Meet the participants

Faculty of Business and Information Technology

• Fateme Mazloomi

  Program

  Computer Science (PhD)

  Supervisor

  Dr. Shahram Shah Heydari

  3MT®  PRESENTATION

  Federated Learning for Autonomous Vehicles

  Modern autonomous vehicles generate vast amounts of data that can significantly improve tasks like traffic sign recognition, enhancing safety and efficiency on the roads. However, sharing large volumes of raw data raises serious privacy and security concerns. Federated Learning (FL) addresses these issues by allowing vehicles to collaboratively train AI models without sharing sensitive data, thus preserving privacy.
  
  A critical factor in making FL successful is incentivizing the vehicle owners (clients) who contribute their local data and computing resources. By providing fair and transparent rewards, more participants are motivated to join the FL network, resulting in richer, more diverse datasets and ultimately more accurate and robust models. This combination of privacy-preserving model training and effective incentives holds great potential for accelerating advancements in autonomous vehicle technology.

  About Fateme

  I’m originally from Iran and love hiking and ice skating. Whenever I can, I travel to explore new places, experience different cultures, and meet interesting people. I’m also passionate about learning new things and expanding my horizons.

Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science

• Latha Anekal

  Program

  Electrical and Computer Engineering (PhD)

  Supervisor

  Dr. Sheldon Williamson

  3MT®  PRESENTATION

  SCOPE: State and Condition Optimization for Predicting EIS-based Battery Endurance

  Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) used in Electric vehicles (EVs) are the energy source. However, the capacity of the batteries fades with their usage and time due to the degradation of the internal components of the battery. This leads to performance degradation, battery heating, and reduction in their lifespan. This thesis focuses on the study and quantifying the degradation mechanisms throughout the battery life. The quantification of degradation effects is represented by the equivalent circuit model (ECM). Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS), a diagnostic technique is used to obtain the ECM parameters. EIS is a versatile tool that can be used to develop a wide range of LIB models ranging from simple empirical correlations to complex data-driven models. My work enables the onboard battery management system (BMS) to determine the degradation dynamically and quantify the degradation effects for accurate battery state estimations including charge (SOC), state of health (SOH), state of temperature (SOT), and state of power (SOP). My work also facilitates the identification of the end of the first life of lithium-ion batteries and the identification of batteries for the second life applications. In summary, my work will enable the existing BMS in EVs to become more intelligent in managing the performance of the EV batteries with enhanced efficiency, safety and reliability.

  About Latha

  I am a learner for life. I am a professional, researcher and a continuous learner. Passionate about developing engineering solutions for electric vehicles and battery management systems. Apart from being an engineer, I enjoy music, and I dance to recharge myself. I like to read books in my leisure time and love to explore new places and travel to learn interesting facts about the places I visit. 

• Tanjima Hossain

  Program

  Mechanical Engineering (MASc)

  Supervisor

  Dr. Ibrahim Dincer

  3MT®  PRESENTATION

  Comparative Economic and Environmental Assessment of HFCV, BEV, ICE, Hybrid electric vehicles

  This research will analyze which type of vehicle is environmentally and economically acceptable for different provinces in Canada.

  About Tanjima

  I am interested in collecting memories through note-taking, capturing photographs, and visiting memorable places. My hobby is trying out new foods with some experimental ideas. My hometown is in Bangladesh, where I grew up and lived for 25 years, full of joy with my family.

• Tom Li

  Program

  Mechanical Engineering (MASc)

  Supervisor

  Dr. Martin Agelin-Chaab

  3MT®  PRESENTATION

  Braving the Storm: Making Driving Safer in Adverse Weather

  For Canadians, braving the elements on the road is a way of life. Rain or snow turns everyday commutes into unpredictable challenges, increasing the risk of accidents that threaten lives. We trust modern vehicles equipped with driving assistance systems to keep us safe, yet these systems struggle in adverse weather. Why? Because they rely on sensors that act as the vehicle’s eyes. Once blinded by weather, they become unreliable when we need them most.
  
