Current Members
Dr. Wendy Hoglund, PhD
Dr. Wendy Hoglund (she/her) conducts basic and applied research on social and emotional development in childhood and adolescence. Her research primarily investigates within-group variability in the experiences and adjustment of marginalized and racialized children and adolescents, with a focus on how setting-level influences can promote resiliency among children and adolescents.
Most typically, her research investigates how the quality of interactions with peers and teachers relate to self-regulation in early childhood and to internalizing symptoms in childhood and adolescence. Her applied community-engaged research examines how classroom instructional practices contribute to children’s social, emotional and academic competencies.
Dr. Hoglund’s research has been funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC), PolicyWise for Children & Families, Women and Children’s Health Research Institute (WCHRI), and the Killam Cornerstone Grant Program.
Lab Manager
Haley Fell, BSc (Hons)
Hi! My name is Haley, and I am the Lab Manager for the PEERS Lab. My research interests include developmental psychopathology, specifically externalizing behaviours in children. I recently completed my Bachelor of Science in Honors Psychology and a summer project funded by WCHRI and URI on the relationship between self-regulation and ADHD symptoms, both in the PEERS Lab. I would love to use the skills I learned in the lab in graduate studies in clinical or counselling child psychology. I love baking, hiking, and my weekend job, where I am a princess for kids’ birthday parties!
Postdoctoral Scholars
Sandra Romero Carreon, PhD
I am a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Department of Psychology at the University of Alberta. My research focuses on examining how internal and external socio-emotional factors can help mitigate the risk of developing reading disabilities in early childhood. This work builds on my doctoral thesis, which examined cognitive mechanisms underlying the development of reading fluency among children with and without reading disabilities. My research has been published in Scientific Studies of Reading, Journal of Experimental Child Psychology, and Reading and Writing. In addition to my research, I serve as an Assistant Lecturer in the Faculty of Education at the University of Alberta, teaching courses on special education, including Introduction to Inclusive Education (EDPY 301) and Teaching Children with Challenging Behaviours (EDPY 454).
Graduate Students
Jiachen Zhang
Hi! My name is Jiachen, and I am an incoming PhD student in Developmental Science at the University of Alberta. My research interests focus on children’s and adolescents’ mental health in school settings, particularly their social and emotional development, and how everyday experiences such as peer relationships, classroom interactions, and family context shape students’ well-being. I am especially interested in early identification of emotional risk and developing school-based approaches to better support students. Outside of academia, I enjoy photography and hiking and am a big fan of visiting national parks. I also like baking and watching anime in my free time.
Livia Eni
Hi! I’m Livia. I’m from Vancouver Island and I moved to Edmonton to study at the University of Alberta. I joined the PEERS Lab in 2024 and recently completed my BA (Hons.) in Psychology. Since May 2025, I have been working in the PEERS Lab as a research assistant and I am so excited to be continuing in the PEERS Lab as a Master’s Student! My research interests tend to revolve around how culture impacts children’s development and I am excited to explore this further throughout my Master’s degree. Outside of the lab, I enjoy running, reading, and drinking lots and lots of coffee.
Jessica Annor Bediako
Hi, my name is Jessica! My research interests lie in the socioemotional development of children and youth. I am particularly interested in internalizing disorders (e.g. anxiety) and the ways in which different relationships, such as familial and teacher relationships, impact social and emotional functioning in these populations. My experience as an early childhood educator, educational assistant, and volunteer at a child and youth advocacy center have contributed to my desire to learn more about child and youth development and I am excited to begin this journey in the PEERS lab. In my free time, I love watching movies, reading, and filling up my sketchbooks.
Honors Thesis Students
Sonia Skobkareva
Hello everyone! I am a fifth-year student at the University of Alberta in my second year of the BSc Honors Psychology Program. I am returning to the PEERS Lab this year after completing a year-long internship through the Science Internship Program at Boyle Street Education Centre! My honors thesis explores the association between homophobic victimization and internalizing problems, particularly loneliness, in adolescence. I have further research interests in the mental health outcomes of marginalized youth, particularly those with intersecting identities, and critical studies in psychology. In the future, I hope to pursue graduate studies in Social Work. In addition to my academics at the UofA, I am also a member of the Pandas Tennis Team! In my (limited) free time, I enjoy playing my guitar, riding my bike, reading (especially in a hammock), and being outside. I am excited to continue to learn and grow in the PEERS Lab!
Quinn Downes-Mcdougall
Hello everyone! I’m a fifth-year BA psychology student and second-year undergraduate honors student. I’m pleased to be a part of the PEERS lab and I’m excited to finish my thesis and take on new challenges in the years ahead. My research interests center on how children learn to self-regulate and the role aggression plays in that process. I plan to become a registered psychologist and help people navigate their everyday struggles. I look forward to gaining hands-on experience and continuing to build relationships with my fellow lab members. A little fun fact about me is that I can play five instruments!
