Ashleigh Wickie
I am a fourth-year undergraduate student working towards a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a minor in Biology. In the future, I would like to pursue graduate studies in occupational therapy and, one day, specialize in pediatric occupational therapy. I enjoy being outside, going to the gym and drawing.
Research interests: child and youth development, Autism-spectrum disorder, sensory processing, emotional regulation, fine motor skills, feeding challenges, and social skills.
Shira Barth
Shira is an undergraduate student in the Health Sciences program. She hopes to pursue a career in Occupational Therapy working with pediatric patients. In her free time she enjoys playing piano, running and reading.
Research interests: sensory processing disorders, speech motor control, human physiology and traumatic brain injuries
Jade Moussa
Jade is currently in her second year of her master’s in psychology and Neuroscience! She is volunteering in Dr. Nichole Scheerers Cognisant Lab as a research assistant and helps out wherever she can in various ongoing research projects. Her current research primarily focuses on memory systems in both humans and various animal species. Jade has always had a passion for working with kids, and has gained direct experience in working with the youth in academics through Dr. Scheerers lab.
When Jade is not in the lab, she loves teaching dance to her students ages 4-18 and has been for over 5 years! She always loves spending time outdoors and with friends and family!
Zara Belanger-Pepper
Zara is a first-year student in the Psychology & Neuroscience Program, and hopes to obtain a minor in Biology. After receiving her BSc, she hopes to attend medical school to pursue a career as a Neurosurgeon or Paediatric Psychiatrist. In her free time, she enjoys reading, going on walks, and spending time with friends.
Research interests: Mental health research, sensory neuroscience, human anatomy, traumatic brain injuries.
Claire Christoff
Claire is very excited to be joining the Cognisant Lab, with hopes to expand her current skills and knowledge in the audio perceptive field. Currently working as an RA at SickKids and CAMH (PI Louise Gallagher), Claire has experience researching stigmas associated with autism, hyperphagia, and eye tracking. She loves working with kids, sipping coffee and discussing the intricacies of the mind
Research interests: Saccadic movement of eye, stigma affecting ASD community, audio/visual perceptive task, cognitive neuroscience.
Kaylyn Chuson
Kaylyn is a 4th-year Health Sciences student with a minor in Psychology and Biology, currently working as a Directed Studies student analyzing speech and motor control in individuals with ADHD. Her interest in this research is aimed at deepening her understanding of how neurological factors influence speech, perception, and motor skills. Kaylyn is an active member of the Laurier Community as the VP of Marketing for the Faculty of Science Students’ Association (FOSSA) and Strong Spine Society (SSS). Kaylyn is passionate about digital marketing and enjoys staying busy with hobbies like snowboarding and cooking!
Research interests: Neurophysiology, speech perception, learning and memory, cognitive development.