  Surprisingly, we still don’t fully understand the nature of this problem. How much does a light drizzle or a summer downpour affect these sensors? And how do we mitigate the negative effects? Without clear answers, improving safety remains difficult. My research bridges this gap by developing the most realistic rain simulation tool in the world, right here in Canada, making us a global leader in vehicle climatic research. This cutting-edge tool at the ACE research facility allows us to precisely study how adverse weather impacts driving assistance systems and, more importantly, test solutions that could save lives.
  
  With 18% of fatal crashes and 30% of all accidents in Canada linked to poor weather, the stakes are high. When your loved ones are on the road, whether it’s your parents driving home or your child in the back seat on a rainy highway, you want to trust that our cars will keep them safe. By understanding and improving how technology works in the worst conditions, we can make sure they get home safely.

  About Tom

  I've loved cars for as long as I can remember. As a child, I played with toy cars nonstop. That passion never faded. It led me to motorsports, aerodynamics, and race engineering. Now, it fuels my research, improving vehicle safety by tackling sensor performance in bad weather.

• Akash Samanta

  Program

  Electrical and Computer Engineering (PhD)

  Supervisor

  Dr. Sheldon Williamson

  3MT®  PRESENTATION

  BRAIN: Battery Reliability and AI-driven Innovation for Next-gen EVs

  Electric vehicles (EVs) are shaping the future of transportation, but their batteries still face big challenges like overheating, shorter lifespan, and reduced efficiency. My research is focused on solving these problems using two powerful technologies Artificial Intelligence (AI) and something called a “Digital Twin.” Think of a Digital Twin as a virtual copy of a battery that learns and predicts what’s going on inside it in real time. The system I’ve built uses smart AI to predict a battery’s core temperature up to three minutes in advance. This is important because if a battery gets too hot, it can become unsafe. My solution allows the EV battery management systems to act before problems happen kind of like predicting a traffic jam and taking a different route before getting stuck. Even better, this approach doesn’t need expensive sensors inside the battery and can be accessed online for real-time monitoring. This means EV batteries will last longer, perform better, and be safer to use. And when the battery is done powering an EV, we can better choose how to reuse it sustainably such as second-life application of retired EV batteries in low demanding applications. In short, my work makes EVs smarter and safer, driving us toward a greener, more efficient future.

  About Akash

  I’m a researcher, innovator, and tech enthusiast passionate about electric vehicles and AI-driven solutions. Beyond the lab, I enjoy tinkering with Jetson Nano, exploring IoT projects, and mentoring students. I love traveling, photography, and, most of all, spending time with my son, Trihaan, building LEGO EVs!.

• Suhas Sunder

  Program

  Electrical and Computer Engineering (MASc)

  3MT®  PRESENTATION

  Full Stack Web Application Development

  Having spent years developing full stack web applications for numerous startup companies. I am in a position to talk about the process involved in starting a company from scratch, what considerations need to be made in order to head towards success, and what technologies are involved.

  About Suhas

  I enjoy playing chess, video games, watching movies, reading books, playing archery, and personal programming projects.

Faculty of Health Sciences

• Salma Bafagih

  Program

  Health Sciences (MHSc) - Community, Public and Population Health

  Supervisor

  Dr. JoAnne Arcand

  3MT®  PRESENTATION

  Examining the Predictors of Food Literacy Among Canadian Adults

  An inadequately nourishing diet is a leading risk factor for death and disability from chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes and cancer. The transformation of the food environment and consumer behaviours have shifted dietary patterns towards processed foods, resulting in higher intakes of nutrients of public health concern including saturated fats, sugar and sodium. How an individual navigates their food environment and makes informed dietary choices is largely influenced by their food literacy (FL), which encompasses the knowledge, skills and practices individuals use within their social and situational contexts to understand, evaluate and interact with the food system. Interventions to improve aspects of FL have had positive impacts on the eating habits and dietary outcomes in at-risk populations, however, a survey of population FL levels using a validated measure has not been conducted. Additionally, there are no studies examining independent predictors of FL within the general population using comprehensive validated tools. Such data can provide valuable insights to guide national and provincial policies and programs aimed at enhancing FL and supporting healthier dietary behaviours for populations that need equitable support.

