Isabel Ng Yek En

Hello! I’m Isabel, a BA (Hons) Psych international student from Malaysia. Coming from the other side of the world, I’m passionate about exploring intercultural differences and motivations that guide people’s actions. I’m excited to delve into these topics and more in the IC Lab!

Avantika Singh

Hi! My name is Avantika, and I’m a third-year BA psychology student. This is my first semester in the IC Lab, and I’m really excited to be here and learn from everyone. I was drawn to this lab because of my interest in culture, language, and how different social environments shape the way people think and connect. Growing up and studying in several multicultural settings sparked my curiosity about how cultural background and experience influence identity. Outside of school, I like exploring new coffee shops, trying different recipes, and spending time with the people I love.

Jana Sleiman

Hi, my name is Jana, and I’m a third-year psychology major! It’s my second year working in the lab, and I’ll be helping the lab expand its research with immigrant students. I’m looking forward to learning and developing my research skills. My interests outside of school surround video games and reading!

Safa Awan

Hello! My name is Safa, and I’m a fourth-year Psychology student. This is my first semester in the Intercultural Communication Lab as an independent study student. I’m interested in intercultural communication, language learning, and how language and culture shape identity and well-being. As a Canadian Pakistani fluent in Urdu and English, I bring a multilingual and multicultural perspective to the lab. Outside of academics, I enjoy going to the gym and traveling. I’m excited to gain research experience and contribute to the lab’s ongoing projects.

Anfal Rafique

Hi! My name is Anfal and I’m in my second year of BSc Psychology. I worked with the ICLab for a semester as a volunteer and decided to join the team as an independent study student. I love learning about different cultures and different forms of communication and I think it’s really important to learn and understand these experiences and why they’re so important! In my free time I love to read, bake, write, and I love to explore and learn how to do various different hobbies! 

Tasmia Shahid

Hi! My name is Tasmia, and I am a fourth-year student double-majoring in Biology and Psychology. I am excited to be joining the IC lab as an independent studies student for this upcoming year! My research interests center on understanding the factors that influence second-language learning and maintenance, with a particular interest in how gender may shape these processes. Outside of academics, I enjoy listening to music, going on nature walks, and spending time with friends and family!

Glory Okebugwu

Hello! My name is Glory Okebugwu, and I’m a third year student in the Faculty of Arts, majoring in Psychology. I’m especially interested in exploring intercultural differences—particularly how youth from immigrant backgrounds navigate acculturation. I’m fascinated by how the process of adapting to a new culture while maintaining aspects of one’s original culture shapes personality and social interactions. I’m excited to dive deeper into this area through both research and lived experience.

Jessi Kattel

My name is Jessi, I’m a fourth-year psychology student, and this is my first semester in this lab as an independent student. I moved to Canada when I was 15 years old and have lived in Edmonton since. I have always been really interested in language because of my own multilingual background, as well as cultural and cognitive psychology. Outside of university, I enjoy reading, watching shows, crocheting, cooking and painting.

Lucy Hu

Hi! My name is Lucy (she/her), and I’m a fourth-year Psychology student with a Biology minor. This will be my first time working in the Intercultural Communication Lab, and I’m very excited to be joining the team. 

I immigrated to Canada with my family when I was 11, and my experiences with language learning, cultural adaptation, and identity development have strongly shaped my academic interests. I’m especially interested in research on intercultural communication, language and ethnic identity development, motivation in second and heritage language learning, and language mindsets.

I’m really looking forward to learning from the lab, developing my research skills, and contributing to projects that inform education and immigration contexts.

Yunjiao (Estella) Zhu

Hello, everyone. My name is YunJiao. I am conducting independent research in the IC lab this semester. In daily life, I enjoy playing the piano and reading, and I have a very cute Schnauzer. I hope to enhance my cross-cultural understanding and communication skills, and learn more about different cultures!

Ritika Raval

Hello! I’m Ritika Raval, a fourth-year Independent studies student. As a multilingual international student, I’ve always been fascinated by how language and cultural differences shape an individual’s perception and experiences in this world. I am excited and honored to contribute to this exploration in the lab.

Emily Ewald

Hello! My name is Emily and I am a fourth year BA Psych student. Cultural psychology has always been something that I’ve been fascinated by, which was only further expanded upon learning about my Indigenous heritage. I can’t wait to have an opportunity to study something that I’ve been so passionate about for so many years. Outside of school, I am a major animal lover (I have cat named Matcha and a dog named Molly!) and I enjoy videos games!

Amira Stewart

Hey! My name is Amira and I’m a fourth year psychology major and philosophy minor. This is my second semester as an independent study student in this lab and I’m happy to be back! I’m interested in intercultural communication and how it shapes both individual identity and group dynamics. In the spring I worked on a study about the stressors Black Canadian students face. And this fall I will be collecting data on the experience of International students. This summer I fostered a love for golf and also studied abroad in Ireland! Outside of academics I am a big sister, a lifeguard/swim instructor, a server, and a swim coach with Special Olympics. There is so much to learn in the IC Lab and I am excited to be a part of it this year!

Mercy Valentine

Hiii! My name is Mercy Valentine, and I’m in my 3rd year of my BA in Psychology! I’m interested in researching how different cultures and languages affect the way people identify themselves, interact with others, and how they see the world. Outside of school, I love hitting the gym, hanging out with friends, and I recently picked up the guitar!

Jaden Chan

Hello! My name is Jaden Chan, currently a 4th year Psychology student. I moved from Hong Kong to Canada when I was 15 years old and have stayed in Edmonton since. I’m interested in learning how intercultural communication and how language usage shapes individual identities. Having been from similar backgrounds, I’d love to learn about other people’s experience, and more importantly get involved in the research lab settings through the IC Lab! Outside of school you can find me at the gym or anywhere outdoors! 

Della Wang

Hello everyone! I’m Della, a third-year Arts student majoring in Psychology. I moved to Canada 8 years ago, and have since met friends from many different cultural backgrounds. I’m interested in connecting theory with practice, especially in exploring how concepts from intercultural communication are applied in real research settings. In my free time, I enjoy horseback riding, travelling, and spending time with my cats!

An Luo

Hi, 大家好! My name is An, and I am an international student from China in the BA
Psychology program, preparing to enter the BA Honours Psychology program. Growing
up in Guangdong, China, while engaging with diverse cultural contexts over time
shaped my interest in cultural psychology, particularly how culture influences people’s
cognitive processes. In my free time, I enjoy hiking, exploring foods from different
cultures, playing badminton, and watching movies.