Join The Team

Interested in joining our research lab?

Please fill out this form to tell us more about yourself.

Meet Dr. Proietti!

My name is Valentina Proietti, my main teaching interests include developmental psychology (from infancy to old age) and clinical psychology (psychological disorders and developmental psychopathology).

My research interests focus on developmental psychology and social perception, with emphasis on face processing abilities across the lifespan, from infancy to old age.

Specifically some of my work investigates:

Face Recognition: How we recognize faces, including how our ability to process faces from different age and ethnic groups changes with experience.
Emotion/Trait Perception: How we develop the ability to interpret and process emotional expressions and information about individual traits from facial cues.
Social Prejudice and Dehumanization: How we perceive others as more or less human, and how this relates to social biases based on age, gender, and ethnicity.

I enjoy working with students on the topics mentioned above, but I also welcome students with a broader interest in social perception, social and cognitive development, or various clinical disorders (e.g., autism, dementia).

Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my husband, who is also my colleague, our three children, and our puppy. Together, we love to explore nature, cook, bake, and simply enjoy life as a family.

Meet our lab team!

Kaitlyn Doerksen

Research Assistant

I have recently finished my Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology (Hons) at the University of the Fraser Valley. I hope to pursue my passion for conducting meaningful research and supporting children and families by completing graduate studies in Clinical Child Psychology or School Psychology in the future. Outside of the lab, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, reading, and travelling.

Brooke Heron

Honours Thesis Student

I am a fifth-year Bachelor of Arts student with a major in psychology and a minor in global development studies. After completing my undergraduate degree, I intend on completing a master's degree in counselling psychology. Outside the lab, I enjoy spending time with my friends and family, travelling and going to the beach.

Tamara Cleverdon

Lab Coordinator
& Research Assistant

I am a third-year psychology major with a passion for research. I plan to finish my bachelor's with honours, go on to get my PhD in clinical psychology and then continue to pursue research as a clinical psychologist. Outside the lab, I enjoy spending time with my two children and husband, travelling to new places and playing D&D.

Alyssa Doerksen

Directed Studies Student

I am a fourth-year Bachelor of Arts student, majoring in psychology. Following the completion of my Bachelor of Arts degree, I plan to pursue graduate studies in Clinical Psychology and become a clinical child psychologist. Outside of the lab, I enjoy baking, journaling, and spending time outdoors.

Lexi van Hunenstijn

Lab Coordinator & Research Assistant

I am currently in my fourth year, majoring in psychology. After finishing my BA with honours, I plan to complete a Masters degree and PhD to pursue a research career in psychology. I am particularly interested in cognitive and neuropsychological research and hope to contribute to these fields in the future. When I'm not in the lab, I enjoy spending time with my cats and playing video games with my boyfriend.

Jada Bring

Directed Studies Student

I am currently a third-year psychology student at University of the Fraser Valley. After volunteering with older adults and learning about research, I was inspired to gain hands-on experience. I am planning to attend graduate school next year to obtain my masters in speech therapy. Outside of the lab, I enjoy spending quality time with friends and family, going for walks, and reading!

Jack Foster

Research Assistant

I am a fifth-year student doing a psychology major. My overall aspirations would be to become a clinical psychologist. Outside the lab, I enjoy hiking, biking and drawing digital art.

Lana Marinculic Sijan

Research Assistant

I am a fourth-year student majoring in psychology. My goal is to become a clinical psychologist. Outside the lab, I like to read poetry and bake.

Jessica Pike

Research Assistant

I am a 5th year psychology major with a passion for research and assessment. Upon completion of my undergraduate degree, I hope to pursue a Master's degree in school psychology or Gerontology and possibly a PhD in the future. Outside the lab, I love swimming, adventures with family and friends, crochet, and music.