Meet our team

Meet our Team

Our research group includes talented students, staff, and faculty, working together on a range of projects in the roles of research assistants, project managers, co-investigators, and principal investigators.


Our Director

Dr. Kaitlyn McLachlan, C. Psych. (she/her)

Dr. McLachlan is an Associate Professor in the Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology (CCAP) program in Psychology at the University of Guelph. She is a member of the College of Psychologists of Ontario. She is also a Research Lead in Justice with the Canada FASD Research Network. Outside of the lab Kaitlyn is a busy mom and loves to run and adventure.

Graduate Lab Members

Martina Faitakis, MSc

Martina is a MA student in the PLAN lab and completed a Master of Science in Applied Psychology at Saint Mary’s University in Halifax. In the past she has worked on research in the areas of intimate partner violence, sexual offending against children, and risk assessment. She hopes to incorporate her interests in risk assessment/screening tools with youth with neurodevelopmental disorders who are involved in the criminal justice system. In her free time Martina enjoys working out, going on hikes, and Greek dancing. She also enjoys the odd true crime docu-series or podcast.  

Sarah Moss, MSc

Sarah is a MA student in the PLAN lab. Her research and clinical interests include understanding the sexual offending trajectories for vulnerable individuals who are at-risk of becoming or remaining involved within the criminal justice system. Recently, this has evolved to include examining how sexuality is understood in individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders, including fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD). She is on lifelong journey to identify and maintain hobbies.

Melissa Grubb, MA

Melissa is a PhD student in the PLAN Lab. Her research interests include understanding the cognitive abilities and academic performance of youth with neurodevelopmental disorders, including fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD). She is particularly interested in the study of eye movement control and how oculomotor abnormalities may be used as a marker for identifying neurodevelopmental impairment. Melissa is also passionate about working clinically with children and adolescents with neurodevelopmental disorders. Outside of the lab, Melissa enjoys playing board games and aspires to spend more time rock climbing and canoeing.

Photo of Chantel Ritter.

Chantel Ritter, MSc (She/Hers)

Chantel is a PhD student in the PLAN lab, who completed her Master of Science in School and Applied Child Psychology at the University of Calgary. Chantel’s research interests include the mental health and well-being of children and adolescents with neurodevelopmental disorders, with particular focus in the criminal justice system context. Chantel is passionate about research and clinical practice with children and youth that have experienced trauma, and/or have neurodevelopmental disorders, and complex forensic or mental health or needs. Outside of the lab, Chantel enjoys plants, hiking, crafting, and spending time with loved ones.

Image of Katelyn Mullally

Katelyn Mullally, MA (She/Hers)

Katelyn is a PhD student in the PLAN Lab. Katelyn’s research interests include legal decision making, understanding youth’s psycholegal abilities, and understanding risk factors for adverse outcomes among justice-involved youth, including youth with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD). Katelyn is also passionate about working clinically with justice-involved youth. Outside of the lab, Katelyn enjoys crafting, taking care of her plants, and playing board games.

Undergraduate Lab Members

Stay tuned!

Research Staff

Photo of Bianka Dunleavy.

Bianka Dunleavy, BA

Bianka is a research assistant for the PLAN lab. Her research interests include understanding how disability stereotypes and perceptions impact legal decision-making for individuals with FASD. She aspires to work in the legal field incorporating trauma and disability informed care to individuals involved in the criminal justice system. Outside of work, Bianka enjoys playing board games!

Alumni

Undergraduates

Ariella Golden

Kimberley Tirkalas

Emma Jewell

Rebecca Gillett

Lucinda Barrett

Dalia Ahmed

Graduate Students

Coming Soon!

Interested in learning more about our team or potentially joining the lab?



Copyright © 2022 Dr. Kaitlyn McLachlan. All Rights Reserved.