Lab Members
Lab Director
Juhyun Park, Ph.D. (she/her)​
​
Dr. Park is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology and the Graduate Department of Psychological Clinical Science at the University of Toronto Scarborough. Dr. Park completed her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at the State University of New York at Buffalo and a postdoctoral fellowship at McGill University. She is interested in identifying cognitive-affective processes underlying depression, anxiety, and co-occurring problems such as harmful substance use, with the ultimate goal of helping to refine current interventions and develop more effective treatment approaches. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends.
​
Graduate Students
Emily Hiu Yuet Wong, M.Sc. (she/her)
​
I am pursuing my MA-PhD in Clinical Psychology at the University of Toronto Scarborough, where I will investigate the relationships between emotion regulation, interpersonal traits, and internalizing symptoms. I completed my HBSc at the University of Toronto St. George (Neuroscience and Psychology). Throughout my undergraduate degree I was involved in interventional psychiatry research, which fostered my interest in psychological disorders. I then pursued my MSc at Rozeske Lab, where I used a mouse model of PTSD to probe neuronal activity in the prefrontal cortex during a sensory intervention for accelerating fear extinction. In my free time, I enjoy rock climbing, making fresh pasta, and baking pies.
Grace Armstrong, Honours B.A. (she/her)
​
I am pursuing my MA-PhD in Clinical Psychology at the University of Toronto Scarborough. I am interested in exploring the relation between reward/threat sensitivity and internalizing symptoms, as well as investigating how external factors (i.e., early adversity and life stress) influence this relation. I completed my BA (Hons) at Queen's University (Majoring in Psychology), where I conducted an honours thesis investigating the moderating effects of childhood maltreatment history on the relation between major life stress and depression onset. After graduating, I worked as a lab coordinator for the Canadian Biomarker Integration Network for Depression (CAN-BIND), a national biomarker discovery program where I assisted in data collection. In my free time, I enjoy cooking for my friends and family, drawing, and practicing Pilates.
Jessica Sah, Honours B.Sc. (she/her)
​
Jessica is a first year Master’s student in the Clinical Psychology program at the University of Toronto Scarborough. She completed her HBSc at the University of Toronto St. George, specializing in Neuroscience and Psychology. Her honours thesis, funded by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, used fMRI to examine the neurobiological link between suicidality and irritability in adults with major depressive disorder. Outside of academics, she enjoys singing, reading, traveling, and spending time with friends and family.
Lab Managers
Petra Legaspi, Honours B.A. (she/her)
​
Petra graduated with an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from York University. As the Lab Manager, she oversees the day-to-day operations of the lab and supports various ongoing research projects. Her research interests center on understanding how cognitive and emotional processes, such as emotion regulation, contribute to the development and maintenance of psychopathology, particularly depression, anxiety, and substance use, in adult populations. She plans to pursue graduate studies in clinical psychology and aspires to become a clinical research psychologist. In her free time, Petra enjoys outdoor activities, board games, reading, and baking.
Michael Mannarn, Honours B.Sc. (he/him)
​
Michael graduated with an Honours Bachelor of Science in Psychology Program from the University of Toronto. As Assistant Lab Manager he assists the Lab Manager with running the day-to-day operations and supporting lab research projects. His research interests are focused on anxiety and depression. Specifically, identifying common vulnerabilities and underlying processes that may inform and help develop new therapeutic interventions.
Research Assistants
Kaynaat Abrar (she/her)
​
Kaynaat is a fourth-year student completing her HBSc (double majoring in Psychological and Health Sciences) at the University of Toronto. Kaynaat is interested in all things psychology and is especially passionate about cultivating safe spaces for diverse communities. Outside of academics, Kaynaat enjoys making jewelry, listening to music, and participating in outdoor activities.
Chiamaka Elora Chukwunyere (she/her)
​
Elora is a fourth-year student majoring in Neuroscience and Mental Health Studies. She is deeply passionate about mental disorders and is particularly interested in how underlying factors (such as childhood trauma and genetics) contribute to their development. She believes that a better understanding of these influences can lead to more effective and personalized treatment outcomes. Outside of academics, Elora finds joy in creating art and baking bread.
