TEMPO Lab Fall 2023
Laura Cirelli, PhD
Principal Investigator Dr. Cirelli received her PhD in psychology from McMaster University. She began directing the TEMPO lab at the University of Toronto, Scarborough in 2018. Her previous research explored how musical activities promote infant prosociality, and how parental song regulates both parent and infant emotional responses. These findings have been featured on David Suzuki’s “The Nature of Things” and National Public Radio’s “Hidden Brain.” |
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Angela Dou PhD Candidate Angela is a second-year PhD student in experimental psychology at the University of Toronto Scarborough. Her research interests focus on the intersection between developmental psychology and music engagement among young children. She is especially interested in how parental cues affect song familiarity, and in turn how song recognition affects attentive, emotional, and kinetic expression in infancy. Outside of the lab, Angela enjoys playing the piano, swimming, and watching sci-fi movies. |
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Matt Eitel, MSc Lab Coordinator Matt completed his MSc in the Music, Mind and Brain program at Goldsmiths, University of London, UK. His main research interests focus on the perception of chord progressions and how we interpret harmonic content in music. In his spare time, Matt enjoys playing the classical guitar, reading about history, and pondering anything related to music theory. |
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Rashmi de Silva Wijeyeratne Thesis Student Rashmi is a fourth year at UTSC specializing in Psychology with Co-op. She is a thesis and work-study student at the TEMPO Lab. Her hobbies include singing, dancing, performing in musical theatre & theatre productions, travelling, hiking, babysitting, being an emergency medical responder, photography and skating. While an avid lover of the Arts, she is in pursuit of a career within the field of Healthcare which she is extremely passionate about. |
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Alexander Withers Research Assistant Alexander is currently a third-year student at the University of Toronto (Scarborough) specializing in Mental Health Studies with a Minor in Literature and Film Studies. He is interested in better understanding the complexities of cognitive development and mental health in children and adolescents. In his free time, Alexander enjoys watching movies, playing basketball, and listening to podcasts. |
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Alecsandra Usachov Thesis StudentAlecsandra is an undergraduate student at UTSC pursing a specialist degree in psychology and a minor in music and culture. Upon her graduation in 2023, she is interested in pursuing a master’s degree in clinical psychology. Her research interests include musical cognition and affective mind tasks in children. She is currently completing her undergraduate thesis at the TEMPO lab and working alongside the cognitive neuropsychology laboratory on campus as a lab manager. |
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Hayah Siddiqui Project StudentHayah is a second-year student pursuing the Specialist Mental Health Studies program. In the future, she wishes to learn more about the experiences of children with disabilities in order to support their unique needs and challenges. In her free time, she loves to read psychological thrillers, watch true crime, and hang out with friends! |
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Kaynaat Abrar Project StudentKaynaat is a second-year student completing her BSc pursuing Psychological and Health Sciences at the University of Toronto. She is interested in how different exposures to music play a role in the development of children. She enjoys working with young children and is passionate about creating safe spaces for diverse communities. Aside from academics, Kaynaat enjoys making jewelry, listening to music, and participating in outdoor activities. |
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Julia Lo Project StudentJulia is a fifth-year student completing her undergraduate degree in Neuroscience, Psychology and Music & Culture. She is curious about how music may impact family dynamics and prosociality, particularly through a lens of culture. She is also interested in neuroimaging and hopes to further explore these topics in future studies. Outside of the lab, Julia loves to play the piano, sing in choir, and try new things! |
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Grace Qiu Research StudentGrace is in her third-year at the University of Toronto completing the Music Education Specialist Program and a certificate in Music and Health. She aspires to pursue graduate studies in Occupational Therapy with an emphasis on assisting musicians and children. In addition to learning, Grace enjoys running in nature, writing cards to friends, and trying a variety of London Fogs at new cafes. |
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Tasnim Anzar Research AssistantTasnim is a 4th year Psychology major with minors in Philosophy and Film Studies. She is interested in bridging her chosen fields through music and understanding its emotional, social, and cognitive effects from an early age. She loves to sing, play the guitar, watch movies, and participate in new hobbies outside of academics and work! |
Past Members
Haley Kragness, Post-doc Fellow 2019-2022
Catherine Tan, Research Assistant, Thesis Student 2021-2023
Jerlene Pandian, Research Assistant 2023
Brianna Wedderburn, Research Assistant 2022-2023
Makeda Ralph, Research Assistant 2023
Nekeisha Jean-Baptiste, Research Assistant 2021-2023
David Wang, Research Assistant 2022-2023
Areeba Qureshi, Research Assistant 2020-2022
Irene Guerrero, Research Assistant 2021-2022
Aghilan Aiyadurai, Research Assistant 2021-2022
Emma Chan, Volunteer 2021-2022
Arooba Mansoor, Thesis Student 2021-2022
Faith Anantharajan, Thesis Student 2021-2022
Farhat Ullah, Project Student 2020-2021
Parjanya Parikh, Project Student 2020-2021
Hanqi Chen, Project Student 2020-2021
Jeffnie Fernando, Project Student 2020-2021
Anusha Dath, Research Assistant 2020-2021
Mikayla Samuel, Lab Coordinator 2020, Research Assistant 2021
Idila Yogeswaran, Research Assistant 2019-2021
Marisa Oliveros, Research Assistant 2019-2021
Sydney Chiu, Research Assistant 2020-2021
Fatima Ali, Research Assistant 2020
Calpanaa Jegatheeswaran, Project Student 2019-2020
Deepika Elango, Lab Manager 2018-2019
Ella Lawrence, Research Assistant 2018-2019
Esther Chow, Summer Intern 2020
Heala Maudoodi, Project Student 2019-2020
Joey Ball, Summer Intern 2020
Julia Santiago, Project Student 2019-2020, Research Assistant Summer 2019
Kevin Naismith, Volunteer 2019
Labeeb Talukder
Lanyi Lin, Lab Coordinator 2019-2020
Laiba Rizwan
Lucy Anderson, Summer Intern 2020
Mishal Dar
Neena Jegandran, Thesis Student 2019-2020
Rachel Moses, Summer Intern 2020
Rachel Peiris, Thesis Student 2019-2020, Project Student 2018-2019
Saghar Baqizada, Research Assistant 2018-2020
Sangavi Sivananthan
Sankeetha Kathir, Project Student 2020
Shreya Jha
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2018