{"id":536,"date":"2023-04-07T18:06:45","date_gmt":"2023-04-07T22:06:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sites.psychlabs.ryerson.ca\/template1\/?page_id=536"},"modified":"2024-08-04T17:37:44","modified_gmt":"2024-08-04T21:37:44","slug":"people","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/psychlabs.torontomu.ca\/arcai\/about-us\/people\/","title":{"rendered":"People"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-page\" data-elementor-id=\"536\" class=\"elementor elementor-536\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-6d9297d elementor-section-content-middle page-heading elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"6d9297d\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-985423d\" data-id=\"985423d\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-4ff5737 elementor-section-content-middle elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"4ff5737\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-30ac95c\" data-id=\"30ac95c\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0a0503d elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"0a0503d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">The Lab Team<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b1293cc elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"b1293cc\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Meet our dedicated team<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-b15c7e8\" data-id=\"b15c7e8\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ace781d elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"ace781d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"445\" src=\"https:\/\/psychlabs.torontomu.ca\/arcai\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2023\/04\/hero_lab_philosophy-768x445.png\" class=\"attachment-medium_large size-medium_large wp-image-518\" alt=\"Illustration of four people looking at abstract data on a white board\" srcset=\"https:\/\/psychlabs.torontomu.ca\/arcai\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2023\/04\/hero_lab_philosophy-768x445.png 768w, https:\/\/psychlabs.torontomu.ca\/arcai\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2023\/04\/hero_lab_philosophy-300x174.png 300w, https:\/\/psychlabs.torontomu.ca\/arcai\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2023\/04\/hero_lab_philosophy-1024x594.png 1024w, https:\/\/psychlabs.torontomu.ca\/arcai\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2023\/04\/hero_lab_philosophy-190x110.png 190w, https:\/\/psychlabs.torontomu.ca\/arcai\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2023\/04\/hero_lab_philosophy.png 1137w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-a25be9f no-dots elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"a25be9f\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-d37d5db\" data-id=\"d37d5db\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4532ee1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"4532ee1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">People<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7d8fec3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"7d8fec3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The Advancing Research for Culturally Aligned Interventions is directed by Dr. Fiona Thomas, and is staffed by students at various levels of training, including undergraduate, post-graduate, masters, and doctoral. In addition, lab staff include a number of volunteer research assistants.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7a0da6a elementor-widget elementor-widget-shortcode\" data-id=\"7a0da6a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"shortcode.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-shortcode\"><ul class=\"team-filters clean\"><li class=\"active\" data-filter=\"all\">All Members<\/li><li data-filter=\"principal-investigator\" class=\"no-redirect\">Principal Investigator<\/li><li data-filter=\"graduate-students\" class=\"no-redirect\">Graduate Students<\/li><li data-filter=\"lab-coordinator\" class=\"no-redirect\">Lab Coordinator<\/li><li data-filter=\"research-assistants\" class=\"no-redirect\">Research Assistants<\/li><li data-filter=\"thesis-student\" class=\"no-redirect\">Thesis Students<\/li><li data-filter=\"alumni\" class=\"no-redirect\">Alumni<\/li><\/ul><div class=\"team-grid \"><div class=\"team-grid-item filter-all filter-principal-investigator\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"316\" height=\"341\" src=\"https:\/\/psychlabs.torontomu.ca\/arcai\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2023\/09\/Fiona_Thomas_2022_018_Web-316x341.jpg\" class=\"attachment-team size-team wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" \/><p class=\"role-title\">Lab Director<\/p><p class=\"team-name\">Dr. Fiona Thomas<\/p><p>Areas of Expertise: Culturally-informed clinical practice; community-engaged research; PTSD; qualitative and mixed-method research; implementation science<\/p><div class=\"post-content hide\"><p><b>Biography<\/b><\/p>\n<p>Dr. Thomas is an assistant professor of Psychology at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU), specifically with research and teaching interests in\u00a0culturally-informed clinical practice. She earned her PhD in Clinical Psychology from the Department of Psychology at TMU and MSc from the London School of Economics and Political Science in Health, Community and Development. Additionally, she completed her predoctoral residency with the London Clinical Psychology Residency Consortium and a postdoctoral fellowship in implementation science and evidence-based trauma interventions on a joint project between\u00a0labs at Stanford University and TMU.