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Lab Staff
Anna Wiebe
Child and Adolescent Therapist
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Anna Wiebe is a Registered Social Worker, Psychotherapist, registered with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Guelph, where she double-majored in Psychology and Studio Art, and went on to complete her Master of Social Work at Wilfrid Laurier University.
Anna brings a warm presence to her work and has supported individuals across a range of ages and experiences. Her background includes work in horticultural therapy, early childhood and outdoor education, youth mental health, psychoeducation, group development and facilitation, as well as community and social planning. She has extensive experience providing individual therapy to both youth and adults. She has worked in a variety of settings, including the Youth Wellness Centre at St. Joseph’s Health Centre Hamilton, the Centre for Family Medicine Family Health Team in Kitchener, and the Guelph Community Health Centre here in Guelph. She has additional training in transformative mediation, foundations of somatic experiencing, polyvagal theory, Internal Family Systems (IFS), and attachment theory. Anna is passionate about creating safe, collaborative spaces for healing and growth, and is excited to be part of the team at the Maplewoods Centre as a Child and Adolescent Therapist. |
Claire Krasinkiewicz
Lab Manager
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Claire is in her final year of her undergraduate degree majoring in Honours Psychology and hopes to pursue future graduate studies in the field of Clinical Psychology. Her research and career aspirations involve working closely with children, adolescents, and their parents/caregivers. Claire is interested in interventions aimed at supporting both children and parents in experiencing, expressing, and managing their emotions, and she hopes to work with them to build emotion regulation skills and facilitate improved well-being. Claire completed her honours thesis in the Workplace, Inequality, Diversity, Equity and Gender Lab (Fall 2023/Winter 2024). She completed an independent research project in the Child Development Research Unit (Fall 2022) where she has also volunteered as a Research Assistant (Summer 2022/2023). Additionally, she has volunteered as a Research Assistant in the Memory and Cognition Lab (Winter 2023). Claire completed an NSERC-funded USRA position in the CEMH lab in the summer of 2024. This fall, she will continue her work in the lab in the role of lab manager and additionally will be completing an advanced independent research project.
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Caroline Zolis
Student Therapist
Graduate Students
Chelsea Reaume
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Chelsea is in her fourth year of her PhD in Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology at the University of Guelph. She received her Honours BA in Psychology from the University of Windsor and her MA from the University of Guelph. Her present research and clinical interests focus on parent-child relationships, child emotion regulation, and interventions that target these two domains. She is particularly interested in applying principles of evidence-based practice to her dissertation research which will examine treatment fidelity, moderators of efficacy, and mechanisms of change within a randomized controlled trial of Emotion-Focused Family Therapy (EFFT). Chelsea has worked extensively providing assessment, therapy, and consultation services to children, adolescents, and families in school, hospital, and private practice settings. Her Master’s and PhD research have been funded by OGS and SSHRC.
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Leah Sack
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Leah is a PhD candidate in Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology (CCAP). Previously, Leah completed her MA in the CCAP program at the University of Guelph, and her Honours BA in Psychology at Toronto Metropolitan University. She is interested in the role of familial dynamics in child psychopathology and psychotherapeutic outcomes. Leah has worked with several research teams, including at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto Metropolitan University and Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital. Leah has been awarded SSHRC funding to support both her MA and PhD research.
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Zoe Weidman
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Zoe is a PhD student in the Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology (CCAP) program. She completed her Honours BSc in Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour at McMaster University and her MA in the CCAP program at the University of Guelph. Zoe’s Masters’ thesis examined fluctuations in parenting stress and mood lability within day-to-day family life. Zoe’s research interests include family-wide emotion dynamics, such as parent-child relationships and the development of child and adolescent psychopathology, as well as relations between therapeutic processes and outcomes. Zoe has received SSHRC funding to support her MA and PhD research.
