Laboratory Director

Meredith L. Chivers, PhD, CPsych

Principal Investigator | CV

Dr. Meredith L. Chivers is a Professor in Psychology, Queen’s National Scholar, Director of the Sexuality and Gender Laboratory (Sagelab), and a Member of the Centre for Neuroscience at Queen’s University (Kingston, Canada).  She received her PhD in clinical psychology from Northwestern University in 2003, was trained in sexual psychophysiology at the Kinsey Institute at Indiana University, and completed her clinical residency and post-doctoral fellowships at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH)/University of Toronto. Dr. Chivers served as President for the International Academy of Sex Research in 2023, is a registered Psychologist, and serves on the editorial boards for many academic sexuality research journals, including the Archives of Sexual Behavior and the Journal of Sex Research. Dr. Chivers is an international leader in sexual response and attraction research. She has published over 100 articles, won several awards for her foundational science, and SageLab research has been widely covered by international media such as the New York Times, and featured in numerous PBS, CBC, and BBC documentary and television programs. Off campus, Meredith can be found in the saddle or hiking with her dogs in one of the many beautiful conservation areas that surround Kingston.

Graduate Students

  • Samantha Maki, MSc

    PhD student (Social Psychology) | CV

    Samantha (she/they) is a PhD student in the Social-Personality Psychology program. Samantha recently graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Psychology from the University of British Columbia Okanagan where she researched genital self-image, pornography, vulva image, social/sexual scripts, gender, kink, and communication/consent. Samantha hopes to continue researching important questions about gender, sexual minorities, kink communities, and sexual health inequity. She plans to use her passion for advocacy, comprehensive sex education, and accessible knowledge translation to inform future policy changes and impact the general popualtion. When Samantha is not working, she spends her time hiking, camping, and cuddling her two extremely adorable and active dogs (Rory and Padfoot).

  • Jessica Johnson, MSc

    PhD student (Social Psychology) | CV

    Born and raised in St. Catharine’s, Ontario, Jessica (she/her) graduated from Brock University with a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Psychology and from Trent University with a Master of Science in Social Psychology. Jessica’s research interests include sexual well-being, psychological well-being, sexual dysfunction, performance anxiety, identity formation, and sexual communication within the BDSM/kink community. Jessica hopes to use her research to fight discrimination against kink communities, foster well-being for practitioners, and apply specific skills and values from the BDSM community to sexual education curricula to improve assertiveness, self-esteem, and healthy sexual functioning for all. When Jessica is not in the lab, she is often performing in and/or directing local musical theatre, discovering new wineries to add to her already overflowing wine collection, or trying new board games at local cafes with friends.

  • Natasha Zippan, BA

    MSc candidate (Clinical Psychology) | CV

    Natasha (she/her) is a PhD student in the Clinical Psychology program. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (High Distinction) from The University of British Columbia in Psychology and Critical Studies in Sexuality (CSIS), and is working towards a second career as a clinical psychologist specializing in sexual issues. Her research interests include sexual desire, hypersexuality/CSB, paraphilias, and online interventions, with a particular focus on women. Natasha was part of the core development team for eSense, a novel online intervention for female sexual dysfunction. Her other passions include indie film, contemporary dance, yoga, writing kids’ lit, and hugging trees. When not curled up with her Highland Lynx kittens Dune and Fossil, she frequents the local repertory cinema.

  • Carly Bretecher, BSc

    MSc student (Clinical Psychology) | CV

    Carly (she/her) is a Master’s student in the Clinical Psychology program. She completed her Bachelor of Science (Honours) degree in psychology at the University of Manitoba, where she researched topics ranging from gender stereotypes, to dementia, to transcranial magnetic stimulation. Carly has begun a new line of research within the lab involving sexual wellbeing after experiences of sexual violence. Her other research and clinical interests include gender and sexual minority stereotypes, intimate partner violence, sexual trauma, and interventions for sexual dysfunction. Outside of the lab, Carly enjoys running, reading thriller and fantasy novels, and trying new restaurants with friends.

Honours Thesis Students

  • Pippa Bryan

    Honours Student | CV

    Pippa (she/her) is a fourth-year BScH Psychology student doing an Honours undergraduate thesis in the SageLab. Her research will examine how university-aged individuals conceptualize kink with a focus on sexual fantasy and communication. She is passionate about promoting informed, non-judgmental understandings of diverse sexual practices and plans to pursue graduate training in psychology, specializing in sexual health and therapy. Other research interests include alternative relationship styles (e.g., consensual non-monogamy), paraphilic/diverse sexual practices and sexual arousal. Beyond her academic work, Pippa is actively involved with the humane society, where she works with and fosters animals—including her foster-fail cat, Juno. In her free time, she enjoys reading, attending live music events, and exploring local coffee shops in search of the best mocha.

  • Liza Pleshkevich

    Honours Student | CV

    Liza (she/her) is excited to be joining SageLab this year as an Honours thesis student! She will be working on a project that helps answer the broader question of what experiences, contexts, and/or situations are involved in the awareness and/or development of paraphilic interests. Specifically, Liza will be investigating how development of these interests differs across age and gender. Her research interests lie in clinical psychology, with a particular focus on sexual and mental well-being, paraphilias (e.g., sexual sadism, zoophilia, pedophilia, etc.), and forensic psychology. She is especially interested in the assessment and treatment of sexual disorders among offenders. Outside of the lab, Liza enjoys reading, bingeing rom-coms, and spending time with her friends and dogs.

