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Lab Director, Dr. Lara Aknin
Hello! I’m Lara Aknin, a distinguished professor of Social Psychology at 91ĹÝÜ˝ and former fellow at the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research. My research interests lie at the intersection of social psychology, positive psychology, economics and judgement and decision making. My research questions often include the study of what makes people happy, the emotional consequences of kind or generous behavior, and the well-being outcomes of specific spending choices. Most of the research I have conducted thus far examines people’s perceptions of the money and happiness relationship and whether people reap greater happiness from spending money on others (i.e. prosocial spending) than when spending the same amount of money on themselves.
Lab Manager, Tori Kazemir
Hi! My name is Tori and I recently graduated from SFU with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. In my honours thesis, I examined how the factors we base our self-esteem on relate to mental health outcomes, including depression, anxiety, and disordered eating. My research interests focus on identifying protective factors that promote resilience against psychological disorders. Looking ahead, I plan to pursue graduate studies in Clinical Psychology. Outside of academia, I enjoy singing and performing in musicals!
Graduate Student, Kalum Kumar
Hello, my name is Kalum Kumar. I am a research assistant for the Helping and Happiness Lab at 91ĹÝÜ˝, and I completed my B.A. honours in psychology with Dr. Aknin in June 2024. In the future, I aspire to attend graduate school. I have yet to find an area of psychology I dislike and hope to use this passion to fuel a career closely tied to the discipline.
Janaki Patel
Hi! My name is Janaki and I recently completed my B.A. (Hons) in Psychology with a minor in Health Sciences. Under the supervision of Dr. Aknin, my honours thesis explored the idea of prosocial fantasies, wherein individuals imagine themselves helping others, and whether learning about them can positively impact people’s views of each other. I have experience volunteering as a research assistant, mentoring rural B.C youth to help them navigate life after secondary school, and working as a behaviour interventionist for a BHCOE accredited practice. I am excited to further my passions for studying social connection, and health and well-being in my future graduate pursuits!
Erin Koch
Hello! I'm Erin, and I completed my B.A. in Psychology and Minor in Cognitive Science at SFU in Fall 2023. I've been involved in the lab for a couple of years now, and I'm loving every moment of it! Currently, I'm working towards finding a job in User Experience (UX), which combines my love of psychology, research, design, and technology. My research interests broadly revolve around how technology affects our well-being.
Kelton Travis
Hello! My name is Kelton Travis. I am a fourth-year student majoring in Psychology and minoring in Philosophy. I am a volunteer research assistant in the Helping and Happiness Lab, and am doing my Honours with Dr. Aknin. Following my B.A., I intend on pursuing a graduate degree with my primary research interests being in social and clinical psychology. Outside of my studies, I am a support worker/manager at a treatment centre for people with substance use disorders.
Mia Tognotti
Hello! I'm Mia, an undergraduate student in my fourth year at SFU, working towards a B.A. with a major in Psychology and a minor in Curriculum and Instruction. I am a volunteer research assistant in the Helping and Happiness Lab. Outside of the lab, I am an executive member of SFU's Psychology Student Union. My research interests include attachment theory and positive psychology, specifically the development of interventions to increase prosocial behaviour as a method of improving people's well-being. In the future, I intend to pursue graduate school.
Julia Mosi
Hi! My name is Julia Mosi and I am a 4th year student majoring in psychology and minoring in sociology. In addition to being an RA for the Helping and Happiness Lab, I also volunteer in the All Families Lab and as a FASS Peer Mentor. I am interested in a wide variety of topics within both social and development psychology, such as cultural psychology and positive psychology. Following my B.A., I hope to pursue graduate school to continue developing my research skills.
Ella Hamamoto
Hello! My name is Ella, I’m a fourth-year psychology major with a minor in counselling and human development. I’m currently a research assistant in both the Helping and Happiness Lab and the Social-Cognitive Science Lab here at SFU. My interests focus on mental well-being, prosocial behaviour, and trauma responses. I hope to pursue a graduate degree in clinical or counselling psychology, with a long-term goal of becoming a registered counsellor. Outside of school, I work as a behavioural interventionist and volunteer at the Abbotsford Children’s Hospice. In my free time, I enjoy playing and coaching softball.
Elina Barfroo
Hello! My name is Elina, and I study psychology at SFU. I'm a new research assistant at the Helping and Happiness Lab, and I'm delighted to be part of the team. My research intrests include social psychology and developmental psychology. In the future, I would like to attend graduate school in the field of social psychology.
