Volunteers

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Volunteer

Malaika is a 4th year undergraduate student at UBC, majoring in Biology and minoring in Psychology. Her research interests center around neurodevelopmental disorders, namely how they affect social cognition and sexual wellbeing. She aims to pursue a career in psychiatric research, aiming to enhance diagnosis and support for young women of color with ADHD and autism. In her free time, Malaika enjoys reading anything & everything, filling her sketchbook and thrifting.

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Volunteer

Claire is an undergraduate student majoring in Behavioural Neuroscience and minoring in Gender, Race, Sexuality, and Social Justice (GRSJ). They are passionate about pleasure-centered and queer-inclusive approaches to sexual health, and hope to pursue a career in health promotion. They are currently a volunteer on the VIVID study and are excited to develop their research skills during their time with the UBC Sexual Health Laboratory.

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Mitacs Student

Karolin (she/her) is in her final year of study at the University of Heidelberg, Germany. She is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in psychology in hopes of becoming a clinical psychologist. Karolin will be completing a 12-week summer internship in the lab, disseminating current research findings into easily comprehensible information for the broader public in a knowledge translation campaign. Karolin is passionate about improving awareness and understandings of topics related to sexual health. After completing an exchange semester at the University of Melbourne, she is also anticipating the academic and personal growth that comes from working in a new country and culture.

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Summer Student

Jeanna is a recent graduate from the University of British Columbia, having completed her Bachelor of Science in Biology in 2023. She will be starting the Master of Public Health program at McMaster University in September, 2023. Jeanna is excited to be joining the UBC Sexual Health Lab as a Faculty of Medicine Summer Student Research Program award recipient. She has previous research experience in youth mental health and substance use and hopes to broaden her understanding of sexual health through her time at the lab. Jeanna intends to apply these learnings to a future career in public health.

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Directed Studies Student

Hattie is a fourth-year undergraduate at UBC majoring in psychology. She is currently a Directed Studies student at the Sexual Health Lab studying predictors of treatment seeking. Hattie is interested in going into clinical research in the future as well as working with the lab on more upcoming projects.

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Volunteer

Anilā Lacroix is currently pursuing her Psychology Major and Philosophy Honours degree at UBC. She is working towards becoming a trauma-informed counsellor with ongoing research experience in the effectiveness of mindfulness for improving self-concept and self-actualization within or following adverse experiences. Additionally, she designed a 12-week group therapy mindfulness counselling program for women with depression.
Prior to these pursuits, Anilā was an experienced yoga teacher and teacher trainer who taught a wide variety of yoga practices and philosophies for the last 20 years. Her academic focus combines philosophy of mind with behavioural neuroscience and mindfulness behavioural therapy. Anilā has received scholarships for her academic work and personal life experience, as well as been awarded recognition for her work with at-risk women and youth.

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Volunteer

My name is Harneet Mangat, and I am a third-year student at UBC studying biochemistry and forensic science. I am passionate about working in the sexual health field and improving health outcomes for all by implementing various tools. In the future, I hope to pursue a career in healthcare with a particular focus on Sexual Health. I also enjoy working with children and frequently work with children diagnosed with autism, helping them cope with their environment. 

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Volunteer

I hold an associates of arts degree in Peace and Conflict studies from Langara college. I’m currently in my 3rd year of studies at UBC, double majoring in Psychology & Gender, Race and Social Justice Studies. I have over 4+ years of experiences in supportive and harm reduction working with a wide range of demographics. I approach all my work with a sense of mindfulness and allyship towards 2SLGBTQA+, Black and Indigenous rights and people living with physical and mental disabilities. 

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Volunteer

Coco is completing her bachelor’s in Kinesiology at the University of British Columbia. She is interested in exploring tools to create more accessible sexual healthcare for women. Coco hopes to pursue a career as a healthcare practitioner, either as a pelvic floor physiotherapist or as a dentist. She is currently volunteering as an eSense navigator at the Sexual Health Lab. 

