Research Assistants

Joyce An

I began my post-secondary journey in the “Life Sciences” program at McGill University. Eventually, I decided to major in Health Science at SFU, delving into the various dimensions of “health” and wellbeing. While completing my major, I became fascinated by the topic of mental health and psychology, as relating to overall quality of life. I am currently fulfilling a minor in Psychology at SFU, exploring different themes in the field as I prepare for my graduate studies. My research interests include relationship and family dynamics, influence of individual differences in romantic relationships, and conflict resolution.

Maya Beninteso

I am a second-year undergraduate student working towards a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Criminology. I have been a research assistant in the Close Relationships Lab since June 2022. My research interests include: the effects of Adverse Childhood Experiences on relationship stability, intimate partner violence, stagnation, and other factors leading to relationship dissolution. In the coming years, I hope to complete a Master of Arts and PhD in Clinical Psychology, so that I may achieve my goal of becoming a Clinical Psychologist.

Sophie Camire

I have been an undergraduate at SFU since fall 2021 and have my Associate of the Arts degree in Psychology from Douglas College. I am working towards finishing my Bachelor of Arts with a major in Psychology. Specifically, I am interested in social psychology and understanding how our interactions with others are shaped by our pasts, cultural background, and social scripts. After completing my BA I hope to eventually pursue a degree related to experimental psychology.

Lee Fraser

I completed my B.A. in December 2021, majoring in Psychology with a minor in Cognitive Science. I have been a research assistant with the Close Relationships Lab since February 2022, and am also a research assistant with Dr. Jennifer Hinnell’s gesture research. My research interests include communication and conflict resolution in romantic relationships, as well as differences in goal setting and motivation between single individuals and those in romantic relationships. I plan to pursue a Masters in Counselling Psychology in 2023. I currently work with adults with developmental disabilities doing goal planning and skill development, and have previously worked with kids, teens, and adults as a coach or facilitator in skill development, leadership, and communication.

Carissa Gauthier

I transferred from the University of Winnipeg in 2019 and am currently a third year undergraduate student at SFU. I am working toward my Bachelors of Arts with a Major in Psychology. I am hoping to do my Honours in the fall of 2022 and graduate soon after. I have been part of the Close Relationships Lab since May 2021 and am also part of Dr. Girme’s Relationships and Wellbeing Lab since January 2021. I am particularly interested in consensual non-monogamous relationships, sex therapy and education for youth on developing healthy intimate relationships. I hope to pursue a MA and eventually a PhD in Clinical Psychology with a focus on romantic relationships.

Aman Grewal

I am a 4th year undergraduate student completing my Bachelors in psychology. I hope to do my honours in psychology and pursue masters and Ph.D  in clinical psychology. I’m interested in evaluating the effects of changing societal and cultural trends/norms on couples in non-heteronormative relationships. Furthermore, I am also interested in researching the intersection of behavioural responses, societal influences and neurobiology of the brain.

In the future I would like to apply my training and knowledge to help improve accuracy and reliability of current diagnostic methodology and treatment modalities for mental health disorders.

Annie Hayward

I completed my BA (Honours) in Psychology at UBC in 2019. Throughout my degree, I focused on depression, stress, and hormonal contraception. Since graduating, I have become interested in relationship psychology, especially as it relates to stress and emotion regulation. Outside of this lab, I am also a research assistant at Dr. Chen’s Social Health Lab at UBC. I hope to study relationships in graduate school for clinical psychology. 

Allyson Klassen

I am an undergraduate student working toward a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Psychology and an intended minor in Counselling & Human Development. My general research interests include healthy relationship maintenance and non-heteronormative relationship dynamics. Although I am still defining my professional direction, I am looking to pursue graduate studies in either counselling or clinical psychology. I have been a research assistant at the Close Relationships Lab since December 2022.

Jane Landsky

I am an undergraduate student working toward a Bachelor of Arts degree with a Major in Psychology, here at SFU. My research interests include attachment security, conflict within close relationships, and how couples support each other. I am also very interested in evolutionary origins of concepts in close relationships, like jealousy. I plan to pursue a Med in Counselling Psychology following my undergraduate degree. I have been a research assistant in the lab since July 2021.

