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Meg Schlichting, PhD
Associate Professor of Psychology PhD in Psychology, The University of Texas at Austin BA in Cognitive Science, University of Pennsylvania Meg is the Principal Investigator of the Budding Minds Lab at U of T. She is interested in how the episodic memory system (especially the hippocampus and its surrounding medial temporal lobe cortex) interacts with prefrontal brain regions to update our stored memories with new information. Her work aims to characterize how these neural operations happen in healthy young adults, as well as how they might change as the brain develops across childhood and adolescence. In her spare time, Meg loves to cook, try new restaurants, and explore all that her new city of Toronto has to offer. Meg's CV |
Post-Doctoral Fellows
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Sagana Vijayarajah
BSc in Psychology, York University MA in Psychology, University of Toronto PhD in Psychology, University of Toronto Sagana is a post-doctoral researcher in Dr. Schlichting’s lab and Dr. Mack's lab. She is interested in exploring the developmental changes in memory that occur from childhood to adulthood and how they impact decision-making and learning strategies. In her spare time, she likes to bike, paint, and spend time with family and friends. |
Graduate Students
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Merron Woodbury
BSc in Neuroscience, Minor in Computer Science, McGill University MA in Psychology, University of Toronto Merron is a PhD student in Dr. Schlichting’s lab. They are interested in using various neuroimaging and computational techniques to study structural and functional changes in the brain underlying the development of memory processes. In their spare time, Merron loves to paint, read feminist science fiction and fantasy, and spend time outdoors. |
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Alex McArthur
BA in Political Science and Philosophy, University of Western Ontario BSc in Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience, University of Western Ontario Alex is a PhD student in Dr. Schlichting’s lab. He is interested in using different neuroimaging techniques to explore how learning and memory systems change across development. In his free time, Alex is almost always reading, but he also enjoys painting, yoga, and visiting used bookstores. |
Lab Manager
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Jessie Song
B.Sc in Neuroscience and Psychology, University of Toronto Jessie recently completed her undergraduate degree from the University of Toronto with a double major in neuroscience and psychology. She is interested in studying the neural mechanisms that allow people to learn and remember so many different things, and how these processes change throughout development. Outside of the lab, Jessie enjoys listening to classical music, playing video games, and drawing. |
Research Assistants
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Stephanie Cardillo
M.Ed, Ontario Institute of Secondary Education, University of Toronto (In progress) BSc in Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Toronto Stephanie recently finished her Bachelors of Science, majoring in Psychology and Neuroscience, and is now a Master's student at OISE. She is interested in learning more about the development of the brain, specifically the areas involved in learning and memory and how these differ among atypically developing populations. Outside of the lab, Stephanie enjoys trying new restaurants, going on walks, and playing video games with her friends. |
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Paige Denega
B.A in Psychology, Neuroscience and Behaviour, McMaster University Paige is a recent graduate from McMaster’s Psychology, Neuroscience and Behaviour program. She is interested in researching developmental psychology to understand the social and cognitive changes that occur throughout childhood. In her free time, Paige enjoys camping, listening to music and playing tennis. |
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Arianna Duarte
BSc in Psychology and Anthropology, University of Toronto (in progress) Arianna is a recent graduate of McMaster University in the Life Science: Sensory-Motor Systems specialization. Her interests lie in developmental psychology and its role in education. In her spare time, Arianna enjoys reading, theater, and video games! |
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Julia Gonsalves
BSc in Psychology, Research Specialist Program, University of Toronto (in progress) Julia is a fourth-year undergraduate student in the Psychology Research Specialist Program. She is interested in learning about cognitive processes in children, and how these processes may differ in children who have neurodevelopmental disorders. In her free time, she enjoys finding new music, reading, and exploring Toronto with friends. |
