Jennifer Tackett

Prof. Tackett completed her Ph.D. in clinical psychology with minors in statistics, behavior genetics, and personality at the University of Minnesota. Originally from east Texas, she is also a graduate of the Texas Academy of Math and Science and of Texas A&M University. She completed her clinical internship at the Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Medical Center and has clinical experience with both child and adult populations. She joined the U of T faculty in 2006 and holds an affiliate scientist position at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. Her research is grounded in an interest of the many personality characteristics that exist early in life and their influence on later behavioral development. When she isn’t working, she enjoys exploring the restaurants, museums, and dog parks of Toronto and experiencing the natural beauty of Ontario by hiking, camping, snowshoeing and skiing in Ontario parks and conservation areas.

Houston Graduate Students

Kathrin Herzhoff

I just entered my first year of the doctoral program under the supervision of Dr. Tackett. My research interest lies in the development of personality in childhood and its effect on different behaviours across the life span. As part of my Master's thesis, I studied how a personality construct called Openness to Experience predicts behavioural problems in middle childhood. I joined the Tackett Lab in January 2008 and currently help manage the second follow-up of the Childhood Personality and Behaviour Study as well as the collection of thin-slice data from that study. When I am not working, I enjoy exploring the world with "deals of the days" by going on horseback, helicopter, or rollercoaster rides with my friends and family.

Houston Lab

Ruba Allarakia

Ruba is an undergraduate student at the university of houston, graduating in fall-12. She is interested in pursuing a career in clinical child psychology. Her interest in this field grew from working closely with preschool and elementry children. Working at the personality across developemnt lab, she hopes to gain an insight in childhood disorders, clinical interviewing, and effective ways in conducting research in the child field. In her spare time, Ruba likes shopping and spending time with family.

Ivonne Garcia

I am currently an undergraduate psychology student at the University of Houston hoping to make it in the clinical psychology program here. I was blessed with the opportunity to work in Dr. Tackett’s lab starting in spring of 2012. Currently, I help with data entry and thin-slice video coding, but I hope to move forward and eventually conduct not only my senior honors thesis, but also my dissertation from the Personality Across Development Lab. My research interests include antisocial personality and what traits and behaviors in childhood could indicate that this and other forms of psychopathology are emerging. Other research interests of mine are forensic psychology, psychopathology, whether children who are difficult to code are at risk for certain forms psychopathology and how certain parent-child relationships or traits could possibly put a child at risk for criminal or violent behavior as adults. In my free time I enjoy reading, watching my favorite TV show, and watching movies.

Najwa Mata

I am majoring in Psychology with a minor in Mathematics at the University of Houston. I have always been interested in human behavior and cognitive development. My interest in psychology grew when I volunteered as a counselor in the Houston Area Women's Center for the Spanish speaking community. I am interested in neuroscience, clinical psychology, and industrial organizational psychology. For now, I am excited to work with Doctor Tackett's lab where I have the opportunity to learn about children's personality in a longevity study. In my spare time, I enjoy going to drink coffee with my sister, dancing, going to museums, including the Jung Center, reading, and of course spending time with family and friends.

Jessica Netzband

Hello, my name is Jessica. I am a fourth year student at the University of Houston, and I am studying psychology and biology. I am particularly interested in how attachment styles may affect personality development in children and how coping styles, personality, and hormones may interact. In my spare time I enjoy reading and spending time with my family and friends.

Toronto Graduate Students

Stephanie (Bass) Daoud

I am a doctoral student working under Dr. Jennifer Tackett for my dissertation. My main areas of interest involve studying psychopathic traits and aggression, and the possible underlying biology. I will be working on the Childhood Personality Across Cultures (CPAC) Study. I completed my Master's in Psychology under the supervision of Dr. David Nussbaum studying decision-making, aggression and repeated violence in forensic psychiatric inpatients.

