Here you will find information about our current and past lab members.
Current Lab Members (2025-2026)
Caitlyn is an undergraduate student at the University of Calgary completing a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with honours. As an honours student in the SEA lab, she is working on her honours thesis, which will examine relationships between masculinity, SEAs, political ideologies, interests, and hobbies. She is examining data on anxiety, body image, and sexual education to submit for the 2026 ISSBD conference. Caitlyn’s other main areas of interest are bereavement, grief, mental health, and development. She hopes to pursue a Master of Science in Counselling Psychology.
Aydia is an undergraduate student at the University of Calgary, working towards completing her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. As a volunteer research assistant in the SEA Lab, she had the opportunity to work on the case studies project for content taught in PSYC 352 – Lifespan Developmental Psychology. Currently, she is in the process of examining data on peer and family relationships, school engagement, ADHD, anxiety symptoms, belonging, as well as social emotional assets. She is collaborating with other lab members on ISSBD conference ideas, while also acting in a supportive role for the 2025-2026 Honours study. With a passion for neurodiversity advocacy in youth, Aydia’s primary areas of interest are in neurodevelopmental disorders and psychoeducational assessment. She plans to pursue an honours degree, followed by a MEd or MSc in School & Applied Child Psychology.
Nevaeh is a third-year Psychology (BA) student at the University of Calgary, with an interest in child development, neurodiversity, personality, relationships, and mental well-being. As a research assistant in the SEA Lab, she contributes to various projects aimed at improving developmental research and community relations, including working on Dr. Hughes’ Community Hub. Her research looks at the impacts of personality and neurodiversity on well-being in university life, which she hopes to present at the ISSBD Conference in South Korea. In the future, she aims to pursue honors and an MSc in School and Applied Child Psychology.
Ian is an undergraduate student at the University of Calgary completing a Bachelor of Arts in both Drama and Psychology. Ian’s honours thesis is examining masculinity, social dominance orientation, sexuality, and social emotional assets. Ian’s other work includes studying ADHD and anxiety in undergraduate populations. Outside of psychology, Ian is an actor who has been in productions such as OurTown, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Shakespeare in Love, A Monster Calls, and more.
Khadija (pronounced ka-dee-jah) is an undergraduate Psychology major with a minor in Gender and Sexuality Studies at the University of Calgary. As a volunteer research assistant in the SEA Lab, she has contributed to the development of theory-based case studies for PSYC 352: Lifespan Developmental Psychology. She is currently collaborating on conference research projects that examine social-emotional assets among gender and sexual minority populations, as well as research focused on ADHD. She is also involved in data analysis for upcoming Honours research projects. Khadija’s future research and career interests are in clinical neuropsychology with a particular focus on pediatric populations, while remaining open to exploring other clinical groups. She aims to examine the neurocognitive and behavioural impacts of neurological conditions on development.
Roopjot (Joty) is a third-year undergraduate student at the University of Calgary completing her Bachelors of Science in Psychology. As a Research Assistant in the SEA Lab, she has worked on projects such as the Community Hub, which aims to promote connectivity within researchers and not-for-profit organizations working to serve the needs of youth and the community. She is currently working with other SEA Lab members on topics such as peer and family relationships, ADHD and anxiety symptoms, belonging, and social emotional assets, hoping to present at ISSBD 2026. Some other topics of interest for Roopjot include parent-child relationships, cultural influences on social emotional assets, and community wellbeing. She plans to pursue an honours degree, followed by a MSc and PhD in Clinical Psychology.
Past Lab Members
Maya Carcamo Arakawa (2021-2024) was an Honours student for 2023-2024. She studied friendship, school engagement and social emotional learning in elementary students.
Simran Dhillion (2023-2024) was an Honours student for 2023-2024. She studied social competence and teacher support in elementary students.
Yomna Waly (2018-2023) was a PURE Fellow (2018) and Independent Study student (2019) studying university student resilience in ethnic minorities. Yomna has continued to support lab activities as a Masters and Doctoral student.
Julia Therrien (2021-2023) was an Honours Student for 2022-2023. She studied thriving and well-being during COVID-19 and post-raumatic growth.
Mohtashim Umar (2021-2023) was an Honours Student for 2022-2023. He studied coping and resilience in ethnic minority university students.
Dhanae Mogan (2023) was a research assistant studying resilience in university students.
Sofia Perez Segioviano (2020-2022) was an Honours Student for 2021-2022. She studied the development of relationship satisfaction in LGBTQ young adults
Timothy Angelo Curtis (2020-2022) was an honours student for 2021-2022. He studied the benefits of comprehensive sexual education.
Michael Alex Bednar (2020-2022) was a Research Assistant in 2020-2021. His work includes studying online pedagogy best practices.
Saskia Groot (2021-2022) was a Research Assistant in 2021/2022. She assisted with research design and pedagogical approaches.
Jusnoor Aujla (2019-2021) completed an Independent Studies Project in 2019-2020. He studied marginalization, social emotional assets, and campus climate in undergraduate students.
Morgan Davis (2020-2021) was an honours student for 2020-2021. She studied emotional resilience in parents during COVID-19.
Adrian Woo (2020-2021) was a Research Assistant in 2020-2021. His work included studying emotional resilience in parents during COVID-19.
Rita Diaz (2018-2019) completed a summer research assistant role in 2018. She examined family dynamics in children’s animated movies and continues in the lab as a Research Assistant.
Winston Ho (2018-2020) completed his Honours in 2019-2020 year with Drs. Kathleen Hughes and Susan Boon. He studied social emotional development in young adults in university settings.
Alicia Morris (2019-2020) completed her Honours in 2019-2020 under the supervision of Drs Kathleen Hughes and Simon Spanswick. She studied ADHD, teacher quality, and academic engagement in university students.
Abdullah Bernier (2018-2019) completed an Independent Studies in 2018-2019 year. He examined cognitive development as it relates to social emotional development in emerging adulthood.
Kaitlin Roth (2018-2019) completed her Honours in 2018-2019 year. She studied gender conformity as measured on a spectrum, shyness, and self-esteem in undergraduate students.
Eden Matthews (2018) completed an Independent Studies project in 2017-2018. She examined ethnicity and sense of belonging on university campuses.
Alicia Donovan (2015-2016) completed an Independent Studies project with Dr. Hughes at University of New Brunswick in 2016. She examined Social Emotional Assets, anxiety, and engagement among university students.
Dani Wallis (2011-2012) completed her Honours project at Carleton University co-supervised by Dr. Hughes & Dr. Coplan. She examined social competence and academic engagement in elementary students.
Dr. Kathleen Hughes 