Lab Director

Stephanie Craig, PhD, C.Psych is an Assistant Professor at the University of Guelph and a Research Associate in the LaMarsh Centre for Child and Youth Research at York University. She received her MA and PhD in Clinical Psychology with a Child specialization from Simon Fraser University. She completed her pre-doctoral internship at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto. Following her PhD, she held a CIHR post-doctoral fellowship at York University. Dr. Craig is also a licensed psychologist in Ontario and works with child, adolescent, adults, and families.

Dr. Craig’s current research is focused on understanding the development and treatment of children and youth with severe behaviour and emotional problems. Specifically, she is interested in the role of early adversity (i.e., ACEs), attachment relationships, and the development of emotion regulation abilities in the development and treatment of children and youth with primary and secondary CU traits (i.e., lack of empathy, callous behaviour), and other serious mental health problems (i.e., risk of harm to self and others).

Dr. Craig is passionate about community-based research and continues to build partnerships with strong community mental health sites including Syl Apps Youth Centre and Child Development Institute.

Outside of the lab, Dr. Craig can be found hiking, snowshoeing, on the water rowing or paddling, or snuggling with her cats.

Katie Frankiewicz, she/her

Katie previously graduated from the University of Guelph with a B.Sc., majoring in Biomedical Toxicology with a minor in Psychology. She then returned to UofG to upgrade her minor to a major and during that time, completed an honours thesis in the SYD lab looking at the moderating role of CU traits and gender on behaviour treatment outcomes in children who participated in the SNAP program. Afterwards, she transitioned into the role of lab coordinator where she enjoys being able to support others in the lab. Katie has an interest in the efficacy of mental health treatments for children and families, factors that impact treatment outcomes, as well as the role of the parent-child relationship. In September, she will be starting a Master’s in Clinical Psychology in the Child Emotion and Mental Health lab at UofG. Outside of the lab, Katie can commonly be found spending time with her dog, doing something crafty, or cooking with her partner!

Leah Tackaberry-Giddens

Leah is a first year MA student in the Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology program at the University of Guelph. She is passionate about investigating the mechanisms by which family dysfunction may increase the risk of emotional and mental health difficulties among children and youth. Leah is also interested in exploring evidence-based interventions that aim to promote socio-emotional development and resiliency among these vulnerable populations. For the past couple of years, Leah has worked at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) in the Schizophrenia Division as a Research Analyst. She assisted on a pilot study and randomized control single-blind trial examining a digital mental health intervention designed to support individuals experiencing Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders and Opioid Use Disorder. Leah is incredibly grateful to have been involved with the A4i Lab at CAMH and for her experiences working with such an amazing team. Leah can also be found playing ultimate frisbee, petting dogs, or doing a mixture of both! 

Sara Mansueto, she/her

Sara is excited to join the CCAP program at the UofG as a first year MA student. She graduated from TMU with two BA (Hons) degrees in Criminology and Psychology with the goal of providing intersectional approaches in her practice. During her undergraduate degree, Sara worked with at-risk youth involved in the SNAP program to examine how risk factors, such as ACEs, relate to criminal trajectories. Since graduating, Sara has gained experience working in intervention facilitation with at-risk youth, psychometric testing with adults, and research in a clinical trial with youth experiencing depression. Currently, Sara is interested in further understanding youth with CU traits. Outside of juggling her academic interests, Sara’s days are full of diving into new crafting projects, spending time outdoors, practicing yoga and meditation and tasting new foods.

Natalie Stearns, she/her

Natalie is a first year MA student in the Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology program at the University of Guelph. In 2019, she completed her MSc in Forensic Mental Health from King’s College London IoPPN, where she explored the effects of intranasal oxytocin on facial emotion recognition in violent offenders with antisocial personality disorder and psychopathy. Prior to her master’s degree, Natalie graduated from McMaster University with a BSc in Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour, where she examined the impact of emotion regulation ability on childhood behavioural inhibition. Currently, Natalie is interested in researching emotion processing ability and its effect on psychophysiological and behavioural outcomes in children with callous-unemotional traits. She very much looks forward to extending her work under Dr. Stephanie Craig in the Supporting Youth Development Lab. In her spare time, Natalie can be found thrifting, watching period dramas, or poorly attempting to sew.

