WoodLab consists of a small number of undergraduate Research Assistants, intensely curious and eager to learn about all things. We mostly investigate drug use among students, but other topics have been known to make their way into our group. Current members are:

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Tyrah Kalman (exploring the relationship between different facets of trait mindfulness and the use of protective behavioural strategies in cannabis use)

Maya Winfield (PSY406, exploring the relationship between motivations behind cannabis use and employing protective behavioural strategies)

Natalie Trumbore (volunteer, exploring questions around physical differences in religious experiences)

Amanda Dong (current honorary lab member, former work-study student, former PSY299, exploring the reasons behind the recent increase in ketamine use in different subcultures)

Talia Frockt (current honorary lab member, former work-study student, former PSY299, explored harm reduction messaging for cannabis use at UofT, assisted with a project on the relationships among gender, emotional processing and memory in cannabis users and nonusers)

Keevyn Hirschfield (current honorary lab member, former PSY405, former PSY299, working on questions related to meditation practices and beliefs in UofT students)

Jen Oh (current honorary lab member, former PSY405, former PSY299, investigated perceptions of study drug use, with the effects of internal/external motivation)

Arya Rose (current honorary lab member, former PSY406, questioning the relationship of experiencing insight while using psychedelics and later therapeutic benefits)

Ada Karakoc (current honorary lab member, former PSY405, researching the relationship between self-schemas and false memory formation, photo coming soon)

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WoodLab is full and currently not recruiting. If you are considering an independent project (PSY405/PSY406) or volunteer position for the 2026-2027 academic year, download the application here: (pdf) (Word)

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Lab Alumni

• Perry Kan (currently a graduate student at University College London)
• Shivahn Garvie (currently a graduate student at Oxford University)
• Ahad Bhagat (currently a graduate student at McMaster University)
• Anna Mouzenian (currently a graduate student in the Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto)
• Willis Klein (currently a graduate student in the Department of Psychology, McGill University)
• Yongzhen (Dory) Xie (currently a graduate student in the Department of Psychology, University of Toronto)
• Simran Dhir (currently a graduate student in the Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, McGill University)
• Joshua Koh (currently a graduate student in the Departments of Psychology, University of Toronto & McGill University)
• Sherry Li (currently employed at a Toronto-based law firm)
• Joseph Banning, MSc (Department of Cell & Systems Biology, University of Toronto)
• Carmen Chan (currently a graduate student in the Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto / St. Michael’s Hospital)
• Priscilla Chan, MSc (completed medical school at University of British Columbia, currently a Neurosurgery Resident at Western University)
• Isabelle Grosdidier
• Kadesha James, MSc (Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toronto)
• Kira London-Nadeau, PhD (Department of Psychology, Université de Montréal)
• Noah Philipp-Muller (currently a graduate student in Clinical Psychology, University of Windsor)
• Merlin Tong (Masters in Counseling Psychology at Yorkville University)
• Matthew Wong

Lab Group Photos

(2025) End of year, in the midst of finals! From left to right: Amanda, Arya, Dr. Wood, Keevyn, Talia, Ada, Perry, & Jen

(2024) A brief lab lunch in the middle of finals! From left to right: Amanda, Arya, Keevyn, Talia, Dr. Wood, Ada, & Jen

(2023) When you prefer to take awkward selfies over the awkwardness of asking strangers to take a group photo. You’re welcome. From left to right: Dr. Wood, Arya, Keevyn, Ahad, Jen, Talia, & Anna

(2021) Hooray for Zoom lab meetings! Top row: Josh, Dr. Wood, Keevyn; Middle row: Willis, Simran, Sherry; Flying solo in the bottom row: Dory