play-based learning and child research methods

Favorite Childhood Toy: Fisher-Price® Viewmaster™ especially with my Winnie the Pooh reels!

Nicole Mackiewicz, M.S.

M.S Childhood & Special Education B.S. Fashion & Textile Technology/Merchanidising A.S. Liberal Arts and Sciences

Expertise (aka, Superpowers): Early childhood education & development, adaptive planning & research technologies

Favorite Childhood Toy: My "Mall Madness" board game & Polly Pocket® dolls

Desiree Williams, M.A./A.C.

M.A./A.C.School Psychology B.S. Psychology

Cognitive development, social emotional wellness, children's media & wellness, and equity & inclusion

Favorite Childhood Toy: I loved my bright pink Barbie® Camper!

Courtney Craig

B.S. Business Management and Communications A.A. Entrepreneurship Business

Building Connection, Creative Recruiting & Team Collaboration

Favorite Childhood Toy: Fisher-Price® Fun with Food Kitchen, I would play for hours, had all the accessories & still have it today!

Desiree Williams, M.A./A.C.

M.A./A.C.School Psychology B.S. Psychology

Cognitive development, social emotional wellness, children's media & wellness, and equity & inclusion

Favorite Childhood Toy: I loved my bright pink Barbie® Camper!

Courtney Craig

B.S. Business Management and Communications A.A. Entrepreneurship Business

Building Connection, Creative Recruiting & Team Collaboration

Favorite Childhood Toy: Fisher-Price® Fun with Food Kitchen, I would play for hours, had all the accessories & still have it today!

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Common Crawling Questions Answered

First Words Timeline & Tips

Helpful Potty Training Tips

Help Your Little Manage Emotions

Come On In!
Learn more about the Play Lab and go behind the scenes to see how your favorite toys came to be!
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