  About Salma

  I am a student at Ontario Tech University completing my second semester in the Master's of Community, Public, and Population Health program. Outside of my research, I love to travel, visit new cafés, and discover new parts of the GTA with loved ones.

• Sabrina Gallant

  Program

  Health Sciences (PhD) - Kinesiology

  Supervisor

  Dr. Shilpa Dogra

  3MT®  PRESENTATION

  Prolonged Sitting and the Oral Microbiome: Insights and Opportunities

  Prolonged sitting, or sedentarism, is a pervasive public health problem, linked to the development of many maladaptive physiological outcomes. Separately, the microbiome is a collection of microorganisms on or in the human body, the composition of which can be linked to numerous disease states. It is possible that excessive amounts of sedentary time are therefore linked to changes in the microbiome, and this possible link will be the focus of my PhD work.
  
  I will examine the role of prolonged sitting on the oral microbiome with 4 studies: first, a narrative review on which specific host-microbial biomarkers are likely to be responsive to stressors, assessing which biomarkers are responsive to high or low sedentary time (cross sectional study), and finally testing the dose-response relationship with 2 interventional studies, the first of which will involve a 4 hour bout of sedentary time, and the second where we will increase sedentary time by 20% for two weeks. Results for studies 2-4 will be stratified by sex differences and cardiovascular fitness levels, both of which have notable physiological effects. Outcome (responsive) variables will be modelled using a physiological map to delineate the timeline of biomarker changes with increasing amounts of sedentary time (4 hours, 2 weeks, and long-term) to better understand the role of the microbiome on host physiological pathways in sedentarism.

  About Sabrina

  I consider myself an artist as well as a scientist. I play the piano, bass guitar, and sing, and write my own songs. I am currently working on an album of original songs in my spare time, and learning how to use recording software.

• Jayda Hylton-Pelaia

  Program

  Health Sciences (MHSc) - Community, Public and Population Health

  Supervisor

  Dr. Caroline Barakat

  3MT®  PRESENTATION

  Enhancing Girls’ Sport Participation through Parental Support: A Mixed-Methods Intervention Study to Develop an Evidence-Based Toolkit

  Pre-adolescence is a critical stage when lifelong health habits, like physical activity (PA) and sleep hygiene, begin to form. Organized sports are a key avenue for meeting PA recommendations and provide physical, psychological, and social benefits. However, pre-adolescent girls are less likely than boys to participate in sports, face higher dropout rates, and encounter unique barriers. Parents play a pivotal role in shaping their daughters' sports experiences, yet existing resources often fail to address their specific needs and challenges.
  
  This study explores parental perceptions and decision-making processes regarding girls’ sports participation to bridge this gap. The proposed research has four key objectives: (1) to examine parental perceptions of girls’ sports participation and identify criteria influencing their related decisions; (2) to develop a quantitative tool for assessing factors related to girls’ sports participation; (3) to develop an evidence-informed toolkit to support parental decision-making in relation to girls’ sport participation; and (4) to evaluate the toolkit’s effectiveness in enhancing sports enjoyment and retention across three cohort of girls, those engaged in recreational and competitive sports, as well as those not engaged in any sport programs.
  
  Using a mixed-methods approach, this study combines qualitative insights from interviews with quantitative data, guided by the Model of Parental Involvement in Sports and Newell’s Model of Constraints. By developing and testing a parental toolkit, this research aims to empower parents with practical resources to support sustained sports participation and enjoyment, ultimately promoting lifelong health and well-being for girls.

  About Jayda

  Soccer has been at the core of my life—from Division 1 competition to the professional stage and representing Jamaica internationally. The lessons, opportunities, and growth I’ve gained from sports fuel my passion for research—dedicated to ensuring girls experience the same transformative benefits of sport that shaped my journey.