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Sadie McVey Neufeld
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Sadie is a Ph.D. Candidate in the Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology (CCAP) program. Prior to graduate school, she completed her Honours Bachelor's degree in the interdisciplinary Arts & Science program at McMaster University with a Minor in Psychology. Following this, she worked as the Laboratory Coordinator of the Child Emotion Lab at McMaster University for several years, where she worked closely with children, adolescents, and families through several large-scale research projects. Sadie's research interests center on family emotion dynamics in both community and clinical samples, particularly in the context of emotional synchrony between family members. Using a treatment-seeking sample, Sadie's dissertation will aim to explore biobehavioural synchrony between parents and children over time and in relation to children receiving psychotherapeutic intervention. Sadie's M.A. and Ph.D. research has been funded by SSHRC and OGS.
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Linda-Paola Sosa Hernandez
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Linda Sosa Hernandez is a second-year Ph.D. student in the Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology program at the University of Guelph. She holds a Master’s degree in Developmental Psychology from the University of Waterloo and a Bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Science from the University of Guelph. Her research examines how social relationships shape children’s and adolescents’ socioemotional development and mental health, with a focus on understanding the processes that foster resilience and heighten risk. Linda is passionate about bridging research and clinical practice to strengthen emotion regulation skills and social connectedness in youth. She is also committed to community-engaged work through partnerships with organizations such as the Grove Youth Wellness Hubs and Immigrant Services. Her research has been supported by the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship, SSHRC Canada Graduate Scholarship, Ontario Graduate Scholarship, and Brock Doctoral Scholarship.
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Natasha Vogel
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Natasha is in the second year of her PhD in the Neuroscience and Cognitive Science (NACS) program. Natasha also has an Honours Bachelor's degree in Psychology and Neuroscience with a minor in Biology from Wilfrid Laurier University. Natasha’s primary research focus examines cognitive factors (i.e., attention, cognitive flexibility, memory) that influence emotion regulation strategy effectiveness in children and adolescents. For her dissertation, she is also exploring the how children and adolescents identify and regulate co-occurring emotions. Natasha's doctoral research is funded by a SSHRC Canadian Graduate Scholarship.
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Katie Frankiewicz
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Katie is a second-year master's student in the Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology program at the University of Guelph. She completed undergraduate degrees in Biomedical Toxicology and Psychology from the same university. Before joining the CCAP program, Katie worked as a coordinator for the Supporting Youth Development Lab and a manager for the Child Emotion and Mental Health Lab. Her research is driven by a passion for understanding evidence-based mental health treatments for children and adolescents, with a particular focus on the role of the family and factors influencing treatment effectiveness. For her master's thesis, she is examining how parents engage in a 6-week parent-focused mental health treatment for their children, Emotion Focused Family Therapy (EFFT), and whether engagement is related to parenting outcomes or influenced by contextual factors. Katie has received SSHRC and OGS funding to support her master's research.
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Kate Jamieson
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Kate Jamieson is a first year Master’s student in the Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology (CCAP) Program. She completed her Honours BSc in Integrated Science with a specialization in Psychology, Neuroscience, and Behaviour at McMaster University. Following this, she worked as research staff with the Offord Centre for Child Studies focused on evaluating and improving mental health and neurodevelopmental health systems and increasing the use of evidence-based practices on a community, provincial, and national level. Kate’s research interests include family wide emotional dynamics and emotional regulation, with a particular focus on the role of siblings. Kate is also committed to integrating knowledge translation and community-engaged approaches to her research.
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Undergraduate Students
Grace Parker
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Grace recently graduated from the University of Guelph where she obtained an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology with a minor in Sociology. During her undergraduate degree, she completed an honours thesis under the supervision of Dr. Thomassin, which investigated parental psychopathology and stress as moderators of Emotion Focused Family Therapy (EFFT). This work strengthened her interest in the processes that shape child and family mental health, as well as evidence-based treatments for mental health concerns in children. Currently, Grace is working as a psychometrist at a private psychological practice, specializing in clinical assessments of children presenting with diverse mental health and academic concerns. Her experience administering and interpreting psychological tests has further solidified her passion for supporting children and adolescents in a clinical setting. Within the CEMH Lab, Grace works as a volunteer research assistant, where she helps run EFFT assessments with families and children. She holds a strong interest in children’s mental health and in understanding how sociological and environmental contexts shape emotional well-being. In the future, Grace hopes to pursue graduate studies in Clinical Psychology, with a focus on children and adolescents. Now continuing her third year in the CEMH Lab, Grace is eager to continue contributing to projects that promote compassionate, effective care for youth and families.
