Director

Dr. Cristina Atance

Dr. Cristina Atance is an Associate Professor of Psychology at the University of Ottawa. Dr. Atance has broad research interests within the domain of cognitive development, but is especially intrigued about the development of young children’s concepts of the future, perspective-taking skills, and theory of mind. Dr. Atance completed her Bachelor of Science in Psychology at the University of Toronto in 1996, and received her Ph.D. from the University of Waterloo in 2001. She then completed a 2-year post-doctoral research fellowship at the University of Washington before returning to Canada in 2003 to begin a faculty position at the University of Ottawa.

Doctoral Candidates

Michèle Bélanger

Michèle completed her Bachelor of Science with concentration in Biology degree in 2004 and her Honours Bachelor of Arts in Psychology (with thesis) degree in 2005, both from the University of Ottawa. She spent a year as the research assistant for the Chief Psychologist of Mental Health Services at the Department of National Defense. Michèle is currently working towards her PhD in clinical psychology and is focusing on preschoolers’ understanding of the subjective nature of desires.

Laura Jackson

Laura began volunteering in the lab in 2005 and received an undergraduate student research award from NSERC for the summer of 2006. After completing her undergraduate thesis, she graduated in 2007 with an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Psychology degree. Laura is currently working towards her PhD in clinical psychology, and is examining future thinking skills in children with autism.

Jennifer Metcalf

Jennifer completed her Honours Bachelor of Arts in Psychology (with thesis) in 2005 at the University of Ottawa. She began working in the lab in 2004 as a research assistant. Jennifer is working towards her degree in clinical psychology and is currently conducting research examining how children explain their own actions in various situations. Jennifer's doctoral research will focus on children’s future thinking abilities.

Lab Coordinator / Research Assistants

Emily Essig

Emily completed her Honours Bachelor of Arts in Political Science in 2005 at the University of Toronto and worked as a research assistant at the Center for Addiction and Mental Health and Ryerson University in Toronto. She began working as the lab coordinator at the CCLL in January 2009.

Aman Bassi

Students

Anisha Varghese

Anisha is currently working towards completion of her Honours Bachelor of Arts with Specialization in Psychology at the University of Ottawa. She is a recipient of the NSERC Student Awards Scholarship and joined the lab in May 2008.