Department of Psychology
Elizabeth Kelley
Associate Professor, Lab Director
I received my BAH in Psychology from York University in 2000 and my PhD in Developmental Psychology from the University of Connecticut in 2006. I am interested in the development of individuals with autism spectrum disorders and how all aspects of development (social, perceptual, cognitive, and linguistic) interact in individuals with ASD, intellectual disabilities, and typically developing individuals across the life span.
In my spare time (what spare time?) I enjoy spending time with friends (especially eating good food or activities near or on water), watching movies with my cats, shoe- shopping, traveling, and reading. And last but certainly not least, my favourite ice cream flavour is Edy’s low-fat French Silk (one of the only things I miss about living in the States).
Melissa Susko, PhD. Candidate
I am a third-year PhD candidate in the developmental psychology program. Broadly, I am interested in the mental health and well-being of autistic individuals across the lifespan. For my dissertation, I am taking a participatory research approach to create and validate a new measure of quality of life for autistic emerging adults. In my spare time, I enjoy reading, cycling, and watching A LOT of reality TV
Isabela Heroiu, Thesis Student
I am a fourth-year undergraduate student majoring in Psychology and minoring in Sociology. I am completing my honours thesis examining friendship quality in autistic adults. My interests center on neurodivergent development, particularly how childhood and adolescent experiences may shape later-life social and psychological experiences. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my friends and family, reading, and being outside!
Emilia Spadafora, Thesis Student
I am a fourth-year undergraduate student majoring in psychology. I started in the lab in my second year and am now writing my thesis with Autism Studies! I am particularly interested in the intersection between neurodevelopmental conditions and clinical psychology. My thesis focuses on examining co-occurring autism and ADHD, and mental health outcomes such as anxiety and depression. Beyond academics, I enjoy cooking and baking for friends and family, and I also love to read!
Téa Hope, Directed Lab Student
I am a third year student studying biology and psychology! I joined the ASD lab as an RA this past summer, and I am taking a directed lab course during the fall semester. My work focuses on exploratory research into birth order as a mediating factor of cognitive inflexibility in autistic youth! In my free time, I like going to concerts, working out, and spending time with my friends and family!
Kalli Katrivanos, Directed Lab Student
I am a fourth-year undergraduate student studying psychology at Â鶹¹ÙÍø's University. I joined the ASD lab as a research assistant in the summer of 2026, and I am now completing a directed lab project. My project focuses on the relationship between emotion recognition and social skills in autistic children. Generally, my research interests focus on the neurological processes underlying development in autistic children, particularly in relation to cognition, emotion, and social behavior. In my free time, I enjoy reading and spending time with my friends!
Cara Parker, Directed Lab Student
I am a third-year undergraduate student studying Psychology! I am interested in the development of children with autism and the factors that may contribute to developmental outcomes. As a directed lab student, my research focuses on younger siblings of children with autism, specifically examining familial risk and the likelihood of autism in younger siblings. In my free time I love reading, going to concerts and spending time with my friends and family!
Jaden Skinner, Directed Lab Student
I am a third-year undergraduate student studying biology & psychology. I began working in the lab in 2024 through the Strengths study, overseeing scheduling and offering guidance to incoming research assistants. Now, through my directed lab, I'll be looking into literature on the gut-brain axis, particularly how behavioural interventions may lower gastrointestinal distress in children and adolescents with autism by targeting emotional distress. Outside of the lab, I enjoy creative writing and poetry, cooking, and promoting activism in the community.