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Chelsea Vance
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Chelsea is a recent graduate who majored in Psychology, she has a strong interest in emotion regulation and family systems. She plans to pursue graduate studies in Social Work. Early in her undergraduate degree, Chelsea volunteered with Student Accessibility Services (SAS) as both a peer helper and the guiding coordinator. She has been actively involved in research across multiple labs, completing an independent research project in the Child Development Research Unit in Fall 2024, where she continues to volunteer as a research assistant (Summer 2024, Winter 2025, Fall 2025). In Winter 2025, she completed an advanced independent research project in the CEMH Lab. Last summer (S25) Chelsea worked in the lab through a URA. She recently completed her thesis with the FACES project. She looks forward to continuing to expand her research experience and involvment with the lab.
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Carter Janssen
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Carter recently graduated from the University of Guelph (UofG) where he obtained an Honours Bachelor of Arts with a major in Psychology. During his undergrad, Carter completed two independent research projects and an honours thesis in Dr. C. Meghan McMurtry’s Pediatric Pain, Health, and Communication (PPHC) Lab. His experiences investigating various topics related to chronic and acute pain sparked a passion for conducting youth-oriented research through a clinical lens. Carter has also spent two years volunteering as a Peer Support Counsellor at UofG, and has recently become a Crisis Responder with KidsHelpPhone. He aspires to obtain a master’s and PhD in Clinical Psychology, and lead a career that involves conducting research and providing care to pediatric populations. He is interested in investigating communication strategies within caregiver-child dyads that seek to positively influence youth's psychological outcomes. Carter hopes to have a positive impact on his community, by supporting youth and their caregivers, while helping to foster environments that emphasize compassion and understanding. He looks forward to joining the CEMH Lab and continuing to learn, grow, and contribute to meaningful research being conducted at UofG.
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Miranda Halfyard
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Miranda is a fourth-year undergraduate Honours Psychology student with a minor in Cinema and Media Studies. Previous experience working with children in a variety of positions has ignited a passion for youth mental health. In particular, she is interested in the provision of evidence-based support for youth experiencing developmental disorders and behavioural challenges. In the future, Miranda intends to pursue graduate studies in Clinical psychology to further explore these interests and their practical applications. Miranda has completed two independent research projects in the CEMH Lab under Dr. Thomassin's supervision and is eager to continue deepening her skillset as volunteer in the lab.
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Skade Fernando
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Skade recently graduated from McMaster University with a BSc in Honours Psychology, Neuroscience and Behaviour. During her undergraduate career, she developed a strong passion for child development, focusing on how parent-child interactions shape behaviours and emotion regulation. She aims to pursue graduate studies in Clinical Child Psychology to further investigate these dynamics and explore resilience-building in underrepresented groups. Skade is eager to expand her curiosity and research interests in family systems and child development within the CEMH lab and looks forward to contributing to its exciting projects.
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Rachel Marrows
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Rachel is a fourth-year Honours Psychology student with a minor in Child and Family Studies. She is passionate about child development and learning about effective, evidence-based ways to support youth. She aspires to become a clinical psychologist, with a focus on improving mental health outcomes for children and adolescents. Her interests are shaped by her hands-on experiences working at a youth centre and volunteering in child-focused research settings. She completed an independent research project in the Child Development Research Unit in Fall 2024 and continues to volunteer there as a research assistant. She is excited to join the CEMH lab and continue building her research skills while contributing to meaningful work that supports youth and families.
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Jessie Cardinal
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Jessie is a fourth-year undergraduate student majoring in Honours Psychology. She hopes to pursue graduate studies in Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology. Jessie developed her interest in the field through a range of volunteer roles, including serving as a Volunteer Mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters Guelph and completing a two-year term as President of Starts With Youth, a University of Guelph club that supports survivors of childhood trauma. She is now focused on expanding both the depth and breadth of her research experience through an NSERC-funded USRA position (Summer 2026) and an Honours Thesis under the supervision of Dr. Thomassin (Fall 2026). She also volunteers as a Research Assistant in the Resilient Youth Research Group, led by Dr. Margaret Lumley. Her research interests focus on how family-wide emotion dynamics shape child development, as well as the role of trauma in socioemotional functioning.
