SYD Lab News, Events, and Photos
Nov 2025
IHDCYH Talks Competition 2025
Please check out the 2025 IHDCYH Talks competition for two of our lab members submissions. Suzanna Dinh created a video titled, “Why is There a Rise in Youth Aggression?” and Lucas Rooney created an infographic titled, “Canada’s Teen Vaping Crisis.” We would appreciate it if you could take one minute of your day to vote for them!
We’re Hiring!
The SYD Lab is looking for Research Assistants to work on the REACT and STARC research projects. More information about these roles and the application forms can be found here!
Oct 2025
Fill-the-Van Fundraiser!
Some members of the SYD Lab participated in the Fill-the-Van Event for Michael House hosted by ONEScource Moving Solutions! Thanks to ONESource for hosting this amazing fundraiser for local mothers and their children in need!
Fall Social 2025!
Our fall social this year included our annual pumpkin carving contest and lots of eating! Special thanks to Steph and her partner for hosting this event. We are so lucky to have the space for team bonding activities. Until next year…
July 2025
Lab Funding!
Dr. Craig is also one of twelve CSAHS researchers at the University of Guelph to receive Insight Grant funding for her work in partnership with the Child Development Institute (CDI) and the Stop Now and Act (SNAP) Program! This project will examine emotional processing and attachment among children with CU traits as they take part in the SNAP program.
In addition, Dr. Craig was one of two UofG researchers to receive funding from the SSHRC Partnership Development Grants program for the STARC project! These funds will allow the SYD Lab to investigate adverse childhood experiences, suicidal behaviours, and aggression among youth and adolescents in inpatient and secure treatment settings.
May 2025
Congratulations Natalie!
Congratulations to Natalie S. as she wraps up her Master’s in Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology! She has also been awarded the Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS) at the doctoral level. We are so proud to see Natalie’s hard work recognised and supported as she continues her next research endeavours. Fantastic work!
Congratulations Sydney, Sara and Leah!
Congratulations to Sydney, Sara, and Leah for presenting their research posters at the Let’s Talk About Youth (LTAY) conference. Additionally, Sydney was awarded “Best Undergrad Poster,” amazing work!
April 2025
The SYD Lab is Hiring!
The SYD Lab is looking for Research Assistants to work on the Syl Apps file review study, and a Project Coordinator to support a new project in partnership with CDI. More information about these roles, and the application forms can be found here!
Congratulations Sara and Leah!
Congratulations to our MA2 students, Sara M and Leah TG for receiving the Canadian Graduate Scholarship – Masters (CGS-M). Leah received CIHR and Sara received SSHRC, woohoo!
Honours Thesis Poster Conference!
Congratulations to Sydney for completing her Honours Thesis. Sydney presented at the Undergraduate Honours Thesis Poster Conference, and came second for “Best Poster,” fantastic work!
Congratulations Alessandra!
Congratulations to Alessandra M, who was accepted into the CCAP program at the University of Guelph. She was also awarded the Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS). The SYD Lab is so proud and excited for you to embark on this next chapter!
Tips for Reducing Exam Stress
As part of his Independent Research Project (IRP), Lucas R and Dr. Craig collaborated with U of G News to write an article outlining ways U of G Students can reduce exam stress. Take care of yourself this exam period, and give this article a read!
December 2024
SYD Lab Holiday Giving!
‘Tis the season of giving! The SYD Lab is happy to share our second annual Holiday Giving event with Hope House Guelph. From the SYD Lab to our friends at Hope House, and to all of you – Happy Holidays!
October 2024
Call for Research Assistants
We are looking for volunteer Research Assistants for the file review study with Syl Apps Youth Center. Please see our Join the Lab page for more information.
September 2024
Congratulations Dr. Craig!
Congratulations to Dr. Craig who has been awarded over $45,000 from the Canadian Foundation for Innovation (CFI) to examine emotional processing capabilities of children with behavioural challenges and teens in inpatient treatment for mental health. Take a look at this article to learn more!
August 2024
OGS Funding
Congratulations to Natalie S, Sara M and Leah T-G who all received the Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS). We are so proud to have all our graduate students funded for the next research endeavours. Fantastic work!
June 2024
CPA Conference 2024
The SYD lab goes to the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) Convention in Ottawa!
The below photos from left to right: Alessandra M presented her honours thesis project, Joseph B also presented his honours thesis project, Katie F presented work looking at CU traits and attachment in youth, and finally, Natalie S and Steph (not pictured) presented on the SNAP program. Way to go everyone!
May 2024
New Lab Coordinator
We’re happy to have Alessandra M transitioning into the role of lab coordinator. We’re so lucky to have you!
It’s Conference Season
Alessandra M completed an oral presentation at the Conference for Undergraduate Health Research (CUHR). Way to go!
April 2024
Honours Thesis Conference
Alessandra M (left photo) and Joseph B (right photo) presented their Honours Thesis posters for the first time at the undergraduate conference at UofG. Fantastic work!
New SYD Lab Members
We’re thrilled to have Lucas Porto and Iva Music join the SYD lab!
Incoming Master’s Students
A very warm welcome to our two new incoming Master’s students in the CCAP program, Sara Mansueto and Leah Tackaberry-Giddens! We’re excited to have you both begin in September!
Congratulations
Congratulations to Katie F, who was accepted into the CCAP program at the University of Guelph. She was also awarded CGS-M. Fantastic work!
Congratulations
Laura F will be completing a Master’s in Social-Personality at Queen’s. All the best on your future studies!
