Chair (2024-2025)
Anisa Nasseri
University of British Columbia
Email: chair.cpastudentsection@gmail.com
Anisa Nasseri is a first-year PhD student in the School and Applied Child Psychology Program at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, BC. Her research interests broadly revolve around facilitating the growth and development of children and youth to reach their fullest potential. She has a specific focus on understanding the experiences of newcomer students and families in Canadian schools. For her master’s thesis, Anisa investigated the experiences of immigrant parents when finding out their child’s psychoeducational diagnosis. She currently works as a doctoral student clinician providing psychoeducational assessments and intervention in a school setting. Additionally, she works as a psychologist assistant, tutor, and research assistant. Anisa has engaged in various community service roles, such as mentoring through Big Brothers Big Sisters, facilitating youth groups, leading English classes for refugees and newcomers, and conducting peer-support sessions. In addition to her position as Chair of the Student Section, she serves as the student representative on the CPA Board of Directors. Apart from her academic and community service involvement, Anisa enjoys travelling, trying new restaurants, thrifting, reading, and spending time with family and friends.
Past-Chair (2024-2025)
Melissa Lazo
University of British Columbia
Email: pastchair.cpastudentsection@gmail.com
Melissa Lazo is a third-year PhD student in the School and Applied Child Psychology program at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, BC. Her doctoral research looks at the factors associated with school success and well-being among students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Her Master’s thesis investigated the relationship quality between elementary school teachers and female students with ASD, as well as the associated factors. Melissa is currently working as a student clinician providing counselling services and conducting psychoeducational, autism, and ADHD assessments for children, adolescents, and youth. In her free time, Melissa enjoys exploring coffee shops in the city, hiking, dancing, and spending time with her friends and family.
Chair-Elect (2024-2025)
Alzena Ilie
Dalhousie University
Email: chairelect.cpastudentsection@gmail.com
Alzena Ilie is a third-year PhD student in the Clinical Psychology program at Dalhousie University in Halifax, NS. Her doctoral research is focused on creating and testing healthcare provider eLearning programs for training in pediatric insomnia and other sleep disorders. Her other research interests include pediatric sleep in marginalized populations, and sleep in children with neurodevelopmental disorders. Alzena is very involved in student advocacy – she is the graduate student representative for the Psychology and Neuroscience department at Dalhousie University, and is the co-student representative on the Executive Board of the Association of Psychologists of Nova Scotia (APNS). Clinically, Alzena works with children and adolescents, and does psychoeducational assessments, psychodiagnostic assessments, and provides therapy to clients for a variety of disorders. In her free time, Alzena enjoys playing and teaching piano, travelling, hiking, and spending time with friends and family.
Graduate Student Affairs Executive (2024-2025)
Noemie Viens
Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières
Email: gradaffairs.cpastudentsection@gmail.com
Noémie completed a Bachelor’s degree with Honors from Bishop’s University in applied psychology. Since September 2021, she is completing a graduate degree in clinical psychology (Ph. D.) at the Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, under the supervision of Mr. Frédéric Langlois and Ms. Marie-Pier Vaillancourt-Morel. Her research interests focus on romantic relationships, sexuality and psychopathology. Her thesis work focuses on the associations between perfectionist tendencies and couples’ sexual and relational difficulties.
Undergraduate Student Affairs Executive (2024-2025)
Karla Heisela Cubilla
McGill University
Email: ugaffairs.cpastudentsection@gmail.com
Karla is in her final year of a BA in Psychology at McGill University, specializing in Industrial-Organizational Psychology. Over the past five years, she has held numerous leadership roles, including Vice President of Student Life at the Student Society of McGill University. Karla has consistently advocated for students’ rights and worked to make services accessible to all. She is passionate about creating equal opportunities for all students, promoting lifelong learning, and helping students gain critical skills to enter the workforce by encouraging educational engagement beyond the classroom.
