Lab Director

Stephanie Craig, PhD, C.Psych is an Assistant Professor at the University of Guelph and a Research Associate in the LaMarsh Centre for Child and Youth Research at York University. She received her MA and PhD in Clinical Psychology with a Child specialization from Simon Fraser University. She completed her pre-doctoral internship at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto. Following her PhD, she held a CIHR post-doctoral fellowship at York University. Dr. Craig is also a licensed psychologist in Ontario and works with child, adolescent, adults, and families.

Dr. Craig’s current research is focused on understanding the development and treatment of children and youth with severe behaviour and emotional problems. Specifically, she is interested in the role of early adversity (i.e., ACEs), attachment relationships, and the development of emotion regulation abilities in the development and treatment of children and youth with primary and secondary CU traits (i.e., lack of empathy, callous behaviour), and other serious mental health problems (i.e., risk of harm to self and others).

Dr. Craig is passionate about community-based research and continues to build partnerships with strong community mental health sites, including Syl Apps Youth Centre and Child Development Institute.

Outside of the lab, Dr. Craig can be found hiking, snowshoeing, on the water, either rowing or paddling, or snuggling with her cats.

Yuri Yang, she/her

Yuri completed her Honours Bachelor of Applied Science degree in Human Behaviour at McMaster University, and continued working as Lab Coordinator in the Child Emotion Lab. Throughout her research experiences, she has been studying individual differences in emotional reactivity and regulation among various populations. For her honours thesis, she investigated the relation between Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and personality traits in depressive affect in young adults. Starting in summer 2025, Yuri will be joining the SYD lab as a Project Coordinator for the SNAP program in partnership with the Child Development Institute (CDI). Her research interest centers on understanding children with behavioural challenges through the lens of emotional reactivity and regulation. Outside of academia, Yuri likes watching movies and musicals, rock climbing and exploring new hobbies.

Leah Tackaberry-Giddens, she/her

Leah is a second-year MA student in the Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology program at the University of Guelph. She is passionate about investigating the mechanisms by which family dysfunction may increase the risk of emotional and mental health difficulties among children and youth. Leah is also interested in exploring evidence-based interventions that aim to promote socio-emotional development and resiliency among these vulnerable populations. For the past couple of years, Leah has worked at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) in the Schizophrenia Division as a Research Analyst. She assisted on a pilot study and randomized control single-blind trial examining a digital mental health intervention designed to support individuals experiencing Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders and Opioid Use Disorder. Leah is incredibly grateful to have been involved with the A4i Lab at CAMH and for her experiences working with such an amazing team. Leah can also be found playing ultimate frisbee, petting dogs, or doing a mixture of both! 

Sara Mansueto, she/her

Sara is a second-year MA student in the Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology program at the University of Guelph. She graduated from TMU with two BA (Hons) degrees in Criminology and Psychology with the goal of providing intersectional approaches in her practice. During her undergraduate degree, Sara worked with at-risk youth involved in the SNAP program to examine how risk factors, such as ACEs, relate to criminal trajectories. Since graduating, Sara has gained experience working in intervention facilitation with at-risk youth, psychometric testing with adults, and research in a clinical trial with youth experiencing depression. Currently, Sara is interested in further understanding youth with CU traits. Outside of juggling her academic interests, Sara’s days are full of diving into new crafting projects, spending time outdoors, practicing yoga and meditation and tasting new foods.

Natalie Stearns, she/her

Natalie is a graduate student in the Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology program at the University of Guelph. During her undergraduate studies and later as a research assistant, she spent 4 years in the McMaster Child Emotion Lab examining the impact of temperament and emotion regulation on behavioural inhibition in children. Upon earning her BSc, she pursued a master’s degree in Forensic Mental Health at King’s College London IoPPN, where she explored the biological mechanisms of emotion processing in antisocial personality disorder and psychopathy. Since graduating in 2019, Natalie has had the opportunity to move knowledge into practice by holding positions in knowledge translation and project management at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health and Oak Valley Health. Currently, Natalie’s research focuses on emotion processing abilities and dynamic measures of psychophysiological functioning in children with callous-unemotional (CU) traits. She is particularly interested in the etiological and psychophysiological differences between primary and secondary CU traits. Natalie looks forward to continuing this work under Dr. Stephanie Craig in the Supporting Youth Development Lab. In her spare time, she enjoys thrifting, listening to 80s music, and sewing historical garments.