Danna Mateus Forero
Hi everyone! I’m a fourth-year student at the University of Alberta, and this is my first year in both the BSc Honours Program and the PEERS Lab. My research interests are fairly broad, but I’m especially interested in how teacher perceptions shape children’s emotional development and how these experiences may differ across cultural and ethnic backgrounds. My interest in developmental psychology began through my volunteer work with Taking Strides Edmonton, a student-led organization supporting children with neurodevelopmental disorders. This experience deepened my passion for understanding and supporting children’s mental health. In the future, I hope to pursue graduate studies in school psychology. Outside of academics, I enjoy going to the gym, camping and hiking with my family. I’m really excited to be part of the PEERS Lab!
Laura Gervais
Hello! My name is Laura. I am a fourth-year undergraduate student, and this will be my second year in the BSc Honors program. I have really enjoyed gaining research experience in the PEERS Lab and working on my own research project. This year, I look forward to continuing my thesis and expanding my knowledge of child development, particularly how it relates to children’s relationships with their teachers. Outside of the lab, I enjoy rock climbing, drawing, crocheting, and knitting.
Madison Crocker
Hello! My name is Madi, and I am a second year honors student with the PEERS Lab. My current research interests are centered in how classroom interactions in early childhood shape academic and mental health outcomes longitudinally. In my future career, I hope to apply this understanding through work in early intervention programs, school counseling, or clinical practice. In my free time I like to hike and draw. I am also a natural history and dinosaur enthusiast!
Mariam Moustafa
Hi! My name is Mariam and I’m heading into my second year as an honors student and final year in my undergrad. I am interested in research involving developmental psychology and teacher-child relationships in school. In my graduate studies, I hope to continue pursuing something related to my research, such as in educational psychology or school and clinical child psychology. In my free time I really enjoy travelling, reading, and binge watching tv shows.
Brooklyn Davidson
Hello! I am a third-year Bachelor of Arts in Psychology student and am beginning my first year in the Honours program with the PEERS Lab. I am eager to delve further into developmental psychology and work on my undergraduate thesis, as I am interested in how academic settings and teacher-student relationships influence development in children. After earning my degree, I plan to pursue graduate studies and to continue my education since I am passionate about psychology. Aside from academics, in my free time, I watch many movies and enjoy spending time with my cat and two dogs.
Kiara Selin
Hello! My name is Kiara, and I am a fourth-year undergraduate student currently completing my second year as an Honors student in the PEERS Lab. My research interests center around the influence of social skills on the development of internalizing symptoms (e.g., depression, anxiety, and somatic symptoms) in early childhood. My research in the lab has helped strengthen my goal of pursuing a doctorate in psychology, with a particular interest in psychological assessment and diagnosis with youth. In my free time, I enjoy writing, reading, and training my cocker spaniel, Nola!
Prachee Rijal
Hello everyone! My name is Prachee Rijal, and I am an incoming third-year psychology student. I will be starting my honours degree with the PEERS Lab this year, and I am excited to gain hands-on research experience. My interests lie in developmental and social psychology, particularly in understanding how exposure to early stress may shape later outcomes. My passion for psychology was inspired by growing up with my younger brother, who has autism. In the future, I hope to become a researcher and/or a psychologist, and to do work that supports autistic individuals and their families. Outside of academics, I enjoy trying new recipes, painting, going on walks, and spending time with friends.
Aryan Kalra
Hi! I’m Aryan, and I’m interested in understanding teacher-child relationships and how they influence development and behaviour. My interest in developmental psychology was inspired by listening to my mother’s experiences as a primary school teacher. I’m excited to continue building my research skills as I work toward pursuing a thesis-based master’s degree in the future. Outside of school, you’ll usually find me at the gym, playing badminton, cooking, or watching anime.
Dalia Halabi
Hello! My name is Dalia, and I am a 3rd year Bachelor of Science in Psychology, and going to my first year in the honors program and the PEERS lab! I am ecstatic to be researching child and adolescent psychology! My research interests include how social and environmental experiences within school settings shape emotional wellbeing in youth. I pursue my interest in bettering child and adolescent psychology through my volunteering experiences, community involvement and work! I also love my job, where I teach children of all ages sports and activities! Outside of academics and work, I enjoy music, practicing instruments, learning about geography and different cultures, and spending time outside.
