Our Team

Dr. Effie J. Pereira

Principal Investigator

(she/her)

Effie is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology and Director of the QuAD Lab. Before this, she completed her Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship at the University of Waterloo & her PhD at McGill University.

Fun fact: Outside of the lab, Effie is a big TV & movie buff, and she credits her love of science to growing up as a Trekkie

Jocelyne Harling

Lab Coordinator

(she/her)

Jocelyne recently graduated from Queen’s University with a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in 2025. Jocelyne completed her honours thesis in the QuAD Lab, investigating attentional control across different domains of attention. She is excited to advance her research skills and career as a lab coordinator.

Fun fact: In her free time, Jocelyne loves, loves, loves, to drink coffee with a good book.

Aahana Uppal

Master’s Student in Cognitive Neuroscience

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Aahana is a Master’s student in the Cognitive Neuroscience program at Queen’s University. She completed her Bachelor of Cognitive Science (Honours) degree at Carleton University in 2025. She is excited to learn more about individual differences in attention and to incorporate eye-tracking and neuroimaging measures in her research.

Fun fact: Aahana was in a band with her sister and cousin for a Lady Gaga cover at the age of 6!

Mridula Srikanth

Master’s Student in Cognitive Neuroscience

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Mridula is a Master’s student in the Cognitive Neuroscience program at Queen’s University. She completed her Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree in Psychology at Queen’s University in 2025. She is excited to learn more about attention and social cognition and to explore new directions and broaden her research horizons.

Fun fact: Mridula loves to crotchet, sing Carnatic (Indian classical) music, and explore new coffee places.

Nicole Hernandez

Programmer

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Nicole is a fourth-year Computing major and Math minor at Queen’s University with an interest in AI. She is excited to help code an app for the lab’s research.

Fun fact: Nicole would love to have a cheetah as a pet and likes to embroider.

Leila Belhis

Honours Thesis Student

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 Leila is a fourth-year Psychology student with a Philosophy minor at Queen’s University. This year, Leila is eager to join the Quad Lab as an honours thesis student. She is excited to explore cognitive neuroscience, especially anything to do with memory.

Fun fact: In her free time, you’ll probably find Leila tucked into a café with a good book.

Aleah Williamson

Honours Thesis Student

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Aleah is a fourth-year Psychology student with a Classics and Archaeology minor at Queen’s University. This year, Aleah is eager to join the Quad Lab as an honours thesis student. She is excited to learn more about social attention.

Fun fact: In her free time, Aleah loves knitting, crocheting, and reading.

Mia Popelas

Directed Lab Student

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Mia is a third-year Psychology student at Queen’s University. This year, Mia is eager to join the QuAD Lab as a directed lab student. She is excited to get hands-on experience in the lab and build the skills needed to explore how attention works in creative minds and social interactions.

Fun fact: Mia spends her free time taking photos, watching movies, and learning Irish!

Udita Chauhan

Directed Lab Student

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Udita is a fourth-year Psychology student at Queen’s University. This year, Udita is eager to join the QuAD Lab as a directed lab student. She is excited to explore motivational and attentional dynamics in everyday life.

Fun fact: Udita loves a night-in binge-watching old 90s TV series and ordering take-out!

Charlotte Siller

Research Assistant

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Charlotte is a fourth-year Biology and Psychology Specialization student at Queen’s University. She is excited to develop a diverse set of skills through hands-on lab experience and is volunteering as a research assistant this fall.

Fun fact: I have an Abyssinian cat named Floyd

Dani Birenbaum

Research Assistant

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Dani is a third-year Psychology student at Queen’s University. She is excited to work on aspects of memory for attentional states.

Fun fact: Dani loves to read and go on hikes!

Dilara Sanli

Research Assistant

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Dilara is a second-year Psychology Specialization student at Queen’s University. She is excited to expand her skills in research.

Fun fact: Dilara lives with her two Bengal cats named Leo and Sofia.

Izabela Veljkovic

Research Assistant

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Izabela is a fourth-year Health Sciences major at Queen’s University. She is excited to explore individual differences in attention and expand her knowledge through her work in the lab.

Fun fact: She has two miniature poodles named Sofie and Jo!

Ryan Thompson

Research Assistant

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Ryan is a fourth-year Psychology major at Queen’s University. She is interested in attention, dynamic systems theory, and the intersection of psychology and philosophy. She is excited to continue researching the influence of attention on creativity!

Fun fact: Ryan has a rescue dog she is also trying to get involved in research—he has a naturally curious spirit!

Selina Chalmers

Research Assistant

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Selina is a third-year Biology and Psychology Specialization major at Queen’s University. She is excited to build her skills in research and knowledge in attentional dynamics. Overall, she aspires towards a career in neuroscience research! 

Fun fact: Selina has lived in three different countries so far!

Vishakha Desai

Research Assistant

(she/her)

Vishakha is a fourth-year Physics major at Queen’s University. She is excited about interdisciplinary work and looks forward to learning more about how attentional processes unfold over time in various environments.

Fun fact: She adores hiking, animals, and being out in nature!

Lab Alumni

Lab Coordinators

Madhumita Rajagopal (Fall 2024-Summer 2025)

Honours Thesis Students

Jocelyne Harling (Fall 2024—Winter 2025)

Mridula Srikanth (Fall 2024—Winter 2025)

Directed Lab Students

Emma Jamieson (Winter 2025)

Aleah Williamson (Winter 2025)

Yvonne Pelau (Fall 2024)

Ryan Thompson (Fall 2024)

Research Assistants

Paige Babb (Winter 2025)

Julia Wang (Winter 2025)

Angelina Liu (Fall 2024)

Maddison de Beaupre (Fall2024-Summer 2025)