• Alicia Kollaard

  Program

  Health Sciences (MHSc) - Kinesiology

  Supervisor

  Dr. Shilpa Dogra

  3MT®  PRESENTATION

  Cardiovascular and Immune Responses to Prolonged and Interrupted Sitting

  The average Canadian spends about 9.8 hours per day sitting. High amounts of sedentary behaviour like this can increase the risk of several chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease. Research indicates that men working in sedentary careers are at twice the risk of cardiovascular disease when compared to those working jobs that require physical activity. This increased risk could be explained by inflammation within the blood vessels caused by dysregulation of the inner lining (endothelium). If vascular endothelial cells are disrupted from prolonged sitting, it is thought that vascular growth factor levels would be impacted. My research objective is to examine the response of vascular growth factors (vascular endothelial growth factor, epidermal growth factor, and angiogenesis) to 4-hour bouts of prolonged sitting versus interrupted sitting in young, healthy adults and determine whether these responses differ by sex or fitness level. This work will further our understanding of how prolonged sitting impacts vascular function, and how interrupting sitting can benefit one’s health. It will also provide insights into sex differences in these responses and the protective effects that a higher training status may provide.

  About Alicia

  Soccer has been at the core of my life — from Division 1 competition to the professional stage and representing Jamaica internationally. The lessons, opportunities, and growth I’ve gained from sports fuel my passion for research—dedicated to ensuring girls experience the same transformative benefits of sport that shaped my journey.

• Alissa Latiff

  Program

  Health Sciences (MHSc) - Kinesiology

  Supervisor

  Dr. Meghann Lloyd

  3MT®  PRESENTATION

  Exploring the Lived Experiences of Racialized Parents Who Have Children or Youth with Disabilities: A Descriptive Case Study

  In Canada about 6.3 million individuals aged 15 and older have a disability, with that number expected to grow. Disability includes individuals of all races, ethnicities, age, sexual orientations, gender, religions, and socio-economic statuses. A major limitation in understanding the needs of racialized children with disabilities is the lack of data on the intersection between race and ableism. Our research aims to address this gap and examine the intersectionality of race and disability within a pediatric rehabilitation and developmental services context. The primary research question aims to answer the following question: From the perspective of racialized caregivers of children with disabilities, how does race impact the access of services in a community-based pediatric rehabilitation setting? The methodology for this qualitative study consists of a multiple descriptive case study design with three individual, virtual, semi-structured interviews with three different racialized caregivers, for a total of nine interviews. Interviews were approximately 45-60 minutes long and took place about one week apart from each other. To gather comprehensive data, race and disability cannot be examined separately, rather an intersectional approach will be used to examine if being from a doubly marginalized group presents unique challenges or a double burden effect. Interviews were audio recorded with consent, transcribed verbatim, and NVivo 15 was used to code, manage, and analyze data. A community advisory group also helped to inform key decisions made by the research team giving the community the ability to have their voices heard throughout the research process.

  About Alissa

  I am from the Malvern region in Scarborough, and I like to read and bake in my spare time. I enjoy spending time in nature and learning about different cultures and cuisines. One of my passions is health equity and working towards making communities more inclusive.

• Maykah Lochan-Aristide

  Program

  Health Sciences (MHSc) - Kinesiology

  Supervisor

  Dr. Shilpa Dogra

  3MT®  PRESENTATION

  'We don’t even know they exist’: Why older Black Canadians aren’t engaging in Falls Prevention Exercise Programming?

  Research indicates that Black Canadians have the second highest prevalence of falls in Canada and have a higher rate of experiencing the associated risk factors. However, data from current fall-prevention programming shows that only 14% of participants are people of color. As such, the study aims to gain insight into the lived experiences and needs of Black Canadians aged 50 years and older to inform the development of culturally adapted programs.

  About Maykah

  I was born in Coral Springs, Florida. I lived on the island of Trinidad and Tobago for 4 months. I love to bake and I'm the biggest Tom Brady fan. I've recently become a published author, with papers in, Cities and Health and the Journal of Public Health.

