The Lab at Western

PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Ryan Stevenson

Dr. Ryan Stevenson is currently an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology and Brain & Mind Institute at the University of Western Ontario. His research focuses on sensory perception across the lifespan, specifically how changes in sensory perception influence cognitive processes such as speech perception. This work includes research with neurotypical populations and special populations including Autistic individuals, ADHD, and cochlear implant users. He uses behavioural measures, advanced neuroimaging techniques (fMRI and EEG), and neuropsychological measures to approach this research from multiple perspectives.

Contact: ryan.andrew.stevenson@gmail.com

POSTDOCS and RESEARCH ASSOCIATES

Eun Jung Choi

Dr. Eun Jung Choi is a Research Associate in the lab. Her research focuses on the functional development of the brain’s sensory and attachment systems in relations to diverse developmental and environmental contexts, including neurodevelopmental disorders, the quality of early caregiving, and parental addiction. Outside the lab, she is often on the road as a devoted driver and supporter for her kids.

Anqi Hu

Anqi Hu is a postdoc in the lab. She studies how different populations of children and adults learn language. She is especially interested in how “lower-level” sensory differences cascade into language differences in autistic, ADHD, and non-autistic individuals. A fun fact about Anqi is that she is an incidental multilingual (watched too much TV and learned a new language).

Ala’a Seif

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PHD STUDENTS

Leila Moradkhani

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Michelle Luszawski

Michelle is a PhD student in the Clinical Psychology program at Western University. She completed her BSc Honours in Psychology and Major in French Studies and her MSc in Psychology at Western University. She is currently investigating sensory processing differences and daily sensory experiences in autistic individuals using qualitative, quantitative, and neurophysiological methods. Outside of the lab, Michelle enjoys reading, travelling, and spending time outdoors.

Marilyn Chege

Marilyn is a PhD student in Psychology (Cognitive, Developmental, and Brain Sciences) at Western University, where she also completed her M.Sc. in Psychology—right here in the lab. She holds a B.A. in Psychology and Counselling from Daystar University, Kenya. Her research explores emotion recognition in Autism, with a focus on how sensory modality influences this process. Outside the lab, Marilyn enjoys long, leisurely walks, baking sweet things, and spirited conversations with friends.

Fan Yang

Fan studies emotion recognition and multisensory perception. Outside of the lab, he is a video game enthusiast. First-person action-adventure/fantasy games are his favorite!

MASTERS STUDENTS

Stephanie Larmer

Stephanie is an MSc student in the Cognitive, Developmental, and Brain Sciences program at Western University. She completed her BSc in Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience at Western University. Her research focuses on autism and education. Outside of the lab, Stephanie enjoys spin, Pilates, and reading.

Naomi Dodgson

Naomi is a Master’s student in Psychology, with a research interest in sensory differences in Autism and the position of neurodiverse people as a social class. She is currently investigating tactile defensiveness responses (colloquially called “texture” or “touch sensitivities”) in Autistic people. Naomi strives to use a neurodiverse-affirming approach to her research and is working on several side projects related to social perceptions of ADHD. Off hours, you will find her at karaoke, or playing board games and video games with her friends.

LAB MANAGER

Renee Guerville

Renee recently graduated from the Honours Specialization in Neuroscience and is currently working as the lab manager. She assists with a variety of studies, and ensures the lab runs smoothly. Outside of the lab, she enjoys embroidery, painting, and recreating matcha/coffee recipes from cafes!

Contact: rguervil@uwo.ca

HONOURS THESIS STUDENTS

Alexandra Elmslie

Alexandra is a fourth-year student in the BSc Honours Specialization in Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience and Scholar’s Electives programs. Her research uses EEG neuroimaging to investigate electrophysiological emotion recognition differences in individuals with ADHD. Outside the lab, Alexandra likes to go for runs in nature, read classic novels, and discover new local cafes!