Ravneet Hothi
Hi! My name is Ravneet Hothi. I recently graduated with a B.A. in Psychology and a minor in Counselling and Human Development from 91ĹÝÜ˝. For the past couple of years, I’ve been part of the Helping and Happiness Lab, where I’ve been able to work on many exciting projects. I really enjoy the work and feel lucky to be surrounded by such kind and motivated people in the lab. Alongside my research, I currently work as a Behavioural Interventionist, supporting children with developmental needs. Looking ahead, I plan to pursue graduate studies in Clinical Counselling to further build on my research and applied experience.
Alissa Bryant
Hello! My name is Alissa Bryant, I am currently enrolled in my fourth year here at SFU as a psychology major, with a minor in counselling and certificate in forensic studies. Following my undergrad, I hope to complete my master's in counselling psychology so that I can work as a registered counsellor. Ideally, I would love to one day work in social skills training or with people in the criminal justice system. People are exceedingly important to me, and it is a huge passion of mine to see people flourish in whatever lives they have been given. My other interests include baking, camping, motorcycling and reading.
Gurveen Toor
Hi Everybody! My name is Gurveen, and I am currently a third-year student here at SFU majoring in Psychology! I am also a Research Assistant for Dr. Aknin's Helping and Happiness Lab. My future goals include pursuing a Master’s Degree in Psychology, with a further aim of working in the field of therapy and counselling. I want to be able to support people in overcoming challenges, improving mental health, and overall making a positive impact on lives. This passion drives and motivates me, and I am excited to continue learning and growing in this field. Outside of academics, I also love travelling and simply just being outdoors, watching sports and TV shows, and enjoying music!
Kareena Badhan
Hello! I'm Kareena, a third-year undergraduate student studying Psychology! I am currently a volunteer research assistant for the Helping and Happiness Lab. I have always been fascinated by the study of human behaviour, and the variety of fields Psychology encompasses. I am incredibly excited to be a part of this great research lab! I hope to attend graduate school in the future to further pursue my passion for Psychology.
Elyssa Hutchinson
Hi! My name is Elyssa. I am working towards completing my Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology. Currently, I volunteer at the Douglas Research lab, and am extremely excited to be volunteering at the Helping and Happiness Lab as well! My research interests include forensic psychology, social psychology, and neuropsychology. In the future, I am hoping to complete an honours project and pursue graduate school.
Sophia Fausto
Hi! My name is Sophia and I am in my fourth year here at SFU pursuing my B.A. in psychology. As of September 2025, I am a volunteer research assistant for the Helping and Happiness Lab. Within social psychology, I am interested in the impacts of prosocial behaviour on individual outcomes, social influence, and the behavioural and attitudinal outcomes that occur in relational, collective, and intergroup contexts. Outside of social psychology, I am interested in the application of psychological methods and research in forensic/legal settings. I plan on pursuing graduate school to further extend my knowledge on psychological research. Outside of school, I enjoy baking and being out on the water.
Ananya Chatterjea
Hello! My name is Ananya, and I am a fourth-year undergraduate student majoring in Psychology and minoring in Counselling and Human Development. I am currently a volunteer research assistant in the Helping and Happiness Lab, and I am thrilled to be a part of this wonderful team! My research interests include social psychology, mental well-being, and the psychological impacts of trauma. I have a deep passion for psychology and I hope to build on that enthusiasm through graduate school!
Ende Duerr
Hi! I'm Ende, a third year student majoring in psychology and minoring in counselling and human development. In addition to being an RA for the Helping and Happiness Lab, I am also an RA for the PACT Project here at SFU. My interests lie in generational trauma as well as the effects of unresolved childhood and family trauma on teens and adults. I plan to pursue a graduate degree in either clinical or counselling psychology, with a long term goal of becoming a registered counsellor who provides trauma-based therapy to people. Outside of school, I enjoy going to the gym, reading, travelling, and anything outdoors!