Directed Lab Students & Volunteers

  • Abby Bacon

    Directed Reading Student | CV

    Abby (she/her) is a fourth-year BAH student majoring in Psychology at Queen’s University. She is joining the SageLab this fall as a volunteer Research Assistant and will continue her work in the lab as a Directed Reading student in the winter. Abby has a strong interest in clinical psychology and sexual health, with a particular passion for understanding how sexual trauma affects sexual well-being. Her research interests also include women’s sexual dysfunction, especially pain disorders. She is thrilled to join the SageLab and pursue her interests in sexual health research. In her free time, Abby enjoys exploring the outdoors, baking and spending time with friends!

  • Stephanie Main

    Volunteer & Directed Reading Student | CV

    Stephanie Main (she/her) is a third-year undergraduate student majoring in Psychology and minoring in Health Studies at Queen's University. She is joining the SageLab as a Directed Reading student in the fall semester and as a volunteer Research Assistant in the winter. Stephanie is passionate about clinical and neuropsychology, with a focus on how therapeutic interventions can support sexual well-being. Her research interests include both the psychological and physiological aspects of the sexual response cycle, and she is excited to contribute to a lab that prioritizes this research in an inclusive and diverse environment. Outside of the lab, she enjoys reading, workout classes, and spending time with friends.

  • Hannah Harrison

    Volunteer & Directed Reading Student | CV

    Hannah (she/her) is a fourth-year undergraduate student at Queen’s University, majoring in Psychology and minoring in Sociology. She aspires to become a clinical forensic psychologist, and is extremely interested in human sexuality and sexual disorders. Her areas of research she is passionate about includes, but is not limited to, early-onset disorders among juvenile delinquents, sexual disorders among offenders, and the impact of trauma on developing psychotic disorders. Hannah cares deeply about clinical psychology and furthering her understanding and interests within the field, as well as gaining experience within the Sage Lab. Beyond her academic pursuits, Hannah is a competitive martial arts fighter who enjoys reading, traveling, and checking out new local venues with her dog, Harley.

  • Jaime Crymble

    Volunteer & Directed Reading Student | CV

    Jaime (she/her) is a Directed Reading Student in the lab this fall and volunteer in the winter, supervised by Samantha, to develop and test a novel measure for measuring sexual self-schemas. Her research interests are broad, with a central focus on advocacy for marginalized groups in sex research and increasing accessibility of sexual health resources. Outside of the lab, she enjoys crocheting, listening to music, and playing video games!

  • Tia Veltri

    Directed Reading Student | CV

    Tia (she/her) is a fourth-year BA (Honours) Psychology student who will be joining the SageLab this year as both a Research Assistant and a Directed Reading student. She is excited to contribute to meaningful work in sexuality and gender research, with particular interests in how mental health may influence sexual desire and sexual dysfunction. Her broader career goal is to pursue addictions counselling, where she hopes to develop a comprehensive understanding of diverse populations and strengthen her counselling skills. Outside of academics, she loves spending time in the gym and is passionate about health and fitness.

  • Grace Phinney

    Volunteer & Directed Lab Student | CV

    Grace (she/her) is a fourth-year undergraduate student majoring in Psychology and pursuing a Certificate in Business. With a strong passion for clinical psychology and sexual health, she is excited about contributing to a lab that values inclusivity and acceptance. In her free time, Grace enjoys going to the gym and spending time outdoors. 

  • Veronica Lavallee

    Volunteer | CV

    Veronica (she/her) graduated with a BA Honours in Psychology with a concentration in Forensics from Carleton University in 2023. Since then, she has been involved in many labs gaining research experience to help in her goal of pursuing Clinical Psychology. Her research topics of interest revolve around working with victims of sexual assault and IPV, forensic assessment tools, and minorities in sex research. Recently she has been collaborating on a paper about French minorities and their access to resources following nonconsensual sexual acts with a graduate student at the University of Ottawa. She is very excited to start working in the SageLab this year as a volunteer, and learn from everyone who is involved!

  • Elyse de Vos

    Volunteer | CV

    Elyse (she/her) is a Research Assistant helping out Honours students by reviewing literature and contributing to discussions. Her research interests are centred around the development of paraphilic interests, fetish, and the correlation between BDSM/Kink interests and childhood sexual/non-sexual trauma. Outside of the lab—when not sleeping or working—Elyse likes to spend her time barbecuing for friends, listening/dancing to Flight of the Conchords, perfecting the best Caesar salad recipe, and writing/making art.

  • Aparna Kuchibhatla

    Volunteer

    Aparna (she/her) is a fourth-year medical student at Queen’s University, pursuing her Doctor of Medicine, and continues to be a volunteer Research Assistant in the lab. Her current research interests surround reproductive and cardiovascular health. She is passionate about mentorship, advocacy, and medical education to make healthcare more equitable for patients. Outside the lab, she enjoys playing badminton, reading, traveling, and cooking Indian food!

  • Charlotte Rea

    Volunteer

    Charlotte (she/her) is a fifth-year undergraduate student majoring in biology and psychology. She is excited to be a directed lab student in the Sage Lab this fall. Her research interests include utilizing queer and feminist perspectives in sex and sexuality research. In her free time, she enjoys reading, travelling, and running!