Psychology and Law Lab

 

  • Caroline Erentzen

Caroline recently completed her Ph.D. at York working under Dr. Schuller’s supervision. Prior to attending York, Caroline completed an Honours B.A. and a Master’s degree in Social Psychology at the University of Western Ontario. Following this, she obtained a law degree from Queen’s University and is currently a member of the Ontario Bar. After several years of private practice, she returned to academic study of law and psychology. Her main interests are with the intersection of psychology and the law, particularly in jury reactions to hate crimes and bias-motivated offences. Additional research projects in the Schuller lab include jury bias screening procedures (the “challenge for cause”) and wrongful convictions.

 

  • Alisha Salerno

Alisha is currently completing her Ph.D. working under the supervision of Dr. Regina Schuller. Prior to attending York she completed her honours degree in Psychology at Ryerson University, completing an honours thesis investigating the effects of computer animation on legal decision-making. Her research interests include the forensic implications of developmental disability, sexual assault, evidence-based policing, stranger perpetrated sexual harassment, and extra-legal factors that influence legal decision-making. Her program of research focuses on police response to Autism Spectrum Disorder. Alisha is also the co-founder of a not-for-profit organization for youth and adults with ASD. Beyond research, she plays on two women's soccer teams.

 

  • Raha Zolfaghari

Raha is in her fourth year of studies at York University, and is currently completing a Specialized Honours BSc degree in Psychology. Her thesis explores juror decision making in sexual assault trials, and is currently being conducted under the supervision of Dr. Schuller. She is also currently conducting research in the area  Education Psychology through an independent study, specifically regarding factors that underlie undergraduate students' success. In the future, she would like to attend Law School in the area of Criminal Law.  Her personal interests generally involve volunteering, as she is a peer mentor with the Undergraduate Psychology Student Association at York where she can help first year students with their transition to university.

 

  • Liam Prymark

Liam is an undergraduate student completing degrees in the specialized honours Psychology and specialized honours Music programs. He is interested in studying the impact of bias in his future graduate studies. In his final year of undergraduate studies, his honours thesis, being conducted under the supervision of Dr. Schuller, explores the role that gender stereotyping plays in expert testimony. His future goal is to continue research in psychology; particularly, he is interested in exploring the sway religiosity holds on perceptions of credibility. In his free time, Liam enjoys walking his dog in high park, and tabletop games with friends.

 

  • Katherine McEwen

Katherine is a fourth year undergraduate student completing an Honours BA in Psychology. She is currently completing an Independent Research Project under the supervision of Dr. Regina Schuller, investigating alternate forms of expert testimony on juror verdicts in trials of battered women who kill their abusers. Her future research interests are in the area of domestic violence screening in clinical settings. Beyond research, Katherine enjoys the outdoors and spending time with family.