Graduate Student, Kristina Castaneto
Hello! I'm Kristina, a PhD student researching with Dr. Aknin and the rest of this lovely lab! In June 2025, I successfully defended my thesis, which focused on the act of reaching out to "old friends" — friends we care about but with whom we've lost touch. Specifically, I explored the predictive factors, individual differences and emotional outcomes associated with engaging in this social behaviour. In June 2022, I earned my B.A. (Hons.) in Applied Psychology at Douglas College, with specializations in Pre-counselling, and Disability in Applied Behaviour Analysis. Currently, my PhD work focuses on the scale development and validation of a new construct called "friendship resiliency." I am particularly interested in delving further into this contruct's nomological network and identifying links to social connection and wellbeing, especially in the context of reaching out to old friends. Career-wise, I aspire to be a part of the coming generation of educators in academia, with hopes of sparking curiousity and enthusiasm within my future students.
Graduate Student, Adam Danyluk
Howdy! I am Adam, and I am a Master's student here at the lab. I possess BA degrees in both sociology (UBC) and psychology (Concordia University). The latter resulted the publication of my honours thesis, which looked at coping profiles among emerging adults over time. Here, I intend to dive into the nuances of prosocial spending, including but not limited to endowment sources, demographics, and outlooks on a variety of topics. Beyond this, I would like to study some of the more idiosyncratic motivations of significant prosocial spending decisions, including fund or trust development, major charitable donations, and intrafamilial wealth transfers.
Tony Prevedello
Hello! I'm Tony I am a fourth-year undergraduate student set to complete my B.A. as a Psychology major here at SFU. Recently I have become much more involved in various research projects, including my role here as a volunteer Research Assistant in the Helping and Happiness Lab. I am also a volunteer Research Assistant in the Intergroup Relations and Social Justice Lab at SFU. Working in these incredible labs has been and will continue to be a great opportunity to participate in fascinating research. I plan on pursuing graduate school after completing my B.A. on the journey to becoming a registered clinical counselor. Some of my own research interests include the interplay between disordered eating, body image, and subjective happiness and well-being, as well as broader social psychology research.
Roop Samra
Hi! I’m Roop, a third-year Psychology student minoring in Counselling and Human Development. I’m an RA here at the Helping & Happiness Lab. Outside the lab, I volunteer as a Crisis Responder with Kids Help Phone, providing support to youth in moments of crisis. My research interests include mental health stigma, specifically in the Punjabi community, newcomer and immigrant mental health, and the role of community support in promoting resilience. I’m passionate about making mental health resources more culturally accessible and hope to pursue graduate studies in counselling psychology.
Taelor Lay
I am a Psychology Honours student in my third year with the Helping and Happiness Lab. My research explores how prosocial behaviour and social connection foster subjective well-being, and how social determinants of health shape opportunities for resilience and flourishing across the lifespan. Looking ahead, I hope to spend my career bridging psychological research and public health to promote equity and well-being in diverse communities.
Couper Saunders
Hi, I’m Couper! I am a student currently in-between my third and fourth year, working towards my BA in psychology and minor in human development & counselling. I am currently, and proudly, a research assistant for the Helping and Happiness Lab. Outside of school, I work part-time for the city of Burnaby and take care of my body through fitness. Since my childhood, I’ve had a passion for figuring out what makes people tick and knew that I wanted to work in the field of psychology. As such, I will be pursuing post-graduate education in the future. The realms of psychology that I find interesting include: forensic, social, biological, and developmental and how these realms collectively affect the formation of an individuals thought processes, schema formation, and opinions in life- especially during crucial times of childhood and adolescence. Finally, in the future, I hope to be working as a clinical forensic psychologist helping at risk youth in the CJS from committing further deviancy and, ultimately, adult criminality.
Sophie Matheos
Hello! My name is Sophie and I have recently completed my B.A in Psychology with a Business minor. I am excited to be an RA for the Helping and Happiness Lab to learn more about the growing field of positive psychology. I currently work as a lifeguard and swim instructor and want to continue working with children in the future. My research interests include; the well-being of children and adolescents, mindfulness, social connections and the impact of exercise on mental health. I plan to eventually attend graduate school to pursue a career as a clinical counselor. Outside of school, I enjoy staying active, eating delicious food and traveling!
Sarah Davey
Hello! My name is Sarah and I am a fourth year student pursuing a B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Counselling & Human Development. I am currently a research assistant in the Helping and Happiness Lab, and outside of SFU I work as a Behaviour Interventionist. In the future, I plan on completing a graduate degree in Clinical Psychology. My own research interests include attachment theory, developmental psychology, mental health and well-being, and addictions.
