MUN Psychology Students Shine at Science Atlantic Convention   

We are delighted to share the outstanding accomplishments of Memorial University of Newfoundland’s Psychology Honours students at the 2024 Science Atlantic conference held at Saint Mary’s University in Halifax, Nova Scotia. This prestigious event annually brings together top minds from universities across the Atlantic Region, providing a platform for students to present their cutting-edge research and exchange ideas.  

Our students participated in the conference by presenting their research posters and participating in oral presentations, covering a diverse range of topics, demonstrating the breadth and depth of inquiry our students are engaged in.  

Highlights from the Conference

Oral Presentations: 

• Clinical Psychology: Ariel Thomas and Abigail Caines from MUN Grenfell explored topics such as the burden of care in rural healthcare providers and tokenism among Indigenous peoples in Newfoundland and Labrador. 

• Romantic Relationships: Kaley Burry investigated cyber dating violence, shedding light on this emerging issue. 

Substance Use and Health: 

• Mitchell Sheehy from MUN presented research on cannabis use and PTSD-related outcomes in Canadian veterans, while Katie Dicks explored motivations and symbolism in tattoos in response to breast cancer. 

Forensic Psychology: 

• Matthew Caines' research evaluated the impact of different techniques on recall performance in information elicitation scenarios. 

Poster Presentations: Students showcased diverse research across forensic, clinical, ethology, and education domains: 

• Mackenzie Tee examined executive function and binge eating symptoms. 

• Nicole Careen evaluated undergraduate opinions on a pilot informational program. 

• Gabriel Smith explored the relationship between ADHD traits and embodied creativity. 

• Molly Nash investigated perceptions of expert consensus in interrogation practices. 

• Olivia Bishop conducted a meta-analysis on aggressive obsessions in youth with OCD. 

• Nathaniel Wells studied colony attendance patterns in Atlantic Puffins. 

• Emma Rogers researched the effects of gut probiotic supplementation on inflammation in a tau animal model. 

• Antje Kroes evaluated a strengths-based coaching program for medical learners. 

• Ashley Hayward assessed perceptions of cats in animal shelter socialization. 

• Brigitte Smith studied the consequences of adverse childhood experiences on adult romantic relationships. 

• Laura Priddle investigated the role of the MeCP2 nuclear protein in Huntington's disease treatments. 

• Reanna George explored social workers' perspectives on dog companionship for older adults. 

• Emily Mclaggan researched multisensory simulation entrainment in a tau dysfunction model. 

• Katelyn Ryan examined behavioral aspects of a knockout model in adult mice related to Huntington's disease. 

• Brianna King studied the role of Bcl-xl in mitochondrial dynamics during developmental neurogenesis. 

• Molly Feehan explored the relationship between social support and positive mental health in university students with ADHD. 

The conference was not only a platform for presenting research but also facilitated valuable interactions with peers and professionals. Our students attended keynote speeches, participated in workshops, and networked with leading experts in various fields.  

We are incredibly proud of our students’ achievements and their contributions to advancing psychological research. We extend a heartfelt congratulations to all of the students who presented their research and represented our university with distinction. We also want to recognize the good work of our other Honours students who were not able to attend this conference. We look forward to seeing the continued impact of their work in the field of psychology and beyond!