<\/p>\n<p>Dr. Thomas\u2019 research examines culturally-responsive and sustainable mental health interventions locally and globally, focused on addressing structural inequities and reducing mental health disparities among marginalized communities. She works toward improving current systems of care by using multiple methodologies (e.g., qualitative, quantitative, participatory) with diverse stakeholders to understand the interconnections and complexity of factors that influence psychopathology. A nascent research area includes adapting, implementing, and disseminating evidence-based protocols to better fit families and communities impacted by social upheaval and multigenerational traumas.<\/p>\n<p>In collaboration with researchers locally (e.g., Toronto), regionally (e.g., United States) and globally (e.g., Sri Lanka, Nepal), Dr. Thomas\u2019 works at the nexus of clinical and public health interventions. Her research has been funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC; Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship), the RBC Immigrant Diversity and Inclusion Project, and Michael Smith Foreign Study Supplement (SSHRC).<\/p>\n<\/div><p><a class=\"more target-modal\" href=\"https:\/\/psychlabs.torontomu.ca\/arcai\/team\/principal-investigator\/\">Learn more<\/a><\/p><\/div><div class=\"team-grid-item filter-all filter-graduate-students\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"316\" height=\"341\" src=\"https:\/\/psychlabs.torontomu.ca\/arcai\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2023\/03\/mandy-316x341.jpg\" class=\"attachment-team size-team wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" \/><p class=\"role-title\">PhD Student<\/p><p class=\"team-name\">Mandy Wu<\/p><div class=\"post-content hide\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Hi, my name is Yufei (Mandy) Wu and I\u2019m an incoming PhD 1 student in the Clinical Psychology program at TMU! I was born and raised in Beijing and spent the last 7 years in Montreal completing a BA (Honours) in Psychology and MSc in Cultural Psychiatry at McGill University. I also do illustrations on the side and enjoy frequenting cafes, bakeries, and ice cream parlors around the world!<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div><p><a class=\"more target-modal\" href=\"https:\/\/psychlabs.torontomu.ca\/arcai\/team\/team-member-1\/\">Learn more<\/a><\/p><\/div><div class=\"team-grid-item filter-all filter-graduate-students\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"316\" height=\"341\" src=\"https:\/\/psychlabs.torontomu.ca\/arcai\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2024\/01\/IMG00832-316x341.jpg\" class=\"attachment-team size-team wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" \/><p class=\"role-title\">PhD Student<\/p><p class=\"team-name\">Sofia Melendez Ron<\/p><div class=\"post-content hide\"><p>Sofia Melendez Ron (M.A. from Toronto Metropolitan University; M.Ed. from Queen\u2019s University; BSc.H. from Queen\u2019s University) is a Ph.D. student in Clinical Psychology at Toronto Metropolitan University. Sofia hails from Western Mexico, a land shared by the Wix\u00e1rika, Coca, and Tecuexe Pueblos Originarios.<\/p>\n<p>For almost a decade, Sofia has facilitated projects that support culturally and racially diverse queer, trans, and nonbinary people. Their SSHRC-funded research aims to build better lives for trans and nonbinary people by transforming training for mental health clinicians. She is collaborating with other genderqueer, trans, and nonbinary people to create case studies for mental health clinicians to learn about gender inclusivity and gender affirmation through an intersectional lens.<\/p>\n<p>Sofia is a Vanier Scholar and a recipient of various scholarships including the Ontario Women\u2019s Health Scholars Master\u2019s Award, the Joseph Armand Bombardier Master\u2019s Canada Graduate Scholarship, and the Jean Royce Fellowship. Outside of school and clinic, Sofia can be found dancing to traditional Mexican music, learning to sow, and spending time with their familia.<\/p>\n<\/div><p><a class=\"more target-modal\" href=\"https:\/\/psychlabs.torontomu.ca\/arcai\/team\/sofia-melendez-ron\/\">Learn more<\/a><\/p><\/div><div class=\"team-grid-item filter-all filter-graduate-students\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"316\" height=\"341\" src=\"https:\/\/psychlabs.torontomu.ca\/arcai\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2025\/03\/IMG_7703-316x341.jpg\" class=\"attachment-team size-team wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" \/><p class=\"role-title\">PhD Student<\/p><p class=\"team-name\">Sandhya Narikuzhy<\/p><div class=\"post-content hide\"><p>Sandhya Narikuzhy is a clinical Neuroscience PhD candidate at McMaster University. She currently studies trauma, PTSD, dissociation, and minority stress using mixed-methods and fMRI techniques. Considering her passion for advancing culturally informed psychological care and assessments, Sandhya will be pursuing another doctoral degree in clinical psychology at McMaster University (research and clinical training stream), focusing on anxiety-related disorders and intervention research. Sandhya\u2019s role in the ARCAI lab will be to assist the OSP project, helping with the qualitative arm of the study. Outside of school and work, Sandhya enjoys working out, practicing hot-yoga, playing with her cat, reading a good book (if she\u2019s not too tired), rewatching harry potter movies, and hanging out with her family and friends!<\/p>\n<\/div><p><a class=\"more target-modal\" href=\"https:\/\/psychlabs.torontomu.ca\/arcai\/team\/sandhya-narikuzhy\/\">Learn more<\/a><\/p><\/div><div class=\"team-grid-item filter-all filter-graduate-students\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"316\" height=\"341\" src=\"https:\/\/psychlabs.torontomu.ca\/arcai\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2023\/09\/image000000-e1694745864336-316x341.jpg\" class=\"attachment-team size-team wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" \/><p class=\"role-title\">MA Student<\/p><p class=\"team-name\">Katherine McGuire<\/p><div class=\"post-content hide\"><p>Hi, I\u2019m Katherine! I am a master&#8217;s student in the Clinical Psychology graduate program. I graduated with a specialized honours degree in Psychology from York University. I am most interested in understanding how to improve perinatal health and well-being among vulnerable women and strengthen maternal-child relationships. In my free time, I love being outside with my dogs, exploring new places, and reading.<\/p>\n<\/div><p><a class=\"more target-modal\" href=\"https:\/\/psychlabs.torontomu.ca\/arcai\/team\/katherine-mcguire\/\">Learn more<\/a><\/p><\/div><div class=\"team-grid-item filter-all filter-graduate-students\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"316\" height=\"341\" src=\"https:\/\/psychlabs.torontomu.ca\/arcai\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2024\/05\/Screen-Shot-2024-05-30-at-6.33.12-PM-316x341.png\" class=\"attachment-team size-team wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" \/><p class=\"role-title\">MA Student<\/p><p class=\"team-name\">Ahmad Alftieh<\/p><div class=\"post-content hide\"><p>Ahmad is an incoming MA 1 student in the Clinical Psychology program at TMU. He completed<br \/>\nhis Master of Science in Neuroscience (2021) and his Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience and<br \/>\nMental Health with a Minor in Psychology (2019) at Carleton University. His research interests<br \/>\nare centered on understanding and addressing mental health disparities among marginalized<br \/>\npopulations.<br \/>\n\u200b<\/p>\n<p>Ahmad is passionate and actively works to promote Equity, Diversity &amp;amp; Inclusion (EDI) in<br \/>\nacademia and the community. His personal interests include spending time with friends and<br \/>\nfamily (including his two dogs), exploring the outdoors, strength training, soccer, and video<br \/>\ngames.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;It is in your hands to create a better world for all who live in it.&#8221; \u2013 Nelson Mandela.<\/p>\n<\/div><p><a class=\"more target-modal\" href=\"https:\/\/psychlabs.torontomu.ca\/arcai\/team\/ahmad-alftieh\/\">Learn more<\/a><\/p><\/div><div class=\"team-grid-item filter-all filter-lab-coordinator\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"316\" height=\"341\" src=\"https:\/\/psychlabs.torontomu.ca\/arcai\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2023\/09\/Screen-Shot-2023-09-14-at-11.07.26-PM-316x341.png\" class=\"attachment-team size-team wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" \/><p class=\"role-title\">Lab Coordinator <\/p><p class=\"team-name\">Diandra Clarabel<\/p><div class=\"post-content hide\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Diandra Clarabel is in her final year as a committed Bachelor of Arts in Psychology <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">student at Toronto Metropolitan University. Her true passion revolves around being <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">empathetic and providing support to those in need of mental health support. