Research Team

We specialize in pediatric and young adult health research exploring psychosocial adjustment and coping with chronic medical conditions.

Anissa Barnes

Psychology Graduate Student in the Child Clinical Program

Anissa is a PhD-level graduate student in the Child Clinical Psychology program at the University of Windsor. She received her bachelor’s degree in Psychology at the University of Winnipeg and will be receiving her master’s degree in Clinical Psychology at the University of Windsor. She is interested in studying the effects of psychological interventions on the wellbeing of pediatric patients and their families.

Alana Gyemi

Psychology Graduate Student in the Child Clinical Program

Alana is a Masters-level graduate student in Clinical Psychology at the University of Windsor in the Child Clinical track. She received her bachelors’ degrees from the University of Western and the University of Windsor in Biology and Psychology, respectively. She is interested in studying applied behavioural therapy and the effects of positive psychology on the health of pediatric patients. Her Master’s Thesis is entitled, “Factors influencing post-traumatic growth in young adults with chronic medical illness.”

Melissa Mijanovski

Psychology Graduate Student in the Child Clinical Program

Melissa is a Masters-level graduate student in Child Clinical Psychology at the University of Windsor. She received her bachelor’s degree from York University in Psychology and her master’s degree from the University of Toronto in Medical Science, where she specialized in palliative and supportive care across the life course. She is interested in pediatric health psychology, specifically psychosocial adaption to chronic and life-threatening health conditions in children and their families, and how individual characteristics influence one’s ability to adapt to living with a serious health condition.

Brianna Grandi

Undergraduate Integrative Biology (BCN) Thesis Student

Brianna is a 4th year BCN major at the University of Windsor, who is interested in how youth and their families cope with the diagnosis of various medical conditions. After completing her degree, she plans to go to medical school to become a pediatrician.

Jonathan Agapito

Undergraduate Psychology Honour’s Thesis Student

Jonathan Agapito is a 4th year Psychology BA (H) with Thesis student at the University of Windsor. He is interested in health psychology with a particular focus on the effects of stress and medical conditions on psychological and physiological well-being. After completing his undergraduate degree, Jonathan intends on obtaining his Master’s degree and a PhD in Clinical Psychology.

Emilia Slijepcevic

Post-Baccalaureate Research Assistant

Emilia is a recent graduate of the Behaviour, Cognition and Neuroscience program at the University of Windsor. During the 2021-2022 academic year, Emilia worked under the supervision of Dr. Kichler to complete her undergraduate Honour’s Thesis in the Department of Psychology. Emilia’s undergraduate research project assessed how young adults utilize eye care services, which included investigating factors that may be influencing their regular attendance to these services. During the 2022-2023 academic year, Emilia will be involved in several different lab projects, such as mentoring Dr. Kichler’s current Honour’s Thesis students.


Krista Lucier

Graduate Research Assistant (Psychology Graduate Student in the Applied Social Psychology Program)

Krista is in her first year of the Applied Social Psychology PhD program. She completed her MA in Applied Social Psychology at the University of Windsor, and her undergraduate degree in Psychology and Family Studies at Western University (Brescia University College). Her research interests include positive psychology, wellness, self-care, and coping strategies, and is passionate about knowledge translation (i.e., taking research on a subject and turning it into something palatable for those outside the field of psychology). She will be continuing to work on the “Supporting the Transition to Adulthood with Type 1 Diabetes in a University Setting” study in the lab.

Kenzie Tapp

Graduate Research Assistant (Psychology Graduate Student in the Child Clinical Psychology Program)

Kenzie is in her first year as a Masters-level graduate student currently studying child clinical psychology at the University of Windsor. She completed her degree in the BA (H) Forensics and Psychology with Thesis program at the University of Windsor. Her research interests include resiliency and quality of life in individuals with chronic illnesses, healthcare experiences, and body image, through the use of feminist frameworks and qualitative methodology. Kenzie is currently a part of the “Group Education Trial to Improve Transition for Parents of Adolescents with T1D: A pilot randomized controlled, superiority trial (GET-IT for Parents)” study in the lab.  

Jasmine Kobrosli

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Jasmine Kobrosli is a 5th-year student in the BA (H) Psychology with Thesis program at the University of Windsor. Her research interests include the effects of psychological interventions on chronic health conditions with a focus on inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and the impact of chronic health conditions on psychological wellness. Once Jasmine completes her undergraduate degree, she plans on obtaining a Master’s degree and a PhD in Clinical Psychology.

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