Gwyneth Chung, she/her

Gwyneth is a third-year undergraduate student in the Honours Psychology program at the University of Guelph. She is currently a research assistant in the SYD lab and aids with file review regarding research conducted alongside the SAYC, which involves examining youths within inpatient treatment programs. Gwyneth’s research interests include analyzing the impact of mental health stigma and the importance of social support. Her previous experience in Applied Behavioural Analysis and working with neurodivergent children and adolescents has furthered her passion for investigating neurodiversity, child development, and clinical diagnoses. In her spare time, Gwyneth’s hobbies include reading, baking, and spending time with her loved ones.

Lucas Porto, they/he

Lucas is a third-year undergraduate student majoring in Neuroscience at the university of Guelph. They are a research assistant working on the SNAP Youth Justice program adaptation. Their research interests include drug seeking behaviour, polysubstance use, antisocial behaviour, underlying anxiolytic mechanisms and the role of neurotransmitters in psychopathology. Lucas is an avid mystery and crime fiction reader, and his hobbies include crochet, knitting, and creative writing. 

Iva Music, she/her

Iva is a fourth-year undergraduate Honors psychology student minoring in neuroscience. She is passionate about evidence-based practice and improving treatment outcomes for adolescent mental health. Eager to immerse herself in hands-on clinical research, Iva looks forward to her position under Dr. Craig this summer as an undergraduate research assistant for the Syl Apps Youth Center file review study. Next year, Iva is excited to expand on her research skills while writing her undergraduate thesis in a lab that investigates mechanisms of neuropsychiatric disorders and pharmacotherapeutic interventions. In her spare time, Iva enjoys running, rock climbing and playing the guitar.

Sydney (Syd) Larche, she/her

Syd is a fourth-year honours psychology student, beginning her undergraduate honours thesis in the Fall of 2024. Additionally, she is a research assistant working alongside Dr. Craig on the file review study for Syl Apps Youth Center. Her current areas of interest include mental health, anti-social behaviours, and working with marginalized populations. After completing her undergraduate degree, she hopes to study psychology at the graduate level. Outside of her academics, Syd enjoys personal reading and discovering new music.

Ella Cumberbatch

Ella Cumberbatch, a third-year undergraduate student, is working towards an Honours degree in Psychology. Her active involvement in a range of psychology-related courses has significantly deepened her passion for the field. Ella eagerly anticipates her role as a research assistant in Dr. Craig’s lab and is excited about contributing to the ongoing and exciting research in progress. Outside of her academic commitments, Ella enjoys spending her free time with her friends or going on walks with her dogs.

Alexandra (Alex) Phillips, she/her

Alex is a fourth-year honours psychology co-op student at the University of Guelph. Currently, she is working as a Psychologist Assistant with a focus on medical-legal assessments and delving into the psychology of money and behavioural finance. She is also working with Dr. Craig and the Syl Apps Youth Center on a file review study while also contributing to the completion of the Big Brothers Big Sisters infographic report. After her undergraduate degree, Alex hopes to pursue further studies in clinical psychology. Her interests lie in reducing mental health stigma, applying psychological science to promote personal well-being, and aiding vulnerable populations. Alex’s previous experience as a Youth Care Specialist, assisting youth in residential treatment with behavioural and emotional difficulties, has driven her research direction towards improving mental health treatment for struggling youth. 

Joeseph Bachar, he/him

Joseph Bachar is a fourth-year undergraduate student finishing his Bachelor of Arts Honours in Psychology with a minor in Neuroscience. He recently completed his Honour’s Thesis with the SYD Lab conducting a qualitative examination of adolescent mentee perspectives enrolled in various Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada youth mentorship programs across Ontario. Currently, he is focusing on refining his thesis with the SYD Lab and other stakeholders into a published work. His research interests broadly include the underlying social conditions that affect health and well-being, and how culture influences these dynamics. In his spare time, he enjoys video games, animation, and experimenting in the kitchen

Allana Cortese, she/they

Allana is a fifth-year undergraduate student majoring in Family Studies and Human Development. With a dedication to social justice and mental health advocacy, they aspire to pursue graduate studies in social work to enhance her skills in supporting individuals and communities in need. Allana is actively engaged in the school community as a Supported Learning Group leader, assisting fellow undergraduate students in overcoming challenges in demanding courses. Through her practicum placement, she has also volunteered with local family services to provide food and other essentials to those in need. As an IRP student this semester, Allana is thrilled to contribute to projects that overlap with her research interests and passions.