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Diandra\u2019s broad interests encompass combatting the stigma and perceptions of <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">mental health within South Asian communities. She has the desire to obtain the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">qualifications and hands-on experiences that will empower her to make transformative <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">changes in the lives of those who seek solace and growth.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>http:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/diandraclarabel<\/p>\n<\/div><p><a class=\"more target-modal\" href=\"https:\/\/psychlabs.torontomu.ca\/arcai\/team\/diandra-clarabel\/\">Learn more<\/a><\/p><\/div><div class=\"team-grid-item filter-all filter-research-assistants\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"316\" height=\"341\" src=\"https:\/\/psychlabs.torontomu.ca\/arcai\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2023\/03\/IMG_6613-min-scaled-e1694894005296-316x341.jpg\" class=\"attachment-team size-team wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" \/><p class=\"role-title\">Research Assistant<\/p><p class=\"team-name\">Oph\u00e9lie Ng Ha Kwong<\/p><div class=\"post-content hide\"><p>Meet Oph\u00e9lie Ng Ha Kwong, a dedicated psychology research assistant who completed her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at the Toronto Metropolitan University. Oph\u00e9lie\u2019s academic journey and work experience have equipped her with a strong foundation and passion for understanding the complexities of human experience. With proficiency in literature review, qualitative research methods, and data analysis, Oph\u00e9lie has embarked on a journey to contribute to significant research and has actively contributed to the ARCAI lab for more than a year. With an empathetic and research-driven approach, Oph\u00e9lie is committed to promoting mental well-being and aspires to make meaningful contributions in the field of intergenerational trauma to promote a more compassionate and inclusive world.<\/p>\n<\/div><p><a class=\"more target-modal\" href=\"https:\/\/psychlabs.torontomu.ca\/arcai\/team\/ophelie-ng-ha-kwong\/\">Learn more<\/a><\/p><\/div><div class=\"team-grid-item filter-all filter-alumni\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"316\" height=\"341\" src=\"https:\/\/psychlabs.torontomu.ca\/arcai\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2023\/09\/IMG_6553-316x341.jpg\" class=\"attachment-team size-team wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" \/><p class=\"role-title\">Alumni Research Assistant (Volunteer)<\/p><p class=\"team-name\">Lamia Firasta<\/p><div class=\"post-content hide\"><div>Lamia Firasta is an Alumni Research Assistant with the ARCAI Lab. She graduated with her Bachelor of Science in mental health studies at the University of Toronto. She completed her honors thesis with Dr. Sabiston, which explored the relationship between body image and social media behaviors. She has worked as a research assistant in various areas including geriatrics, perinatal mental health and body image. She has previously worked with children as a psychometrist to detect mental health diagnoses. Currently, she is working as a Community-based Researcher at Mothercraft\u2019s Breaking the Cycle. As an aspiring clinical psychologist, she is enthusiastic about improving women\u2019s mental health and providing culturally informed interventions. She has a passion for improving mental health literacy and works outside of research as a mental health advocate, writer and workshop facilitator. In her free time, she enjoys going to the gym, writing poetry, and playing with her pug.<\/div>\n<\/div><p><a class=\"more target-modal\" href=\"https:\/\/psychlabs.torontomu.ca\/arcai\/team\/1298\/\">Learn more<\/a><\/p><\/div><div class=\"team-grid-item filter-all filter-research-assistants\"><div class=\"no-photo\"><p>Photo unavailable<\/p><\/div><p class=\"role-title\">Research Assistant (Volunteer)<\/p><p class=\"team-name\">Prarthna Bhambri<\/p><div class=\"post-content hide\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Prarthna Bhambri (she\/her) is a recent graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in psychology. Having successfully completed her undergraduate studies, she holds a keen interest in investigating trauma within racial and ethnic minority communities, with a particular focus on the South Asian population. Prarthna has taken an active step towards her aspirations by joining the ARCAI lab to cultivate invaluable research experience. She aspires to pursue postgraduate studies in Clinical Psychology.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><p><a class=\"more target-modal\" href=\"https:\/\/psychlabs.torontomu.ca\/arcai\/team\/prarthna-bhambri\/\">Learn more<\/a><\/p><\/div><div class=\"team-grid-item filter-all filter-alumni\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"316\" height=\"341\" src=\"https:\/\/psychlabs.torontomu.ca\/arcai\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2024\/03\/Bee-Lab-316x341.