Lab Members

DR. FRANCES CHEN

Dr. Frances Chen is a Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of British Columbia. Her research combines approaches from health psychology, social psychology, and neuroendocrinology to investigate how our social lives are connected to our mental and physical health. She received her A.B. from Harvard University and her Ph.D. from Stanford University, after which she completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Freiburg, Germany. She joined the Department of Psychology at the University of British Columbia in 2013, where her research has been funded by agencies and organizations including CIHR, SSHRC, and NSERC. Dr. Chen is the recipient of a CIHR New Investigator Award, Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research Scholar Award, and a Knox Teaching Excellence Award. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets, including The Globe and Mail, Forbes, Time, NPR, Slate, and The Washington Post.

BITA ZAREIAN

Bita is a clinical psychology graduate student at UBC. She received her Pharm.D degree from Tehran University of Medical Sciences and her B.A in psychology from UBC. She is interested in investigating the cognitive, social and biological factors that contribute to the development and maintenance of depression. She is specifically interested in the role of reward processing, stress, and sex hormones in the development of anhedonia and other depressive symptoms in adolescents and young adults.

MARISA NELSON

Marisa is a health psychology graduate student at UBC. She completed her BA in psychology at UBC and is now working on her MA. Her research interests centre around the social determinants of health, with a particular focus on gender and housing.

ZEREVAN BINDAL

Zerevan is a graduate student in the Social/Personality area of the UBC Psychology Department. He received his B.Sc. in Germany and gathered research experience in Germany (University of Kaiserslautern-Landau), Ireland (University of Limerick), Canada (Dalhousie University) and France (Université Clermont-Auvergne) before coming to Vancouver. His primary research interest lies in understanding gendered aspects of health. This includes health behaviour, social-emotional processes, as well as sexual health.

SARAH CHEUNG, LAB MANAGER

Sarah has a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a Bachelor of Social Work from UBC. She is passionate about improving the health and well-being of marginalized individuals, specifically for persons with disabilities and those with complex health conditions. When Sarah is not working or exploring new coffee shops, she volunteers her time with various non-profit organizations, such as Cure SMA Canada and Disability Alliance BC.

JENNIFER HAMILTON, LAB MANAGER

Jennifer holds a bachelor’s degree in Economics from PUCPR in Brazil and is currently working on a second degree in Psychology at UBC. She’s passionate about exploring the dynamics of relationships, addiction, and health, and is still figuring out where she wants to focus her research. Outside of her studies, Jennifer enjoys reading and writing, which fuels her curiosity and deepens her love for understanding human behaviour.

ANGUS BARWICK

Angus recently graduated from UBC with a B.A. in Psychology. He is interested in developmental psychology and working with children and youth, and hopes to pursue Counselling Psychology with a focus on these populations in the future. Angus is currently working on the Hormones, Health, and Development study.

SHANI AVRAHAMI SARAF

Shani is one of the lab’s study coordinators and helps organize and run the Teen Health & Development Study. She is pursuing a BA in Psychology and hopes to continue her studies in clinical psychology after graduating. Outside of the lab, she loves reading, crafting, and going for long walks on the beach!

OLIVIA NG

Olivia is currently in her fourth year of undergrad at UBC majoring in psychology and minoring in family studies. She is currently a study runner for the Teen Health & Development study, and aims to become a clinical counselor working with this population in the future! She is also a member of the UBC Perception and Cognition Lab, and a teaching assistant for FMST! Outside of the lab, Olivia enjoys reading, specifically any book by Sarah J. Maas!

STELLA XIA

Stella is an undergraduate psychology student currently investigating prosociality and its correlates. She is a big proponent of social connection as an avenue to collective well-being. Outside of the lab she likes to read, write, and sing in echoey stairwells.

LYNN ZHANG

Lynn is currently in her final year of undergraduate studies at UBC, taking the role of trainer and study recruitment coordinator in our lab. She is passionate about onboarding incoming RAs, helping them contribute to the study, and interacting with participants. Her third-year Honours research with the lab explored how different sources of perceived social support may buffer depressive symptoms in adolescent girls. Outside the lab, Lynn loves traveling to new places and having adventures in nature.

MAXINE PAREDES

Maxine recently graduated from UBC with a BSc in Cognitive Systems and a Minor in Data Science. She is currently working on the Predictors of Health-Promotion and Health-Risk Behaviour Project and is passionate about applying data science to novel situations. She believes that integrating data science into research and practice can create innovative solutions that drive positive social change. In her free time, Maxine enjoys hiking, bouldering, cycling, and thrifting.

MEGAN MACFARLANE

Megan recently graduated from UBC with a major in Psychology and a minor in Interpersonal Development. She is interested in clinical psychology and research on youth development, with a focus on stress, resilience, intergenerational trauma, and the biological effects of hormones. She currently works with teenagers at a substance use treatment centre and is passionate about supporting youth recovery. In her free time, she enjoys hiking and nature photography.

KATHERINE HONG

Katherine has a BA in Art History and Visual Studies from University of Toronto, and is currently pursuing her second degree in Psychology at UBC. She is interested in researching the social determinants of women’s health and is passionate about applied research and the dissemination of knowledge within target communities. In her free time, she likes to play with clay, go for bike rides, and cook for her friends and family.

ALEX NIU

Alex is a fourth-year undergraduate psychology student at UBC, starting his first year with the honours program. He works in the Teen Health & Development Study, and hopes to continue his psychology studies towards a PhD after graduating. Outside the lab, Alex enjoys horseback riding and the outdoors.

GENESIS YAU

Genesis is a fourth-year international student majoring in Psychology. With a strong passion for studying the brain and psychiatric conditions, he joined the Social Health Lab to contribute to research that deepens the understanding and improves the mental health of youth. In his free time, he enjoys hiking and playing pool with friends. He also dedicates many hours to read academic papers and fulfill additional responsibilities, such as working as a undergraduate Teaching Assistant.

 Lok Kit Philip Chiu

Karen Wei

Josh Young

Tanishka Awasthi

Finnegan McBride

Anya Nadra

Roxy Aneculaesei

Sebastian Russell

Lici Zhang

Rooney Tam

Pari Surjani

Madelaine Barwick

Leo Nguyen

Navya Mangla

Shyla Sharma

Dipra Gulati

Marisa Smith

Prisha Jain

Khushi Sharma