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Ava Graci
BSc in Specialized Honours Psychology, York University (in progress) Ava is a third-year Specialized Honours BSc Psychology student at York University. Her interests focus on developmental psychology and how cognitive mechanisms change across development, how contextual factor shapes learning and behaviour, and how these findings translate into real-world functioning and inform interventions. In her spare time, Ava enjoys going to concerts, trying new coffee spots, and being with friends and family! |
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Linda He
BSc in Psychology, Research Specialist program, Bioethics Minor, University of Toronto (in progress) Linda is a fifth-year undergraduate and research assistant in the Budding Minds Lab. She is passionate about cognitive neuroscience research, and is currently supporting a project investigating category learning in children and adults. She has additional interests in understanding how neurological and psychiatric disorders impact cognitive functioning. Outside of the lab, she enjoys bouldering, practicing ballet, playing guitar, and listening to live music. |
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Nimmer Hira
BSc in Psychology and Biology for Health Sciences, University of Toronto (in progress) Nimmer is a second-year undergraduate student at the University of Toronto double majoring in Psychology and Biology for Health Sciences. She is super interested in neuroscience and cognitive psychology, particularly in understanding the factors that influence our memory and learning. Outside of school, Nimmer enjoys reading, listening to music, and travelling when she can. |
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Dana Huang
BSc in Neuroscience and Physiology, University of Toronto (in progress) Dana is a fourth-year undergraduate student studying neuroscience and physiology. She is interested in studying memory and learning, and how that develops and changes from childhood, adolescence and into adulthood. In her free time, she enjoys swimming, reading, and playing the piano! |
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Zoë Kostenas
BSc in Psychology and Sociology, University of Toronto (in progress) Zoë is a third-year undergraduate student double majoring in Psychology and Sociology. She is particularly interested in the intersection between social and cognitive psychology, especially how memory is shaped by both interpersonal dynamics and individual processes. Outside the lab, Zoë enjoys going on walks, listening to music, and hanging out with friends. |
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Madison Narciso
BSc in Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Toronto (in progress) Maddie is a third-year undergraduate student in the Psychology Research Specialist program with a major in Neuroscience. She is interested in how the developing brain supports the vast amount of learning children are tasked with and how it is impacted in neurodevelopmental disorders. Outside the lab, she can often be found baking or working on a jigsaw puzzle. |
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DeeDee Ng
BSc in Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Toronto (in progress) DeeDee is a third-year undergraduate student double-majoring in Psychology and Neuroscience with a minor in Applied Data Science. She is interested in studying the interaction between memory and attention, and how this interaction can inform better diagnosis of psychiatric disorders by detecting early cognitive decline. In her spare time, DeeDee enjoys going to the gym, café-hopping and hanging out with friends. |
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Julia Summerfield
BSc in Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Toronto (in progress) Julia is a third-year undergraduate student at the University of Toronto studying psychology and health studies. She is interested in everything related to the brain and neuroscience, and is specifically interested in neural plasticity after trauma. Outside of school, Julia loves weight lifting, frolicking in nature, and doing the NYT connections. |
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Tien Yang
BSc in Psychology and Anthropology, University of Toronto (in progress) Tien is a fourth-year undergraduate student at the University of Toronto, pursuing an H.BSc degree in Psychology Research Specialist and Anthropology Minor. Her research interest lies in understanding the dynamics of memory and learning across the human lifespan, with a particular focus on the neuromodulatory mechanisms underlying aging. In her free time, she enjoys travelling around the world, learning and practicing different sports, and reading. |