Riva Wang (she/her)
​
Riva is a second-year neuroscience student. She is interested in how can people manage emotion in a better way to achieve the desired outcome. Her current focus is on the emotion regulation self-efficacy and emotion regulation strategy and their effect on depression. Aside from academics, she likes to watch anime and read novels.
Aleesha Khan (she/her)
​
Aleesha is a fourth-year student pursuing an Honours Bachelor of Science at the University of Toronto Scarborough. She is specializing in Co-op Mental Health Studies with a minor in Women’s and Gender Studies. Aleesha is deeply passionate about amplifying and empowering marginalized voices through her academic work. Her research interests focus on emotional dysregulation in internalizing disorders, as well as the role of contextual factors as potential risk contributors to these conditions in adult populations. In her free time, she enjoys reading, crocheting, and playing Stardew Valley.
Mason Li (he/him)
​
Mason is a fourth-year student in the Mental Health Studies Specialist program at the University of Toronto Scarborough. His research interests focus on improving mental health outcomes for marginalized populations, including refugees and incarcerated individuals, with particular emphasis on the prevention and intervention of mood disorders. Outside of academia, Mason enjoys social events and adrenaline-fueled activities such as going to the gun range and car racing.
Grace Oh-Lee (she/her)
​
As a third year Mental Health Studies Specialist, Grace is interested in connecting patterns in brain activity with psychopathology and improvement in mental conditions over time. Her goal is to become a Clinical Psychologist, applying research findings to therapeutic practices with clients. In her free time, she enjoys creative writing, walks in nature, and art.
Ekroop Rattu (he/him)
​
Ekroop is a fifth-year student in the Specialist Neuroscience Program with a major in Psychology at the University of Toronto. His research interests focus on elucidating the underlying processes involved in emotional regulation and suppression, contributing to psychological disorders such as depression. In his free time, he enjoys building computers, playing chess, video games, and working out.
Alfred Wong (he/him)
​
Alfred is a 4th year student in the Specialist Mental Health Program at UTSC. Driven by an interest in emotional regulation strategies and the mechanisms of psychopathology, he aims to explore these areas in depth for his graduate studies. Away from school, he finds enjoyment in exercising and spending time with his dogs.
Cody Yoon (he/him)
​
I am currently in my fourth year studying Psychology and Medical Anthropology at the University of Toronto, St. George campus. I am particularly interested in the study of biomarkers associated with depression and anxiety, as well as the factors that influence the development, maintenance, or prevention of these conditions—such as emotion regulation. I aspire to become a clinical psychologist who is involved in both research and practice, helping individuals who struggle especially with depression and anxiety.
Aidan Kark (he/him)
​
Aidan is a sophomore psychology student. He is very interested in the interplay between thought, emotion, and behaviour. He hopes to become a psychotherapist when he grows up. He loves spending time with family, taking walks and nature hikes, going to classical music concerts, acrylic painting, learning, and reading classics (especially children's classics and poetry).
Rashi Singh (she/her)
​
Rashi is a fourth-year undergraduate student at the University of Toronto Scarborough, double majoring in Psychology and Economics. She is interested in emotion regulation, resilience, and how young people cope with stressors in academic and social contexts. Her research interests also include understanding the potential downsides of emotional control and the benefits of negative emotions. Rashi hopes to pursue graduate studies in clinical psychology and contribute to research that informs prevention and intervention programs supporting youth mental health. In her free time, she enjoys listening to music, reading, and cycling.
Melanie Wang (she/her)
​
Melanie is a third-year Psychology Specialist student at the University of Toronto Scarborough. She is interested in how life experiences and the way people deal with stress contribute to the development of psychopathology (such as depression and anxiety). She hopes to pursue graduate studies with the long-term goal of becoming a clinical psychologist. When Melanie isn’t on campus, she enjoys horseback riding, writing, and visiting cafés.
Lab Alumni
-
Athen Lau, Master of Psychological Medicine
-
Kevin Li, Honours B.Sc.
Friends & Collaborators
-
Caitlin Clements University of Norte Dame, Notre Dame, IN, USA
-
Clara Freeman Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
-
Kristin Gainey University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
-
Tiffany Jenzer Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo
-
​Anna Weinberg McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
-
Min-Jeong Yang Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA