Zara Belanger-Pepper
Zara is a 4th-year student in the BSc Psychology & Neuroscience program, currently completing her PS499 thesis in the Cognisant Lab! On top of being a research assistant in the lab since her first year, she works as an Inclusion Support Worker for the city of Kitchener, and currently serves as the Co-President of the Faculty of Science Students’ Association (FOSSA). In her spare time, she enjoys cooking, lifting heavy weights and spending time with her best friend.
Research interests: autism stigma, altered auditory feedback in individuals with Parkinson's disease, and the effects of cannabis on social behaviour.
Mika Volpe
I am a fourth-year student in the Psychology and Neuroscience (BSc) program at Wilfrid Laurier University. I am an undergraduate Honours Thesis student working on Zehra’s projects. During the Summer, I work as an Instructor Therapist, providing Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) therapy to children with autism spectrum disorder. Following my undergraduate studies, I hope to further my education and continue gaining research and hands-on experience with a commitment to learning and contributing in roles that allow me to make a positive impact in the lives of others. In my free time I love to spend time with my family and friends, read, and go on walks.
Research interests: Autism Spectrum Disorder, Mental Health, Child Development, Sensory Processing, Social Communication, Emotion, Behaviour, Brain Functions & Connectivity