Meet the Team

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    Frank Kachanoff (He/Him)

    Assistant Professor

  • About Me

    I am an Assistant Professor in the Psychology Department at Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo Ontario, Canada. Our lab uses a mixed method approach to understand the intersection of social identities, morality, and social structures in shaping people’s well-being, intergroup relations, and social (in)equities.

    Previously, I was a post-doctoral fellow at the University of North Carolina in the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience (2019-2021) and at the Ford Center for Global Citizenship at the Kellogg School of Management of Northwestern University (2017-2019). I also held a post-doctoral fellowship with the Fonds de recherche du Québec – Société et Culture (FQRSC). I completed my PhD in experimental psychology at McGill University.

    I teach courses as the undergraduate and graduate level focusing on statistics, research methods, and social psychology.

Publications
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    Ting (Chloe) Hsueh (She/Her)

    PhD Student

    Chloe is a PhD student in the SIIMSS lab with research interests in social identity and intergroup dynamics. Specifically, her research explores 1) how identity-based felt understanding contributes to individuals’ well-being, 2) how societal events influence collective action, and 3) ways to foster mutual understanding and support for social change. In all her work, she considers how power and status differences shape the experiences of members from both advantaged and disadvantaged groups. Outside of the lab, she is a proud cat-mom to two and a dedicated bubble tea enthusiast.

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    Erik S. Caceros (He/Him)

    PhD Student

    In my research, we use in-lab simulations to explore how emotional autonomy (or lack thereof) shape workplace dynamics, well-being, and how one’s group identity can amplify these experiences. In my spare time I enjoy making music!

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    Sophie Landry (She/Her)

    PhD Student

    My research interests broadly focus on the ways in which various sexual and gendered norms fuel social inequity, and vice versa. I’m a big fan of mixed method approaches, as well as finding ways to challenge dominant epistemologies in research and academia. I also love working in applied contexts such as in sexual violence prevention and consent education spaces. When I’m not in PhD/work mode, I love thrifting, cooking, reading, and caring for my cat Felix!

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    Kyra Simons (She/Her/They)

    PhD Student

    I am a 2nd year Social Psychology PhD student in the lab, and my research interests revolve around social identity, aging, and community-driven research methods. My research advocates for more culturally appropriate and accessible community programming for older adults, while also aiming to increase program participation from historically marginalized folks.

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    Lexi Williamson (She/Her)

    MA Student

    My research interests as an MA student centre on attitudes toward abortion and gender equity. I am particularly interested in understanding how the current political climate shapes beliefs about reproductive rights, as well as how to foster productive and respectful conversations around abortion care.

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    Yang Jiao (She/Her)

    MA Student

    I completed my BA in Psychology at Laurier and I am currently a master’s student under the supervision of Dr. Kachanoff. My MA thesis explores the motivational dynamics of White individuals confronting structural racism and how different motivation types play a key role in shaping how people engage in anti-racist action.

    Some of my other research interests include mental health and addictions, identity and intersectionality, and community-based research methods.

  • Young woman smiling and holding a red folder, standing in front of a scientific research poster on psychological well-being and group effects.

    Meaghan McDonagh (She/Her)

    Lab Manager

    I work closely with Frank and the students within the lab to coordinate and run various research projects, including and focusing on Grabodia.

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    Leah Milev (She/Her)

    Thesis Student

    I am a 4th year undergraduate student in BA Psychology. I am currently conducting a thesis under Dr. Frank Kachanoff, investigating how 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals' perceptions of Cishet support relate to their mental well-being. My broader research interests centre around mental health disorders, stigma, self-compassion, and perceived barriers to care.

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    Ellie Ovsenny (She/Her)

    Thesis Student

    I am an undergraduate honors thesis student, currently conducting research that explores 2SLGBTQ+ understandings of pride and shame. Particularly, with a focus on how queer individuals experience these emotions both independently and together.

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    Emmie

    Thesis Studnet

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    Sofiya Bezruchko (She/Her)

    Thesis Student

    I am a researcher with a background in psychology and criminology whose work focuses on experiences of homelessness within the contexts of shelter-based services. My research examines trust in service providers, trust in primary care workers, perceptions of fairness and justice, and how shelter and housing environments shape psychosocial wellbeing, using quantitative approaches informed by community-based research.

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    Bobby Benoit (He/Him)

    Directed Study

    My research interest include political psychology and group identity in the digital age. As for my personal interests, I love chess and music, dedicating most of my free time to listening to new music while either doing research for school or chess.

2025/2026 RAs

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    Illy Senturk (She/Her)

    Research Assistant

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    Cayden Curtain (He/Him)

    Research Assistant

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    Jasmine Sharma

    Research Assistant

  • A young woman with long, wavy brown hair wearing clear glasses, a gray sweater, and a gold necklace with a dark gemstone. She is smiling slightly and has light makeup, set against a blurred background.

    Alex Keefe (She/Her)

    Research Assistant

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    Carolina Naranjo Lemos

    Research Assistant

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    Maya Karim

    Research Assistant