Pihu
Hi! I’m Pihu, a third-year BA Psychology student about to begin my first year in the honours program. My research interests focus on neurodevelopmental disorders, particularly ADHD in South Asian girls. I’m especially interested in how patriarchal socialization can complicate diagnosis, with masking often misinterpreted as propriety or good behaviour. I’m currently reading about the overlap between dysgraphia and ADHD in South Asian youth. In the future, I hope to pursue a direct-entry PhD in School and Educational Psychology. Outside of academics, I work as a resident assistant at the University of Alberta, where I enjoy organizing engaging events for my residents. I’m also an avid reader, with a particular love for fantasy, right now, I’m reading The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang.
Olivia Kereliuk
Hi! My name is Olivia and I am a third year BA honors psychology student. My research interests include developmental psychopathology, specifically stress factors impacting ADHD, autism, and anxiety in children and adolescents. I am excited to begin my first year in the PEERS lab, and hope to use this experience to later pursue a career in clinical psychology or paediatric occupational therapy. In my free time I love reading, spending time with friends and family, and trying new things!
Tezza Paul
Hi, I am currently in my fourth year of a BA in Psychology going into my first year of the Honours program. I’m excited to begin my journey with the PEERS Lab as an Honours thesis student! My research interests include supportive instructional practices and child development, immigrant children’s social and emotional adjustment, neurodiverse child and peer dynamics, and holistic therapeutic approaches such as music therapy/sound healing. In the future, I hope to pursue my graduate studies in Clinical Psychology through a MSc and PhD program. Outside of academics, I’m a singer and trained Indian classical dancer who enjoys crocheting, cooking, working out and spending time with family. A fun fact about me is that I’m a respite worker supporting neurodiverse individuals and I’m also a vocal coach who teaches multilingual music to children. I’m looking forward to learning, growing and connecting with everyone! 🙂
Johanna Arulanandam
Hi! This will be my first year joining the PEERS Lab, and I am very excited to be a part of the team! My research interests primarily include emotional self-regulation in children and adolescents, the effects of negative peer relationships, and developmental psychology as a whole. My end goal after graduation is to pursue a Master’s in Educational Psychology, and eventually build a career as a clinical psychologist. I am very passionate about providing mental health supports to groups that are typically overlooked, and as a queer BIPOC woman myself, I would especially love to work with adolescents from marginalized communities in my future. When I’m not busy with schoolwork, my time is most often spent volunteering with organizations both on and off campus, exploring new boba shops around the city, and meeting up with my friends!
Mishthi Batra
Hi! I am a fourth-year student at the University of Alberta, and this is my first year in the BA Honours Program. My research interests focus on children’s and adolescents’ social-emotional development, especially how teacher–child interactions, peer relationships, and classroom environments shape resilience and academic growth. I’m excited to continue building my research skills through the PEERS Lab and hope to pursue graduate studies in developmental and clinical psychology in the future. Outside of academics, I enjoy creating content, playing squash, volunteering with youth, and travelling.
Ryan Tieu
Hello! My name is Ryan and I am entering my third year of a BA in Psychology and my first year of the Honors program. My research interests are focused on understanding the construction and perception of gender in childhood and adolescent populations. I have experience working with adolescents as apart of Ross Sheppard’s Peer Support program and We And the World’s Centre’s Bridging Milestones program, as well as unhoused populations through volunteering for the Mustard Seed. Outside of brief volunteering, I have yet to extensively work with child populations therefore, I am very excited and grateful to be apart of the PEERS Lab to conduct research in the fields of child and developmental psychology. In my free time, my favorite hobbies are working out, watching TV shows, movies, video essays, and spending time with friends.
Individual Research and Volunteers
Khusheeali Bajambally
Hi everyone! I am a second-year student at the University of Alberta pursuing a BSc in Psychology, and an aspiring Honors student. I am thrilled to be returning to the PEERS Lab this year to continue my research as an Independent Study student! I find it very interesting to explore self-regulation and socioemotional development as a result of peer-child relationships, particularly during the developmental years of immigrant students. My ultimate goal is to pursue a career in counselling psychology, followed by public speaking to advocate for mental health. I believe it is important to promote greater awareness of developmental psychology and to eliminate the stigma surrounding mental health. I look forward to achieving this by educating diverse communities across various platforms! Outside of academics, I love to dance, explore different cultures, and discover new cafes around Edmonton! I am also very fond of travelling, having been to 17 different countries so far 🙂
Marisha Merwaha
Hello everyone! My name is Marisha Merwaha, and I’m a second-year Psychology and Philosophy double major at the University of Alberta. I’m excited to be joining the PEERS Lab this semester and to begin gaining hands-on research experience. My primary interests lie in the development of morality in children, particularly the stages at which certain judgments emerge, as well as processes of identity formation. Looking ahead, I plan to pursue graduate studies and continue building a career in research, and I’m eager to start laying that foundation here.