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Kate Zhang
BSc in Psychology and Linguistics, University of Toronto (in progress) Kate is a fourth-year undergraduate student at the University of Toronto doing Psychology specialist and Linguistics major. She's interested in the cognitive development in childhood. Specifically, in the future, She wishes to do research about children's memory and learning mechanisms from the perspective of cognitive neuroscience. In her spare time, She loves watching anime, traveling with friends, and bulletin journaling. |
Lab Alumni
Postdoctoral Fellows
Anna Blumenthal
Postdoctoral Researcher in Cognitive Psychology & Neuroscience at Université Laval
Xiaoping Fang
Assistant Professor of Psychology at the Beijing Language and Culture University
Graduate Students
Tess Forest
PhD in Psychology at the University of Toronto
MA in Psychology, University of Toronto
BA in Cognitive Systems and Linguistics, University of British Colombia
Emily Heffernan, outside project student
PhD in Psychology, University of Toronto
MA in Psychology, University of Toronto
BASc in Electrical Engineering, Queen's University
Lab Managers
Sanjivan Loganathan 2024-2025
Graduate student in the MSc program, Western University
Emmy Wang 2022-2024
Graduate student in the MA-PhD Program in Clinical Neuropsychology, University of Windsor
Carleigh Pace-Tonna 2022
Graduate student in Psychology PhD program, UofT
Zahra Abolghasem 2020-2022
Graduate student in Psychology PhD program, University of British Columbia
Sarah Berger 2019-2020
Research Coordinator, Sunnybrook Health Sciences
Isabelle Vanasse Grosdidier 2018-2019
Business Information Management Analyst, TD
Chuyun Shen 2018
Engineer at RAVL
Hailey Benedict 2017-2018
OT, Providence Healthcare Unity Health Toronto
Sarah (Sam) Bray Kingissepp 2017-2018
Registered Psychotherapist, Advance Health
Research Assistants
Evelina Aghayan
Mrinal Anagal - BSc in Nursing (BScN), University of Toronto
BSc in Neuroscience, Physiology, and Immunology, University of Toronto
Sasha Arnett - BSc in Life Sciences, University of Toronto
Sara Bawany - BSc in Fundamental Genetics and its Applications, Psychology, and Immunology, University of Toronto
Louise Boulard - BSc in Cognitive Science, University of Toronto
Eryk Brol - BSc in Computer Science, University of Toronto
Mariana Castrillon - BSc Psychology Research Specialist Program, University of Toronto
Freeman Chan - BSc in Psychology, University of Toronto
Eric (Xingjian) Che - BSc in Physiology, Neuroscience and Immunology, University of Toronto
Katherine Lili Chen - BA in History and Philosophy of Science, University of Toronto
Nathan Chen - BSc in Neuroscience and Immunology, University of Toronto
Sua Cho - BSc in Human Biology, Physiology, and Psychology, University of Toronto
Andrew Chun - BSc in Psychology and Sociology, University of Toronto
Catherine Clarke - BSc in Psychology and Human Biology, University of Toronto
Natanela Dain - BSc in Psychology and English, University of Toronto
Brad Dalgleish - BSc in Psychology, University of Toronto
Carissa DeMarinis - Juris Doctor, University of Toronto
BSc in Neuroscience, Psychology and Physiology, University of Toronto
Vardhan Deorukhkar - BSc in Psychology, University of Toronto
Sahir Dhalla - BSc in Neuroscience, Philosophy, and Computer Science, University of Toronto
Ashiana Dhanani - BSc in Human Biology and Psychology, University of Toronto
Simran Dhir - BSc in Pharmacology and Biomedical Toxicology, Education and Society, University of Toronto
Oceana Ding - BSc in Cognitive Science, Neuroscience and Psychology, University of Toronto
Yujie Du - BSc in Neuroscience and Nutritional Science, University of Toronto
Lana Duan - MSc in Medical Science at the University of Toronto and SickKids Research Institute
BSc in Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Toronto
Joshua Duong - BSc Global Health Specialist Program and Neuroscience Major, University of Toronto
Zosia Gontarz
Keevyn Hirschfield - BSc Psychology Research Specialist Program and Cognitive Science Major, University of Toronto
Alyssa Ho - BSc in Neuroscience, University of Toronto
Rachel Ho - BSc Psychology Specialist, University of Toronto
Angel Hsieh -BSc in Health and Diease Specialist, University of Toronto
Nicole Hung - BSc in Psychology and Urban Studies, University of Toronto
David Huynh - BSc in Psychology, University of Toronto
Jessica Im - BSc in Psychology, Environment & Behaviour, and Urban Studies, University of Toronto
Cindy Jean - BSc in Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Toronto
Zachary Johnson - BSc in Psychology Specialist, Linguistics Minor, Buddhism/Psychology/Mental Health Minor, University of Toronto
