The ASPIRE Team

Meet our dedicated team of researchers and emerging scholars!

Illustration of four people looking at abstract data on a white board

People

The ASPIRE Lab is directed by Dr. Ryan Persram, and is staffed by emerging scholars at various levels of training, including undergraduates, Master’s, and Doctoral students. The research team is also comprised of many volunteer research assistants. Learn more about our team below!

  • All Members
  • Lab Director
  • Lab Coordinator
  • Graduate Students
  • Undergraduate Thesis Students
  • Research Assistants
  • Alumni
  • Honourary Members

Lab Director

Dr. Ryan Persram

ryan.persram@torontomu.ca

I am an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology and the Director of the ASPIRE at TMU.

I completed my PhD in developmental psychology at Concordia University. My research interests focus on the role of social relationships in adolescents. Specifically, what are important indicators of healthy relationships, and how do positive and negative experiences with specific partners, namely siblings, peers, and romantic partners relate to youth well-being. I am also interested in the unique and interactive contributions of multiple relationships and their subsequent effects on youth development and consider how contextual factors (e.g., gender identity, culture, SES) are implicated. I have received funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (Insight Grant; Canada Graduate Scholarship) and the Fonds de Recherche du Québec – Société et Culture (FRQSC). In my free time, I enjoy catching a game, as well as cooking for friends and family.

Learn more

MA Student (Clinical)

Charlotte Leon-Williamson

I completed my Honours BA in Psychology at McGill University. My current research explores the dynamics of sibling relationships and friendships, with a focus on the role of self-disclosure. Specifically, I am investigating how self-disclosure varies between these relationships and how different disclosure patterns across relationships impact the adjustment of first-year university students. In my free time I love reading, going to concerts, and spending time with my friends, family, and pets.

Learn more

Honours Thesis Student

Mariana Zapounidis

I’m a fourth-year psychology student and will be completing my honours thesis in the ASPIRE lab! My research interests revolve around peer and sibling relationships. Specifically, my thesis will explore the role of daily occurrences of peer and/or sibling victimization on adolescents’ positive and negative affect. In my spare time, I enjoy reading, knitting sweaters, and playing obscure video games!

Learn more

Honours Thesis Student

Sienna Klien

I am a fourth-year Psychology student at Toronto Metropolitan University, completing my Honours Thesis in the Aspire Lab. My research interests include examining both sibling and friendship relationships. However, for my thesis I will focus specifically on sibling relationships, exploring how sibling support influences emotional well-being. Outside of academics, I enjoy playing soccer, snowboarding, and listening to music.

Learn more

Research Assistant

Ashley Maharaj

Hi there! I’m Ashley and I graduated from TMU’s Honours Psychology (BA with Distinction) program in 2024. I completed my thesis in the ASPIRE lab, which explored the impact of perceptions of trust in peer and sibling relationships on youth well-being. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my friends and family, watching Modern Family, and biking.

Learn more

Research Assistant

Safiyya Inhaam

I am a second year student in the undergraduate psychology program at TMU. In the lab, I am currently helping with a study on how flooding affects mental health.

I am interested in clinical and social psychology, and I enjoy reading and making jewelry in my free time.

Learn more

Research Assistant

Gerly Ngyema Nang

I’m a research assistant at Aspire Lab, completing my BA in Psychology. My academic interests center on understanding human behavior and interpersonal relationships, with a particular focus on adolescent and child development. Outside of research, I enjoy playing video games and watching commentary videos.

Learn more

Research Assistant

Hayden Wong

I am a graduate of the University of Waterloo’s Honour’s Psychology program in the class of 2025. I am interested in exploring different areas of research around interpersonal relationships. I am current working on developing a study that examines how siblings engage in co-rumination and how this relates to their well-being. In my free time I enjoy guitar, playing basketball and volleyball!

Learn more

Research Assistant

MaDi Rainbow

I completed my Honours BA in Psychology at Wilfrid Laurier University. I am currently working as a Research Assistant in the ASPIRE Lab, investigating the relationship between dancing ability and psychosocial adjustment in adolescents across cultures. In my free time, I enjoy creating visual art using a variety of mediums, including painting, photography, and crochet.

Learn more

Lab Coordinator (Alumni)

Patricia Forbes

My research interests include biological psychology and neuropsychology. In my free time, I love to bake for my friends and family. I also enjoy reading and listening to music. In the lab, I am currently working on a self-disclosure project that examines the relationship between trust and the nature of disclosures shared in adolescent relationships.

Learn more

Undergraduate Thesis Student (2024-2025)

Julia Llewellyn

I am a third-year undergraduate student in the BA Psychology program at Toronto Metropolitan University.

My interests lie in the realm of interpersonal relationships, whether those be platonic, romantic, or familial. I am eager to understand how to facilitate healthy, supportive and meaningful relationships between individuals, and the impact those relationships can have on their personal journeys towards successes. As a part of the ASPIRE lab I will be looking at the connections between peer relationships and support, and individuals’ academic performance.

Learn more

Undergraduate Thesis Student (2024-2025)

Jamilah Christian

I am an upcoming fourth year undergraduate student in the BA Psychology thesis stream at Toronto Metropolitan University. In my free time I enjoy reading, spending time with friends and family, and playing basketball.

Learn more

Undergraduate Thesis Student (2023-2024)

Leonette Alhambra

I am a fourth-year student completing her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at TMU.

I am interested in contextual factors that promote likeability and popularity among young adolescents. I have worked with adolescents in multiple settings, including local youth groups and dance studios. After completing her BA, I hope to continue working with adolescents to develop healthy and supportive relationships.

Learn more

Research Assistant (2024-2025)

Niyer Duncan

Hi there! My name is Niyer Duncan and I’m a 5th-year Psychology undergraduate student here at TMU. I’m excited to be working on a research project exploring the mitigating effects of close friends and sibling relationships on the transition to post-secondary education during late adolescence. Outside of research projects and classes, I enjoy spending time on my crochet projects and reading.

Learn more

Director of Fun and Sass

Olive

Olive the French wears multiple hats in the lab, both as its Director of Fun and Sass.

Olive joined the lab in October 2023 and she is primarily responsible for making everyone’s day brighter but also ensuring that they know who’s in charge (her). Olive is very firm negotiator but is known to ease up on her demands if you give her berries. All that said, she’s incredibly supportive of her labmates and all of the amazing work that the lab does!

Learn more