Students in the Lab

Amanda Krygsman

Dr. Amanda Krygsman is a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Brain and Behaviour Lab at the University of Ottawa, supervised by Dr. Tracy Vaillancourt and Dr. Irene Vitoroulis. Her fellowship is entitled: Development of psychopathology: Associations with mental health and interpersonal relationships. Dr. Krygsman’s research emphasizes the interpersonal context of mental health in the development, and maintenance of mental health symptoms. Dr. Krygsman has been a research coordinator on multiple longitudinal studies including the McMaster Teen Study and published all three of the papers in her dissertation prior to graduation.

Selected Publications:

  1. Krygsman, A., Farrell, A. H., Brittain, H., & Vaillancourt, T. (2022). Depression symptoms, mattering, and anti-mattering: Longitudinal associations in young adulthood. Journal of Psychoeducational Assessment, 40(1), 77–94. https://doi.org/10.1177/07342829211050519 
  2. Erazo, M. B., Krygsman, A. L., & Vaillancourt, T. (2022). The cumulative effects of bullying victimization in childhood and adolescence on borderline personality disorder symptoms in emerging adulthood. International Journal of Bullying Prevention, 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42380-022-00122-0 
  3. Krygsman, A., & Vaillancourt, T. (2022). Elevated social anxiety symptoms across childhood and adolescence predict adult mental disorders and cannabis use. Comprehensive Psychiatry, 115. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.comppsych.2022.152302
  4. Vaillancourt, T., Brittain, H., Krygsman, A., Farrell, A. H., Pepler, D., Landon, S., Saint-Georges, Z., & Vitoroulis, I. (2022). In-person versus online learning in relation to students’ perceptions of mattering during COVID-19: A brief report. Journal of Psychoeducational Assessment, 40(1), 159–169. https://doi.org/10.1177/07342829211053668 
  5. Vaillancourt, T., Szartmari, P., Geogiades, K., & Krygsman, A. (2021). The impact of COVID-19 on the mental health of Canadian children and youth. FACETS 6, 1628–1648. https://doi.org/10.1139/facets-2021-0078 
  6. Vaillancourt, T., Brittain, H., Krygsman, A., Farrell, A. H., Landon, S., & Pepler, D. (2021). School bullying before and during COVID‐19: Results from a population‐based randomized design. Aggressive Behavior, 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1002/ab.21986 
  7. Krygsman, A. & Vaillancourt, T. (2019). Peer victimization, aggression, and depression symptoms in preschoolers. Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 47, 62–73. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecresq.2018.09.006 
  8. Krygsman, A. & Vaillancourt, T. (2018). Peer victimization and depression symptoms: The moderating role of gender non-normative aggression and school transition. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 28, 2531–2542. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-018-1119-z 
  9. Krygsman, A. & Vaillancourt, T. (2017). Longitudinal associations between depression symptoms and peer experiences: Evidence of symptoms-driven pathways. Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology, 51, 21–34. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appdev.2017.05.003 

Heather Brittain

Heather Brittain is a Vanier Scholar who is completing her doctoral degree in the Faculty of Education at the University of Ottawa. She obtained masters degrees in education and statistics. Ms. Brittain is investigating how the experience of being bullied is associated with academic functioning (grades, standardized test scores, and learning skills) over four academic periods (elementary, middle, secondary, and postsecondary) and how these experiences relate to postsecondary educational success and other functional outcomes during adulthood such as job stability.

Selected Publications:

