Lab Director
Dr. Elizabeth Anne Kelley
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). Faculty Page | Curriculum Vitae (PDF, 267 KB)
PhD Student
Laura de la Roche
I am currently a third year PhD student in the Developmental Psychology Program working in the ASD Lab under the supervision of Dr. Kelley. I completed by BAH in Psychology at Saint Francis Xavier University in Nova Scotia in 2018 and an MSc in Psychology at Trent University in 2020. I am interested in available intervention and supports systems for families with an autistic child, as well as parent integration within these supports. I am currently expanding my focus to investigate the high rates of attrition in research on available support resources for families with an autistic child, using a qualitative approach. Outside of academia I love to be outdoors. I have 4 dogs and 2 horses – so I spend any spare minute either at the barn or up at my cottage going on hikes with the dogs.
MSc Students
Brianne Derby
I am in my second year of my Master's in developmental psychology. Prior to starting in Dr. Kelley's lab, I worked as an ABA therapist for autistic children. I am currently assessing a new measure of depression in autistic youth and examining factors that might predict depression in autism. In my past time, I enjoy baking, playing with my cat, and watching Harry Potter!
Elaine Psaradellis
I am in my second year of my MSc degree in Psychology at Queen’s. My interests within the field of autism are diverse, but I am especially interested in understanding differences in perception and cognition, and its effects across development. For my thesis, I will be looking at the development of prosody in autism, and how this ability relates to socio-emotional functioning in youth. In my spare time I enjoy painting, yoga, and spending as much time outdoors as possible.
Melissa Susko
I am a first-year master’s student in the developmental psychology program. I am interested in exploring predictors and the presentation of mental health problems in autistic youth, particularly in relation to depression and suicidal thoughts and behaviours. My thesis will be looking at predictors of anxiety and depressive symptoms among autistic youth, neurotypical youth and youth with ADHD in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. In my spare time, I like cooking, cycling, and trying out new restaurants with friends.
Honours Thesis Students
Hannah Burrows
I am in my fourth year at Queen’s University and am working towards getting my BScH majoring in Psychology! I am currently a special directed lab student in the Social Cognition Lab, PSYC100 TA, a research group member of Add*Ed, Queen’s Autism and Developmental Disorders Research Group and completing my honours thesis in the ASD studies lab. I am very interested general psychopathology’s relationship with comorbidities in ASD as well as canine comparative cognition. My honours thesis is looking at the general p factor’s fit for total problems regarding externalizing and internalizing behaviours in typically developing children as well as children with ASD. When I have spare time I love to play music, play with my dogs, get outdoors and see my friends.
Laylin Keyes
I am in a fourth-year student completing a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and minoring in Indigenous studies. I volunteered in the ASD lab during my third year, and I am excited to be completing a thesis in the ASD lab as well. For my thesis, I am looking at the effects of parent-child conflict on somatic symptoms in autistic adolescents and adolescents with ADHD. Along with my interest in autism, I am also very passionate about integrating Indigenous ways of knowing into current research and mental health care. In my free time, I like spending time with my two dogs and friends, reading and watching Netflix.
Directed Lab Students
Samantha Fisher
I am in my 3rd year of the Concurrent Education program and I’m majoring in psychology. I’m passionate about working with kids and became interested in atypical development after taking a course in developmental psychology last year. This semester I am working on a directed lab, where I will be looking into the effects of parental stress on children with ADHD. In my spare time, I love spending time with my friends, catching up with my family or getting involved with different clubs at Queen’s, such as Project Happiness.
Flo Nusselder
I am a fourth-year student working towards my BAH, majoring in Psychology and minoring in Sociology. My passion for working with children and adolescents stems from my background in aquatics, through which I teach various advanced lifesaving programs. I have developed an interest in atypical development through my course work and my directed lab explores the relationship between social skills and language delay in autistic adolescents. In my spare time, I like to cook, read, and spend time outdoors.
Michela Halari
I am a third-year student in psychology. In high school, I developed an interest for working with individuals with ASD. Over the course of summer, I volunteered as a research assistant in the ASD Studies Lab and really enjoyed it. Currently, in my directed lab, I am exploring whether depression or autistic symptomatology is more strongly related to the quality of life of individuals with autism. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my friends and family, going out for coffee or ice cream, and watching TV!
En Ze Pei
I’m a third-year student pursuing my BAH in psychology and minoring in health studies. I enjoy working with children and found research in atypical development fascinating. I was an RA in the ASD lab in the Summer and gained invaluable research experience. Now, as a directed lab student, I am investigating the association between ASD, alexithymia, empathy, and interoception. In my spare time, I love going to salsa classes with friends, working out at the ARC, and reading Webtoons. I also enjoy participating in my volunteer commitments, including Telephone Aid Line Kingston and the Peer Support Center.