Sarah Kane

I am a Master's student working under Jennifer Tackett's supervision. My research interests are broadly defined as psychopathology and personality in children and adolescents. For my thesis I am looking into relational aggression in adolescents. I am particularly interested in testing for the existence of sub-types of relationally aggressive youth, with hopes of identifying those at highest risk for maladaptive behaviours. I completed my BSc in psychology at the University of Western Ontario in 2009. Outside the lab, I enjoy sewing, acting, walking my dog on the beach, and spending time with my family and friends.

Shauna Kushner

I am a doctoral student in the Department of Psychology. I am broadly interested in studying personality as a framework for understanding mental health throughout the lifespan. Under the supervision of Jennifer Tackett, my graduate research has largely examined the relationship between personality traits and emotional difficulties in childhood, such as depression and anxiety. Throughout my doctoral studies, I hope to gain a more nuanced understanding of how personality interacts with other factors, such as social support, to predict the stability of mental illnesses throughout development. In the Personality Across Development Lab, I am actively involved as an interviewer and project coordinator for the Child Personality and Behaviour Study. Beyond the lab, I enjoy spending time with my dogs, biking around Toronto, watching terrible movies, and karaoke.

Toronto Lab

Nadia Al-Dajani

I am an undergraduate student at the University of Toronto specializing in psychology. In 2010, I was awarded the Chancellor's Scholarship from Trinity College in recognition of a successful academic year. My interests lie in child and youth Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders and the mediating variable of personality. Under the supervision of Dr. Jennifer L. Tackett, I am investigating borderline personality traits in non-clinical youth through a dimensional perspective. In Dr. Tackett's lab, I have had the opportunity to research youth directly through several tasks conducted in an interview session. I have also been trained in Suicide Risk Assessment, which has given me insight into the importance of prevention and identification of at risk youth. Through my hard work and dedication, I was promoted to the lab manager position in Dr. Tackett's lab. In my free time, I enjoy playing the piano and spending time with my loved ones.

Andrew Brankley

Andrew's major research interests are in aggression and antisocial personality traits. He graduated with a philosophy degree from the University of Toronto in 2009 and returned in 2010 to take additional courses on psychology. At the 2011 Canadian Psychological Association conference, he presented a study completed with Dr. Jennifer L. Tackett that utilized his newly created dimensional model of Machiavellianism in youth. This model was better than callous-unemotional traits (i.e. childhood correlates of psychopathy) in predicting relational aggression. Currently, he works as a lab manager in Dr. Tackett's Personality Across Development lab. For the past year, Andrew has worked with young offenders as part of the Extra Judicial Sanction program at St. Stephen's Community House, Toronto. Andrew plans to pursue research in graduate school that optimizes both clinical assessment and treatment of antisocial behaviour.

Safina Allidina

I am in my 2nd year at the University of Toronto pursuing a double major in Human Biology and Psychology. I am thrilled to be a part of the Tackett Lab and am looking forward to exploring child psychology and gaining research experience through the Childhood Personality Across Cultures project. After my undergraduate degree I plan to go to medical school to begin applying my knowledge of biology to save lives and help others. My pursuits outside university include singing, teaching weekend religion classes, volunteering at a hospital, and reading literature.

Natalia Chorna

I am currently in my fourth year of undergrad, specializing in psychology and majoring in human biology. I am fascinated with children because of the complexity of human development and the numerous forces that shape an evolving personality, which has fortunately led me to the Tackett lab. My research interests include parent-child relationships from infancy and the ability of early attachment to be a protective or predisposing factor for emotional and/or disruptive behaviour disorders. Outside of the lab I assist young children in reading and aspire to continue working with them in a medical, research, or educational field. During my spare time I enjoy spending time with loved ones, traveling, relaxing at the beach, attending concerts, and practicing yoga.