• Aliyat Olantinwo

  Program

  Health Sciences (MHSc) - Kinesiology

  Supervisor

  Dr. Shilpa Dogra

  3MT®  PRESENTATION

  Empowering Older Adults: Identifying Active Aging Programming Priorities for Age-Friendly Cities

  As our population ages, it becomes increasingly important to ensure cities adapt to support older adults. A key goal of such efforts is active aging, emphasizing the engagement of older adults in physical, social, and mental activities that support their overall well-being. However, older adults, particularly from equity-deserving communities, are often excluded from decisions shaping their environments. This study focuses on Durham Region, Ontario, and aims to identify the needs and priorities of diverse older adults related to active aging and age-friendly environments. Using a participatory action research approach, older adults (aged 60 and above) will be active partners in shaping research that reflects their lived experiences and challenges. Guided by the CitieS-Health approach and the World Health Organization’s Age-Friendly framework, the study will involve two phases. First, surveys and workshops with older adults will identify factors influencing active aging and create “fuzzy cognitive maps.” These maps will visually represent the connections between challenges and priorities as identified by participants. In phase two, the findings will be compiled into a report presented at a town hall to policymakers, stakeholders, and municipal leaders. The outcomes will highlight older adults’ priorities, providing practical tools for the Regional Municipality of Durham to improve policies, programming, and infrastructure. By amplifying the voices of older adults, this research will promote health equity and contribute to building inclusive, age friendly cities adaptable to diverse regions. This work offers a scalable model for integrating older adults' perspectives into urban planning and active aging initiatives.

  About Aliyat

  I'm a first-year Master’s student and I love to crochet in my free time, although, my projects may or may not be multiplying faster than I can finish them! I also enjoy unwinding with a good book, especially adventure novels.

• Gillian Slade

  Program

  Health Sciences (MHSc) - Kinesiology

  Supervisor

  Dr. Nicholas La Delfa

  3MT®  PRESENTATION

  The Sweet Spot: Investigating Cycle Time on Shoulder Fatigue During Fixed Overhead Workload

  Overhead work is work tasks performed at or above shoulder height. Employees who perform overhead work over an eight-hour workday enhance their risk of developing chronic shoulder pain, and work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs). These disorders are highly costly for the employee and the employer. Shoulder WMSDs are among the most commonly reported musculoskeletal pains, with many workers experiencing shoulder pain on a monthly basis. Since muscle fatigue and WMSDs are intimately linked, the quantification of muscle fatigue during these tasks can be used to estimate WMSD risk. Under the supervision of Dr. Nick LaDelfa, my research will examine how different overhead cycle times can affect the development of shoulder muscle fatigue, building towards industry guidelines for overhead work. A repeated measures design will be used to assess muscle fatigue during different overhead work cycle times. A total of 20 participants (10M, 10F) aged 18-65 will be recruited using convenience sampling of Ontario Tech University students. Participants will be instrumented with six wireless surface electromyography electrodes to track activity of shoulder in the dominant limb, alongside baseline measurements of maximal strength. In addition, rated perceived exertion and fatigue will be collected using a commonly used ‘Rating of Perceived Exertion’ (RPE) scale and a 10-point visual scale of Ratings of Perceived Fatigue (RPF), respectively. To analyze the practical significance of differences in fatigue development, current ergonomic tools will be used to assess the acceptability of overhead work at various cycle times. Measures of %MVC, RPE, and RPF will be employed.

  About Gillian

  I am passionate about research in health science. Beyond academia, I enjoy running, strength training, music (I play four instruments) and reading and painting when I'm able to find some free time. I have two cats who keep me company during late night writing sessions.

• Hamed Tadayyoni

  Program

  Health Sciences (MHSc) - Kinesiology

  Supervisor

  Dr. Bernadette Murphy and Dr. Alvaro Quevedo

  3MT®  PRESENTATION

  How Virtual Reality Shapes the Way We Learn Movements: Bridging the Gap Between Engineering and Neuroscience

  Virtual Reality (VR) is revolutionizing training, rehabilitation, and education, yet we still do not fully understand how it affects one of our most fundamental senses—proprioception, the body's ability to perceive its own position and movement. My research focuses on uncovering neurophysiological biomarkers of proprioception in VR and exploring how different levels of haptic feedback influence motor learning and skill transfer to the real world.
  
