People in the Lab

People in the Lab

Lab Director: Dr. Andrea Howard

Follow me on BlueSky @drandreahoward.bsky.social

Andrea earned her Ph.D. in Developmental Science at the University of Alberta in 2010. She then worked as a Postdoctoral Scholar and Research Assistant Professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. In July, 2013 she joined the Department of Psychology at Carleton University as a Developmental and Quantitative Psychologist. Her research focuses on mental health and health-related behavioural development through adolescence and the transition to adulthood, including alcohol and other substance use, ADHD, and social media.

Click here to view Andrea’s Carleton faculty profile
Click here to view Andrea’s CV (June 2026)
Contact Andrea: andrea.howard@carleton.ca

Graduate Students:

Yulia Gmiro
Ph.D. student, January 2025-present

I earned my bachelor’s and master’s degrees here, at Carleton University, where I applied Self-Determination Theory to investigate the role of mindfulness in goal attainment and the role of basic psychological needs in social media use. My PhD research is centered around the impact of social media use on the (offline) lives of teens and emerging adults. With my research findings, I am looking to unveil what drives young people toward social media use and how they can manage their online environments to facilitate development and mental health. Outside of academia, I like to spend my time knitting, reading, and painting.

Korina Taguba
Ph.D. student, September 2026-present

Korina earned her bachelor’s degree from York University and her master’s degree at Carleton University. Her research interests include understanding how personal, behavioural, and social factors in early developmental years affect substance use later in life, how specific factors can help prevent the progression of substance use to misuse, and data visualization. In her free time, you can find her training for a half-marathon, trying out a new recipe, and watching or reading a horror/thriller story. 

Nikola (Nikki) Mrozowska
M.A. student, September 2026-present

My name is Nikola Mrozowska and I received my bachelor’s degree in Psychology at Bishop’s University, where I researched the relationship between social media use and body image satisfaction in university students. I am currently in my first year of my masters at Carleton, and I am interested in researching digital well-being in adolescence and young adulthood. Specifically, I aim to investigate the online experiences and behaviours that are connected to flourishing on social media. In my free time, I enjoy reading, painting, and walks along the canal.

Research Assistant:

Brazil Turansky
B.A., Carleton University

My experience before coming to the READY lab is varied. I have a B.A. Honours in Humanities form Carleton University, I have worked for several years in the mental health sector as a youth addictions counsellor, and am currently a third-year Psychology student. While working as a youth addictions counsellor I specialized in tech and social media use, furthering my interest in the ways education can help create protective measures for youth online. My interests lie in the application of harm reduction methods for youth technology, social media, and AI use, as well as knowledge mobilization to help bridge the gap between the public and academic spheres. When I can find the time, I enjoy to crochet, hike, read, play video games, and build the occasional computer with my partner.

Lab Alumni:

Former Graduate Students

Alysha Stoakes (M.A., September 2026) Now at Statistics Canada
Korina Kaye Taguba (M.A., August 2025) Ph.D. student in the READY Lab; prev. Research Analyst, ODFASS, Carleton University
Sean Alexander (Ph.D., August 2023) Now Senior Research Associate, University of Calgary
Megan Lamb (Postdoctoral Fellow, 2021-2023) Now Research Operations Specialist, IWK Health, Halifax
Abby Bradley (M.A., April 2023) Fall 2025: MSW student, UBC Okanagan; prev. Research Associate, CHEO
Kendra Echlin (Carnrite) (M.A., August 2022) Now at Statistics Canada
Leigh Dunn (M.A., August 2020) Clinical Psy.D. Graduate, Memorial University of Newfoundland; now at Aulakh Conselling Services, Halifax
Erin Macdonald (M.A., August 2019) Clinical Ph.D. Graduate, McGill University; now at Lifemark Health Group
Tyler Pritchard (M.A., August 2017) Clinical Ph.D. Graduate, University of Guelph; now Faculty member, Memorial University of Newfoundland (Grenfell).
Noelle Strickland (M.A., August 2016) Clinical Ph.D. Graduate, Dalhousie University; now at Genest MacGillivray Psychologists

Former Honours Thesis Students

Since 2013, dozens of students have completed undergraduate research theses in the READY lab. Many have gone on to graduate studies in social work, clinical psychology, counseling psychology, teacher and medical training. Former graduates are now working as registered psychotherapists, clinical psychologists, school psychologists, and in other fields including occupational therapy, human resources, university-based research, marketing, and more. If you’re a former student in the lab, please reach out to let us know how you’re doing!