Research Staff

SAFIA AZIEZ - Research assistant

Academic background

  • 2025 – … : BSc in Psychology at Université du Québec à Montréal

Research interests

Currently in the first year of my bachelor’s degree in psychology, I am interested in the psychosocial factors that influence the educational success of young people with atypical backgrounds, particularly those following the DPJ. I am currently employed as an intermediate resource with this clientele, and these issues are particularly close to my heart. I am also interested in the different interventions likely to support their school motivation, their sense of competence, and their academic commitment. I therefore wish to bridge the gap between research and my future clinical practice.

SARA LACOSTE - Research assistant

Academic background

  • 2025 – … : BSc in Psychology at Université du Québec à Montréal

Research interests

Aware of the problems that students in vulnerable situations face, Sara’s interest lies in child development and the effects of trauma in educational and social contexts. She believes that meaningful relationships surrounding individuals can shape their trajectories, supporting or hindering their well-being, academic engagement, and interpersonal relationships. Her goal is to contribute to the implementation of concrete interventions that promote more equitable school environments and hopes to practice clinical psychology in the future.

LÉONIE ROY - Research assistant

Academic background

  • 2024 – … : BSc in Psychology at Université du Québec à Montréal

Research interests

From a very young age, I have been interested in relational psychology and fascinated by the ways different microsystems shape our cognition, emotions, and behaviors. I am also interested in the repercussions of hormonal fluctuations on human psychology.

MATTHEW FERNANDEZ - Master-level research assistant

Academic background

  • 2024 – … : MSc in psychology at Université du Québec à Montréal
  • 2020 – 2023 : BSc in psychology at Université du Québec à Montréal

Research interests

I am interested in the different trajectories of mental health during development in adolescence. More specifically, I’m looking to understand what psychosocial factors influence the emergence of personality disorder traits, and what protective factors might promote more adaptive development and greater academic success.

SAMUEL L.-PARADIS - Doctoral-level research assistant

Academic background

  • 2025 – … : Psy. D./Ph. D. in psychology at Université du Québec à Montréal
  • 2022 – 2025 : BSc in psychology at Université du Québec à Montréal
  • 2020 – 2021 : Certificate in Communications at Université Laval

Research interests

As for my interests, I’m particularly interested in the development of emotional regulation skills in young people, as well as the social and developmental factors that influence the evolution of their personalities.

FLAVIE BÉLAND - Research assistant

Academic background

  • 2023 – … : BSc in Psychology at Université du Québec à Montréal

Research interests

With the well-being of the student population at heart, Flavie is particularly interested in the presence and repercussions of internalized symptoms in the academic environment. Her research interests include the various factors likely to influence the personal, academic and professional development of emerging adults, such as family dynamics and relationships. She is also fascinated by the biological explanations behind psychological phenomena.

YANGCHEN SOTSE - Research assistant

Academic background

  • 2023 – … : BSc in Psychology at Université du Québec à Montréal

Research interests

My exploration of themes in psychology focuses on immigrants and refugees. I’d like to look at the influences of these experiences on the children of these families, examining certain characteristics of their development, including their perception of academic success.

ANNA FORTUGNO - Doctoral-level research assistant

Academic backgroung

  • 2025 – … : PsyD in psychology at Université du Québec à Montréal
  • 2022 – … : BSc in Psychology at Université du Québec à Montréal with an honours thesis on the links between family instability experienced from childhood to adolescence and violence experienced in teenage love relationships.

Research interests

My research interests include parent-child attachment and protective factors leading to academic success and the development of self-esteem. I’m also interested in mental health disorders in adolescents and young adults.

CATHERINE PLANTE-GONTHIER - Doctoral-level research assistant

Academic background

  • 2025 – … : PsyD in psychology at Université du Québec à Montréal
  • 2023 – … : DESS in psychological evaluation, intervention and support for people with an intellectual disability at Université du Québec à Montréal
  • 2020 – 2023 : Bsc – profil honor : mental health services offered in vocational training centers, at the Université du Québec à Montréal

Research interests

My research interests focus on the links between mental health and academic success. I’m currently working with the ASD clientele, so it’s a population that’s close to my heart. As a member of a university sports team, I’m also interested in the link between academic success and sport.

EVELYNE MONTMINY - Doctoral-level research assistant

Academic background

  • 2023 – … : PsyD in psychology at Université du Québec à Montréal
  • 2020 – 2023 : BSc in psychology at Université du Québec à Montréal
  • 1998 – 2004 : BSc in preschool and primary education at Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières

Research interests

I fundamentally believe that human beings are social creatures, and that we need each other to move forward in life. As a result, my research interests lead me to wonder about the roles of those who work with students (parents, teachers, specialists, psychologists, etc.) and how they can be better equipped to deal with today’s realities. And, above all, how to make their positive influence on students’ lives more tangible. I love the fact that research allows us to go in search of this knowledge so that we can transfer it to everyone! What’s more, I’m very interested in anything that has anything to do with psychobiological behavior. Our friend stress holds a great fascination for me: how can we better understand it, tame it and use it to make our lives easier?