Research in Psychology

The Department of Psychology and Health Studies faculty members are leaders in their fields.  Their research ranges from work with animals to people, from the individual to the group, and from healthy functioning to unhealthy functioning.  We have two undergraduate programs (BA and BSc) and four graduate programs in psychology (Applied Social, Cognition/Neuroscience, Clinical, and Culture and Human Development).  Many of our faculty work in more than one area and supervise students from different programs, including those outside of psychology.

Our faculty are active researchers and are often looking for undergraduate research assistants and potential graduate students.  Feel free to look at their areas of interest and email them if you would like more information.

Research Interests

Students have the opportunity to work with faculty in a wide variety of research areas housed within the department:
  • Action and Interaction
  • Culture, Health and Human Development
  • Forensic
  • Functional Magnetic Resonance Imagining (fMRI)
  • Human Resources
  • Neuropsychology
  • Pain
  • Perception and Language
  • Physical Health
  • Physiological Psychology
  • Program Evaluation
  • Psychological Assessment and Treatment
  • Reasoning and Memory 

Participant Pool

The Department of Psychology & Health Studies Participant Pool is available to regular faculty members of the Department of Psychology and those who work directly under their supervision. Consideration may be given to those from outside the Department, subject to availability. Please refer to this document for detailed information on accessing the Participant Pool: Participant Pool Information

Faculty Research

Janeen Loehr: Thinking: A Research, Scholarly and Artistic Work Collaboration Collider

Ron Borowsky: Thinking: A Research, Scholarly and Artistic Work Collaboration Collider

Dr. Kristina McDonald received her PhD in Developmental Psychology from Duke University. Her research interests include the peer and family relationships of adolescents, social cognitions, and aggressive behavior.  She also often examines these questions across cultures, considering how cultural norms may affect how interpersonal behaviors are interpreted, enacted, and contribute to wellbeing. (starting July 1, 2026; accepting Graduate Students for Fall 2026)

Dr. Matt Jarrett received his Ph.D. from the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and completed a pre-doctoral internship at Children’s National Medical Center. His research and clinical interests are in the field of developmental psychopathology, particularly in the areas of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), anxiety disorders, and related domains such as sluggish cognitive tempo (SCT)/Cognitive Disengagement Syndrome (CDS). (starting July 1, 2026; accepting Graduate Students for Fall 2026)

Motor Processes, Memory & Attention

Cognition & Neuroscience

Medical Imaging (MRI), Astrophysics & Physiological Math Modeling

Body Image, Scale Development, Gender, Sexuality, Gay & Lesbian Psychology

Death, Bereavement & Coping

Cross-Cultural Research, Cross-Cultural Physical & Mental Health, Aboriginal Health

Geriatric Psychopathology & Ageing

Child and Adolescent Development

Immigration, Program Evaluation

Reproduction, Maternal & Fetal Health

Personality, Depression, Defense Mechanisms & Psychotherapy

Psychopathology

  • Mark Olver
  • Jorden Cummings
  • Kristina McDonald (starting July 1, 2026; accepting Graduate Students for Fall 2026)
  • Matt Jarrett (starting July 1, 2026; accepting Graduate Students for Fall 2026)

Qualitative Research

Stereotyping, Prejudice, Discrimination, and Intergroup Relations

Health Psychology, Wellness, Indigenous Health 

Risk, Juvenile Offenders, Forensic Psychology, Adult Forensics

Sports Psychology, Expert Witness, Sleep Disorders