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Eva Gavrilov
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Eva is a second-year undergraduate student, majoring in Honors Psychology with a minor in Computer and Information Science. She aspires to become a Clinical Psychologist, with an emphasis on supporting youth with complex mental health struggles. Previously, she worked at Kumon as a teaching assistant, aiding students’ facing academic challenges, those with exceptional learning abilities, and language barriers. This experience has ignited a passion for adolescent mental health, particularly in the role of parental mental health socialization and culture on adolescent emotion regulation/dysregulation. She hopes to explore these themes further and make a meaningful, long-lasting impact in the field. Eva is excited to start her research journey with the CEMH lab and hopes to further her knowledge through the through the completion of an independent research project.
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Avery Wilson
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Avery is a third-year undergraduate student, majoring in Honours Psychology with a minor in Family and Child Studies at the University of Guelph. She is passionate about working with children and has a strong interest in gaining more experience with child development and behavioural issues. She hopes to pursue her master's degree in a psychology-related field upon completing her undergraduate degree. She has a great amount of experience working with children of various ages as a competitive swim coach, swim instructor, and volunteer with an entry-to-school program for children with ASD. She is excited to begin her journey in the field of research and gain experience through an independent research project under the supervision of Dr. Thomassin. She is eager to join the CEMH lab and is looking forward to gaining more knowledge and experience in emotional development and making a meaningful contribution to the lab’s ongoing work.
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Katelyn DeBrouwer
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Katelyn DeBrouwer is a fourth-year undergraduate student majoring in Psychology with a minor in Neuroscience at the University of Guelph. Her academic interests focus on memory and emotion, particularly how emotional processes influence attention, encoding, and retrieval. She is currently completing an advanced independent study in the lab and conducting her undergraduate thesis under the supervision of Dr. Christopher Fiacconi. She plans to pursue graduate training in psychology and looks forward to continuing to expand her research experience and involvement with the lab.
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Vanessa Testa
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My name is Vanessa Testa. I am a second-year undergraduate student in the Honours Co-op Psychology program at the University of Guelph. I aspire to become a child psychologist in a clinical setting, promoting childhood mental health interventions. My goal is to help children understand and face their emotions rather than hide from them. Through my experience volunteering with Pathstone Mental Health, I have practiced supporting children as they reintegrate into society and work to overcome adversities. My work as a summer camp counsellor and my co -op placement at Noah’s Ark Childcare have further solidified my interest in supporting child development. I look forward to joining the CEMH Lab to gain experience, knowledge, and a deeper appreciation for the work that goes on behind the scenes in supporting our youth.
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Sydney Larche
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Syd completed her Honours Psychology degree at the University of Guelph in 2025. She conducted an honours thesis under the supervision of Dr. Stephanie Craig, examining deliberate self-harm and suicidality among adolescents with primary and secondary callous-unemotional (CU) traits, before stepping into the role of Lab Coordinator for the Supporting Youth Development Lab. Syd also works as a mentor for underserved youth at Park Street Education and volunteers as a facilitator at The Nightingale Centre for Grieving Children, Youth, & Families. She hopes to pursue graduate studies in clinical psychology, where she can further investigate how family dynamics influence the development of complex behaviours in youth and adolescents. Syd is eager to diversify her research experience in the CEMH Lab.
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Shayla Basiuk
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Shayla is a third-year undergraduate student completing a Bachelor of Arts in Honours Psychology at the University of Guelph. She plans to pursue graduate studies in Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology and is interested in supporting youth experiencing emotional and behavioural challenges. Her research interests focus on how children and adolescents understand, express, and regulate emotions, as well as how family relationships and interaction patterns influence mental health and development. Shayla’s interests are shaped by her applied work as a Junior Facilitator providing Applied Behaviour Analysis therapy to children with autism, where she delivers individualized programming to support communication, social engagement, and self-regulation. She also volunteers at Homewood Health Centre, offering one-on-one support to individuals in acute mental health care, which has strengthened her interest in trauma-informed and relationship-based approaches to care. In the upcoming semester, Shayla will complete her undergraduate thesis under the supervision of Laura MacDiarmid, exploring how emotional experiences and perceptions of accountability unfold within restorative justice processes involving youth. She is looking forward to contributing to the Child Emotion & Mental Health Lab as a research assistant and further developing her interests in emotion processes, family dynamics, and youth mental health.