LTAY Conference
Multiple SYD lab members represented at the Let’s Talk About Youth (LTAY) conference held at UofG. Joseph B presented his Honours Thesis, Building Bigger Connections: Mentee Perspectives From the COVID-19 Pandemic and won in the undergraduate section for best oral talk. What an accomplishment!
Leah T also presented work in collaboration with Alessandra M titled Prevalence and Associations of Adverse Childhood Experiences in Youth Inpatient Treatment Settings and won best undergraduate poster. A huge congratulations on all your hard work!
SYD Lab End of Winter 2024 Semester Gathering
The SYD lab continued the tradition of tile painting to celebrate the end of the semester.
December 2023
Gift Drive
The Supporting Youth Development Lab united to spread joy throughout the community. Gifts for youth were donated to Guelph’s Hope House. Happy Holidays!
Holiday Lab Gathering
The Supporting Youth Development Lab got together to celebrate the holidays and show off their cookie decorating skills!
November 2023
A Congratulations to Nida
Nida A was accepted into the MSc program at the University of Guelph in the BioM Knowledge Access Lab where she is pursuing her passion for higher education research. All the best!
October 2023
Congratulations, Julie
Julie G won the Trainee Researcher Award at CADDRA 2023. Congratulations, Julie!
A Warm Welcome
A warm welcome to our new research assistants Sydney Larche, Ella Cumberbatch, and Alex Phillips!
September 2023
CADDRA Conference
Fantastic job to all the lab members who contributed to and presented research from the SYD lab at CADDRA this year: Julie G, Katie F, Natalie S, and Dr. Craig! Additionally, kudos to Julie for her great oral presentation on ADHD outcomes in the Stop Now And Plan (SNAP) program.
Another Big Congratulations to Natalie
Natalie was chosen to receive the Bruce and M. Linda Hutchinson Graduate Entrance Scholarship. This award is for students entering any Master’s program in the College of Social and Applied Human Sciences with a focus on families and youth.
Honours Thesis Students
Alessandra M and Joseph B are beginning their Honours Thesis projects. Good luck, we can’t wait to hear all about it!
IRP
Allana C will be completing an IRP in the SYD lab. We’re thrilled to have you stay in the lab, Allana!
Congratulations, Natalie!
Natalie S receives the SSHRC Master’s CGS-M Scholarship. Way to go!
Welcome, Natalie
A big welcome to the SYD lab’s very first graduate student, Natalie Stearns!
June 2023
Congratulations, Katie!
Congratulations to Katie F for winning the Canadian Psychological Association Certificate of Academic Excellence for 2022/2023!
CPA Conference 2023
The Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) Convention was held in Toronto. Katie F and Jennifer D (left photo) both presented their honour’s thesis posters – woo!
Additionally, the SYD lab’s very own Dr. Craig presented with fellow colleagues about hiring Models for Community-Based Partnerships in Child and Family Mental Health Research (right photo) and hiring trends in Psychology across Canada in the last 10 years.
To read more about the faculty study, click here!
May 2023
SSSP Conference
Katie F and Jennifer D presented their honour’s thesis posters at the virtual Society for the Scientific Study of Psychopathy (SSSP) Early Career Event.
Katie F also gave her first oral talk about her honour’s thesis. Way to go, Katie!
Lab Coordinator
Katie F will be transitioning to the role of lab coordinator in the SYD lab. We’re glad to have you, Katie!
New IRP Students
The SYD lab is growing! Alessandra Mangialardi and Joseph Bachar will be completing their independent research projects over the summer. Welcome!
A Friendly Welcome
Allana Cortese joins the lab as a URA student over the summer. We’re happy to have you!
April 2023
LTAY Conference
Katie F, Jennifer D, and Nida A all attended and presented their Honours Thesis posters at Let’s Talk About Youth (LTAY), a clinical developmental psychology conference held at York University.
Katie F won first prize for top undergraduate poster. Congratulations!
Honours Thesis Conferences
Katie F (left photo) and Nida Ansari (right photo), adopted from Dr. Kristel Thomassin’s lab while on leave, presented their project posters for the first time at the Honours Thesis conference at UofG.
Jennifer D also presented her Honours Thesis poster at York University. Great job, all!
SYD Lab End of Winter 2023 Semester Gathering
The SYD lab celebrated the accomplishments from the Winter 2023 semester by getting together and painting pottery tiles.
Check out the beginning of our tile wall in our lab space!
Moving On
Emma H was accepted to a Master’s of Information at Dalhousie. Jennifer D was also accepted into a Master’s of Clinical Psychology at Concordia. A big congratulations to both and safe travels!
January 2023
Welcome, Julie
Julie Girard-Lapointe joins the SYD lab as a postdoctoral fellow. Welcome, Julie!
New Lab Members
Amanda Kerr and Jennifer Penney-Moccio will be completing their independent research projects in the SYD lab. We’re excited to have you both!
December 2022
Holiday Lab Gathering
The SYD lab virtually met to play Jackbox and celebrate the holidays!
September 2022
First SYD Lab Honours Thesis Students
Katie Frankiewicz (UofG) and Jennifer Diep (York) begin their Honours Thesis projects in the SYD lab.
First SYD Lab IRP Students
Emma Hak-Kovacs and Laura Fung join the lab to complete their independent research projects. Welcome, Emma and Laura!
August 2022
Welcome, Dr. Craig!
Dr. Stephanie Craig joins the University of Guelph as an Assistant Professor in Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology!