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.
Thierry Letendre, Graduate Student
Thierry first started his studies at the University of Toronto, St-George Campus where he graduated from his Honor’s Bachelor of Science with a Major in Cognitive Science, Major in Psychology, Minor in Linguistics, and Minor in Philosophy. He was a research assistant at the Multilingualism and Literacy Laboratory and the Critical Health and Social Action Lab, both of which are situated at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education. He then went on to work as a research assistant at the School of Communications Sciences and Disorders at Dalhousie University in Nova Scotia, where he contributed to a multi-institution research project introspecting on bilingual language proficiency across provinces.
Thierry continues his studies as a master’s student in Psychology at the MDLaB where he stays true to his personal philosophy that the study of the mind is interdisciplinary. Thierry is currently conceptualizing and synthesizing a novel electroencephalography (EEG) research paradigm in goal of investigating the neural correlates of verbal semantic knowledge and its effects on episodic memory consolidation in children. His study pertains to the interactions between language, memory, and consciousness in the context of childhood amnesia.
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.
Candice Dixon, Individual Research Project Student, Previous Lab Manager
Candice Dixon is an undergraduate Psychology Student at York University. I am particularly interested in developmental psychology, cognitive neuroscience and biology. My goal is to pursue a career in clinical research. I have joined the lab to gain experience in research and developmental science. I have experience and enjoy working with children and their families. I look forward to exploring developmental cognitive research firsthand with Dr. Pathman and the MDLaB team.
Lazaros Maroulis, Undergraduate 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.
Shubhangi Joshi, Undergraduate Research Assistant
Shubhangi is a 3rd year undergraduate student studying Psychology at York University. She has experience working with children who have developmental disabilities. Her areas of research interests range from Developmental to Clinical Neuropsychological, with a special focus on attention and memory. She can always be found with her nose buried in a book. Shubhangi is grateful to be a part of the MDLab and the opportunity to take part in innovative research.
Malachi Blackman, Research Assistant
I am Malachi Blackman, an undergraduate Cognitive Science student who has an academic passion for clinical psychology. The ability to engage within various communities in hopes of creating accessible mental health services is most important to me and my future goals. Specifically, I am motivated to interact and mentor young adolescents and children who are in seek of mental health services, this is in pursuit of creating positive networks, environments and benefiting the overall health/well-being of the individuals. My previous experience working alongside children sparked this passion for wanting to provide therapeutic treatment for younger individuals while giving them an opportunity to develop within a safe environment. The opportunity to be apart of the MDLab has been extremely beneficial towards my growth and learning within the realm of Child Psychology. The experience is greatly appreciated and has allowed me to develop my skills while building positive networks.
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.
Aisha Saleem, Research Assistant
Hi, my name is Aisha and I am studying Neuroscience as a third year student at York University. I have experience working with children through volunteering with a language program at Highfield Junior school. As such, I would love to continue exploring the cognitive development that takes place at such a formative age. I have joined MDLab with hopes to engage in the behind the scenes of important research that contributes to psychology research. I am eager to gain insightful knowledge and be a part of a wonderful research team.
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.Sharan Sagoo, Research Assistant
Sharan, a graduate of York University, completed a bachelor’s degree in Law and Society and is now returning to pursue Psychology. Her academic journey is driven by a fervent desire to integrate law and psychology to gain a deeper understanding of mental well-being for those involved in the legal system. With two years of volunteering experience on a crisis line, she showcases a steadfast commitment to aiding others during challenging times. Presently, Sharan's research delves into the intricate relationship between legal processes and maternal well-being, in collaboration with the University of Toronto. She expresses gratitude for the opportunity to enhance her skills and explore the complexities of memory alongside the esteemed team at MDLab.
