Lab Members
Principal Investigator
Kat Munley, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology
Member, Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute
NIGMS F32 NRSA Postdoctoral Fellow, University of California Los Angeles (2022-2025)
Ph.D., Evolution, Ecology, and Behavior, Indiana University (2022)
Broadly, Kat is interested in how environmental context, including social and seasonal cues, is integrated via the brain and endocrine system to drive adaptive social behavior. Previously, she received her Ph.D. in Evolution, Ecology, and Behavior at Indiana University, where she examined how the hormone melatonin regulates seasonal aggression in Siberian hamsters (Phodopus sungorus) in the lab of Greg Demas. Then, Kat was a NIGMS F32 NSRA Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of California Los Angeles, where she studied the neural and molecular regulation of subordinate social status by androgens in the African cichlid fish Astatotilapia burtoni in the lab of Beau Alward. Kat is thrilled to open her lab in the Department of Psychology at the University of Alberta!
Fun Fact: In Summer 2024, Kat received her 200-hour registered yoga teacher (RYT) certification! She practices yoga every day and enjoys sharing her passion for yoga with others through teaching.
Graduate Students
Chandler Carr
M.S. Student, Graduate Program in Psychology (Comparative Cognition and Behaviour)
B.A., Biology and Neuroscience, Ohio Wesleyan University (2024)
Broadly, Chandler is interested in understanding the mechanisms underlying individual variation in animal behavior. For their master’s work, Chandler is studying the neural and hormonal regulation of individual differences in repeatable behaviors in subordinate Astatotilapia burtoni. Chandler completed their undergraduate degree at Ohio Wesleyan University, where they conducted three independent research projects on: 1) the repeatable nest building preferences of female wrens, 2) the effect of aesthetics on cognitive task performance in humans, and 3) co-expression patterns in response to gravity in plants. Outside of the lab, Chandler likes to watch Hermitcraft, play video games with their friends, and oil paint.
Fun Fact: Chandler’s mom says that she knew Chandler would get into science when they, at the age of two, stuck a metal spoon in an electrical outlet TWICE in the same week to make sure the power going out wasn’t a fluke the first time.
Arpita Ghosh
Ph.D. Student, Graduate Program in Psychology (Comparative Cognition and Behaviour)
M.S., Applied Neuropsychology, University of Bristol (2025)
B.S., Psychology, Ashoka University (2024)
Broadly, Arpita is interested in studying the neurobiological underpinnings of behaviors that are generally thought to be maladaptive, such as anxiety and depression. Her Ph.D. research focuses on characterizing the neural control of social subordination by serotonin in the African cichlid A. burtoni. Previously, she received her M.S. in Applied Neuropsychology at the University of Bristol and her B.S. in Psychology at Ashoka University, where she spent three years studying zebrafish behavior. Her senior thesis explored the adaptive significance of depressive-like behavior in wild-type zebrafish using pharmacological and social manipulations. Outside of the lab, Arpita enjoys working out, going for walks, and playing with her dogs.
Fun Fact: Arpita is a devoted dog lover! She has four rescued dogs back home in India — Tootie, Frootie, Nemo, and Daisy — who have been part of her life for over six years.
Undergraduate Students
Zack Matthews
Undergraduate Program in Psychology (B.S.)
Zack is a third-year undergraduate student majoring in psychology. In the SeaSoN Lab, he is working with Kat to study the androgenic regulation of coloration and circulating hormones in subordinate Astatotilapia burtoni. Zack looks forward to further developing his research skills in the lab and applying them while pursuing a master’s degree in psychology. Outside of the lab, he enjoys playing golf, spending time with friends, and playing with his dog.
Fun Fact: When Zack was around 5 years old and played Timbit soccer, he would be happy when the other team scored. Zack told his dad that he was happy because the other team was happy.
Sofya Mishchenko
Undergraduate Programs in Psychology and Biological Sciences (B.S.)
Sofya is a fourth-year undergraduate student double-majoring in psychology and biological sciences. Broadly, she is interested in studying the biological bases of behaviour, neuroscience, and molecular genetics. In the SeaSoN Lab, she is investigating the potential links between androgenic and serotonergic signalling in controlling subordination in Astatotilapia burtoni. Sofya is looking forward to pursuing graduate studies after completing her undergraduate degree. Outside of the lab, she enjoys volunteering at the University of Alberta Observatory, swimming, climbing, hiking, coaching, and learning physics and cosmology.
Fun Fact: Sofya previously conducted research on the effects of magnetic fields and specific sound frequencies on Escherichia coli culture growth and replication.
Angela Tan
Honors Program in Psychology (B.S.)
Angela is a third-year undergraduate student in the Honors Program in Psychology. In the SeaSoN Lab, she is working with Chandler to study the systems that affect individual variation in the expression of subordinate behaviors in Astatotilapia burtoni. Angela is also an active volunteer in the Intercultural Communication Lab in the Department of Psychology, where she studies language retention and family acculturation in humans. She looks forward to delving deeper into these topics before pursuing a master’s degree in psychology. Outside of the lab, she enjoys travelling, baking, and crocheting.
Fun Fact: Angela has been figure skating since she was 8 years old and now teaches learn-to-skate to a variety of ages. She especially enjoys working with kids — they say the silliest things, such as (incorrectly) guessing that Angela is 65 years old.
Honorary Lab Members
Simba
Lab Mascot
Prince of Purrs, Count of Catnip, and Nobleman of Naptime
Simba is a 12-year-old orange tabby cat. Born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Simba was adopted in August 2013 when he was just a few weeks old, right after Kat started her first semester of graduate school at Louisiana State University. Simba has been by Kat’s side for most of her scientific journey and has traveled with her across North America, including Bloomington (Indiana), Houston, Los Angeles, and Edmonton. He enjoys making biscuits on his favorite blanket, getting brushes, napping, and playing with his hair ties and toy mouse.
Tootie, Frootie, Nemo, and Daisy
Bark-tistic Directors and Cuteness Crusaders
Tootie, Frootie, Nemo, and Daisy are 7-year-old dogs born on the streets of Kolkata, India. They were rescued and adopted in 2017, when they were less than a month old and Arpita was in 11th grade. Abandoned at a young age, they quickly became the heart of her world and have been by her side through every high and low, from school days to her current Ph.D. journey. They miss Arpita a lot when she’s away and eagerly await her holiday, counting down the days until they can cuddle with her again. They love belly rubs, cuddles, chicken treats, long naps, and chasing each other around. Their special talent? Expertly dismantling toys and turning the remains into creative “art installations” across their room.
Willow
Chief of Chew Toys
Willow is a 6-year-old Whoodle. She was born on July 25, 2019 in rural Alberta, Canada and was adopted in November 2019 while Zack was in high school. Zack had been through some rough times dealing with a major injury, and Willow was a bright ball of joy, always by his side to keep him company and provide many smiles. Willow loves to play with squeaky balls, go on long walks at the Buena Vista Dog Park, and swim in the river when it’s hot.