Team

Aislinn Sandre

Lab Director

Aislinn Sandre is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at Western University and the Director of the Sandre Lab. She received her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from McGill University and completed postdoctoral training at Teachers College, Columbia University. Aislinn's research focuses on how the brain processes emotion across development and how family and environmental experiences influence these processes to increase risk for psychopathology, especially depression and anxiety. She is also interested in whether interventions that target family and environmental experiences, such as reducing stress, can promote healthy brain and emotional development and reduce risk. Outside of the lab, Aislinn enjoys reading crime fiction, running in the Sifton Bog, traveling, and spending time with her family and her three cats.

CV | Google Scholar |

Olivia Merulla

Graduate Student

Olivia is a first-year MSc student in Clinical Psychology. She completed her undergraduate degree in psychology from Queen’s University. Olivia is excited to investigate the neural response patterns that may predispose individuals to anxiety and depression, as well as the environmental processes that translate these vulnerabilities into psychopathology. Outside the lab Olivia enjoys reading, going on walks, and trying out new foods!

Funding:

Canada Graduate Research Scholarship-Master's, Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (2026-2027)

Awards:

Best Poster – New Results, Runner-Up at the Society for Affective Science (2026)

Ella Rivet

Graduate Student

Ella is a first-year MSc student student in the Clinical Psychology Program at Western University, where she previously received her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology. Her research interests include exploring how childhood stress can lead to alterations in biological pathways associated with cognitive and emotional development. She is also interested in how atypical development in these areas can increase a child's vulnerability to developing psychopathological disorders later in life. Outside of the lab, she enjoys cooking and baking, physical activity, traveling, and reading psychological thrillers!

Funding:

Canada Graduate Research Scholarship-Master's, Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (2026-2027)

Nicole Carrier

Graduate Student

Nicole is a first-year MSc student in Clinical Psychology. She previously completed her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a Minor in English here at Western University, where she developed a passion for taking an interdisciplinary approach to psychopathology. As a Master’s student, Nicole is eager to explore how early relational environments influence neural systems involved in emotion processing and risk for disorders such as depression, anxiety, and psychosis, and how neuroplasticity may create opportunities for intervention. When she isn’t in the lab, you can usually find her scrapbooking, playing word games, listening to Taylor Swift, or trying to read as many classic novels as she can.

Halle Mclean

Lab Manager & Honours Thesis Student

Halle is a fourth-year undergraduate student pursuing an Honours Specialization in Psychology. Her role in the lab involves coordinating projects, participant recruitment, and aid in weekly tasks. Halle is interested in how vulnerable populations are impacted by stress and adversity as well as prevention and intervention methods that can minimize their impact. In her personal time she enjoys going on walks with her dog and catching up with her family and friends over FaceTime.

Funding:

Western Undergraduate Student Research Internship (USRI; Summer 2026)
Summer Undergraduate Psychology Experience in Research (SUPER) Fellowship, APA (Summer 2026)

Past Roles:

Summer Internship Student

Lisa Jin

Honours Thesis Student

Lisa is a third-year student pursuing an Honours Specialization in Psychology (BSc). Her research interests focus on psychological disorders, psychopathology, and developmental processes, particularly in understanding how early experiences may affect later mental health outcomes. She is especially interested in integrating developmental and clinical perspectives to better understand vulnerability and resilience across the lifespan. Outside of academia, Lisa enjoys expressing her creativity through dancing, playing the piano, painting, photography, and travelling. She also enjoys working out, attending concerts, trying new recipes, and spending time with friends and her dog.

Elle Cumming

Honours Thesis Student

Elle is a fourth-year undergraduate student completing an Honours Specialization BSc in Psychology. Her research interests broadly center on the factors that shape psychological well-being and interpersonal functioning, with particular interests in trauma, personality and psychopathology, close relationships, and emotional processes. She hopes to pursue a PhD in Clinical Psychology and ultimately integrate research with therapeutic practice. Outside of academics, Elle can often be found working - or working out - at the Western Student Recreation Centre.

Joshua Yu

Independent Study Student

Joshua is a fourth-year undergraduate student pursuing an Honours Psychology (BSc) degree. He has previously done research in the memory field, but is looking forward to learning about the developmental factors that affect various types of psychopathology. Josh also completed his honours thesis in the Sandre Lab! In his free time he loves cooking, going to the gym, and playing volleyball!

Funding:

BrainsCAN Diversity in Neuroscience Summer Internship (Summer 2026)

Past Roles:

Honours Thesis Student
Summer Internship Student

Angelina Stefanovici

Research Assistant

Angelina is a third-year student pursuing an Honours Specialization in Psychology. She is interested in how developmental and environmental factors shape learning and perception, with a focus on understanding differences in vulnerability and resilience across academic and everyday experiences. She aspires to pursue a PhD in Clinical Psychology and conduct research to improve understanding and support for individuals with diverse cognitive and emotional profiles. Outside of her studies, Angelina is an avid reader and enjoys discovering new books!

Lindsay Kirley

Research Assistant

Lindsay is a second-year student pursuing an Honours Specialization in Psychology (BSc). She is interested in neuropsychology, particularly how early life environments, such as parent–child relationships, shape the brain systems involved in emotion and behaviour. Her interests include understanding how these early experiences influence emotional development and long-term mental health outcomes. Outside of academia, Lindsay enjoys reading and basketball!

Arya Abdul

Research Assistant

Arya is a third-year student pursuing an Honours Specialization in Psychology with a minor in Disability Studies. She is interested in how early family and environmental experiences shape emotional development and emotion processing in children and adolescents, particularly how these experiences may contribute to differences in resilience to mental health challenges. She is also interested in how supportive environments and positive changes in children’s lives can promote healthy emotional development and well-being. Arya aspires to become a children’s clinical psychologist and is passionate about working with children and supporting their mental health. Outside of academics, she enjoys cooking, travelling, getting involved in student life on campus, travelling, and spending time with family and friends

Jade Lan

Research Assistant

Jade is a third-year student pursuing an Honours Specialization in Psychology (BA). She is particularly interested in how family and environmental contexts can impact the mind and body throughout development, with a recent interest in how stress hormones impact psychophysiology. Jade is passionate about using these learnings to find effective interventions for affected individuals with increased risks of psychopathology. Outside of the lab, she enjoys spending time with friends, catching up on the latest films and TV shows, and discovering new music!

Lab Alumni

Honours Thesis Students

Anisa Mughal, Bachelor of Science (BSc), Honours Specialization in Developmental Cognitive Neurscience at Western University

Summer Internship Students

Alaya Bhimani (USRI), Master of Public Health (MPH) at Western University, Doctor of Medicine at Western University

Research Assistants

Julia Raguimov, Bachelor of Medical Sciences (BMSc) at Western University

Connie Tsai, Bachelor of Arts (BA), Honours Specialization in Psychology at Western University

Hiva Bagheri, Bachelor of Science (BSc), Honours Specialization in Developmental Cognitive Neurscience at Western University

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