  When we interact with the real world, we receive haptic, force, and tactile feedback that helps refine our motor skills. In VR, however, these feedback mechanisms are often altered or missing, which may impact how we learn and retain new skills. My research aims to understand how these differences in sensory feedback affect motor learning and whether the skills acquired in VR translate effectively to real-world tasks. By identifying the underlying neural and behavioral mechanisms, we can determine how VR-based training can be optimized to improve skill acquisition, retention, and real-world applicability.
  
  This research has wide-ranging applications—from designing better VR-based rehabilitation programs for stroke patients to improving virtual training for surgeons and first responders. By identifying biomarkers of proprioception, we can refine VR technologies to make virtual training more immersive, effective, and neurologically aligned with real-world experiences.
  
  Ultimately, my work bridges neuroscience, biomechanics, engineering and human-computer interaction, paving the way for smarter VR systems that enhance learning, rehabilitation, and performance in real-world settings.

  About Hamed

  I’m an engineer-turned-health-sciences researcher, using neuroscience, neurophysiology, math, and programming to study how the brain perceives movement and how VR training differs from reality. Originally from Iran, I’ve studied in three countries—Iran, Turkey, and now Canada—on a journey to bridge tech and health sciences.

Faculty of Science

• Ainaz Alavi Tabari

  Program

  Computer Science (MSc)

  Supervisor

  Dr. Peter Lewis and Dr. Theresa Stotesbury

  3MT®  PRESENTATION

  Analyzing and Enhancing Robustness and Reliability of Machine Learning Models in Blood Pattern Analysis

  In recent years, the use of AI and machine learning has expanded across various applications, including sensitive fields like forensic science. One area where machine learning models are gaining popularity is blood pattern analysis, where they are employed to classify different patterns. However, with the growing reliance on these models, it’s crucial to ensure their robustness and reliability. My thesis focuses on applying machine learning models to classify bloodstain patterns, and using adversarial attacks to test the vulnerability of these models. The goal is to identify potential weaknesses and improve the models to withstand adversarial conditions, ensuring their reliability in forensic investigations.

  About Ainaz

  I'm a ballet dancer, a drummer, and a computer science student. I love learning and experiencing as much as I can, which is why I enjoy multidisciplinary work that expands my understanding in different fields. Moving from Iran to Canada was one of those exciting experiences.

• Spencer Hang

  Program

  Applied Bioscience (MSc)

  Supervisor

  Dr. Denina Simmons

  3MT®  PRESENTATION

  How nuclear generators affect the building blocks of life in fish

  With the threat of climate change still looming, the Canadian government is investing in cleaner energy sources, with a large emphasis on nuclear energy and the creation of small modular reactors (SMRs).
  
  These house-sized nuclear reactors, estimated to generate $5.4 billion domestically and $150 billion globally by the end of 2040, can replace current fossil fuel methods for power generation and support heavy industries such as mining and oil production. They also have the potential to power small remote communities, giving them access to heat, electricity, and drinking water. While being versatile, SMRs are still in their early stages of development; there is not much known about the effects of the ionizing radiation they produce on the environment around them.
  
  Currently, research on the effects of ionizing radiation on aquatic species has focused on high-exposure, short-term radiation at levels comparable to nuclear disasters such as Fukushima and Chernobyl on early-age fish and invertebrates. These effects show that ionizing radiation causes loss in pigmentation and heart and tail deformities in infant zebrafish and adult shrimp. My research aims to see if low-dose, long-term exposure to radiation affects fish by looking at how it changes the levels of proteins and building blocks found in their blood and body. This information will help make policies surrounding SMRs and potentially measure the amount of radiation emitted from these reactors in their surrounding environment.

  About Spencer

  I'm from Guelph, Ontario, and a big fan of Olivia Rodrigo. My life motto is "When in doubt, pick C." I love science, Magic: The Gathering, karaoke, and cars. A fun fact about me—I still use my childhood stuffed animals to practice presentations!