  1. Brittain, H. & Vaillancourt, T. (2023). Longitudinal associations between academic achievement and depressive symptoms in adolescence: Methodological considerations and analytical approaches for identifying temporal priority. In J. Lockman and C. Tamis-Lemonda (Eds.), Advances in Child Development and Behavior (Vol 64, pp. 327–355). Elsevier. https://doi.org/10.1016/bs.acdb.2022.11.003
  2. Vaillancourt, T., Brittain, H., Farrell, A. H., Krygsman, A., & Vitoroulis, I. (2023). Bullying involvement and the transition to high school: A brief report. Aggressive Behavior, early view online, 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1002/ab.22082
  3. Endleman, S., Brittain, H., & Vaillancourt, T. (2022). The Longitudinal associations between perfectionism and academic achievement across adolescence. International Journal of Behavioral Development. 46(2) 91–100. https://doi.org/10.1177/01650254211037400
  4. Vaillancourt, T., Brittain, H., Krygsman, A., Farrell, A.H., Landon, S., & Pepler, D. (2021). School bullying before and during COVID-19: Results from a population-based randomized design. Aggressive Behavior, 47, 557–569. https://doi.org/10.1002/ab.21986
    *Wiley certificate Top Cited Article 2021-2022
    *Wiley certificate Top Downloaded Article during first 12 months of publication
  5. Vaillancourt, T., Brittain, H., Krygsman, A., Farrell, A., Pepler, D., Landon, S., Saint-Georges, Z., & Vitoroulis, I. (2021). In-person versus online learning in relation to students’ perceptions of mattering during COVID-19: A brief report. Journal of Psychoeducational Assessment, 40(1), 159–169. https://doi.org/10.1177/07342829211053668
  6. Vaillancourt, T. & Brittain, H. (2019). Longitudinal associations among psychopathy, anxiety, and borderline personality features during adolescence. Personality Disorders: Theory, Research, and Treatment 10(4), 354–364. https://doi.org/10.1037/per0000325
  7. Vaillancourt, T., Brittain, H., Haltigan, J.D., Ostrov, J. M., & Muir, C. (2018). Cortisol moderates the relation between physical peer victimization and physical aggression in preschoolers attending high quality daycares: Evidence of differential susceptibility across informants. Merrill-Palmer Quarterly, 64, 101–134. https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.13110/merrpalmquar1982.64.1.0101
  8. Vaillancourt, T., Brittain, H., McDougall, P., & Duku, E. (2013). Longitudinal links between childhood peer victimization, internalizing and externalizing problems, and academic functioning: Developmental cascades. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology41, 1203–1215. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10802-013-9781-5  
  9. Vaillancourt, T., Brittain, H., Bennett, L., Arnocky, S., McDougall, P., Hymel, S., Short, K., Sunderani, S., Scott, C., Mackenzie, M., & Cunningham, L. (2010). Places to Avoid: Population-Based Study of Student Reports of Unsafe and High Bullying Areas at School. Canadian Journal of School Psychology, 25(1), 40–54. https://doi.org/10.1177/0829573509358686

Charlotte Hammill

Charlotte is in the last semester of the M.A. Ed. Counselling Psychology program at the University of Ottawa. She currently manages her own private practice and is a licensed Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying). She received her Honours Bachelor of Arts in Psychology in 2019 from Western University in London, ON. Her current research interests include the impact of physical appearance and internalized beauty ideals on mental health. She is also interested in the impact of social media on youth mental health and hopes to pursue this research in future studies. When she is not studying, Charlotte likes yoga, hiking, travelling, and creative writing.

Selected Publications:

  1. Hammill, C. & Vaillancourt, T. (2023). Acne and its association with internalizing problems. Dermatological Reviews. https://doi.org/10.1002/der2.181

Riley Desmarais

Riley is in his last semester of the M.A. Ed. Counselling Psychology program at the University of Ottawa. He received his Honours Bachelor of Science in Psychology in 2020 from Nipissing University in North Bay, ON. His current research interest includes the underlying biological mechanisms in bullying involvement. He also has a clinical interest in promoting the well-being and growth of the LGBTQ2S+ community. He currently works at a private practice that specializes in third wave approaches and is a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying). Aside from school and work, he enjoys going on hikes with his dog, reading and cooking.

Selected Publications:

  1. Vaillancourt, T., Brittain, H., Krygsman, A., Davis, A., Farrell, A., Desmarais, R., Hammill, C., Karasz, S., Morgan, R., Ritchie, A., & Sanderson, C. (2021). Assessing the quality of research examining change in children’s mental health in the context of COVID-19. University of Ottawa Journal of Medicine, 11(1). https://doi.org/10.18192/uojm.v11i1.5950
  2. Arnocky, S., Hodges-Simeon, C., Davis, A. C., Desmarais, R., Greenshields, A., Liwski, R., Quillen, E. E., Cardenas, R., Breedlove, S. M., & Puts, D. (2021). Heterozygosity of the major histocompatibility complex predicts later self-reported pubertal maturation in men. Scientific Reports, 11(1), 19862. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-99334-5

Sarah Grace Karasz

Sarah Grace Karasz is a Master of Arts/Education student in the Counselling Psychology program at the University of Ottawa. Her research interests include indirect aggression, emotion regulation, interpersonal relationships, anxiety, and depression among young adults. Sarah has received funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) for her Master’s thesis, which will examine the longitudinal associations between indirect aggression, friendship quality, and internalizing symptoms in young adulthood. In addition to her academics and involvement within the Brain & Behaviour Lab, Sarah has worked as a part-time relief counsellor at a residential addiction-treatment center for marginalized women and is currently practicing as a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying).

