The team behind the research

Adi (she/her) is a first year master's student in Clinical Psychology at the University of Manitoba, co-supervised by Drs. Kayla Joyce and Natalie Mota. Her research interests focus on substance use, trauma, and motherhood, with an emphasis on improving support and reducing barriers to care. Her current research will examine the experiences of new parents working in high-stress occupations. In her free time, Adi enjoys spending time outdoors, running, and taking her dog for walks.

Wei-An (she/her) is in her second year of medical school. Her research interests include mental health, lived experiences, and patient-centred care. Her BSc. Med. project focuses on the experiences of patients with schizophrenia and/or bipolar disorders following bariatric surgery. Outside of school, Wei-An enjoys all forms of art, biking, hiking, and just being outdoors.

Charlotte (she/her) is completing her B.A. Honours in Psychology at the University of Manitoba under the supervision of Dr. Joyce. She is currently conducting her thesis in the lab, examining how parental substance use affects children’s education outcomes. Her research interests include child development and behaviour analysis. Outside of university, you will likely find Charlotte hiking with her dog Daisy.

Brooke (she/her) is a B.A. Honours Psychology student at the University of Manitoba under the supervision of Dr. Joyce. She is currently working on her thesis in the lab, focusing on psychological treatments for methamphetamine use and examining which approaches are most effective. Her research interests include the treatment of substance use disorders and mood disorders. In her free time, Brooke enjoys snowboarding, spending time at the lake, and hanging out with her Doberman, Nova.

Treyann (she/her) is completing her B.A. Honours in Psychology at the University of Manitoba under the supervision of Dr. Joyce. She has a strong interest in research involving substance use and is passionate about making research more inclusive and accessible. Outside of university she enjoys reading, crocheting, and spending time at home with her cats.

Cailyne (she/her) is completing her B.A. Honours in Psychology at the University of Manitoba under the supervision of Dr. Joyce. She is currently working on her honours thesis in the lab which examines the effectiveness of eHealth treatments for caregivers of children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder and prenatal alcohol exposure. Outside of university, Cailyne spends her time with her dog, Tato, and working on rehabilitating her knee after ACL surgery to be able to play soccer again.

Caitlin (she/her) is a second-year resident physician in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Manitoba. She completed medical school at the Max Rady College of Medicine in 2025. She enjoys working with patients who present with a variety of clinical presentations and collaborating with other members of the healthcare team to provide care for her patients. Her current research is focused on peer support in the context of mental health and addictions under the supervision of Drs. Joyce and Kirsten Penner-Goeke. In her free time, she spends time with her family, enjoys going for walks, and playing soccer.

Christina (she/her) is a second-year master’s student in Psychiatry Research at Dalhousie University and a trainee with the CRISM Atlantic Node, supervised by Dr. Sherry Stewart. She is currently completing a CRISM Cross-Node Placement under the joint supervision of Drs. Kayla Joyce and Natalie Riediger at the University of Manitoba, using qualitative content analysis to examine depictions of maternal cannabis use on TikTok. Christina's research interests include the intersection of trauma and cannabis use among individuals with early phase psychosis. Outside of research, Christina likes to cook and go to the beach.

Tia (she/her) graduated from the University of Winnipeg with a B.A. (Hons.) degree in Psychology in 2024. Her research interests include family mental wellness, with a focus on newcomer and immigrant populations. In the ANCHOR Lab, Tia supports a variety of research projects and contributes to research activities across the lab. Outside of work, Tia enjoys crocheting and spending time with friends and family.

Kyla is a master’s student in clinical psychology under the supervision of Dr. Leslie Roos. Her research focuses on supporting the mental wellness of young mothers and expanding access to care through eHealth programs. In Dr. Joyce's lab, Kyla assists with literature screening, data extraction, and evidence synthesis for systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Outside of the lab, Kyla enjoys spending time with her family, gardening, and thrifting.

Ruirui (she/her) is completing her B.Sc. Honours in Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour (Music Cognition Specialization) with a minor in biology at McMaster University. Her research interests include child neurodevelopment and its relationship to parental genetics. Ruirui is volunteering in the ANCHOR lab to gain hands-on experience in literature search, article analysis, and relevance screening. In her spare time, she enjoys crafting miniatures and solving puzzles.

Greg (he/him) is a third-year Psychology student pursuing a Bachelor of Arts at the University of Manitoba, with a growing interest in human behaviour, mental health, and the factors that influence psychological well-being. His research interests include understanding human development, behaviour, and the social factors that shape individuals and communities. Outside of the lab, he enjoys spending time with family and friends, exploring new places, and continuing to develop his academic and professional skills.

Tiwalope (she/her) is completing her B.A. Advanced in Psychology at the University of Manitoba. Her research interests include child psychology, child development, and behaviour. Outside of the lab, she works at a daycare supporting young children. In her free time, she enjoys singing, traveling, and spending quality time with her family.

Tega (she/her) is completing her B.A. Honours in Psychology at the University of Manitoba under the supervision of Dr. Karli Rysen and is currently volunteering as a research assistant in the ANCHOR Lab. Her research interests include understanding the effectiveness of interventions on immigrant populations and exploring the neuropsychological mechanisms of mental health disorders. Outside of academic work, she enjoys creating nail designs for her nail brand and unwinding at cute local cafés.

Efrah (she/her) is completing her B.Sc. in Psychology at the University of Manitoba, with a minor in Biology. Her research interests include clinical health psychology, child development, and mental health, with a particular interest in research that can improve health and well-being for children and families. Outside of school, she enjoys cooking, spending time with family and friends, and reading.