• Fanqi Kong

  Program

  Materials Science (PhD)

  Supervisor

  Dr. Brad Easton

  3MT®  PRESENTATION

  Next Generation Fuel Cell Catalysts: The Path Towards Sustainable Energy

  Fuel cells are a promising alternative to traditional fossil fuels that could provide clean energy for cars, buses, trains and many other applications. In order to make this technology feasible, we need to find better materials to make them cheaper and more durable. One of the most important components of the fuel cell is the catalyst within, which is responsible for driving the necessary chemical reactions for energy production.
  
  A major issue with current catalysts is the usage of precious Platinum metal paired with an unstable carbon support material, resulting in a material with high cost and short lifespan. My research is focused on designing and synthesizing these catalysts from the ground up, aiming to solve these issues by replacing the carbon support with a more stable metal oxide support. This new support also possesses a strong anchoring interaction with the Platinum particles to mitigate detachment mechanisms over time. Overall, this research brings us a step closer to a cleaner and more sustainable future.

  About Fanqi

  I enjoy watching sci-fi movies and TV shows. Also, I like to tinker with electronics, such as building PCs or troubleshooting various software.

Faculty of Social Science and Humanities

• Jessica Biasin

  Program

  Forensic Psychology (MSc)

  Supervisor

  Dr. Taylor Heffer

  3MT®  PRESENTATION

  Mapping Non-Linear Trajectories of Honesty-Humility and Sensitivity to Punishment from Childhood to Adolescence

  Adolescence, a transitional stage of human development spanning from age 10 to 19, is marked by significant biological, social, and psychological changes contributing to an increased susceptibility to various psychological challenges (Costello et al., 2011). My research focuses on the non-linear development of Honesty-Humility (HH), which encompasses traits such as fairness, and integrity, and Sensitivity to Punishment (SP), an individuals’ sensitivity to aversive stimuli. While prior studies have relied on linear and categorical models to suggest a ‘peak’ in adolescent dishonesty (Dykstra et al., 2020a, 2020b; Debey et al., 2015; Levine et al., 2013), the non-linear development of HH and the role of SP in age-related differences remain underexplored.
  
  Using longitudinal data from over 1,200 participants aged 7 to 14 at baseline and spanning seven years, this study employs advanced statistical models, namely Generalized Additive Models (GAMs) to track how these traits evolve. This approach will allow us to capture the complexities of personality change and provide a more nuanced understanding of how HH develops within this critical period of the human lifespan (Sullivan et al., 2015).
  
  By understanding these developmental trajectories, my research seeks to identify periods of growth and stability, offering insights into the interaction between personality traits and threat responses. These findings will inform strategies for supporting youth during this transformative stage of life, paving the way for adolescent well-being. Ultimately, this work contributes to the broader understanding of personality development, emphasizing the importance of fostering honesty during adolescence.

  About Jessica 

  I’m a graduate student at Ontario Tech University with a passion for forensic psychology and youth mental health. Outside of research, I find great rewards from volunteering at various institutions including Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences, Durham Region Victim Services, Canadian Psychological Association, and more.

• Aliyah Carruthers

  Program

  Forensic Psychology (MSc)

  Supervisor

  Dr. Logan Ewanation

  3MT®  PRESENTATION

  Comparing Civilian and Police Officer Perceptions of Use of Force

  Recently, several high-profile police use of force (UoF) incidents across North America have sparked public debate concerning police violence. While much research focuses on civilian perceptions of UoF, less attention has been paid to officers' perspectives. This study aims to compare civilian and officer perceptions of police UoF and further explore the relationship between police legitimacy and perceptions of UoF.

  An abundance of research shows that civilians often view UoF, even when it aligns with policy, as excessive. However, there is a lack of research concerning officer’s perceptions of UoF. The limited existing work (from the United States) suggests that compared to community members, police officers view simulated UoF scenarios more favourably. To date, no research has compared Canadian community members' and police officers' perceptions of UoF incidents.