Nushaiba Nanjiba

I am a third-year undergraduate student at SFU. I am working towards my Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology along with a minor in Counselling and Human Development. I have been a research assistant at the Close Relationships lab since November 2021. My research interests include the emergence of non-monogamous relationships, intimate partner violence, conflict resolution in romantic relationships, and cultural differences in romantic relationships. I am planning to pursue a master’s in counselling psychology. In my future work, I want to use my knowledge in psychology to provide a culturally sensitive approach to couples from diverse backgrounds.

Michael Pieruccini

I am a fourth year Psychology Major and Counselling and Human Development Minor here at SFU. I am particularly interested in how one's close relationships can affect them individually as well as in relation to others. I plan to pursue an MA in counselling after broadening my work and volunteer experience, which currently includes crisis response for Kids Help Phone.

Tristan Raymond

I transferred to SFU from Ryerson University in Toronto back in 2018, and was recently accepted into the Honours program for Psychology. I have been a research assistant in Dr. Yuthika Girme’s Supporting Relationships and Wellbeing Lab and am currently a manager of Dr. Tanya Broesch’s Culture and Development Lab. As part of my Honours project I am currently investigating the quality of father-infant free play interaction and its association with infant attachment security. My broader research interests include underlying motivations and outcomes of consensually non-monogamous relationships in their various configurations. To continue pursuing relationship research, I plan on applying for an MA (and PhD) in clinical psychology.

Aisha Richmond

I am a third-year undergraduate student at SFU majoring in psychology and minoring in counseling and human development. I am aiming to graduate with honors and pursue graduate school in clinical psychology later on. My research interests include conflict communication, attachment style fluidity, and overcoming mismatches of support-seeking tendencies. Outside of the lab, I am also currently volunteering as a call responder at the Vancouver Crisis Centre. I have been a research assistant at the Close Relationships Lab since June 2022.

Selina Sobolewski 

I am currently working toward a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Counselling and Human Development. I hope to do my honours in psychology and go on to pursue post graduate studies in either counselling or clinical psychology. I am interested in both child and adult attachment, particularly the conceptualization and prevalence of disorganized and fearful attachment. Following that, the role this attachment style plays in close relationships across one’s lifespan. Other topics of interest include poor self-image, early trauma, social inclusion and exclusion, and the biology and psychology of pain. I have been a research assistant for the Close Relationships Lab since May 2021.

Asmeetha Subramaniam

I am a third-year undergraduate student working towards a Bachelor of Arts degree with a Major in Psychology and a Minor in Counselling and Human Development. In the upcoming years, I hope to pursue an Honours in Psychology and continue my education at the graduate level in Clinical Psychology. My research interests include the instability and fluidity of adult attachment styles. Specifically, I am interested in the interpersonal and intrapersonal variables that predict adult attachment style changes. Moreover, I am also very interested in the application of attachment research to clinical interventions such as Attachment-Based Therapy, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. I have been a research assistant for the Close Relationships Lab since October 2021.

Kylie Viala

I am currently completing my BA in psychology, with a minor in criminology. I’ve been a student at SFU since 2019, and have been a research assistant for the Close Relationships Lab since February 2022. Outside of my studies, I volunteer as a call taker at the Fraser Health Crisis Line. Additionally, I have been a behavior interventionist, working with an autistic child for nearly two years. Although I am still defining my research interests, I see my future in clinical psychology and counselling and am looking to pursue graduate studies in the field.

Isidora Vidakovic

I am an undergraduate student at Simon Fraser University working toward a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology with a minor in Counselling and Human Development. I am hoping to graduate with distinction and continue my education in law school. I volunteer for SFU’s Centre for Accessible Learning and have previous experience as a behaviour interventionist, where I utilized applied behaviour analysis in my work with a child on the autism spectrum. My main research interests include how healthy relationships are created and maintained, and how they can serve as buffers against negative or adverse experiences. I am also interested in how individual differences such as attachment style or temperament affect relationship satisfaction and communication. I have been a research assistant for the Close Relationships Lab since October 2022