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Stephanie Short
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Stephanie is an upcoming third-year undergraduate student majoring in Psychology with a minor in Neuroscience at the University of Guelph. She also holds a Bachelor of Applied Arts in Media & Communications from the University of Guelph-Humber. Her passion for mental health motivated her to pursue a second degree in psychology, with a particular interest in researching the pathology of mental health disorders and understanding how early childhood experiences shape emotional well-being and development. Her long-term goal is to become a clinical psychologist and support individuals through evidence-based care and research. Stephanie is eager to further develop her research skills through her work with the CEMH Lab and is looking forward to deepening her understanding of mental health, youth development, and psychological research in a collaborative environment.
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Alisa Ivanovskaya
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Alisa Ivanovskaya is a fourth-year Honours Psychology student at the University of Guelph with plans to pursue graduate studies in Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology. Her research interests focus on emotional development, self-regulation, behavioural challenges, and evidence-based interventions that support child and youth mental health. She currently works as a Research Assistant in Dr. Basem Gohar’s lab, contributing to studies examining the experiences and mental health of CMHA workers, and as a Research Associate with Starts With Youth Club. Alisa also volunteers at Homewood Health Centre and previously worked as an Early Childhood Educator Assistant, experiences that have strengthened her interest in supporting youth mental health through research and clinical practice. In the coming year, Alisa will complete her undergraduate honours thesis under the supervision of Dr. Samantha Burns, examining educator-mediated interventions for reducing externalizing behaviours in young children. She is excited to be part of the lab and continue developing her skills as an emerging researcher and clinician.
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Collaborators
Dr. Maria Pavlova
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Maria Pavlova, PhD, C.Psych, is an Assistant Professor in the Clinical Child and Adolescent Program at the University of Guelph. Dr. Pavlova received a PhD in Clinical Psychology from the University of Calgary (2023) and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Ottawa.
Dr. Pavlova’s research program examines the intersection of pain and trauma, with a focus on child maltreatment, and ways to support parent-child dyads in processing these distressing experiences to prevent the development of traumatic stress. |
Meghan Benchimol
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Meghan is a fourth-year undergraduate Honours Bachelor of Science student pursuing a double major in Biological Sciences and Psychology. Her academic path reflects a strong interest in the intersection of these disciplines, with a particular emphasis on how biological and psychological factors interact during childhood and adolescence. Previously, Meghan investigated the relationship between resilience factors and pain in adolescents with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) at the SickKids Research Institute. At the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Meghan examined the clinical decision-making process for psychosocial treatments for children with externalizing behaviours. These experiences have sparked an interest in the complex connection between pain and psychological well-being. Meghan hopes to bridge the gap between physical and mental health perspectives through future research. She aims to contribute to individualized and holistic approaches for supporting children and adolescents with chronic illness and mental health challenges.
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Carlota Sousa
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Carlota is a fourth-year Honours Psychology student minoring in Creative Writing. She is currently a research assistant for Dr. Pavlova, examining parent-child interactions in early childhood. Specifically, Carlota is investigating parental validating and invalidating behaviours across various emotional experiences, and the implications of those behaviours on several child outcomes. She recently completed an Undergraduate Research Assistantship (URA) with Dr. Pavlova in Summer 2025, beginning her research in parental (in)validation and parent-child communication. Throughout the URA, she also worked on a variety of literature reviews, and aided in ethics and grant applications.
