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 rowing or paddling, or snuggling with her cats.

Leah Tackaberry-Giddens

Leah is a first 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 excited to join the CCAP program at the UofG as a first year MA student. 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.

Gwyneth Chung, she/her

Gwyneth is a third-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, they/he

Lucas is a third-year undergraduate student majoring in Neuroscience at the university of Guelph. They are a research assistant working on the SNAP Youth Justice program adaptation. 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. 

Sydney (Syd) Larche, she/her

Syd is a fourth-year honours psychology student, beginning her undergraduate honours thesis in the Fall of 2024. Additionally, she is a research assistant working alongside Dr. Craig on the file review study for Syl Apps Youth Center. Her current areas of interest include mental health, anti-social behaviours, and working with marginalized populations. After completing her undergraduate degree, she hopes to study psychology at the graduate level. Outside of her academics, Syd enjoys personal reading and discovering new music.

Ella Cumberbatch

Ella Cumberbatch, a third-year undergraduate student, is working towards an Honours degree in Psychology. Her active involvement in a range of psychology-related courses has significantly deepened her passion for the field. Ella eagerly anticipates her role as a research assistant in Dr. Craig’s lab and is excited about contributing to the ongoing and exciting research in progress. Outside of her academic commitments, Ella enjoys spending her free time with her friends or going on walks with her dogs.

Alexandra (Alex) Phillips, she/her

Alex is a fourth-year honours psychology co-op student at the University of Guelph. Currently, she is working as a Psychologist Assistant with a focus on medical-legal assessments and delving into the psychology of money and behavioural finance. She is also working with Dr. Craig and the Syl Apps Youth Center on a file review study while also contributing to the completion of the Big Brothers Big Sisters infographic report. After her undergraduate degree, Alex hopes to pursue further studies in clinical psychology. Her interests lie in reducing mental health stigma, applying psychological science to promote personal well-being, and aiding vulnerable populations. Alex’s previous experience as a Youth Care Specialist, assisting youth in residential treatment with behavioural and emotional difficulties, has driven her research direction towards improving mental health treatment for struggling youth.