Dr. Thanujeni Pathman, Director
Jeni Pathman has worked with children and families in Hamilton (McMaster University), Durham (Duke University), Atlanta (Emory University), Davis (UC Davis), and Greensboro (UNCG) to learn about memory and cognitive development. Jeni completed her undergraduate degree at McMaster University, and received her Ph.D. from the Psychology Department at Emory University. She completed postdoctoral training at the Center for Mind and Brain at the University of California, Davis. She was a faculty member in the Psychology Department at the University of North Carolina Greensboro (UNCG), and is now an Associate Professor in the Psychology Department at York University. Her research interests are in cognitive development and developmental cognitive neuroscience. Dr. Pathman studies the development of memory. She is especially interested in learning about the development of contextual memory (e.g., memory for time and space), semantic memory (e.g., knowledge/facts) and the development of the processes and neural substrates involved in episodic and autobiographical memory.
Dr. Pathman is Area Head for the Developmental Science graduate program in the Psychology Department at York, core member of LaMarsh Centre for Child and Youth Research and Connected Minds, and associate faculty member of VISTA (Vision: Science to Applications). She is also faculty in the Graduate Diploma for Neuroscience. She is currently an Associate Editor for the academic journal Memory.
Tida Kian, Graduate Student
Tida has a broad interest in children's learning, memory and brain development. She joined the MDLaB in the summer of 2018 to gain valuable research experience about memory development. In her Honour’s Thesis project, she examined semantic memory development in a naturalistic environment. She was involved in data collection at the Toronto Zoo. Through this experience, she developed relevant skills in recruiting child participants, conducting experimental sessions, coding and entering data, critical thinking and scientific writing and many other valuable skills which is needed in order to pave the way to become a youth psychologist as well as a researcher. During her M.A. she investigated the influence of semantic knowledge on episodic memory. Her M.A. thesis was focused on the effect of semantic knowledge about different types of actions on remembering spatial episodic locations for the actions. Now, she is a P.h.D student in the Developmental Science Program at York University. She hopes to gain more research experience during her graduate studies. She believes Cognitive Developmental research give us deep insight about children's learning, memory and brain development and informs educational interventions.
Tarnpreet Virk, Graduate Student
My current research is focused on factors related to autobiographical memory development from childhood into adolescence. Specifically, my research interests lie in understanding how early experiences and factors, namely how mother-directed (or primary caregiver-directed) conversations in the first years of life, influence children’s ongoing and later conversational abilities, and influence their understanding for temporal and spatial information details. Through observational measures, I will continue to develop and quantify how early caregiver-child experiences shape how children retain and learn to include temporal and spatial details over time, and how children learn to include these details in everyday conversations.
Sharon Zur, Graduate Student
Sharon joined the MDLaB Lab to pursue her doctoral studies after completing both her B.A and M.A in psychology at Haifa University (Israel). Sharon is co-supervised by Dr. Pathman and Dr. Bialystok from the LCAD lab. Sharon is investigating the influence of language experience on spatial-temporal memory and developing projects to study implications language experience in educational settings.
Riya Trikha, Graduate Student 
I recently graduated with a Specialized Honours B.A in Psychology (Cognitive Neuropsychology stream) from York University's Glendon Campus. My interest in autobiographical and episodic memory and thinking developed during my research practicum with Dr. Donna Rose Addis and my honours thesis with Dr. Andrée-Ann Cyr. I hope to not only apply the skills I've learned through my past experiences, but also expand them with the help of the MDLaB and apply them to infants and children! More specifically, I'm interested in exploring the neurological, cognitive and socioemotional factors involved in neurodevelopmental disorders in children, which I wish to pursue in clinical and/or developmental psychology in graduate school! Excited to learn more about and participate in MDLaB's cool research!
Casey Aurin, Lab Manager
Casey has completed his undergraduate training from the Specialized Honours Psychology program at York University. His honours thesis titled: “Autobiographical Memory Narratives in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder” under the supervision of Dr. Thanujeni Pathman, Dr. Mary Desrocher, and in collaboration with Dr. Jonathan Weiss. His study focused on the ability of children with autism to narrate their memories related to the self in the past. His interest was sparked following his participation in the Special Olympics World Games 2019 in the sport of tennis. Casey plans to pursue his Master’s degree and eventual PhD, and aspires to become a clinical neuropsychologist. Casey hopes to further explore the neuropsychological profile of children with autism in relation to their daily adaptive functioning and psychometric properties of current assessments. Outside of academic research, he takes pleasure in baking, particularly the French pastries; he also enjoys marveling at nature through walks, and likes playing tennis, and knits in his spare time.
Lazaros Maroulis, Research Assistant
Lazaros joined the LCAD and Memory Development Learning and Brain Lab (MDLaB) as a Research Assistant in November 2023. He is currently assisting with research that integrates behavioural and neuroimaging techniques (i.e., EEG/ERP) to investigate the ways in which language experience affects cognitive processes such as memory and attention. He is also keenly interested in ascertaining the effects of musical experience on executive functions.
Lazaros earned his undergraduate Honours degree in Psychology at York University in June 2023. He is grateful to have been given this wonderful opportunity and looks forward to contributing to both labs’ work.