Nicole Cosentino

I am currently pursuing an Honours Bachelor of Science at the University of Toronto at the St. George campus with a specialist in Psychology and an additional major in English Literature. I have become enamoured with issues in abnormal psychology and developmental psychology throughout my studies and am especially interested in how symptoms of depression can vary by age group resulting in a discontinuity between the appearance of this mood disorder in childhood and in adulthood. Following successful completion of my undergraduate degree, I wish to pursue graduate study in school and clinical child psychology. Therefore, assisting with longitudinal research in personality development will greatly inform my future pursuits. When not in class, I enjoy reading, sketching and painting and, of course, rollicking with friends and family.

Marco Da Silva

I am entering my second year at the University of Toronto and joined the Tackett lab as a part of the Research opportunity program this past summer. I am majoring in Human Biology and Physiology, and hope to study medicine after I complete my undergraduate degree. I am excited to continue to be a part of the Tackett lab in order to learn more about the research process, and get some hands on experience in the research field. In my spare time, I enjoy playing sports, video games, the guitar, and spending time with friends.

Chantal Dougan

I am a psychology specialist going into my third year at U of T. This will be my first year in Professor Tackett's lab as a research assistant and I will be working with the FU3 team as well as doing thin slice coding and data collection. In the future, I hope to go on to graduate school to study clinical psychology. In my spare time, I like to collect old books, play the guitar, do crossword puzzles, and catch up on my favorite TV shows

Jada Fitzpatrick

I'm Jada, and I've recently graduated from U of T with a specialist in psychology and a major in human biology. I am very excited to be a part of the Tackett Lab and to learn more in the field of childhood personality and development. I also have an interest in personality and psychopathology, substance abuse, and addiction. In the future, I hope to attend graduate school to become a clinical psychologist. Outside of the lab, I enjoy seeing live music, video games, science fiction novels, origami, and time with friends and family.

Tiffany Jenzer

I have recently graduated from U of T with a specialist in psychology. My interests have centered around personality, positive and developmental psychology. I am excited to start working in the Tackett Lab and to participate in developmental research. In the future, I hope to combine my interests in graduate school. Specifically, I find the study of psychological resilience and strength promotion in youth quite fascinating. In my spare time, I enjoy running, martial arts, reading non-fiction and spending time with family and friends.

Ailya Jessa

My name is Ailya and I am a second year student studying Neuroscience and Psychology. I recently became interested in child psychology after taking an abnormal psychology course last semester. I am very excited to work in the Tackett lab and I hope to learn more about child psychology and development! I enjoy working with children and hope to pursue a career in developmental pediatrics.

Nicole Magda

My name is Nicole and I am a third year student at the University of Toronto pursuing a double major in Psychology and Human Biology. I realized I wanted to volunteer at the Tackett lab after completing an abnormal psychology course taught by Professor Tackett in which one of our assignments sparked my interest in childhood personality. I have always been interested in psychology but am especially excited to finally have some hands on experience. My outside interests include dance, reading and volunteering at the hospital.

Osman Mahamud

My name is Osman Mahamud and I am currently entering my third year at the University of Toronto. I have been fortunate enough to be given an opportunity to work in the Tackett Lab, and with this I have been able to continue studying psychology. Introduction to Psychology (PSY100) opened my eyes but there is much more to be learned. Working in the Tackett Lab I hope to learn more about child psychology and expand my knowledge in the research aspect of things also. Lastly, on my spare time I enjoy playing basketball, soccer, volunteering and most of all spending time with friends and family.

Abi Muere

I have recently graduated from U of T with an Honours Bachelor of Sciences in Psychology. This will be my first year in Professor Tackett's lab as a research assistant. I am looking forward to learning more about the field of childhood psychology and gaining clinical research experience. My research interests include psychopathy, its treatments, and preventative factors. In the future I hope to go to graduate school to study clinical psychology. In my spare time I enjoy reading, traveling to Europe, playing the guitar, and spending time with friends and family.