Hannah Riley, she/her

Hannah is a third-year student at the University of Guelph, majoring in Psychology. She is excited to begin her role as a research assistant in the SYD Lab and to contribute to the file review study conducted in partnership with the Syl Apps Youth Centre. Her research interests include social and emotional development in vulnerable children and youth, particularly in contexts of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and neurodevelopmental differences. She is also interested in exploring resilience and protective factors that support positive outcomes in these populations. In her free time, Hannah enjoys playing guitar, hiking with friends, and trying new hobbies.

Evelyn Balfour, she/her

Evelyn is a third-year undergraduate student at the University of Guelph, majoring in Psychology with a minor in Sexualities, Genders, and Social Change. She is currently a Research Assistant on the file review study at Syl Apps Youth Center and looks forward to furthering her knowledge with the intention to pursue a degree in Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology upon graduation. With experience working with children of all ages and in various capacities, Evelyn’s research interests include understanding child and adolescent mental health, especially within the domain of psychopathology and disability, and the impact of the environment on youth wellbeing and development. Evelyn’s experience as a camp counsellor providing one-to-one support for campers with mental health challenges, and as a peer support volunteer, has inspired her passion for understanding and supporting youth wellbeing. Outside of the lab, she enjoys rock climbing, camping, and spending time with her two younger sisters.

Lucas Rooney, he/him

Lucas is a fifth-year undergraduate student at the University of Guelph, majoring in Psychology and minoring in Neuroscience. He will be completing an honours thesis under the supervision of Dr. Craig beginning Fall 2025. After graduating, he plans to pursue further studies in clinical psychology. His interests include the development and treatment of complex mental health issues in adolescents, the impact of school environments on youth mental health, and promoting mental health awareness. Lucas’s experience as a child and youth counsellor has inspired his focus on enhancing mental health interventions for struggling youth. In his free time, he enjoys playing guitar, spending time in nature, live concerts, and visiting his cabin up north with friends.

Suzanna Dinh, she/her

Suzanna is a fourth-year undergraduate student at the University of Guelph, majoring in Psychology and minoring in Family Relations and Human Development. She is employed full-time as an Undergraduate Research Assistant (URA) with Dr. Craig on the Syl Apps file review. Her previous experience as a Distress Line Operator, Psychologist Assistant, and presenting at the 2024 Financial Therapy Association has inspired her passion for promoting cultural sensitivity in psychological research and supporting vulnerable and marginalized youth and adolescents. In her free time, she enjoys crocheting, working out, cooking (with some success), and most of all, spending time with her family.

Gwyneth Chung, she/her

Gwyneth is a fourth-year undergraduate student in the Honours Psychology program at the University of Guelph. She is currently a research assistant in the SYD lab and aids with file review regarding research conducted alongside the SAYC, which involves examining youths within inpatient treatment programs. Gwyneth’s research interests include analyzing the impact of mental health stigma and the importance of social support. Her previous experience in Applied Behavioural Analysis and working with neurodivergent children and adolescents has furthered her passion for investigating neurodiversity, child development, and clinical diagnoses. In her spare time, Gwyneth’s hobbies include reading, baking, and spending time with her loved ones.

Lucas Porto, he/they

Lucas is a fourth-year undergraduate student majoring in Neuroscience at the University of Guelph. They are a research assistant working on the SNAP Youth Justice program adaptation and will be completing an honours thesis under the supervision of Dr. Craig beginning Fall 2025. Their research interests include drug-seeking behaviour, polysubstance use, antisocial behaviour, underlying anxiolytic mechanisms and the role of neurotransmitters in psychopathology. Lucas is an avid mystery and crime fiction reader, and his hobbies include crochet, knitting, and creative writing. 

Alexandra (Alex) Phillips, she/her

Alex is a fifth-year honours psychology student at the University of Guelph. Currently, she is working as a Youth Care Specialist, supporting youth in residential treatment settings. She is also working with Dr. Craig and the Syl Apps Youth Center on a file review study focused on understanding the profiles and outcomes of youth who attend the secure treatment program. She is looking forward to starting her honours thesis in the upcoming Fall semester, with a focus on Non-Suicidal Self-Injury (NSSI). After her undergraduate degree, Alex hopes to pursue further studies in psychotherapy and/or counselling psychology. Her interests lie in reducing mental health stigma and aiding vulnerable populations. Alex hopes to advocate for and support youth, both directly and through research initiatives.