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Honours Thesis Student

Astrid is a 4th year undergraduate student studying cellular, anatomical, and physiological sciences at UBC. She is currently working on her honours thesis in the lab, exploring the impact of mode of delivery (i.e. C section vs. vaginal delivery) on postpartum sexual concordance. She hopes to eventually attend medical school with the goal of becoming an OBGYN!

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Volunteer

Gabby is a fourth-year undergraduate student at Xavier University, with a major in Psychology and a minor in Sociology and Gender and Diversity Studies. She is currently in the process of applying to PsyD programs in hopes of becoming a clinical psychologist. Her interests include hiking, reading (especially mystery), and cooking! 

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Volunteer

Erin is in her third year at the University of British Columbia, studying Psychology and Business in the B+MM program. She is currently working as a volunteer in the ABYSS study, performing literature reviews and helping with consent form development. She hopes to develop her research skills during her time with the lab and is incredibly excited to be on board during the beginning phases of a study. Her areas of research interest extend to sexual arousal disorders in women, as well as their relation to and distinction from sexual orientations on the asexuality spectrum.

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Volunteer

Hayal is a third year undergraduate student at UBC completing a BSc in Behavioural Neuroscience. She is passionate about creating a safe spaces for people to express their feelings and partake in a community of vulnerability. Hayal is involved in the eSense study at the lab and hopes to pursue a future in clinical practice. Her research interests include mindfulness based therapy, sex differences in sexual expression, and sexual trauma counselling.

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Volunteer

Sophia is a 3rd-year undergraduate student at the University of British Columbia majoring in Psychology and minoring in Education. She is interested in how individual differences and personal factors can act as possible barriers for women to seek help or express concerns regarding levels of sexual desire. As a volunteer for the eSense project, she is excited to learn more about how CBT and MBT are incorporated into sexual health research. Sophia is also a research assistant at the Health and Adult Development Lab. In the future, she hopes to enter graduate school in counselling psychology.

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Volunteer

Zahrah is a third-year behavioural neuroscience student at the University of British Columbia. She is interested in investigating the societal factors that have contributed to the stigma behind sexuality, and is passionate about overcoming those barriers to allow for a more sex-positive outlook. In addition to this, she wants to learn more about clinical psychology and is excited to volunteer as a navigator for the eSense project. 

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Directed Studies Student

Sara is completing her BA in psychology at the University of British Columbia with the hopes of pursuing Clinical Psychology in the sexual health research field. Her other research interests include intimate relationships, stress, and coping. Sara is currently involved as a navigator in the eSense study and is excited about all the learning opportunities that come with being part of the team.

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Volunteer

Micah is in her final year of study at the University of British Columbia majoring in Kinesiology and minoring in Psychology. She is interested in de-stigmatizing sex and sexuality, and improving access to fun and comprehensive sex education. Her research interests include pelvic floor pain and dysfunction and how this might contribute to individuals’ sexual experiences. Micah is passionate about women’s empowerment initiatives and hopes to pursue a career in medicine or physiotherapy. She is excited to develop her research skills by volunteering at the UBC Sexual Health Laboratory.

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Volunteer

Stephanie is in her third year at the University of British Columbia majoring in Psychology. Passionate about sexual health and education, Stephanie volunteers as a Youth Sex Educator at Vancouver Coastal Health’s BLUSH program. She is also a research assistant at the Sexuality and Well-Being (SWell) Lab. Her research interests include sexual dysfunctions, individuals’ and couples’ sexual well-being, sexual and romantic relationships, and paraphilias. In the future, Stephanie hopes to pursue graduate studies in clinical psychology and a career as a clinician-scientist.

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Volunteer

Preet is involved in the lab as a patient navigator for the eSense study. 

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Volunteer

Angelina is a 3rd year UBC psychology and health & society student. She is currently involved in the SUPPORT study, which aims to develop a an accessible, web-based resource for postpartum depression and anxiety.

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Volunteer

Elena is a 4th year psychology major interested in how stigma and misconceptions around sexual health and sexuality impact relationships, self-esteem and overall mental health. She is currently working as a volunteer on the eSense study where she guides participants through online material. This involves psychoeducation and exercises that aim to alleviate their sexual difficulties. She will soon start her directed studies project with the lab for the winter term of 2022/23, and hopes to continue getting involved with sexual health research in the future.