Monwara Chowdhury
Hi everyone! I am a fourth year Bachelor of Science student specializing in Psychology. I am so excited to be a part of the Early Learning Project with the PEERS Lab. My research interests focus on disruptive, impulse-control, and conduct disorders, and how symptoms of these disorders manifest in early childhood. Over the past year, I have gained practical experience working under a psychologist which has allowed me to observe various conditions in the real world. I am now eager to expand my knowledge and further develop my skills within a laboratory setting. During my free time, I enjoy watching thriller movies and spending time with my cat!
Kavneet Sahota
Hello everyone! I’m Kavneet (Kavi), and I am currently a fourth-year BA student majoring in Psychology with a minor in Sociology. I am so excited to volunteer in the PEERS Lab this year! My interests lie in developmental psychology, particularly in understanding and supporting children’s cognitive, emotional, and behavioural growth. I am so grateful to gain hands-on experience through the Early Learning Project! I hope to pursue graduate studies in developmental psychology and continue to broaden my knowledge and apply it meaningfully. A fun fact about me is that I love to bake and read.
Racheal Oyesile
Hello! My name is Racheal and I am a third year Undergraduate student pursuing a degree in Psychology. My research interests include developmental psychology, and how a change of environment impacts child and adolescent development. I am excited to gain some more experience in psychological research with the PEERS lab. In the future, I plan to earn a masters degree in either developmental psychology, or counselling child psychology. In my free time, I enjoy crocheting, watching basketball, and my part time job working at a psychology clinic.
Joyce Liang
Hello everyone! My name is Joyce, and I am a 4th-year BA Honors Psychology student. This is my first year volunteering with the PEERS Lab, and I am excited to be part of the team! My research interests focus on how different types of screen media, such as educational and entertainment content, may influence children’s communication development. I am particularly interested in understanding how children’s media experiences and environments can shape their development. I have enjoyed applying my academic experiences to practical settings through my previous roles as a Behaviour Interventionist providing ABA therapy to children, a Speech-Language Pathologist Assistant working with children, and a Mental Health Aide supporting seniors. I look forward to continuing to learn and gain research experience through my time with the PEERS Lab!
Rachel Blais
Hi! My name is Rachel, and I’m entering my second year of a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Sociology. I would love to use my experience with the PEERS lab as an opportunity to expand my understanding of psychological research and gain hands-on experience! I think something interesting about me is that I have never had a job that didn’t involve working with children, as this summer I was a discovery camp leader, and before that I was a lifeguard and then a swim coach! I’m looking forward to bringing this experience and enthusiasm to the PEERS Lab while learning more about research and the field of psychology. Can’t wait to meet you all! 🙂
Faithfulness Umeobi
Hi! My name is Faithfulness, and I am a fourth-year Bachelor of Science in Psychology student at the University of Alberta. I am interested in learning more about how culture, social environments, and relationships shape people’s experiences and development. Through the PEERS Lab, I’m excited to grow my research skills, learn more about the research process, and contribute to research that has a meaningful impact on children and communities. Looking ahead, I hope to pursue a career in counselling psychology and continue finding ways to support and serve others in Christ. Outside of school, I enjoy working with children, singing, exploring jazz and music, and expressing my creativity through art.
Ashley Blais
Hello, my name is Ashley and I’m a 2nd year undergrad student studying Psychology with a minor in Sociology! My research interests include anxiety disorders and their development, as well as attachment styles in children. As it is my first year volunteering in the PEERS lab, I’m hoping to further my skills in a professional lab setting and connect with others about our mutual interest in developmental psychology! My future goals are to enter the Honours program and eventually pursue a Masters in either Counselling or Clinical Psychology. Asides my academics, my hobbies consist of swimming, baking, and spending time with friends!
Aaleyah Adebayo
Hi, I’m Aaleyah, and I’m exploring my research interests in child development, specifically with learning disabilities and literacy. I volunteer with a couple literacy charities around Edmonton coaching kids and helping them improve their literacy, so I was really excited to volunteer with the PEERS Lab and learn about the research side of things. My goal in the future is to pursue clinical or counselling studies in developmental psychology. In my free time, I love writing, cooking, and playing Sims or Minecraft.
Mariana Tafur
Hi! My name is Mariana Tafur, and I’m a fourth-year BA Psychology student and an international student from Colombia completing my degree at the University of Alberta. My research interests range from neurocognitive and developmental psychology to psychopathology, psycholinguistics, and child development, particularly how cognitive and neurological processes influence children’s development and behaviour. In the future, I hope to pursue a career in clinical psychology or occupational therapy. This is my second year at the PEERS Lab, and I’m very excited to continue developing my research skills and learning from the lab! Outside of psychology, I love animals, soccer, and spending time with my friends and family. 🙂