Research Assistants

Victoria Belway

I am an undergraduate majoring in Behavioural Neuroscience and minoring in Gender, Sexuality, and Women's studies. I am interested in relationships an sexuality among neurodiverse people and those with psychological disorders, as well as how gender affects behaviour in relationships. Outside of my studies, I like to volunteer with animals. I have been a research assistant with the lab since November 2023. 

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.

Aman Grewal

I completed my BA (honours) in Psychology at SFU in 2023. 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 clinical disorders 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 a 4th year undergraduate student working towards a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Psychology and a minor in Counselling & Human Development. My general research interests include healthy relationship maintenance and the management of stigma or social perceptions in consensually non-monogamous relationships. 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. 

Mackenzie Morrow

I am currently completing a joint Psychology and Gender, Sexuality & Women's Studies (GSWS) degree here at SFU, with a minor in English. I intend to apply to counselling psychology programs once I've finished my BA, with a particular interest in sex therapy. I've been a member of the lab since November of 2023, and I also volunteer on campus as a FASS Peer Mentor, and with the GSWS Student Union. My research interests include the emergence and resolution of non-monogamous relationships, and how relationships are communicated between individuals. 

Michael Pieruccini

I recently graduated SFU with a BA (with distinction) in Psychology, minoring in Counselling & Human Development. Broadly speaking, I am deeply interested in the varying ways people communicate, and the ways they find satisfaction in life. In relationship research, I have a particular interest in gendered scripts and the behaviours people engage in to follow or break them. Besides assisting in the lab, I work to help children with disabilities and volunteer for a crisis line. I hope to put this research and practical experience to work in a Counselling Psychology MA program. 

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.

Erik Spence 

I am a fourth-year undergraduate student pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. My research interests are trauma and resiliency within first responders, and how these affect intergroup and close relations. In the future, I plan to work towards an MA and PhD in Clinical Psychology. I have been an RA for the close relationships lab since November 2023. Outside of the lab I have worked as a paramedic with BC Emergency Health Services since 2019 and have volunteered within their Critical Incident Stress program since 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 a BA in psychology, with a minor in criminology, and a forensic certificate. I plan to begin an honours project in Fall 2024. I have been a research assistant for the Close Relationships Lab since February 2022. Outside of my studies, I volunteer as a call taker at a crisis Line. My research interests include consensual non-monogamy as it relates to stigma, and forensic topics. I intend to pursue graduate studies in clinical psychology. 

Isidora Vidakovic

I recently completed my Bachelor of Arts (with Distinction) degree at Simon Fraser University, where I majored in Psychology and minored in Counselling and Human Development. I am currently a Youth Care Worker at a specialized residential service, where I work with teens experiencing complex trauma and mental health struggles. I am also a Teaching Assistant for the introductory psychological research methods course here at SFU. 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 have been a research assistant for the Close Relationships Lab since October 2022.