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Volunteer

Judy graduated from UBC with a BSc in Nutritional Sciences and is currently studying medicine at UBC. She is involved in the lab as a patient navigator for the eSense study. In the future, Judy hopes to go into family medicine with a focus on women’s health. 

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Volunteer

Shahrazad is completing her BSc Honours in Neuroscience and Physiology. She is currently working on VIVID, investigating the use of VR exposure therapy as a potential treatment for vaginismus. Her research interests include neuropsychology, virtual reality, eye tracking, and body image. In the future, she hopes to pursue a career as a clinician-scientist.

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Volunteer

Lena is an undergraduate psychology major, critical studies minor interested in addressing sexual shame and guilt, social barriers to pleasurable experiences and alternative methods of embracing sexuality such as through sensual dance. In 2019, after 2 gap years, she transferred from the UVIC Philosophy and Applied Ethics program to continue her studies in psychology and sexuality here at UBC. Lena plans to apply for a graduate program in clinical psychology in the hopes to combine education and clinical work in her future. 

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Volunteer

Patricia is an undergraduate kinesiology student at the University of British Columbia. Driven by her passion for sexual healthcare and education, she is ecstatic to be volunteering with the SEQUOIA-PC study. Patricia’s research interests include sexual quality of life, physiology, and LGBTQIA+ representation in research.

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Volunteer

Britney completed her Bachelor in Kinesiology, with a minor in Psychology at the University of British Columbia in 2021. Her current research interests include the psychophysiological manifestations of sexual dysfunctions, relationship between biopsychosocial factors within the healthcare setting, and de-stigmatization of sexual disorders. Passionate about physical and mental health, she is excited to explore the field of clinical psychology as part of the UBC Sexual Health Laboratory Team. In the future, she plans to pursue a career in medicine.

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Volunteer

Lakshmi is a fourth year undergraduate student at the University of British Columbia, completing her Bachelor of Science degree in Food, Nutrition and Health. She is currently involved in the BREAST study at the UBC Sexual Health Laboratory. Hoping to pursue a career in the medical field in the future, her research interests include psychiatry, identifying effective methods to de-stigmatize members pertaining to sexual health and ways to improve access to unbiased sexual health information across various cultural communities.

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Volunteer

Wyatt is currently an undergraduate student at UBC majoring in Behavioural Neuroscience. Passionate about sexual and mental well-being, Wyatt also volunteers with the Dr. Peter AIDS Foundation. Wyatt is beyond excited to be a part of the UBC sexual health laboratory team as he is particularly motivated to help bridge the gap between healthcare, sexual healthcare, and mental healthcare.

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Volunteer

Denise is an undergraduate student at the University of British Columbia. As a volunteer for the BRACE study, she is extremely excited to contribute to stimulating and fascinating work, while learning and developing research skills. She hopes to spend her time at the UBCSHR Lab delving deeper into the world of sexual health and to explore varying topics of research.

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Volunteer

Yana completed her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology (Honours) at the University of British Columbia in 2019. Yana has been with the lab since 2016, where she completed her first honours thesis on Emotional Intelligence and Sexuality and later become the coordinator on a series of studies investigating sexual concerns and disordered eating. Yana’s research interests include the psychophysiological processes that can promote or impair sexual response, the impact of body image and cognitive distractions on sexual function, and the mechanisms behind attraction.  Yana is currently involved with the eSense project as a navigator. 

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Volunteer

Alyssa recently graduated from Simon Fraser University in 2021 completing her Bachelor of Arts with a major in psychology and a minor in counselling and human development. Alyssa’s interests lie in the field of sexual health and supporting women who have experienced domestic violence. In addition to her volunteer work at the lab, Alyssa volunteers at the Domestic Abuse Services helpline and works in a transition house for women feeling violence. Alyssa is currently involved in the eSense study at the lab and has stepped into a role as a navigator. Her time at the UBC Sexual Health Lab has led Alyssa to working towards a career in counselling, with a focus on women’s sexual health.