People

Norman Farb, PhD

Norman received his B.A. from the University of Waterloo, his Ph.D. from the University of Toronto, and postdoctoral training at the Rotman Research Institute. His research focuses on the cognitive neuroscience of human identity and emotion, with a focus on how cognitive biases shape emotional reactions that determine well-being. Hobbies include yoga, frisbee, sci-fi novels, and reality TV shows about cooking.

Thomas Anderson

Thomas completed his BA (Hons) Psychology with computer science minor at the University of Waterloo performing EEG/ERP research and his MA Psychology at the University of Toronto under Norman Farb. His research interests involve the cognitive neuroscience of meta-awareness - the moment we first realize we are not paying attention - and in personalizing meditation training to the individual. He has presented work on determining what type of meditation best suits individuals, and in the future he hopes to focus on how meta-awareness can be manipulated and enhanced by meditation. He also has interests in technological feedback systems and neural stimulation, as well as the domains of intelligence and creativity. Thomas is a big fan of decadence - ​complex literature, dark chocolate, fine wine, etc. Thomas' research is supported by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.

Philip Desormeau

Phil received his B.A. from Concordia University, and is currently completing his M.A. degree in the Psychological Clinical Science program housed at the University of Toronto Scarborough. His research interests revolve around the cognitive-affective and neurobiological mechanisms underlying problem-focused coping and affect regulation in both healthy and psychiatric populations. His hobbies include meditation, fitness training, redditing, and sticking it to the man. 

Le-Anh Dinh-Williams

Lê-Anh received her BSc from McGill University, MSc from University of Montreal and is currently a MA/PhD student in Clinical Psychology at the University of Toronto (Scarborough). Her research focuses on reward processes in the brain and how interventions designed to promote well-being alter this circuitry using fMRI. She is interested in understanting how to promote hedonic and eudaimonic affect in individuals vulnerable to chronically low mood.  Her hobbies include travelling, yoga, dancing, pumping iron, scandinavian movies/books/politics, jewelry making, and mastering the art of soup. 

Kyle Logie-Hagen

​Kyle started a PhD in Psychology at the University of Toronto this fall and is working under the supervision of Dr. Norman Farb. Kyle has experience in meditation techniques and is interested in studying interoception as it relates to contemplative practices as well as mental and physical health for his doctoral studies. He recently completed a MSc in Neuroscience at McGill University in Montreal where he studied the emotional processing of auditory stimuli, such as music and human vocalizations, using Magnetoecephalogaphy. Kyle completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Western Ontario where he was involved with mindfulness meditation research.

Katie Walsh

Katie received her BA with honours at York University and is currently an MA/PhD student in the Psychological Clinical Science program at the University of Toronto. Her research interests include the biological basis of depression and anxiety in relation to functional connectivity of brain networks. She is interested in understanding how differences in functional connectivity may be related to these disorders and how interventions, such as mindfulness based cognitive therapy, can produce positive change by targeting these differences in functional connectivity. Her hobbies include online gaming, Netflix, spending time with her dog, any kind of sport, and trying everything crafty.

Yasaman Shirazi

Studying the relationship between personality and mindfulness. 

Tolulope Ekujumi

Studying the relationship between acceptance as a cognitive process and self-esteem.

Jordan Livingston

Jordan received her PhD with Prof. Elliot Berkman a the University of Oregon. Her research focuses on the social neuroscience of the self and personal identity.

Sheffy Bhayee

Sheffy is a fourth year psychology specialist at University of Toronto Mississauga. She hopes to pursue graduate school in Clinical Research. Her research interests lie in understanding the elements of mindfulness-based therapies manifested in effective cognitive and emotional functioning. In her spare time, she enjoys going to the gym, yoga, watching TedTalks, and reading psychological novels and poetry. 

Ragave Illaalagan

Ragave Ilaalagan is second year psychology major, minoring in anthropology and biology. She is interested in the field of cognitive psychology and its applications to clinical neuropsychology. In her spare time, she enjoys playing music, rock climbing, baking, and visiting natural history museums.

Reem Khafagy

Reem is a fourth year student, double majoring in psychology and commerce. She discovered her passion for psychology when she took it as an elective in second year. She hopes to pursue a graduate degree in Clinical and/or Counselling Psychology. When she has spare time, Reem likes to read, go for a jog, bake, and spend quality time with her family and friends.

Dania Khald

Dania is a fourth year student at the University of Toronto Mississauga, pursuing a major in Psychology and a double minor in Sociology and Philosophy. She hopes to attend medical school and specialize in Psychiatry. Her research interests include understanding the workings of the human mind, various facets of meditation​, and inter-personality. In her spare time, she enjoys going to hot yoga, hiking, cooking, and reading astrological and psychological novels.

Sonia Nansimbe

Sonia is in fourth year with a double major in CCIT and Psychology. She would like to do her masters in clinical/ counselling psychology. Her research interest fall in the realm of abnormal psychology. Her hobbies include cooking, puzzles, knitting and dance.

Mallika Suresh

Mallika is a second year undergraduate student pursuing a double major in psychology and biology. She is interested in clinical psychology and psychiatry and cognitive psychology. Hobbies include reading and watching various TV shows.

Geissy Araújo

Geissy received her MSc in Neuroscience from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte- Brazil, and is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Neuroscience. Her research focuses on sustained attention, interoception and stress response after a brief mindfulness-based intervention. Geissy is interested in understanding the adaptation of the neuroendocrine system after meditation practice by measuring hormone levels and recording electrical and hemodynamic changes in the brain. Her hobbies include meditation, exercising, traveling and trying new things.

Alyssa Saiphoo

Alyssa did her Honour's student at the Radlab as a fourth year psychology specialist student at UTM. She'll be graduating this spring with hopes to pursue graduate school in the future. Her research interests fall within the realm of social cognition. In her spare time, Alyssa enjoys watching hockey, going to concerts, and hanging out with friends and family.