People

At University of Waterloo, students often describe themselves with a number and a letter (e.g., “2B” for a second-term sophomore). Using this system, I am roughly 16B: the first four years were at Texas Tech University (which is in my hometown of Lubbock); the next six years were at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; and the three years after that were at McGill University in Montreal. In addition to conducting research, I also teach Introduction to Social Psychology, Data Visualization, Management, and Analysis (coding in R), and the occasional grad seminar. Outside of UWaterloo, I climb a few times a week, go thrifting, cook and make cocktails at home, and play computer games. (Personal Website)

Hi, I'm Krista and I'm a third-year Ph.D. student in the Impressions Lab. I'm fascinated by a variety of topics including person perception, attraction, stereotypes, and intergroup judgements. My master's thesis wove these topics together as it defined and explored attraction stereotypes—identity-based beliefs about people's priorities when evaluating and selecting partners. Outside of research, I love to enjoy and discuss fiction novels (particularly mysteries), TV shows (particularly sitcoms and mysteries), and music (most kinds), as well as spend time with my friends, family, and dogs. 

Shawn Yee is a second-year MA student who received his BSc in Behavioural Neuroscience at the University of British Columbia in 2019. Since then, he has pivoted into social psychology and is now interested investigating how the way we dress is perceived, both by others and by ourselves. Outside of research, he enjoys playing video games, listening to music, and going on walks. (Contact)

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I’m a second-year MA student in the Impressions Lab. I completed my BA in Psychology at the University of Waterloo (RI Spec, Cognitive Science Minor) in 2025. My research interests involve a mix of social perception and gender expression. I like to investigate how people use dress to communicate their identity, and what cues perceivers use to influence their judgments. Outside of research, I enjoy playing D&D, drawing, and aerial silks. (Contact)

I am a recent graduate holding an honours BA in psychology (RI Spec). I am currently working in the Impressions lab as the lab manager for several exciting research projects. My research interests broadly include impressions based on an interaction between race and dress, relationships, trauma, sexuality, and interpersonal interactions. After 5pm I enjoy playing board games, thrifting, baking, reading, taking dance classes and trying to get my sourdough starter to become active.

I'm Joseph, an aspiring researcher in some nebulous point in my undergrad. Currently, I'm working on analyzing the accuracy of perceiver judgements of others based on differing levels and types of appearance information. Beyond first impressions and person perception, my research interests are the development and enforcement of social rules and the reconstructive nature of memory. Outside the lab, I perform with my acappella ensembles, work casually as an usher, and destress with my ball python.

I am a fourth-year BSc Psychology student minoring in Biology. I am primarily interested in clinical and social psychology, with a focus on social and interpersonal interactions on mental health outcomes. In my free time I enjoy reading, going to concerts, and watching vampire movies.

Hello! My name is Akaaljyot and I am in my second-year of BSc Psychology at the University of Waterloo. I am interested in both social and clinical psychology, with a focus on how impressions influence social and healthcare outcomes. In my free time, I enjoy reading, gardening and most importantly spending time with my family.

Hi! My name is Arthi (she/her/elle), and I am a Psychology student at the University of Waterloo with a previous degree in Public Health. I have broad interests in social psychology, particularly in how our social environments and interactions with one another shape our attitudes, behaviours, and well-being. With my background in public health and advocacy, I am especially interested in how understanding these social processes can help address real-world issues and support healthier communities. Through my undergrad and the Impressions Lab, I hope to further explore these interests and discover the areas of social psychology I would like to pursue. Outside of academics, I enjoy cooking, staying active, journaling, discovering new places and spending time with the people I love.

Hi! My name is Bianca, and I am a fourth-year student in the Honours Psychology B. Sc. program at the University of Waterloo. I am interested in clinical psychology, particularly how psychological difficulties or disorders affect child and adolescent development, as well as social psychology and how social interactions shape our perceptions of others. Outside of research, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, playing board games, and taking yoga and Pilates classes.

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I am a third-year BSc Honours Psychology student at the University of Waterloo. I am primarily interested in developmental and social psychology, particularly how environmental factors influence children’s development and mental health. Outside of academics, I enjoy spending time with loved ones, going on walks, and playing video and board games.

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Hi! My name is Harneet :) I am a fourth-year Honours Psychology student at the University of Waterloo. I am primarily interested in educational and developmental psychology, focusing on how children are unique and process information differently. Learning extends beyond the classroom; familial relationships, social climate, and systemic factors play a role in shaping a child’s mind. In the future, I hope to work with children in an educational setting, maybe as a teacher or school psychologist! Outside of academics, I like to listen to music, make origami flowers, ride my bike on a sunny day, and visit my friends!

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Hi, my name is Julia, and I am a 4th year student majoring in psychology. I am interested in a variety of research in social psychology, but especially impressions (how convenient!), and in clinical psychology, especially with respect to anxiety and neurodivergent individuals. In my spare time, I like to hang out with my friends and my cats, listen to music, and play video games.

I’m in my third year of the Honours Arts Psychology program (Research Intensive Specialization), pursuing a minor in Addictions, Mental Health & Policy. My interests span social, clinical, and developmental psychology, particularly how psychological research can be applied to real-world challenges to promote positive development, mental health, and well-being, especially among children and youth. In my free time I enjoy playing guitar, trying out different crafts, and playing video games.

I am a 4B Honours Psychology student at the University of Waterloo. My research interests lie in clinical and social psychology, with a focus on online communities centered around mental disorders. I am particularly interested in how members of these communities interact with one another, how they are perceived by those outside the group, and how participation in these spaces relates to members’ psychopathology. In my free time, I like riding motorcycles, racing, gaming, reading many books, making music, and lazing around with my cat.

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Hi! My name is Si Yu and I am a fourth-year Honours Psychology and Sociology student at the University of Waterloo. I am primarily interested in social and clinical psychology through an intersectional lens. In the future, I hope to work with children, adolescents and emerging adults from underprivileged and marginalized backgrounds. Outside of academics, I enjoy listening to music, playing sandbox video games and reading. 

Hi! My name is Teresa, and I am in my 3rd  year of a double major in Psychology as well as Sexuality, Relationships and Families. My research interests include social and developmental psychology, with a focus on how dress shapes who we connect with and form relationships with. Outside of school, I like rock-climbing, antiquing/thrifting, and drawing/crafting.

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I am a third-year Honours Psychology student with a research intensive specialization. My research interests are primarily developmental social psychology in relation to culture, language and health access. Outside of academics, I enjoy listening to music, learning different crafts and reading!

Ava Pettingill
Nadia Bhup

Also known as “Skip” or “Tuna” or “Tunacat”, Skipjack wakes Neil up in the morning by begging for food, preventing him from running on an unreasonably late schedule. He also provides solace in the face of the many inevitable rejections that come with conducting academic research.