Rajdeep Kalsi
Fariha Kaosar
Nisha Klein - BSc in Psychology, University of Toronto
Ezra Laker - BSc in Cognitive Science and Psychology, University of Toronto
Sherry Li - BSc in Psychology, University of Toronto
Tianyu Lu - BSc in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Specialist, University of Toronto
Krystyna MacRae - BSc Psychology Specialist and Neuroscience major, University of Toronto
Eilidh McAlister - BSc in Psychology and Immunology, University of Toronto
Lily Meng - BSc in Computer Science and Cognitive Science, University of Toronto
Shernise Mohammed-Ali
Elida Nexha - BSc in Psychology, Health Studies, and French, University of Toronto
Amy Pan - BSc in Neuroscience and Psychology, University of Toronto
Julia Pearce
Eden Prosser - BSc in Neuroscience, Molecular Genetics, and Psychology, University of Toronto
Cheryl Quan - BSc in Psychology, Biology, and Anthropology, University of Toronto
Anusha Ramesh - BSc in Psychology, Nutritional Sciences, and Physiology, University of Toronto
Sarah Ripley - BSc in Psychology, Statistics, and Mathematics, University of Toronto
Rena Rivera - BSc in Nursing, University of Toronto
Jessica Sah - BSc in Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Toronto (in progress)
Valeria Sarangova
Riveea Satkunaratnam - BSc in Immunology and Physiology, University of Toronto
Katarina Savel - BSc in Neuroscience, Psychology, and Spanish, University of Toronto
Vanessa Sgambelluri - BSc in Psychology and Health and Disease, University of Toronto
Abigail Siu
Hasaan Sobaan
Jordan Starenky - BSc in Psychology, University of Toronto
Hannah Tarder-Stoll - PhD in Psychology at Columbia University
BMus in Classical Voice Performance, University of Toronto & BSc in Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Toronto
Thurka Thillainathan - BSc in Psychology and Anthropology, University of Toronto
Mila Valcic - BSc in Neuroscience and Psychology, University of Toronto
Siena von Rosen - BSc in Psychology, Buddhism, Psychology & Mental Health, and Religion, University of Toronto
Mia Vucurovic - BSc in Psychology and Philosophy, University of Toronto
Chen Yang - BSc in Pharmacology, Physiology and Psychology, University of Toronto
Wangjing Yu - PhD in Psychology at Columbia University
BSc in Neuroscience and Psychology, University of Toronto
Xuan Zhang - BSc in Psychology, University of Toronto
Sophia Zhao - PhD in Psychology, University of Toronto
BSc Psychology and Physiology
Cindy Zhou
Cherrie Zhu - BSc in Neuroscience and Pathobiology, University of Toronto
Anna Blumenthal
Postdoctoral Researcher in Cognitive Psychology & Neuroscience at Université Laval
Xiaoping Fang
Assistant Professor of Psychology at the Beijing Language and Culture University
Graduate Students
Tess Forest
PhD in Psychology at the University of Toronto
MA in Psychology, University of Toronto
BA in Cognitive Systems and Linguistics, University of British Colombia
Emily Heffernan, outside project student
PhD in Psychology, University of Toronto
MA in Psychology, University of Toronto
BASc in Electrical Engineering, Queen's University
Lab Managers
Sanjivan Loganathan 2024-2025
Graduate student in the MSc program, Western University
Emmy Wang 2022-2024
Graduate student in the MA-PhD Program in Clinical Neuropsychology, University of Windsor
Carleigh Pace-Tonna 2022
Graduate student in Psychology PhD program, UofT
Zahra Abolghasem 2020-2022
Graduate student in Psychology PhD program, University of British Columbia
Sarah Berger 2019-2020
Research Coordinator, Sunnybrook Health Sciences
Isabelle Vanasse Grosdidier 2018-2019
Business Information Management Analyst, TD
Chuyun Shen 2018
Engineer at RAVL
Hailey Benedict 2017-2018
OT, Providence Healthcare Unity Health Toronto
Sarah (Sam) Bray Kingissepp 2017-2018
Registered Psychotherapist, Advance Health
Research Assistants
Evelina Aghayan
Mrinal Anagal - BSc in Nursing (BScN), University of Toronto
BSc in Neuroscience, Physiology, and Immunology, University of Toronto
Sasha Arnett - BSc in Life Sciences, University of Toronto
Sara Bawany - BSc in Fundamental Genetics and its Applications, Psychology, and Immunology, University of Toronto
Louise Boulard - BSc in Cognitive Science, University of Toronto
Eryk Brol - BSc in Computer Science, University of Toronto
Mariana Castrillon - BSc Psychology Research Specialist Program, University of Toronto
Freeman Chan - BSc in Psychology, University of Toronto
Eric (Xingjian) Che - BSc in Physiology, Neuroscience and Immunology, University of Toronto
Katherine Lili Chen - BA in History and Philosophy of Science, University of Toronto
Nathan Chen - BSc in Neuroscience and Immunology, University of Toronto
Sua Cho - BSc in Human Biology, Physiology, and Psychology, University of Toronto