  For my project, I will present officers and community members with a videotaped police UoF incident, then ask them to rate how reasonable and necessary the force was. Based on existing social psychological theory and previous research, I hypothesize that officers will perceive the force more favourably than civilians. The findings of this research will support community engagement and guide the development of community-oriented policies and education that reduce the perception of excessive force. This will help increase trust in law enforcement, which is crucial for encouraging citizens to obey the law, cooperate with officers, and comply with officer directives.

  About Aliyah

  I'm a first-year Master's student in Forensic Psychology working in the Legal Psych Lab. My research interests focus on policing, particularly how people perceive police use of force, and jury decision making. In my free time, I love to read.

• Melissa Handford

  Program

  Forensic Psychology (MSc)

  Supervisor

  Dr. Leigh Harkins

  3MT®  PRESENTATION

  Understanding Victim Decisions to Report Non-Consensual Intimate Image Distribution

  Non-consensual intimate image distribution (NCIID) involves the creation, distribution, and threatening of distribution of intimate images, without the consent of those in the image. These images can be spread through social circles, posted online, used as blackmail, and more. These images are often impossible to remove from the Internet, and victims often face ridicule, blame, and loss of educational and employment opportunities as a result. Despite its growing frequency, NCIID is not often reported to police, prosecuted, or convicted. To date, no studies have used an experimental design to investigate victim perceptions and behaviours regarding NCIID laws and legal practices. This research will examine factors associated with NCIID, including what influences a person to report NCIID and the characteristics of NCIID cases that are reported to law enforcement. It will seek to determine how image attainment, distribution method, victim gender and relation, and cognitive factors such as confidence in the justice system and rape myth acceptance, factor into a victim’s decision to report the incident to law enforcement. These results will be compared to Canadian legal cases involving NCIID, to assess a possible correlation between the factors that contribute to a participant or a real-world victim deciding to report an incident. Understanding participant decisions regarding contacting police will gain insight into the perceived effectiveness of NCIID laws, resulting in better legal options for victims. The results of the proposed research have the potential to strengthen legal practices, victim support services, and laws to be more effective deterrents and prosecutors.

  About Melissa

  I am a first-year MSc student in Forensic Psychology under the supervision of Dr. Leigh Harkins. In my free time, I like to watch movies, cook pasta, and plan where I want to travel to next!

• Varvara Ninowksy

  Program

  Forensic Psychology (MSc)

  Supervisor

  Dr. Matthew Shane

  3MT®  PRESENTATION

  Ties That Bind: Social Closeness and Empathy in Individuals with Psychopathic Traits

  It is generally believed that individuals with high psychopathic traits are incapable of experiencing empathy, but emerging research says otherwise, stating that these individuals can express empathy when explicitly asked to do so.

  This research will investigate the role of social closeness in motivating individuals to empathize with others, for both virtuous (other person’s benefit) and nonvirtuous (your own benefit) purposes. The main hypothesis is that social closeness will increase the likelihood of virtuous empathy in this population, as they are motivated to empathize with those they perceive as close (e.g., family or friends) due to familiarity and potential instrumental benefits, such as maintaining useful relationships. Conversely, these individuals are expected to display nonvirtuous empathy, such as manipulation, in interactions with socially distant individuals or outgroup members.

  The study would involve 200~ participants recruited from a research pool, assessing psychopathic traits through the PPI-R-40 scale and empathy motivations using a Motivation to Empathize Scale. Additionally, they will complete a categorization task to assign various individuals into ingroup, outgroup, or indifferent categories, providing insight into the interplay between psychopathy, social closeness, and empathy. Exploratory questions will help understand the nature behind one’s decision to empathize/not to empathize in specific scenarios.

  No prior research has comprehensively examined all three aspects together (psychopathy, social closeness, and motivation to empathize), which this study aims to address. The findings will contribute to understanding empathy’s role in social and prosocial behavior within psychopathy, with implications for therapeutic interventions and social relationship frameworks.

  About Varvara

  Although I've had a Canadian passport my entire life, this is only my third year living here.