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-team size-team wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" \/><p class=\"role-title\">Alumni Lab Coordinator<\/p><p class=\"team-name\">Bee Goldgruber<\/p><div class=\"post-content hide\"><p>Bee Goldgruber holds a Bachelor&#8217;s of Arts Psychology (Honours) with a Minor in Philosophy from Toronto Metropolitan University. She is passionate about research which works with communities to create actionable change on both macro and micro levels. She is particularly invested in working with trans, non-binary, and gender non-conforming communities.<\/p>\n<\/div><p><a class=\"more target-modal\" href=\"https:\/\/psychlabs.torontomu.ca\/arcai\/team\/bee-goldgruber\/\">Learn more<\/a><\/p><\/div><div class=\"team-grid-item filter-all filter-research-assistants\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"256\" height=\"341\" src=\"https:\/\/psychlabs.torontomu.ca\/arcai\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2024\/10\/Swetha-Suthananthan-L-ab-Photo.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-team size-team wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" \/><p class=\"role-title\">Research Assistant (Volunteer) <\/p><p class=\"team-name\">Swetha Suthananthan<\/p><div class=\"post-content hide\"><div>\n<p>Hi, my name is Swetha Suthananthan (she\/her) and I am in my second year at UTSC completing my Bachelor of Science in Psychology. Coming from a South Asian background, I have a growing interest in further exploring the topics concerning my community, and understanding the deeper purposes of a topic so broad. With the ARCAI lab, I hope to contribute to the scientific community and its participants and as a plus, hope to gain invaluable research experience! In my free time, I enjoy reading novels and manga, and I also like doing crochet!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div><p><a class=\"more target-modal\" href=\"https:\/\/psychlabs.torontomu.ca\/arcai\/team\/swetha-suthananthan\/\">Learn more<\/a><\/p><\/div><div class=\"team-grid-item filter-all filter-thesis-student\"><div class=\"no-photo\"><p>Photo unavailable<\/p><\/div><p class=\"role-title\">Thesis Student <\/p><p class=\"team-name\">David Diao<\/p><div class=\"post-content hide\"><p>David Diao is a 4th-year undergraduate psychology student at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU). Previously he completed a bachelor&#8217;s degree in cognitive science and worked for a year before returning to school. Currently, he is doing an undergraduate thesis with Dr. Thomas at the ARCAI Lab. In his free time, he loves travelling, reading, and taking photographs.<\/p>\n<\/div><p><a class=\"more target-modal\" href=\"https:\/\/psychlabs.torontomu.ca\/arcai\/team\/david-diao\/\">Learn more<\/a><\/p><\/div><div class=\"team-grid-item filter-all filter-research-assistants\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"316\" height=\"341\" src=\"https:\/\/psychlabs.torontomu.ca\/arcai\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2024\/05\/20240506_115919-316x341.jpg\" class=\"attachment-team size-team wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" \/><p class=\"role-title\">Research Student (Volunteer)<\/p><p class=\"team-name\">Ashley Maharaj<\/p><div class=\"post-content hide\"><p>Hi, my name is Ashley Maharaj and I recently completed my fourth\u00a0and final year of TMU&#8217;s Psychology (BA) program. I am one of the six recipients of the Undergraduate Research Opportunity (URO) grant in the Faculty of Arts for 2024 and I look forward to strengthening my research skills in the ARCAI lab!<\/p>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Coming from an Indo-Caribbean background, I am passionate about addressing mental health disparities among marginalized groups of people and reducing the stigma of psychological treatment.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>In my free time, I love to spend time with friends and family, bike, watch Modern Family, and listen to soca music.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>LinkedIn:\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/ashley-m-5006a9267\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=http:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/ashley-m-5006a9267&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1715442990518000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3lkBaYkQYRWLSWQNGiejA5\">www.linkedin.com\/in\/ashley-m-5006a9267<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div><p><a class=\"more target-modal\" href=\"https:\/\/psychlabs.torontomu.ca\/arcai\/team\/ashley-maharaj\/\">Learn more<\/a><\/p><\/div><div class=\"team-grid-item filter-all filter-alumni\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"316\" height=\"341\" src=\"https:\/\/psychlabs.torontomu.ca\/arcai\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2023\/03\/IMG_7923-316x341.jpg\" class=\"attachment-team size-team wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" \/><p class=\"role-title\">Alumni Lab Coordinator<\/p><p class=\"team-name\">Puneet Parmar<\/p><div class=\"post-content hide\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Puneet graduated from York University in April 2020 with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a minor in Human Resources. Broadly, Puneet is interested in researching mental health disparities and mental health interventions using implementation science approaches and community-based methodologies (e.g., participatory action research). She has a particular interest in improving access and treatment outcomes for underserved communities, including for ethnically diverse children, youth, and families. Puneet will be starting a PhD in clinical psychology (Fall 2024) to continue this work.