Lab Coordinator
Giuliana Mascia, B.A.
Giuliana completed her Bachelor of Arts at the University of Guelph with a major in Honours Psychology and a minor in Criminal Justice and Public Policy. She is currently working on her honour’s thesis under the supervision of Dr. Deborah Powell at the University.
Giuliana has experience in Dr. Leanne Son Hing’s lab as a research assistant and is the lab coordinator of the JEDI Lab. She is eager to continue developing her research skills and knowledge in the field of I-O psychology. She is passionate about gender equality, especially within the workplace, and is hoping to continue doing research that has the chance to bring about meaningful changes.
Outside of research, Giuliana enjoys travelling, spending time with family and friends, and listening to music.
Graduate Students
Fiona Burns-Hemingway, B.Sc.
After completing a Bachelor of Science with honours in Psychology and a minor in Economics at Dalhousie University, Fiona joined the JEDI Lab as an I/O Psychology MA candidate.
While her undergraduate honours thesis was rooted in cognitive psychology, she studied an applied phenomenon – stimulus-response compatibility and the Mini Countryman vehicle – that fostered her interest in ergonomics. As such, Fiona is eager to integrate her passions for psychology and economics to make the workplace a more comfortable and efficient environment for everyone. She hopes to ultimately apply this knowledge to corporate contexts as an Organizational Consultant.
Outside of her academic and professional endeavours, Fiona enjoys reading, baking, and canoe-tripping.
Tianzi Dou, B.Sc.
Tianzi Dou is currently pursuing her Master’s degree in Industrial-Organizational Psychology at the University of Guelph. Previously, she obtained her Honours Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Alberta.
Her master’s thesis focuses on exploring how to enhance the employability of socioeconomically disadvantaged job candidates through strength-based approaches and the consideration of meritocratic factors. The goal is to ensure that the potential of applicants can be recognized with less bias.
Building on her prior research experience, Tianzi is also examining issues related to acculturation and intercultural communication. With her ongoing training in IO psychology, she also hopes to address the cultural challenges faced by organizations, particularly those concerning diverse workforces and organizational justice.
As one of the few international graduate students in the program, Tianzi reflects on her experience and brings unique perspectives to research and consulting work.
Beyond her research, Tianzi is committed to serving the community by helping newcomers with linguistic and cultural barriers. In her spare time, she enjoys reading literature, practicing creative writing, making travel guides, and exploring nature.
Amara Robbins, B.A.
Amara Robbins is a MA student in the Industrial-Organizational Psychology program at the University of Guelph. Her current research focuses on hiring bias towards candidates with a criminal record, and whether this bias can be mitigated. The goal is to foster more equitable selection and recruitment procedures.
Amara completed her Bachelor of Arts Honours with a major in Psychology at the University of Guelph. Before embarking on her MA journey, Amara worked in several research labs, contributing to projects in the fields of industrial-organizational psychology, clinical psychology, and forensic psychiatry.
In addition to her academics, Amara serves as a consultant at Organization and Management Solutions (OMS), collaborating with public organizations to facilitate small-group sessions on structured interview training.
Beyond her professional engagements, Amara enjoys travelling, spending time with her family, and listening to podcasts.
Sally Xie, B.Sc.
Sally Xie is a MA student in the Industrial-Organizational Psychology program at the University of Guelph. Prior to this, Sally earned her Honours Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a minor in Biology at the University of Waterloo. Sally’s research interests include investigating prejudice, stereotyping, exploring individual experiences of inequality, and intergroup dynamics.
Currently, Sally’s master’s thesis is investigating individual beliefs about inequality and its influence on admissions decisions.
Sally has previous research examining benevolent stereotypes (i.e., model minority stereotype).
Outside of research, Sally embeds herself in her community and spends her time volunteering for not-for-profit organizations. In Sally’s spare time, she loves to knit and explore as much of the world as she can!
Undergraduate Students
Nicholas Maharaj
Nicholas is currently completing a Bachelor of Arts Honours Psychology degree at the University of Guelph.
Nicholas is excited to pursue his honours thesis at the JEDI lab, under the supervision of Dr. Son Hing. In addition to a number of research topics, he is eager to learn more about the research process, and the nuances involved in conducting a study. He is interested in understanding more how an individual’s traits interact with different organizational structures. He hopes that his research will contribute to more equitable hiring processes, and more positive workplace climates.
In the future, Nicholas hopes to pursue his master’s degree, in order to better understand and address the psychological obstacles that we face in everyday life.
Outside of his research, Nicholas spends his time socializing with friends and family. He enjoys hiking, tabletop games, and model painting.
Grace Manning
Grace is in her third year as a Bachelor of Arts Honours Psychology student with a minor in Sex, Gender, and Social Change.
Grace is new to Dr. Son Hing’s lab, volunteering as an experiential learning student she is beginning her journey in research and is enthusiastic to work in the JEDI Lab. She is excited for the new experience she will learn with her lab team and to grow her research skills as a Psychology student.
Grace is continuing to pursue her undergraduate degree and is hoping to begin work on her honours thesis where she can combine her academic focus in Psychology with her passion for gender equity and social change.
Outside of research, Grace enjoys reading, writing, and almost anything outdoors.