Administration and Finance Executive (2024-2025)
Marie-Pier Mazerolle
Université de Moncton
Email: adfinance.cpastudentsection@gmail.com
Marie-Pier is a first-year graduate student in the D.Psy. (Clinical Psychology) program at the Université de Moncton. Her research and thesis focus on the perception and production of emotional facial expressions, masking expressions, and the authenticity of expressions. Additionally, Marie-Pier is interested in educational psychology, sports psychology, and health psychology. Beyond her academic work, she has held several leadership positions, including vice-president of her psychology student association and co-chair of the National Youth Advisory Council of the Mood Disorders Society of Canada (MDSC). She is currently a member of the MDSC Board of Directors and serves as one of the campus representative for the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA). In her free time, Marie-Pier enjoys travelling, teaching dance, and spending time with friends.
Communications Executive (2024-2025)
Alexandra Brilz
University of Saskatchewan
Email: com.cpastudentsection@gmail.com
Alexandra is a graduate student in the Clinical Psychology program at the University of Saskatchewan, holding a B.Sc. (Hons) in Psychology and a B.Sc. in Mathematics. Her doctoral research centres on physician-patient interactions and developing patient-centred medical training programs. For her honours thesis, she created and tested a conceptual model of physician-patient interactions among youth with dysmenorrhea. Alexandra currently serves as a program coordinator with the Saskatchewan Brain Injury Association and manages studies in the USask Family Health Lab. In her free time, she enjoys going on adventures with her Border Collie, Juniper, and her partner.
Francophone Affairs Executive (2024-2025)
Chloe McLaughlin
Université de Moncton au Nouveau-Brunswick
Email: francophone.cpastudentsection@gmail.com
Chloé holds an Honours B.A. in psychology and is beginning her doctorate in clinical psychology (D.Psy) at the Université de Moncton. Her research focuses mainly on parenting practices. Apart from her academic activities, Chloé is extremely involved in university and community life, among other things as coordinator of the peer-helper program for the mental health of students, coordinator of the psycolloque and animator with the Fédération des Jeunes Francophones du Nouveau-Brunswick (FJFNB). Outside of her studies and commitments, Chloé loves to travel, meet new people and spend time with family and friends.
Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Executive (2023-2025)
Tosa Oliogu
University of Toronto
Email: JEDI.cpastudentsection@gmail.com
Etinosa “Tosa” Oliogu is a PhD student in Clinical Psychology at the University of Toronto. Her research focuses on neuropsychological risk factors for suicidal behaviour. She is also dedicated to applying her research knowledge and skills to work being done in the Black community. Outside of her studies, Etinosa enjoys music, learning new languages, and exploring new cultures, especially the food!
Previous Chairs of the Section for Students
- 2023 – 2024: Melissa Lazo, University of British Columbia
- 2022 – 2023: Linnea Kalchos, University of British Columbia
- 2021 – 2022: Alejandra Botia, University of British Columbia
- 2020 – 2021: Joanna Collaton, University of Guelph
- 2019 – 2020: Alexandra Richard, McGill University
- 2018 – 2019: Chelsea Moran, University of Calgary
- 2017 – 2018: Jean-Philippe Gagné, Concordia University
- 2016 – 2017: Kyrsten Grimes, University of Toronto Scarborough
- 2015 – 2016: Zarina Giannone, University of British Columbia
- 2014 – 2015: Michelle Gagnon, University of Regina
- 2013 – 2014: Missy Teatero, Lakehead University
- 2011 – 2013: Justin Feeney, University of Western Ontario
- 2011 – 2011: Brenden Sommerhalder, Saint Mary’s University
- 2010 – 2011: Rana Pishva, Queen’s University
- 2009 – 2010: Phillip Jai Johnson, McGill University
- 2008 – 2009: Kelly Smith, Queen’s University
- 2007 – 2008: Lindsay Uman, Dalhousie University
- 2006 – 2007: Kelly Smith, Queen’s University
- 2005 – 2006: Elizabeth Stanford, University of British Columbia
- 2004 – 2005: Joe Camilleri, Queen’s University
- 2003 – 2004: Mike Coons, University of Waterloo
- 2002 – 2003: Réjeanne Dupuis, York University
- 2001 – 2002: Christine Chambers, University of British Columbia
- 1999 – 2001: Andrea Perrino, University of Ottawa
- 1997 – 1999: Donovan Lawrence, University of Calgary
- 1995 – 1997: David Dozois, University of Calgary