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><p><a class=\"more target-modal\" href=\"https:\/\/psychlabs.torontomu.ca\/arcai\/team\/labcoordinator\/\">Learn more<\/a><\/p><\/div><div class=\"team-grid-item filter-all filter-alumni\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"316\" height=\"341\" src=\"https:\/\/psychlabs.torontomu.ca\/arcai\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2023\/03\/IMG_1086-316x341.jpg\" class=\"attachment-team size-team wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" \/><p class=\"role-title\">Alumni Research Assistant (Volunteer)<\/p><p class=\"team-name\">Emily Gelgoot<\/p><div class=\"post-content hide\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Emily graduated from Queen&#8217;s University in 2022 with a Bachelor of Arts Honours in Global Development Studies, minoring in Life Sciences. She is an incoming Master of Public Health candidate at the University of Guelph interested in maternal and infant health among refugee populations. Emily aspires to a career in health promotion to educate and empower people to own and advocate for their health.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/emily-gelgoot-495683277\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">www.linkedin.com\/in\/emily-gelgoot-495683277<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><p><a class=\"more target-modal\" href=\"https:\/\/psychlabs.torontomu.ca\/arcai\/team\/emilygelgoot\/\">Learn more<\/a><\/p><\/div><div class=\"team-grid-item filter-all filter-research-assistants\"><div class=\"no-photo\"><p>Photo unavailable<\/p><\/div><p class=\"role-title\">Research Assistant (Volunteer)<\/p><p class=\"team-name\">Angela Xiang<\/p><div class=\"post-content hide\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Angela recently graduated from Toronto Metropolitan University majoring in psychology and minoring in French studies. Her broad research interests include PTSD and trauma-related disorders, cross-cultural clinical psychology, and the role of relationships in mental health. She hopes to pursue a career in clinical psychology to provide inclusive and accessible mental health support.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><p><a class=\"more target-modal\" href=\"https:\/\/psychlabs.torontomu.ca\/arcai\/team\/angela-xiang\/\">Learn more<\/a><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>\/*! elementor &#8211; v3.23.0 &#8211; 15-07-2024 *\/ .elementor-heading-title{padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title[class*=elementor-size-]&gt;a{color:inherit;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-small{font-size:15px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-medium{font-size:19px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-large{font-size:29px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xl{font-size:39px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xxl{font-size:59px} The Lab Team Meet our dedicated&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":21,"featured_media":0,"parent":513,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_vp_format_video_url":"","_vp_image_focal_point":[],"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-536","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/psychlabs.torontomu.ca\/arcai\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/536","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/psychlabs.torontomu.ca\/arcai\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/psychlabs.torontomu.ca\/arcai\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/psychlabs.torontomu.ca\/arcai\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/21"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/psychlabs.torontomu.ca\/arcai\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=536"}],"version-history":[{"count":53,"href":"https:\/\/psychlabs.torontomu.ca\/arcai\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/536\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1626,"href":"https:\/\/psychlabs.torontomu.ca\/arcai\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/536\/revisions\/1626"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/psychlabs.torontomu.ca\/arcai\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/513"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/psychlabs.torontomu.ca\/arcai\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=536"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}