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David Summantry
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Bio Coming Soon
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Lab Alumni
Graduate
Name |
Current Position |
Jessica Seddon (MSc) |
Current PhD Student in the lab |
Camille Guerin Marion (MA) |
Unknown |
Chelsea Reaume (MA) |
Current PhD Student in the lab |
Leah Sack (MA) |
Current PhD Student in the lab |
Sadie McVey Neufeld (MA) |
Current PhD Student in the lab |
Zoe Weidman (MA) |
Current PhD Student in the lab |
Linda-Paola Sosa Hernandez (MA) |
Current PhD Student in the lab |
Natasha Vogel (MSc) |
Current PhD Student in the lab |
Rita Abdel-Baki |
Works in Dvelopmental Pediatrics and Rehabilitation at McMaster Children's Hospital and a private practice as a Psychologist |
Undergraduate Honours
Name |
Current Position |
Gillian Rourke |
MA student at York University |
Anastasia Taskov |
Research Assistant at University Health Network |
Brianna Hogan |
Social Work student at York University |
Megan Nesbitt |
Unknown |
Myriam Venasse |
MSc (University of Ottawa), Project Officer at Statistics Canada |
Elise Quint |
MD student at Western University |
Taylor MacIntosh |
MA student at University of Ottawa |
Emma Carter |
Unknown |
Emilie Proulx |
PsyD student at Universite du Quebec |
Hilary Skov |
Research Coordinator at Harvard University, PhD student at Tulane University |
Sofia Do Rosario |
ABA Therapist at Surrey Place |
Madeleine Alie |
Education Coordinator at Oxford Learning Centres |
Nida Ansari |
MSc Student at University of Guelph |
Ella Rigby |
Unknown |
Abbey Drew |
MA student at Western University |
Claudia Laver |
MSW student at the University of British Columbia |
Danielle Koomans |
Works at a mental health and addiction rehab |
Charlotte Funston |
Child and Youth Worker at Evolving Youth Care |
Leah Bogatie |
Assistant Supervisor & Educator at Gan Chabad Preschool |
Montana Lilly |
MA student at University of Windsor |
Cole Spagnuolo |
Unknown |
Undergraduate RA
Name |
Current Position |
Brooklyn Clifford |
Unknown |
Brianne Gayfer |
Unknown |
Kelsey Seguin |
MA student at University of Ottawa |
Sage Sezlik |
Unknown |
Oana Bucsea |
PhD student at York University |
Cavan Pollard |
Canadian Armed Forces |
Marie Helene Drolet |
Unknown |
Nereah Felix |
Unknown |
Morgan Oda |
Unknown |
Dyana Castillo |
Unknown |
Samantha Kenny |
Unknown |
Julia Belloni |
Unknown |
Katherine Bailey |
MD/ MSc student at University of Toronto |
Alexandra Moyssakos |
Nursing student at University of Toronto |
Joanne Thieu |
Unknown |
Matthew Polo |
Unknown |
Angela Fernando |
Unknown |
Sejal Katyal |
Unknown |
Abbey Drew |
MA student at Western University |
Claudia Laver |
MSW student at University of British Columbia |
Ana Ljujic |
MASc student at University of Waterloo |
Nida Ansari |
MSc student at University of Guelph |
Sofia Calabrese |
Undergraduate Student at University of Guelph |
Amelia Luzy-Kosher |
MPEd at Western University |
Charlotte Funston |
Child and Youth Worker at Evolving Youth Care |
Justin Louis Hiplito |
MSc student at Mcmaster University |
Alesandra Mangialardi |
MA student at University of Guelph |
Brianna Sgambati |
Completing BEd in Elementary Eduation |
Evelyn Balfour |
Current undergrad student at University of Guelph |
Emma Kueneman |
Unknown |
Halle Brophy |
Current MA student at Mount St. Vincent University |
Staff
Name and Position |
Current Position |
Stephanie Dagg, Lab Coordinator |
M.Psych Student at Adler Professional Graduate School, Mobile Mental Health and Addictions Clinician at CMHA |
Kate Lupo-Flewelling, Lab Coordinator |
M.Sc. Student in School and Applied Child Psychology at University of Calgary |
Jessica Punn, Project Coordinator |
Unknown |
Jackie Strimas - Child and Adolescent Therapist |
Unknown |