Andrew Chun - BSc in Psychology and Sociology, University of Toronto
Catherine Clarke - BSc in Psychology and Human Biology, University of Toronto
Natanela Dain - BSc in Psychology and English, University of Toronto
Brad Dalgleish - BSc in Psychology, University of Toronto
Carissa DeMarinis - Juris Doctor, University of Toronto
BSc in Neuroscience, Psychology and Physiology, University of Toronto
Vardhan Deorukhkar - BSc in Psychology, University of Toronto
Sahir Dhalla - BSc in Neuroscience, Philosophy, and Computer Science, University of Toronto
Ashiana Dhanani - BSc in Human Biology and Psychology, University of Toronto
Simran Dhir - BSc in Pharmacology and Biomedical Toxicology, Education and Society, University of Toronto
Oceana Ding - BSc in Cognitive Science, Neuroscience and Psychology, University of Toronto
Yujie Du - BSc in Neuroscience and Nutritional Science, University of Toronto
Lana Duan - MSc in Medical Science at the University of Toronto and SickKids Research Institute
BSc in Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Toronto
Joshua Duong - BSc Global Health Specialist Program and Neuroscience Major, University of Toronto
Zosia Gontarz
Keevyn Hirschfield - BSc Psychology Research Specialist Program and Cognitive Science Major, University of Toronto
Alyssa Ho - BSc in Neuroscience, University of Toronto
Rachel Ho - BSc Psychology Specialist, University of Toronto
Angel Hsieh -BSc in Health and Diease Specialist, University of Toronto
Nicole Hung - BSc in Psychology and Urban Studies, University of Toronto
David Huynh - BSc in Psychology, University of Toronto
Jessica Im - BSc in Psychology, Environment & Behaviour, and Urban Studies, University of Toronto
Cindy Jean - BSc in Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Toronto
Zachary Johnson - BSc in Psychology Specialist, Linguistics Minor, Buddhism/Psychology/Mental Health Minor, University of Toronto
Rajdeep Kalsi
Fariha Kaosar
Nisha Klein - BSc in Psychology, University of Toronto
Ezra Laker - BSc in Cognitive Science and Psychology, University of Toronto
Sherry Li - BSc in Psychology, University of Toronto
Tianyu Lu - BSc in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Specialist, University of Toronto
Krystyna MacRae - BSc Psychology Specialist and Neuroscience major, University of Toronto
Eilidh McAlister - BSc in Psychology and Immunology, University of Toronto
Lily Meng - BSc in Computer Science and Cognitive Science, University of Toronto
Shernise Mohammed-Ali
Elida Nexha - BSc in Psychology, Health Studies, and French, University of Toronto
Amy Pan - BSc in Neuroscience and Psychology, University of Toronto
Julia Pearce
Eden Prosser - BSc in Neuroscience, Molecular Genetics, and Psychology, University of Toronto
Cheryl Quan - BSc in Psychology, Biology, and Anthropology, University of Toronto
Anusha Ramesh - BSc in Psychology, Nutritional Sciences, and Physiology, University of Toronto
Sarah Ripley - BSc in Psychology, Statistics, and Mathematics, University of Toronto
Rena Rivera - BSc in Nursing, University of Toronto
Jessica Sah - BSc in Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Toronto (in progress)
Valeria Sarangova
Riveea Satkunaratnam - BSc in Immunology and Physiology, University of Toronto
Katarina Savel - BSc in Neuroscience, Psychology, and Spanish, University of Toronto
Vanessa Sgambelluri - BSc in Psychology and Health and Disease, University of Toronto
Abigail Siu
Hasaan Sobaan
Jordan Starenky - BSc in Psychology, University of Toronto
Hannah Tarder-Stoll - PhD in Psychology at Columbia University
BMus in Classical Voice Performance, University of Toronto & BSc in Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Toronto
Thurka Thillainathan - BSc in Psychology and Anthropology, University of Toronto
Mila Valcic - BSc in Neuroscience and Psychology, University of Toronto
Siena von Rosen - BSc in Psychology, Buddhism, Psychology & Mental Health, and Religion, University of Toronto
Mia Vucurovic - BSc in Psychology and Philosophy, University of Toronto
Chen Yang - BSc in Pharmacology, Physiology and Psychology, University of Toronto
Wangjing Yu - PhD in Psychology at Columbia University
BSc in Neuroscience and Psychology, University of Toronto
Xuan Zhang - BSc in Psychology, University of Toronto
Sophia Zhao - PhD in Psychology, University of Toronto
BSc Psychology and Physiology
Cindy Zhou
Cherrie Zhu - BSc in Neuroscience and Pathobiology, University of Toronto
Our lab is growing - join us!
We are recruiting students for the work study program at UofT. We are also still looking for postdoctoral fellows to join our team!
Visit the Get Involved page for more information.
We are recruiting students for the work study program at UofT. We are also still looking for postdoctoral fellows to join our team!
Visit the Get Involved page for more information.
