Our Team

Research Team

  • Jessica Caferri

    LAB MANAGER

    Jessica is in her final year at York University, pursuing a Specialized Honours Bachelor of Science in Psychology. She is particularly interested in family dynamics, brief interventions to support families, the impact of parents on children’s mental health, and sexuality in couples and relationships. Looking ahead, Jessica plans to pursue graduate studies in counselling or clinical psychology. Outside of her academic work, she enjoys baking, reading, and walking her dog.

  • Liana Coutinho

    LAB COORDINATOR

    Liana has recently graduated with a B.A. in Honours Psychology from York University. She plans to pursue her Master’s and PhD in Clinical Developmental Psychology. Her main research interests include co-occurring disorders (i.e., mood disorders and substance use), traumatic experiences, and sleep-related difficulties in adolescents. In her free time, Liana enjoys reading, playing with her cat, trying new cafes, and hanging out with friends and family!

  • Kirruthikah Vadivel

    LAB COORDINATOR

    Kirruthikah has recently graduated with a B.A. in Honours Psychology from the University of Waterloo. She plans to pursue her Masters and PhD in Developmental Clinical Psychology. Her main research interests include how young learners reason about causality and their judgements about functionality. In her free time, Kirruthikah enjoys reading, watching movies, and spending time with her family and friends!

  • Jadyn Williams

    LAB COORDINATOR

    Jadyn recently graduated with an Honours Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Neuroscience from Wilfrid Laurier University. Her research interests center on emotion regulation, mindfulness, and the development of interventions and strategies that equip individuals to adaptively manage their emotions across diverse situations. Jadyn plans to pursue her master’s and PhD in clinical psychology, with the ultimate goal of integrating research and practice in her future career. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, crocheting, and taking her cats for walks outside.

  • Kira Fletcher

    MEDIA LEAD

    Kira is enrolled in her final year of undergraduate study at the University of Guelph-Humber’s Honours Bachelor of Applied Science Psychology Program. Currently, she serves as a Junior RA and workshop coordinator. She is hoping to pursue a Master’s and Ph.D. In Clinical Psychology, as she is passionate about research. Her research interests include Mental health illnesses, treatment modalities, social and criminal behaviour, memory, and trauma and intervention strategies. She is interested in client-centred therapies as she has a passion for guiding people to their fullest potential.

  • Amanda Fernandes

    RESEARCH ASSISTANT

    Amanda is enrolled in her final year of the Honours Psychology Bachelor of Science program at York University. Her research interests include developmental psychology, knowledge dissemination, and childhood adversity. She aims to pursue a Ph.D. in clinical psychology, and to be an advocate for mental health. In her free time, Amanda likes to go on walks, bake, and explore new places.

  • Alyssa Nguyen

    RESEARCH ASSISTANT

    Alyssa is enrolled in her third year of Honours B.A, dual majoring in Psychology (Research Intensive Spec) and Legal Studies, with a minor in Neuroscience, at the University of Waterloo. Her research interests include parent-child relationship dynamics, specifically their influence on emotional regulation and decision-making. Alyssa plans to pursue a master’s degree in Forensic Psychology or Developmental Psychology. In her free time, Alyssa enjoys playing video games and cuddling her cats named Miso and Tofu.

  • Amy Zucchetti

    RESEARCH ASSISTANT

    Amy is in her 5th and final year of studies at the University of Toronto Mississauga, working towards an Honours Bachelor of Science in Psychology. After she graduates, she plans to pursue clinical training at the graduate level. She is interested in close relationship (e.g. romantic, parent-child) dynamics and how those relationships relate to individuals’ mental health and outcomes in therapy. In her free time, she loves to bake, visit cat cafés, and spend time with friends and family!

  • Priamdha (Priya) Sharma

    RESEARCH ASSISTANT

    Priamdha is a University of Toronto Mississauga alumna, who holds a Bachelor of Science in Life Sciences with a double major in Biology and Psychology. She plans to pursue a thesis-based master’s degree in counselling, followed by a PhD, with the goal of becoming a psychologist. Her research interests include trauma and PTSD, culturally responsive mental health interventions, systemic inequities, and supporting the healing of marginalized communities. Outside of her academic and professional career, she enjoys weightlifting, painting, reading, cooking, and spending time socializing with others.

