Dr. Jordana Wynn (she/her)
Jordana is an Assistant Professor in the Psychology Department at the University of Victoria. She completed her PhD with Dr. Jennifer Ryan and Dr. Bradley Buchsbaum in the Psychology Department at the University of Toronto and the Rotman Research Institute at Baycrest and her Postdoctoral Fellowship with Dr. Daniel Schacter in the Psychology Department at Harvard University. Outside of research, Jordana is a lifelong ice cream enthusiast, an aspiring etch-a-sketch artist, and enjoys cooking, hiking with her dog, and planning trips around conferences.
Principal investigator
Graduate students
Yanxin Xu (she/her)
Yanxin completed her MSc and is currently completing her PhD in Psychology (Cognition and Brain Sciences) under the supervision of Dr. Jordana Wynn and Dr. Tarek Amer. She completed her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at Queen's University in Kingston, where she discovered her interest in cognitive neuroscience. For her MSc, Yanxin explored the functional role of eye movements in memory retrieval. In the future, she hopes to conduct research that advances our understanding of visual cognition and ways we could apply scientific research to better people's daily lives. Outside of academics, Yanxin enjoys camping, trying different ethnic foods, and watching standup comedy.
Emiko Osborne (she/her)
Emiko is an MSc student supervised by Dr. Jordana Wynn and Dr. Tarek Amer. She grew up in Banff and Victoria, then completed her Honours BSc in Neuroscience at Western University in Ontario. The projects she is currently working on investigate semantic memory and gaze reinstatement. Broadly, her research interests include memory, learning, perception, future simulation, and how these processes change over the course of development. Outside of the lab, Emiko loves to swim, craft, and play crib!
Anna Lawrance (she/her)
Anna is an MSc student supervised by Dr. Jordana Wynn and Dr. Tarek Amer. Throughout her undergraduate degree at UVic, much of her work aimed to assess the integrity and interconnectivity of associative memory structures in young and older adults. Anna's work examines how controlled retrieval demands modulate access to perceptually detailed episodic memories across the lifespan. She is also investigating how age-related changes in semantic memory impact early visual processing. Outside the lab, you can find her cycling around town, running, or taking copious photos of her flower garden.
Jenna Sonoski (she/her)
Jenna is an MSc student studying Psychology with a focus in Cognition and Brain Science. She completed her Honours BA at the University of Waterloo with a Research-Intensive Specialization and a minor in Studio Fine Arts. Under the supervision of Dr. Jordana Wynn and Dr. Tarek Amer, she is conducting research on memory as it relates to aging. She hopes to learn more about how eye movements support memory, and how memory changes throughout healthy aging. Her current research project is investigating the role of art expertise in memory. Beyond her research, she enjoys oil painting and going for hikes with her dog, Koda.
Honours students
Kate Prosperi (she/her)
Kate is in the final year of her undergraduate degree, majoring in Psychology. Under the supervision of Dr. Tarek Amer and Dr. Jordana Wynn, she is completing an Honours research project this year. Her academic interests include memory, attention, and the application of psychological research to health and medicine. Following graduation, she plans to pursue further studies in medicine. Outside of academics, Kate enjoys reading, trying new baking recipes, and practicing yoga.
Research assistants
Jasmine Brenton (she/her)
Jasmine is a fourth year work study student working with Dr. Jordana Wynn and Dr. Tarek Amer. She is currently pursuing a major in Biology and Psychology with a minor in Music. Jasmine's post undergraduate plans include the pursuit of a career in neuroscience in either a research or medical field. Outside of her studies, you can find Jasmine climbing, skiing, playing guitar, or hanging out with her extensive plant collection.
Maya Meraw (she/her)
Maya is in her first year at the University of Victoria, majoring in Psychology. She completed a BASc in Bio-Mechanical Engineering at Queen’s University, where she focused on designing assistive technology for persons with disabilities. She later supported the Pain Affect and Cognition lab in designing systems for students to monitor their mental health and wellbeing while integrating wellness-related activities. Beyond her studies, Maya is a mural artist, and cut-flower farmer, with a passion for environmental conservation and stewardship!
Alumni
Olivia Leyden
Graduate Student, Speech Language Pathology Graduate Program, University of British Columbia
Amanda McGillivray
Graduate Student, Clinical Psychology Graduate Program, University of Saskatchewan
Antonella Feeny
Graduate Student, Clinical Psychology Graduate Program, Queen's University
Yannick Lapierre
Medical Student, Northern Medical Program, University of British Columbia
Maggie Porterfield
Clinical Administrator, Homewood Health
Collaborators
Dr. Tarek Amer, University of Victoria
Dr. Bradley Buchsbaum, University of Toronto
Dr. Jennifer Ryan, University of Toronto
Dr. Daniel Schacter, Harvard University
Dr. Ruben Van Genugten, Northeastern University
Mascot
Antar
Antar is a third year doctoral student studying the burrowing habits of local squirrels. He completed his undergraduate studies in Egypt and his master's in Vancouver before relocating to Victoria and joining the Wynn lab. Outside of the lab, Antar enjoys long walks, playing with his friends, and napping in the sun.