Ashley Ghuman
Hello! My name is Ashley, and I am a Psychology student in the Honours program at 91ĹÝÜ˝. I am interested in how prosocial behaviour supports confidence and moral development, and more broadly how social experiences contribute to well-being. Outside of the Helping and Happiness Lab, I am a research assistant in the Studies in Methodology and Philosophy of Psychological Science (SMPPS) Lab, where I examine the rhetoric of “significance” in psychological research, and in the Inclusive Environments Lab on the Aging in the Right Place Project, which explores community-based solutions to support older adults experiencing homelessness or housing precarity. My Honours project, supervised by Dr. Slaney, examines transparent reporting practices in meta-analyses and the implications these have for healthcare decisions, policy, and diverse populations. Through my work, I hope to contribute to and promote a more inclusive and equitable science.
Ayesha Shehzeen
Hello! I'm Ayesha, a fourth-year student majoring in Psychology with a minor in Counselling and Human Development. For the past two years, I've been a research assistant at the Attention, Memory, and Perception Lab, and I'm currently serving as a Behavioural Interventionist and VP of Events for the Psychology Student Union. Recently, I joined the Helping and Happiness Lab as a Research Assistant, driven by my passion for social psychology and a strong desire to support others. My research interests include mental health issues in South Asia, communication patterns in romantic relationships, and social connections. I aim to pursue a Master's degree in Counselling Psychology to become a Registered Clinical Counsellor.
Sophia Penales
Hi! My name is Sophia, and I am a fourth-year undergraduate student majoring in Psychology and minoring in Early Learning. I am currently a volunteer research assistant in the Helping and Happiness Lab. Outside of academics, I spend much of my time working with primary students through after-school and math mentorship programs. As such, I am passionate about supporting children’s well-being, alongside my research interests in developmental and positive psychology. My long-term goal is to attend graduate school and specialize in child psychology.
Anahita Golab Lee
Hello! My name is Anahita, and I am a fourth-year student majoring in psychology and minoring in counselling and human development. I am currently a volunteer research assistant at the Helping and Happiness Lab and the SECURE lab. Some of my research interests include developmental psychopathology, cultural psychology, prosocial behaviour, and attachment theory. In the future, I hope to pursue a graduate program in psychology and conduct my own research.
Tiffany Ho
Hi! My name is Tiffany, and I am a fourth year Psychology major with two education minors in Educational Psychology and Counselling and Human Development. I am happily a volunteer research assistant for the Helping and Happiness Lab. My interests include positive psychology, intergroup relations, mental health, social cognition and pretty much anything under the social psychology branch. After completing my bachelors, I hope to pursue a Masters in Counselling Psychology.
Julianne Wright
Hi my name is Julianne, and I am currently pursuing my BA in Psychology here at SFU and I am also hoping to minor in Criminology. I am a volunteer research assistant in Dr. Aknin’s Helping and Happiness lab! Outside the lab and school, I enjoy participating in equestrian sports, reading, and also listening to music- especially Taylor Swift! My research interests include a mix of forensic psychology and social psychology- especially positive psychology and studies including youth and adolescents. In the future, I am hopeful to complete an honours project and continue to do graduate studies. My ultimate goal is to one day become a forensic psychologist.
Former Graduate Students:
Dr. Tiara Cash
Dr. Jason Proulx
Dr. Dylan Wiwad
Former Lab Members:
Burdett Kwon
Fiona Eaket
Rachael Whyte
Michael Owers
Tony Yan
Justine Bayer
Sukhpreet Kaur
Diana Negrabee
Sophia Vennesland
Shetal Hundal
Rachel Yapp
Yassaman Malek
Diksha Sharma
Katrina Del Villar
Marwan Saleh
Dani Concepcion
Marcel Aini
Matthew Rathore
Adriana Kowalczyk
Allyson Klassen
Amanda Hodges
Mahima Taturari
Hilary Grist
Jaymie Cristobal
Kodi Rivera
Ira Rishi
Angel Leung
Rabiya Karamali
Nata Zakon
Angie Fan
Scarlett MacPherson
Gurleen Bath
Kyle Bergh
Jacob Lauzen
Katie Tough
Rachel Pham
Maya Beninteso
Nicole Castillo
Devan Gill
Marina Cummiskey
Celina Grewal
Christina Johnstone
Cassidy Ouldtata-Allan
Brenna Lee
Alyssa Greco
Emily Thornton
Armaghan Aliabadi
Angela Starnaman
Oksana Soychuke
Pavan Nahal
Nava Kisiri
Connor Macmillan
Jason Roh
Jessamyn Hung
Katherine Hanniball