Our Team
Our research team is made up of graduate students, undergraduate students completing theses and independent projects, and many undergraduate volunteers.
Dr. Stanka Fitneva
Lab Director
I direct the Language and Cognition Lab at Queen's University. My interests are in the development of language, communication, and social cognition. Outside the lab, you can catch me hiking, doing yoga, baking or practicing on the piano at home.
Kat Snelling
PhD Student
MA Developmental Psychology, 2021
BAH Psychology, 2018
I am in the third year of my PhD in Developmental Psychology. My research examines the role of prediction in language processing and learning. From infancy, people make predictions while listening to speech. My research evaluates the impact of correct and incorrect predictions on language processing and word learning. One of my favourite things to do in Kingston is watching the sun set over Lake Ontario!
Anisha Imtiaz
Lab Manager
Joint Honours in Psychology and Sociology
Hi! My name is Anisha. I've just completed my third year as a joint honours student in Psychology and Sociology. I am particularily interested in how expertise affects cognition, and the learning differences between children who are monolingual and bilingual. Outside of the lab I love fashion, baking and cooking.
Maya Dorantes
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Psychology Major
My name is Maya Dorantes, and I am a second-year Psychology student at Queen's University. My interest with cognitive psychology, particularly how language and cognitive processes shape and are shaped by social interactions, led me to join the Language and Cognition Lab and I am really excited to explore how developmental and cognitive aspects of language learning interact with social competence, interpersonal relationships and social contexts. Outside the lab, I am passionate about reading all kinds of books and trying out new baking recipes!
Alexandra Culbert
Honours Thesis Student
Psychology Major, History Minor
My name is Alexandra, and I am a fourth-year student majoring in psychology and minoring in history. This is my second year volunteering in the lab and I am excited to continue my work on the ongoing experiments from last year. I am particularly interested in children's word learning processes and the onset of awareness of expert knowledge. Outside of the lab I love reading, baking and listening to music.
Adelle Barksy-Moore
Honours Thesis Student
Psychology Major
Georgia Brunicke
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Psychology Major
My name is Georgia, and I am a fourth-year undergraduate student majoring in psychology. This is my first year as a research assistant with the lab and I am excited to explore how children assign blame and gather information. Outside of the lab, I enjoy volunteering, listening to podcasts, spending time with friends, and going to the gym!
Yousif Al-Aboosi
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Health Sciences Major
Hello! I'm Yousif Ihsan Al-Aboosi, a third-year Health Science (Honors) student at Queen's University. My interest lies in exploring the incredible cognitive capabilities of the human brain and delving into the depths of its boundless potential. I am currently excited to be a part of the prestigious LCL lab, renowned for its groundbreaking research in language and cognitive psychology. This invaluable opportunity allows me to gain a comprehensive understanding of cognition and its applications, which align perfectly with my future career aspirations.
Ella Hands
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Psychology Major, Spanish and
Latin Studies Minor
Hi! I'm Ella, a fourth-year student majoring in Psychology and embarking on my honours thesis journey in the LCL. Initially, it was my fascination with the intricate realms of language learning and developmental psychology led me to this lab. In the current year, I am delving into the impacts of group membership on blame attribution. This marks my second year as part of the team, and I look forward to furthering my contributions alongside these hard-working individuals and brilliant minds. Beyond academics, I love to play guitar, do photography, and spend time with my golden retrievers!
Natalie Yang
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Psychology Major, French Minor
​My name is Natalie and I just finished my second year majoring in Psychology & minoring in French! My research interests include developmental, social & clinical psychology, particularly in the development of children & teenagers in mental health. As a French minor, I am interested in the development & comprehension of language in children. Outside of the lab, I love dance, music & spending time with my friends :)
Madison Hyndman
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Biology and Psychology Specialization
My name is Madison, I am a third year student majoring in Biology and Psychology. This is my first year volunteering in the lab and I am excited to learn more about language acquisition and developmental psychology. Outside of the lab you can catch me hiking, reading, and enjoying music.
Dharsan Ravindran
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Computing Major
Hi my name is Dharsan! I'm currently in my fourth year of my BCMPH degree, with a specialization in Software Design. I am particularly interested in cognitive psychology to discover and learn more about cognitive structures and their interactions. Outside the lab in my free time, I enjoy watching basketball, watching T.V., and traveling.
Viswajit Kuttuva Sriganesh
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Health Sciences Major
Hello! My name is Viswajit Kuttuva Sriganesh, and I am in my second year pursuing my Bachelor of Health Sciences! I am particularly interested in the processes underlying human perception, decision-making, and particularly memory in cognitive psychology. Understanding how our minds work and how we process information like language is fascinating to me and stems from my curiosity concerning the primitive language that I speak at home. I joined this LCL lab led by Dr. Stanka Fitneva because it provides an excellent opportunity to immerse myself in cognitive psychology and gain hands-on research experience. By joining the lab, I aim to gain a deeper understanding of cognitive psychology theories while also contributing to ongoing research in this field. Outside of the lab, I have a keen interest in learning new languages and polishing my proficiency in languages such as Sourashtra, Tamil, French, and Spanish. Additionally, I hold deep interests in childhood cognitive development, neuroplasticity as well as orthopedic medicine. In the future, I plan to conduct research in these fields. Recreationally, I participate in soccer, swimming, and basketball and work as a lifeguard in the summer.
Lab Alumni
Honours Thesis Students
2023-2024: Elif Gokcek, Ella Hands, Samara Osten
2022-2023: Shiyi Bin
2021- 2022: Hannah Clark
2020-2021: Rina Gutzin, Bronwyn Bates
2019-2020: Joanna Mrowca-Migiel, Jamie Fournier, Sydney Thib
2018-2019: Alexis Winfield
2017-2018: Blake Noyes, Katherine Snelling
2016-2017: Jennifer Zhang
2015-2016: Ida Liao, Samantha Lenahan, Alexandra Macisaac
2014-2015: Peter Elliott, Katie Harper, Sandra Krause
2013-2014: Breanna Kelly, Alastair Hibberd
2012-2013: Nancy Dai
2010-2011: Amy Wainer
2009-2010: Laurel Dault, Justin Goddrad, Arielle Mida
2008-2009: Kristen Hadfield
2006-2007: Scott Ross
2005-2006: Bronwen Fullerton
2004-2005: Ketana Teav, Erin White
Graduate Students
Katharine Bailey (co-supervised with Dr. N. Im-Bolter), PhD 2021.
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Now instructor, Concordia University of Edmonton.
Katherine Snelling, MA, 2021.
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Now PhD student in Psychology, Queen’s University.
Michael Slinger, MSc, 2020.
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Now PhD student in Sociology, Dalhousie University.
Rana Pishva, MSc, 2010.
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Now in clinical practice.
Kristen Dunfield, MA, 2006.
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Now associate Professor, Concordia University.
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Lab Managers
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Anya Den Hartog
And many more directed lab students, summer interns, and volunteers! Thank you!