Q’orianka Aloysius
My name is Q’orianka Aloysius, and I am an undergraduate student pursuing a BSc in Psychology and Neuroscience. I am currently a Research Assistant in the Cognisant Lab, contributing to the Decreased Sound Tolerance (DST) Project.
My research interests include cognitive and behavioural neuroscience, sensory perception and processing, the effects of drugs on behaviour, and the neural systems underlying cognition and behaviour. I am particularly interested in how the brain processes sensory information, how individuals differ in their sensitivity and tolerance to environmental stimuli, and how sensory experiences influence emotions, attention, and behaviour.
Outside of academics, I enjoy spending time with friends, exploring new places to eat, pilates, and reading!
Research interests: Cognitive neuroscience, sensory processing, addiction research, social behaviour, and behavioural neural systems.
Milannia Collins
I am a 4th year Psychology Research Specialist student at Wilfrid Laurier University and a Research Assistant in the Cognisant Lab. My broader research interests concern the neurophysiological mechanisms associated with psychopathology, particularly how brain activity and sensory processing relate to emotion regulation, psychological functioning, and mental health. Through my role in the lab, I am excited to develop practical research skills and contribute to meaningful psychological research. Outside of academics, I enjoy spending time with friends and family, travelling and trying new foods!
Research interests: clinical neuroscience, psychopathology, sensory processing, emotion regulation, personality, and mental health
Akaylah Dawkins
Akaylah is a third-year Health Sciences student at Wilfrid Laurier University. She is currently completing a directed studies project, where she is working on a systematic review looking at the relationship between resting-state EEG activity and language development in children. Akaylah is especially interested in child health and development and hopes to work with children in healthcare in the future.
Outside of school, Akaylah coaches recreational and competitive gymnastics. In her free time, she enjoys reading, going on walks, listening to podcasts, and spending time with friends and family.
Research interests: Child health and development, pediatric health, and language development.
Aleah Kaune
I am a fourth-year Honours Bachelor of Science Psychology student minoring in Biology, and a research assistant in the Cognisant Lab. I am currently assisting with the Sensory Sensitivity Speech Study (S4), which explores how the brain processes auditory information and how this may be influenced by background noise in autistic adults. I am interested in understanding how people perceive and process sensory information, particularly speech and language, and how these processes shape communication and everyday experiences.
Outside of academics, I enjoy teaching dance, spending time with friends and family, trying new foods, and baking!/p>
Research interests: Speech and language processing, auditory perception, sensory processing, cognitive neuroscience.
Carol Mansour
Carol is a third-year Health Sciences student at Wilfrid Laurier University and a research
assistant in the Cognisant Lab. She is currently assisting with participant testing for the Auditory
Evoked Potentials (AEP) and resting-state alpha (RSA) studies with school-aged children. She
also serves as Co-President of the WLU Premedical Society and hopes to pursue a career in
medicine while remaining involved in research throughout her career. Outside of the lab, Carol
works as a swim instructor and lifeguard and enjoys staying active and spending time with
friends and family. /p>
Research interests: Developmental neuroscience, sensory processing, child development, and the relationship between brain function and behaviour.
Ashley Poclitar
Hi! I am a BSc Neuroscience and Psychology major with a minor in Biology. My academic interests focus on understanding how the brain processes as well as integrates sensory information and how these processes shape cognition, and behaviour. I hope to continue my studies in neuroscience while pursuing further education in systems neuroscience and neurophysiology. Outside of academics, I enjoy playing the piano, which has been a passion of mine since childhood.
Research interests: Multisensory Integration, Neurodevelopment, and Higher-Order Cognitive Functions.
Gabriel So
Gabriel is a third-year student in the BSc Health Sciences program. He is a Directed Studies student in the Cognisant Lab, working on the decreased sound tolerance project. Outside of school, Gabriel enjoys playing soccer, golfing, skiing, and hanging out with his dog.
Research interests: Cognitive neuroscience, autism spectrum disorder, neurodevelopment in children.
Neve Van Daele
Neve is a final-year undergraduate student majoring in Psychology and Neuroscience with a minor in Computer Science. Under the supervision of Dr. Nichole Scheerer, she completed her honours thesis exploring the relationships between interoception, sensory sensitivity, and autistic burnout, and is currently extending this work through a directed study. Her research interests centre on understanding the cognitive and neurophysiological mechanisms underlying individual differences in perception, subjective experience, and responses to environmental demands, particularly in the context of neurodivergence. She hopes to continue exploring these interests through graduate research. Outside of academics, Neve enjoys reading, going to the gym, hiking, and spending time outdoors.
Research interests: Sensory processing, interoception, predictive processing, allostasis, cognitive load, neurodevelopmental differences, and autistic burnout.