Jennifer Newman

I recently gradated from the University of Western Ontario with a Bachelors Degree in Health Sciences and Psychology. This is my first year as a non-degree student at the University of Toronto and my first year as a member of the Tackett Lab. Personality traits and individual differences as predictors of psychopathology is an area of Psychology that I am especially interested in. I hope to attend graduate school in the near future to study clinical psychology and I am sure my time in the Tackett Lab will better prepare me for this experience.

Chelsea Paulo

My name is Chelsea and I am taking part in the Tackett lab through the Research Opportunity program. I am entering my second year at U of T, doing a double major in Psychology and Human Biology. I have always been passionate about working with children, and with a newfound interest in the study of the mind and human development, am very excited to be a part of this lab, which specializes in child psychology. I look forward to being a part of a research team and developing skills on how to do research, especially in a lab setting. I plan to pursue a career in the medical field and hope to go to medical school upon completion of my undergrad. In my spare time I volunteer at Sick kids hospital, enjoy shopping, hanging out with friends, trying out new restaurants, and travelling.

Kowchiga Ratnasingam

I am a third year undergraduate student at the University if Toronto majoring in Human Biology, minoring in Bioethics (Philosophy stream) and Psychology. I was first drawn to Psychology because of its importance in understanding medical pathology. I am now testing the waters with other aspects of the field, particularly the Philosophy of Psychology and Psychoanalysis. Through my participation in the Personality Across Development Lab, I hope to gain insight into research methods and a perspective into developmental psychology; beyond the theory we learn in school. I know it will be a great learning experience. My interests include playing piano, creative writing, and killing time with friends.

Shikta Shimana

My name is Shikta, and I am going into my second year at U of T, planning to do a double major in psychology and neuroscience. I will be helping out in this lab for the Research Opportunity Program, which I am really excited about. Within the field of psychology, developmental and abnormal psychology particularly interest me, and I hope to eventually become a psychiatrist or clinical psychologist. In my free time, I love to read books, spend time with family, draw, play the bass, and cook.

Essie Sutton

My name is Essie and this will be my first year working as a research assistant in the personality across development lab. I graduated last spring from McGill University with a BA and psychology specialization. My past experiences working with children has led to my interest in child development and psychopathology. In the future I hope to pursue graduate studies in the area of child clinical psychology. Outside of the lab I work in a social skills program at a centre for children with autism spectrum disorder. In my spare time I enjoy playing tennis, cooking, and seeing movies with friends.

Victor Swift

I am a fourth year student at U of T working to complete a double major in philosophy and psychology. In studying philosophy I have developed a keen interest in unravelling problems and in psychology I have platform to do so. My primary interest in psychology is the developmental stream, chiefly focusing on the interaction between cognitive development and education, though I get excited about a variety of other topics in psychology including, but not restricted to, clinical psychology, environmental psychology, Buddhism and psychology, and perception. Dr. Tackett's investigation of the impact of personality on development, in a longitudinal manner, yields fascinating insight into the processes of the developing mind and I couldn't miss the opportunity to partake in said research. In my spare time I enjoy writing and performing music, hiking, running and playing chess.

Hailey Urquhart

I am a second year student at U of T and am currently majoring in psychology and minoring in sociology as well as urban studies. I am particularly interested in the development of personality in childhood and love working with children, which is why I became interested in participating in the Tackett Lab. I am also interested in the field of abnormal psychology and indicators of mental disorder in childhood. I plan to pursue a job as a psychiatrist in the future. I enjoy spending time with friends and family, photography, and seeing movies in my spare time.

Victoria Zamperoni

I am participating in the Tackett Lab as part of the Research Opportunity Program, and I am going into my 2nd year of studies at University of Toronto, hoping to major in Psychology and Global Health. I am excited to be a part of the Tackett Lab and hope to continue studying psychology, specifically child psychology, in graduate school, possibly pursuing a career as a psychiatrist. In my spare time I enjoy reading, spending time with friends and family, and horseback riding.