Natallia Kananovich, Research Assistant
Meenu Bhagat, Research Assistant
Michael Grbic, Research Assistant
Michael is a fourth year undergraduate Honours Psychology student at York University. Michael has returned to school to pursue his passion in psychology after many years of experience in the areas of business operations and administration. Throughout these experiences, he has developed a deep understanding and appreciation of the importance of creating a warm and compassionate atmosphere for people. His interests are in clinical and developmental psychology, and being a father of two young children, he is particularly interested in childhood emotional well being. He values his experience in previous clinical research settings, and looks forward to further developing his research skills at the MDLaB, and collaboration with his team members. Michael hopes to continue his education in graduate school, with the goal of becoming a clinical psychologist.Aya Jasiem, Research Assistant
Aya is an undergraduate student pursuing a Specialized Honours BSc in Psychology at York University, with a focus on child and youth development and neuroscience. Her research interests are centered on understanding the developmental needs of children, particularly those with neurodevelopmental disorders. Aya has extensive experience working with children of all ages and those with special needs in various settings, including schools, before and aftercare programs, and summer camps. She is deeply committed to the belief that every child deserves equal opportunities to thrive and is passionate about creating environments that enable children to reach their full potential. Aya aims to pursue graduate studies in clinical developmental psychology. She is excited to join the MDLaB team, where she looks forward to contributing her skills and gaining new insights alongside a dedicated team of researchers. Outside of academics, Aya enjoys reading, being outdoors, playing soccer and field hockey.
Aaliyah Daruwala, Research Assistant
Aaliyah is a third year student in the Specialised Honours Psychology program, at York University. With her goal to be a registered Child and Youth Psychologist, she is passionate about research in the developmental and cognitive areas of psychology. Her experience with children stems from tutoring, mentoring and volunteering positions that involved working with children from low-SES backgrounds. She facilitated one-on-one sessions to improve literacy skills and make learning an enjoyable experience. She is intrigued by how one’s memory can impact their future in either positive or negative ways and the cognitive framework behind this. Aaliyah hopes to be a part of research that moves us towards creating new early interventions and improving children’s resilience in face of stressful situations. She is very grateful to be a part of MDLaB, and looks forward to developing her research skills and making meaningful contributions. During her free time, Aaliyah enjoys rock climbing, archery and crocheting.
Abisha Arulselvan, Research Assistant
Abisha is an undergraduate student at York University, majoring in Kinesiology & Health Sciences. During high school, she developed a passion for working with children by volunteering with PLASP Childcare Services, where she served as a mentor and developed meaningful connections with elementary school students. She further pursued her interests by enrolling in developmental psychology courses at university and volunteering with Peace by Peace. This initiative allowed her to deliver workshops to elementary schools across the GTA focusing on conflict resolution, bullying prevention, and mental health awareness. Her research interests include exploring the development of autobiographical memory and understanding how memory processes are affected in infants with ASD and childhood trauma. Dedicated to a future career in healthcare focusing on infant health, Abisha is excited to join the MDLaB and collaborate with Dr. Pathman and her exceptional team.
Ayrik Pojhan, Research Assistant
Ayrik Pojhan is a third-year student in the Specialized Honours Psychology program at York University. With aspirations to pursue graduate studies in Clinical Psychology, he is passionate about the intersection of memory, cognition, and mental health. His professional experiences include working as a peer tutor for psychology students, a clinical psychology intern at JWL Psychology, and a clinical report writer and administrative assistant for a licensed psychologist. In these roles, he has supported treatment planning, coordinated intake and scheduling, created educational content, and prepared structured assessment reports. Ayrik is now focused on gaining meaningful research experience, particularly in cognitive development and decision-making, and is eager to contribute to the MDLaB’s projects that have real-world clinical applications. He is particularly interested in how emotionally significant experiences in childhood, such as praise or criticism, shape the development of autobiographical memory and self-concept over time. Ayrik hopes to explore how early memories influence decision-making, emotional regulation, and identity formation, especially in youth navigating challenges related to mental health or social environments. He is grateful to be part of MDLaB and looks forward to developing his research skills under Dr. Pathman’s mentorship and being a part of the wonderful team at MDLaB. Outside of psychology, Ayrik enjoys filmmaking, content creation, playing soccer, and going to the gym.
Hana Yaacoub, Research Assistant
Hana is entering her third year at the University of Toronto, double-majoring in neuroscience and psychology. Working with children on the spectrum in summer camps and after-school programs sparked her interest in neurodevelopmental disorders and the social experience of children with autism. She is also passionate about learning, language acquisition and memory in children. She is thrilled to join the MDLaB and help with their ongoing research while learning from the experienced members of the team. Ultimately, Hana hopes to become a child psychiatrist and is eager to contribute to developmental psychology research. Outside of school, she enjoys playing ice hockey, reading, puzzles and collecting vinyl records!
Ashley Alshubil, Research Assistant
Ashley is a third-year undergraduate student at York University, double majoring in psychology and criminology. Reflecting on her early years, she wondered why some events are so vividly remembered while others seem to have faded away, sparking her interest in memory development. This curiosity has developed into a more profound scholarly interest in the ways that early experiences influence cognitive and affective development. She has investigated this relationship through research proposals that look into the possible connections between juvenile delinquency and parental divorce, as well as how it may affect children's capacity to establish and sustain healthy relationships. Ashley is primarily motivated by Elaine Reese's research on the impact of parental nostalgia on kids' memory development, which has sparked fascinating new questions that she can't wait to investigate in the lab. Ashley intends to utilize her time at MDLaB to expand her knowledge of memory development, obtain practical research experience, and identify areas of interest for her honours thesis. Her long-term objectives include attending law school and earning a master's degree in psychology, with the ultimate goal of pursuing a doctorate in psychology. She has combined her passion for horseback riding with her dedication to community service by volunteering at an equine therapy program outside of school, where she helps riders with disabilities. She is a competitive gymnast and also enjoys reading, working out, and spending time with friends and family