Selected Publications:

  1. Vaillancourt, T., Brittain, H., Krygsman, A., Davis, A., Farrell, A., Desmarais, R., Hammill, C., Karasz, S., Morgan, R., Ritchie, A., & Sanderson, C. (2021). Assessing the quality of research examining change in children’s mental health in the context of COVID-19. University of Ottawa Journal of Medicine, 11(1). https://doi.org/10.18192/uojm.v11i1.5950

Rohama Kabeer

Rohama is a M.A Counselling Psychology student at the University of Ottawa, she is funded by SSHRC. She completed her Honours B.A in Psychology at Wilfrid Laurier University in 2020. Her research interests include aggression and violence, eating disorders, social media impacts on youth along with rejection and victimization. Her Master’s research focuses on the links between childhood maltreatment, peer rejection and rejection sensitivity as the mechanism to see how these factors impact adolescent dating violence. She is interested in studying what the strongest prototype for future violence could be. Rohama is also currently a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) and works with individuals and students from a diverse background with varied presenting problems. Aside from her work and studies, she enjoys spending time outdoors and perfecting her brownie recipe.


Jaime Kempster

Jaime is a Master of Arts (Education) Counselling Psychology student at the University of Ottawa, supervised by Dr. Tracy Vaillancourt. She obtained her Honours Bachelor of Arts in Psychology in 2020 from Saint Mary’s University in Halifax, NS. Her research interests include anti-social behaviour in adolescence, empathy development, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health outcomes. Jaime has received SSHRC funding for her Master’s thesis, which will examine the trajectory of empathy when making COVID-19 related health decisions. Outside of her studies, Jaime enjoys hosting game nights, travelling, and spending time outdoors.


Joshua Carley

Joshua is a first year M.A. Ed., Counselling Psychology student at the University of Ottawa and is currently working as a research assistant for Dr. Vaillancourt and the Brain and Behaviour Lab. He received his Honours Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Sociology in 2022 from Carleton University in Ottawa, ON. His current research interests include the impact of physical activity on youth mental health, specifically on anxiety and depression. For this thesis, Joshua hopes to bring awareness towards the importance of physical activity for young adults and raise awareness of the impact of COVID-19 and sports cancellations on young adults’ well-being.


Sarah Hobson

Sarah (she/her) is a second year M.A. Ed., Counselling Psychology student under the supervision of Dr. Vaillancourt and a current Research Assistant in the Brain and Behaviour Lab. She received her Honours B.A. in Psychology with a concentration in Health Psychology in 2020 from Carleton University. Before pursuing a master’s degree, she spent two years volunteering with a community mental health organization to help directly support those in distress and crisis. Sarah’s thesis aligns her passion for well-being and social justice by focusing on the mental health impacts of bullying among and between sexually and gender diverse youth during the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to her studies and lab work, Sarah enjoys being outdoors, biking, gardening, going to the beach, and reading nonfiction and Japanese literature. She is also an avid supporter of substance use disorder and suicide awareness, education, prevention, and intervention efforts. 


Shawna Button

Shawna is a Master of Arts (Education) Counselling Psychology student at the University of Ottawa, supervised by Dr. Vaillancourt, and is currently working as a Research Assistant in the Brain and Behaviour Lab. She completed her Honours B.A. in Psychology at Queen’s University and spent time working as a Technical Writer in the high-tech private sector before continuing her education. Shawna has received SSHRC funding for her Master’s thesis, in which she will examine the temporal precedence of borderline personality features and intimate partner violence in youth and young adults. Before starting her Master’s degree, Shawna volunteered as a victim support worker and as peer support for first responders and their spouses. Outside of her studies, Shawna is an avid reader, enjoys hikes at Gatineau park, and loves to cook and try new foods.


Gemma Tyner

Gemma is a second year M.A. Ed., Counselling Psychology student at the University of Ottawa and a research assistant in Dr. Tracy Vaillancourt’s Brain and Behaviour Lab. She completed her B.A. Honours in Forensic Psychology at Ontario Tech University, with her thesis supervised by Dr. Leigh Harkins examining dating app changes through the COVID-19 Pandemic. Her research interests include impacts of bullying, early childhood maltreatment and mental health outcomes. Gemma has received SSHRC funding for her Master’s thesis which will examine the links between timing of childhood maltreatment and borderline personality disorder trajectories. When Gemma is not studying, she enjoys hiking, embroidery, photography, and reading.


Brandon Frith

Brandon is a Master of Arts in Education student at the University of Ottawa. He received his Honours Bachelor of Applied Science in Kinesiology at the University of Guelph-Humber, Diploma in Fitness & Health Promotion at Humber College, and a Post-Graduate Diploma in Sport Business Management at Durham College. Brandon has spent the last twelve years working with high performance athletes achieve their dreams before returning to further his education. For his Master’s thesis, Brandon will be examining the effects of abuse towards soccer referees and its impact on their mental health.