Daylia Fairley

RESEARCH ASSISTANT

Daylia recently graduated with a B.A.Sc (Honors) in Applied Psychology and Human Behaviour from McMaster University. She plans to pursue a Master’s program in Clinical Psychology, and continue to the Ph.D level. Her research interests are focused on obsessive-compulsive disorder and social functioning (e.g. romantic relationships), as well as how trauma influences the psychopathology of OCD, particularly in children and adolescents. Outside of academics, Daylia enjoys crocheting, reading, and travel.

Research Associates

  • Liz Enoh-Takor

    Liz is in her final year of her final year of study at the University of Guelph-Humber, pursuing an Honours BASc in Psychology. Once she completes her undergraduate studies, Liz plans to pursue her Masters and PhD in Developmental Clinical Psychology in hopes of becoming a Developmental Clinical Psychologist. Her research interests include traumatic experiences and coping mechanisms within children and adolescents, as well as the use of music as a coping mechanism during stressful events. During her free time Liz enjoys reading, travelling and learning about ancient mythology.

  • Shania Hossain

    Shania has recently graduated with a B.A. in Honours Psychology from Toronto Metropolitan University. Her research interests include childhood trauma, therapeutic outcomes, stigma in marginalized communities, addiction, and concurrent mental health concerns such as depression, anxiety, and trauma. She plans to pursue a master’s and PhD in clinical psychology, with the goal of contributing to research and clinical work that supports underserved populations. In her free time, Shania enjoys watching movies and obsessing over Liverpool FC.

  • Ruby Kagan

    Ruby is in her fourth year at York University, completing her Specialized Honours in Psychology. Her primary research interests center on the etiology and treatment of body image, over-exercise, eating-related concerns, and their comorbidities. In addition to the ETI lab, Ruby is a co-investigator in an experimental study examining the relationship between social media consumption, self-esteem, body satisfaction, and eating habits. She aspires to continue her studies in clinical counselling psychology, where she aims to contribute to better prevention and improved treatment outcomes. In her free time, she enjoys practicing and teaching yoga, pilates, dancing, travelling, and singing. She hopes to one day blend healing somatic movement practices with innovative psychotherapeutic tools to deliver more holistic mental health care. 

  • Alisa Torchia

    Alisa is a recent graduate of York University’s Honours Psychology program. Her goal is to pursue a Master’s and Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology as she is passionate about research and practicing therapy. Although her research interests vary, she is interested in child and adolescent psychopathology, understanding developmental and psychological outcomes following trauma and interventions for children and adolescents with various mental health conditions. In her free time, Alisa enjoys reading books, spending time with her friends and family and discovering new hobbies!

  • Mariana Valente

    Mariana is a dedicated, resilient, and mature student who is embarking on her academic journey toward a second degree. In her final year of the Specialized Honours Program in Psychology, she is passionate about understanding the workings of the human mind and behaviour. Motivated to make a meaningful impact, Mariana aspires to become a Clinical Developmental Psychologist. She has an interest in working with children and adolescents who have experienced trauma. Recognizing the impact of early life experiences, she is driven to contribute to the well-being of young individuals navigating challenging circumstances.

  • Sierrah A. Hamilton

    Sierrah recently graduated from York University, where she completed the Specialized Honours Psychology Bachelor of Arts program. She's deeply involved in several projects here at the lab, including developing our Nonverbal Behaviour Observation (NBO) form and supporting the initiation of the Dyadic EFT-Y study. Her research interests center on relational health, particularly within couples and families. Sierrah is now completing her MA/PhD in Clinical Psychology at the University of Victoria. In her free time, she loves to go on adventures with friends and binge Netflix with her cat Cleo.

  • Michelle Park

    Michelle recently graduated from York University with a Specialized Honours degree in Psychology. Her Honours Thesis examined the potential for untrained observers’ ratings of client resistance during short therapy video clips to predict therapy outcome expectations. Michelle is keen to continue refining her research skills while exploring her interests in trauma, coping, emotion regulation, suicide, and the use of nonverbal and paralinguistic behaviour to understand the theory of mind. Her clinical work includes supporting individuals in crisis at the Kids Help Phone Crisis Text Line and Distress Centers of Greater Toronto. Michelle’s career goal is to work as a registered Clinical Psychologist to provide psychotherapy and conduct clinical research to inform interventions to improve mental health outcomes.