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.
Dr. Caitlin E. O'Riordan, Post-Doctoral Scholar
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 is currently completing his undergraduate training with a specific interest in working with neurodevelopmental disorders specifically, children with autism. 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. His current thesis will explore autobiographical memory details in children with ASD, in relation to their varying aspect of functioning, to ensure their adequate integration to society. The inclusion of children with neurodevelopmental disorders into the community is a cause that Casey holds dearly to his heart. 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.
Chloe Davies, Research Assistant
Chloe Davies is currently an undergraduate Neuroscience student at York University. She grew up in Ottawa and attended an arts high school for tuba performance, and still pursues the arts on the side of her studies. You might be able to spot her in Toronto indie films and commercials! She is currently the Managing Editor of DiverseMinds Magazine and has a great passion for neurodiversity awareness, with a particular interest in autism and executive control.
Natallia Kananovich, Research Assistant
Celina Therriault, Research Assistant
Meenu Bhagat, Research Assistant
Nicole Dimitrova, 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.Sude Bolukbasi, Research Assistant
Sude joined the MDLaB during her undergraduate studies at York University. She is passionate about developmental cognitive science, with particular interest in the relationship between visual attention, episodic memory, and learning. Sude has completed her B.A. in Psychology in 2023 and aims to pursue graduate school. Sude's goal is to hone her research skills in developmental science.
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.