Anjalika Khanna Roy

Anjalika is a Master of Arts student in the Counselling Psychology program at the University of Ottawa and a research assistant in Dr. Tracy Vaillancourt’s Brain and Behavior Lab. She has received funding by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and the Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS). Anjalika completed her B.A. Honours with distinction in psychology from Queen’s University and has a background in health studies, with a focus on the social determinants of health. Her research interests include youth mental health, the mental health impacts of bullying and racism, interpersonal relationships, and emotion regulation. For her Master’s thesis, Anjalika will be exploring the developmental impacts of youth psychopathology on the emotion regulation repertoires employed in adulthood to regulate negative emotions. Anjalika has worked as an intake coordinator for a private practice therapy clinic and as a mentor with vulnerable and marginalized immigrant and refugee youth. Outside of her studies, Anjalika enjoys reading, running and hiking, cooking, travel, music, and is trained in opera.

Selected Publications:

  1. Faber, S., Khanna Roy, A., Michaels, T. I., & Williams, M. T. (2023). The weaponization of medicine: Early psychosis in the Black community and the need for racially informed mental health care. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 14, 1–16. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1098292
  2. Williams, M. T., Khanna Roy, A., MacIntyre, M-P., & Faber, S. (2022). The traumatizing impact of racism in Canadians of colour. Springer Journal Current Trauma Reports, 8, 17–34. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40719-022-00225-5

Olivia Bechard

Olivia is an incoming first year M.A. Ed., Counselling Psychology student at the University of Ottawa. She received her Honours Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Ottawa in 2022. Olivia also holds a Joint Honours Bachelor of Social Science in History and Political Science from the University of Ottawa, which she received in 2013. Her current research interests are evolving and include child and adolescent mental health and wellbeing and mental health outcomes. Prior to pursuing her Master’s degree, Olivia worked in community outreach for the Canada Science and Technology Museum, encouraging young people from underserved and underrepresented communities to engage in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Olivia has been a volunteer with Dr. Vaillancourt’s lab since 2021. She has also been an active member of Girl Guides of Canada for the past 5 years and volunteers as a unit leader in her free time.


Carleigh Sanderson

Carleigh is a Ph.D. candidate in the School of Psychology.  Throughout her time with the Brain and Behaviour Lab, Carleigh became a member of PREVNet’s Graduate Student Executive Committee, was a representative for the Graduate Association for Students in Psychology, and has presented at numerous scientific conferences. Her doctoral research examines the longitudinal associations between mental health, physical health, and involvement in bullying from childhood to young adulthood.

Selected Publications:

  1. Brown, A., Millman, H., Easterbrook, B., Heber, Park, R., A., Lanius, R.A., Nazarov, A., Jetly, R., Stanley-Aikens, R., Sanderson, C., Hutchins, C., Darte, K., Hall, A., Brémault-Phillips, S., Smith-MacDonald, L., Doak, D., Oakley, T., Nicholson, A.A., Pichtikova, M., Smith, P., Mulligan, A., Byerlay, C. & McKinnon, M.C. (2022). Working together to address sexual misconduct in the Canadian Armed Forces. Journal of Military, Veteran and Family Health8(s1), 85–93. https://doi.org/10.3138/jmvfh-2021-0033
  2. Sanderson, C., Vaillancourt, T., Swearer, S., Cornell, D., Sawyer, J., & Hyzer, R. (2019, August 11). Bullying Behaviour Among Adolescents: A Complex Problem Requiring a Multifaceted Solution. Chicago, Il.: American Psychological Association.
  3. Vaillancourt, T., Sanderson, C., Arnold, P., & McDougall, P. (2017). The neurobiology of peer victimization: Longitudinal links to health, genetic risk, and epigenetic mechanisms. In C.P. Bradshaw (Ed.), Handbook of bullying prevention: A life course perspective. National Association of Social Workers Press.

Sayed Mohammed Behbehani

Sayed is a first-year MD student at the University of Ottawa. He received his Honours Bachelor of Science degree studying Biomedical Sciences at the University of Ottawa in 2023. Sayed has been volunteering in Dr. Vaillancourt’s lab since 2021. Sayed likes playing/watching basketball and soccer, video games, and traveling.


Omar El Ferri

Omar is a Master’s student in Microbiology and Immunology. He received his Honours Bachelor of Science degree in Translational and Molecular Medicine from the University of Ottawa in 2023. Since 2022, he has been a volunteer in Dr. Vaillancourt’s lab. Omar’s research interests lie in exploring the clinical and mental aspects of child development. Apart from his academic pursuits, he also finds joy in playing soccer, reading, and directing short films.

Selected Publications:

  1. Benlarbi, M., Laroche, G., Fink, C., Fu, K., Mulloy, R. P., Phan, A., Ariana, A., Stewart, C. M., Prévost, J., Beaudoin-Bussières, G., Daniel, R., Bo, Y., El Ferri, O., Yockell-Lelièvre, J., Stanford, W. L., Giguère, P. M., Mubareka, S., Finzi, A., Dekaban, G. A., … Côté, M. (2022). Identification and differential usage of a host metalloproteinase entry pathway by SARS-CoV-2 Delta and Omicron. iScience, 25(11), 105316–105316. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.isci.2022.105316