Shainuka was an honours student in the ReaCH Lab during 2020-21. She has previously completed an Honours BSc. in Biomedical Sciences and recently completed an Honours BSc. in Psychology. Her honours project entailed a qualitative analysis of definitions of sexual desire for women with PVD and their partners. She has previously worked as an RA at the University of Ottawa’s Heart Institute on an Ottawa Model for Smoking Cessation project, and on a meta-analysis about mental health in black communities at the V-TRaC lab. In her free time, she enjoys swimming, reading, and playing board games. She has also discovered a love for painting this year! A fun fact about her is that she used to be a competitive fencer!

Mackenna is completing her fourth year of her Honours B.A in Psychology with a minor in French as a Second Language. In the ReaCH Lab Mackenna has been helping with a project regarding the experience of endometriosis in couples and completed a UROP project on the topic last year. Mackenna is also completing her Honour’s Thesis in the CADRe Lab at UOttawa. Her research interests include psychological aspects of health and neuropsychology. Mackenna is planning to pursue Graduate Studies in Clinical Psychology next year.

Fifth year Honours B.Sc in Psychology. Interests include psychopathology, heath psychology, developmental psychology, and motivation. Aspiring researcher-clinician in the field of BIPOC, WOC, and youth mental health and well-being. Joined the lab as a volunteer RA in July 2022. In my downtime, I enjoy reading, watching sitcoms and documentaries, baking, knitting, and walking my dog. 

Ioana is currently completing her BA in psychology and writing her honour’s thesis. She hopes to become a clinical psychologist in the future. Her research interests include anxiety, attachment styles, human sexualities, and psychopathology. Ioana is passionate about mental health awareness, improving sexual education, and spirituality. In her spare time, she volunteers for Planned Parenthood, enjoys outdoor activities, and is learning how to crochet.

Maya Famili

Maya completed her B.A. in the Honours Specialization Psychology program at the University of Ottawa. Her research and academic interests focus on sexuality, gender, and psychopathology. Presently, she is an Information Officer at the University of Ottawa’s Career Corner. In her spare time, Maya enjoys creating art, singing, staying active and hopes to begin her master’s in counselling psychology next year.