Student Section Executive 2026-2027

Alzena Ilie

Dalhousie University
Email: chair.cpastudentsection@gmail.com

Alzena Ilie is a fifth-year PhD candidate in the Clinical Psychology program at Dalhousie University in Halifax, NS. Her doctoral research focuses on developing and evaluating eLearning programs to train healthcare providers to assess and treat pediatric insomnia and other sleep disorders, with a broader emphasis on improving access to sleep care for marginalized and neurodevelopmental populations. Alzena is also deeply engaged in student advocacy. In addition to serving as Chair of the CPA Student Section, she is the Student Representative for the CPA Board of Directors, and the President of the psychology and neuroscience graduate student association at Dalhousie University. Clinically, she works with children and adolescents at IWK Health and the Dalhousie Centre for Psychological Health, providing assessment and treatment for sleep concerns, neurodevelopmental conditions, and co-occurring emotional and behavioural difficulties. Outside of her academic and clinical roles, she enjoys playing and teaching piano, travelling, exercising and getting outside, and spending time with friends and family.

Vacant

Patrick Fahim

University of Saskatchewan
Email: chairelect.cpastudentsection@gmail.com

Patrick Fahim is a third-year PhD student at the University of Saskatchewan under the supervision of Dr. Megan O’Connell. His doctoral research investigates the efficacy of cardiovascular biomarkers as tools for detecting cognitive decline and neurodegeneration. In collaboration with Dr. Judith Andersen at the University of Toronto, he also studies first responder mental health, examining cardiovascular biomarkers within this population. Outside of academia, he enjoys playing soccer, video games, and board games.

Autumn Brambell

University of Regina
Email: gradaffairs.cpastudentsection@gmail.com

Autumn Brambell is a second-year graduate student in the M.Sc. (Clinical Psychology) program at the University of Regina under the supervision of Dr. R. Nicholas Carleton. Her research focuses on the mental health and wellbeing of Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) cadets and other public safety personnel, with particular interests in trauma, resilience, social support, anxiety, and substance use. She is also involved in research examining chronic pain, mental health, and suicidality among Canadian Armed Forces veterans. More broadly, Autumn is interested in psychological assessment, evidence-based interventions, and improving mental health outcomes for trauma-exposed populations. Outside of her academic work, she enjoys reading, travelling, spending time outdoors, shopping, and exploring local cafés with friends.

Sarah Gallant

Dalhousie University
Email: ugaffairs.cpastudentsection@gmail.com

Sarah Gallant is a fifth-year Bachelor of Science student majoring in Psychology at Dalhousie University in Halifax, NS. She is currently completing her Honours thesis under the supervision of Dr. Natalie Rosen. Her research interests include couples and intimacy, sexual health, psychopathology, and eating disorders. Sarah has volunteered with several organizations, including Best Buddies and Play4All, reflecting her passion for inclusivity and community engagement. She also enjoys traveling, baking, spending time with family and friends, and reading!

Taylor Zieper

University of Saskatchewan
Email: adfinance.cpastudentsection@gmail.com

Taylor is a second-year PhD student in the Clinical Psychology program at the University of Saskatchewan, under the supervision of Dr. Valerie Thompson. His research focuses on what makes people accurate (or inaccurate) judges of their own performance and abilities, with a particular interest in how these self-perceptions play out for individuals with ADHD. He currently works in a rural and remote memory clinic, assessing older adults for dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, and contributes as a research assistant on a review examining how brief cognitive screening tools have been adapted for use with culturally, linguistically, and educationally diverse populations. Outside of academia, Taylor enjoys playing video and card games, as well as spending time with friends.

Ashlinn Pennell

Memorial University
Email: com.cpastudentsection@gmail.com

Ashlinn is a second-year Masters student in the Experimental Psychology program at Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador, working under the supervision of Dr. Ashley Balsom and Dr. Chris Quinn-Nilas. She holds a B.A. (Hons) in Psychology and Religious Studies. Her masters research centres on public perceptions of patients in larger bodies accessing infertility treatment. Her research interests additionally include reproductive mental health, relationships, adverse childhood experiences, and anxiety and related disorders. In addition to her role as Communications Executive, Ashlinn works for the Canadian Federation of Students Newfoundland and Labrador, and is a certified Jack Talks speaker. She volunteers with community organizations including Planned Parenthood, the Mental Health and Addictions Centre, Women in Science and Engineering NL, and MUN Minds. In her free time, Ashlinn spends time with her two black cats, reads a lot of fiction, and explores trails across Newfoundland.

Ilana Singer

Université du Québec à Montréal
Email: francophone.cpastudentsection@gmail.com

Ilana Singer is a doctoral candidate in the combined Ph.D./Psy.D. Clinical Psychology program at the Université du Québec à Montréal. She previously earned a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from McGill University and a master’s degree in Health Psychology from King’s College London. Her doctoral research focuses on coping strategies in children with Tourette syndrome, and her broader interests include child and adolescent mental health, neurodevelopmental disorders, and psychological interventions for youth. Clinically, Ilana is completing her doctoral internship in child psychiatry where she provides assessment and cognitive-behavioural interventions to children and adolescents with moderate to severe or complex psychiatric difficulties. Through both her clinical work and research, she hopes to support young people experiencing psychological difficulties. Outside of her academic and clinical roles, she enjoys traveling, exercising, cooking, and spending time with friends, family, and her two dogs.

Kethmi Egodage

University of Waterloo
Email: JEDI.cpastudentsection@gmail.com

Kethmi is a graduate student currently completing her M.A. in Clinical Psychology at the University of Waterloo under the supervision of Dr. Uzma Rehman. She holds an Honours B.Sc. from the University of Toronto, where she specialized in Psychology Research and majored in Criminology. Currently, Kethmi’s research is grounded in a commitment to understanding how early life experiences shape adult relational functioning, particularly within historically marginalized communities. Her work explores the long-term impacts of childhood maltreatment and abuse on intimacy capacities in adult romantic relationships, examining both sexual and non-sexual forms of closeness. She is especially interested in how these patterns manifest in BIPOC and LGBTQ2IA+ populations, with the goal of informing trauma-informed, culturally responsive clinical practices. Outside of her studies and research, Kethmi enjoys reading, yoga, and cooking.