Matthew Kur

Matthew is entering his final year of the BA Honours Specialization in Psychology at Western University. As a thesis student, Matthew is investigating the relationship between autistic traits, social competence, and Theory of Mind (ToM) in young adults. In his time with the lab, he has contributed to the development and implementation of new dynamic ToM measures, collaborated on multiple research projects, and developed a strong interest in extending this work to clinical populations. Outside of his academic involvement, Matthew enjoys running, playing piano, and tackling mini home-improvement projects!

Aaliyah St. Denis

Aaliyah is a fourth-year student completing a BA Honours Specialization in Psychology. As a thesis student, she is investigating substance use patterns among autistic, ADHD, AuDHD, and typically developing adults, with a focus on how these patterns differ between groups. Her research also examines how repetitive behaviours and sensory processing patterns relate to substance use within these populations. Outside of the lab, she enjoys playing video games, 3D printing, and painting!

Cassidy Smith

Cassidy is entering her fourth year in the Honours Specialization in Psychology (BSc) program at Western University. As a thesis student, she’s eager to help investigate how individuals process sensory information and how this shapes their cognition. Over the past year, she has developed a strong interest in pursuing a career in occupational therapy. Cassidy believes that gaining a deeper understanding of how diverse populations interact with their environments will equip me to provide more thoughtful and individualized care. Outside of academics, she is a very active person who enjoys strength training, hiking and trying new recipes!

Renee Shrestha

Renee is a fourth-year student completing a BSc Honours Specialization in Neuroscience. For her thesis project, she is investigating multisensory integration in autistic children and adults using EEG. Outside of the lab, Renee serves as Co-President of the Western Undergraduate Neuroscience Society and volunteers as a Conversation Facilitator at the Aphasia Institute. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, baking, and going to the gym!

Gabby Czichrak

Gabby is a fourth-year student completing a BSc Honours Specialization in Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience. She is exploring sensory processing and daily sensory experiences in autistic individuals, as well as educators’ experiences and needs in supporting autistic students. Outside of the lab, Gabby enjoys crocheting, baking, and yoga!

Subi Louis

Subi is a 4th Year Neuroscience Student. In Dr. Stevenson’s Lab, her is working with Eun Jung Choi on her project studying the activation of neural circuits in mother child relationships. Subi’s specific project uses fNIRS to hyperscan mothers and TD or ASD children while they fix a puzzle together. His main interest in research is learning how the brain learns, and how it changes in response to what it learns. Outside of the lab, Subi enjoys hanging out with his brother and sister!

Ashley Pilling

Ashley is entering her final year of the BSc Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience. She is interested in exploring how individuals with ASD perceive the world. Outside the lab, Ashley enjoys watching marvel movies and hockey (Go Leafs)!

RESEARCH VOLUNTEERS

Samki Shu

Samki is a fourth-year BA Honours student specializing in Kinesiology with a minor in Psychology. She’s interested in Pediatric Occupational Therapy and supporting children with ASD in both their physical and mental health. In her lab role, she helps organize the lab’s free day camp and work alongside graduate students on data collection and data processing. Outside of the lab, she enjoys working out, crocheting, going on walks and reading. A fun fact about Samki is that she’s from Hong Kong!

Kaia Jovanovic

Kaia is a fourth-year Honours Psychology student at Huron University. Her research interests include auditory perception and its interactions with vision and tactility. She is passionate about mixed-method research and addressing gender bias in data collection, and she hopes to pursue graduate studies on the role of women’s hormones in auditory aging. When she is not studying, she can usually be found tending to her dorm’s growing plant jungle!

Faris Rajab

Faris is a second-year Nursing student with interests in neuroscience and child development. In the lab, he is contributing to a project examining neural synchrony between mothers and their children during puzzle play, with a focus on behavioral coding of verbal and non-verbal communication. This research aims to explore how interaction patterns differ between autistic and non-autistic children and how they relate to brain activity. Outside of the lab, he enjoys weightlifting, reading, and kayaking!

Kerasia Kosich

Kerasia is a second year Honours Specialization in Psychology with a Minor in Linguistics; she hopes to pursue Speech Language Pathology following her undergraduate degree. Kerasia works with camps/programs with neurodiverse populations outside of university. Outside the lab, she enjoys fitness, reading and going to concerts!