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, MSc

    PhD student (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 contemporary dance, yoga, writing kids’ lit, hugging trees, and her Highland Lynx kittens Dune and Fossil.

  • 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.

Laboratory Staff

  • Hannah Harrison, BA (Hons)

    Laboratory Coordinator | CV

  • Hannah (she/her) is a recent graduate of Queen’s University, where she majored in Psychology and minored in Sociology. She aspires to become a criminal lawyer and is particularly interested in human sexuality, sexual offending, and the intersection of psychology and law. Her research interests include early-onset disorders among justice-involved youth, sexual disorders and offending, and the impact of trauma on the development of psychotic disorders. Hannah is passionate about clinical psychology and hopes to apply her understanding of human behaviour and mental health to her future legal career. Beyond her academic and professional pursuits, Hannah is a creative who enjoys reading, travelling, and exploring new local venues with her friends.

Honours Thesis Students

  • Hannah Arsenault

    Honours Student | CV

    Hannah (she/her) is a fourth-year BScH Psychology student completing her Honours Thesis in the SAGE Lab. Her research will explore how gender and sexual communication relate to the fulfillment of sexual desires, sexual pleasure, and engagement in kinky sex. She is very passionate about mental and sexual health advocacy, and is especially interested in the assessment and treatment of various mental health disorders. After completing her Bachelor’s Degree, she plans to pursue graduate training in clinical psychology. In her free time, Hannah enjoys going on walks or spending time with family and friends.

  • Jaime Crymble

    Honours Student | CV

    Jaime (she/her) is a fourth-year BScH Psychology student completing her Honour’s Thesis in the SAGE Lab. Her research primarily focuses on self-relevancy effects in the sexual self and contributions from gender and valence structures to encoding processes. She is passionate about advocacy for marginalized groups in sex research and increasing accessibility of sexual health resources. After completion of her undergraduate degree, Jaime plans to pursue higher education in counselling psychology or clinical programs! Outside of the lab, she enjoys reading and crocheting!

Directed Lab Students & Volunteers

  • Stephanie Main

    Volunteer & Research Assistant | 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.

  • Grace Phinney

    Volunteer & Research Assistant | 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. 

  • Kathleen Gaudio, BA

    Volunteer | CV

    Kathleen (she/her) is a graduating Master’s student in Experimental Medicine at McGill University. She completed her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, and her graduate research focused on the mental health and wellbeing of kidney transplant recipients. She is now pursuing research in sex psychology, with interests in sexual communication, sexual self-esteem, sexual desire, sexual shame, and sexual trauma. She has a particular interest in understanding sexual and relationship experiences among bisexual and pansexual individuals, including experiences of biphobia, sexualization, and sexual shame, as well as their implications for sexual and relationship functioning. Outside of the lab, Kathleen loves to travel responsibly, read romance novels, and volunteer at animal shelters whenever she can.

  • Pippa Bryan, BA (Hons)

    Volunteer | CV

    Pippa (she/her) is a fifth-year BScH Psychology student who completed her Honours undergraduate thesis in the SageLab. Her research examined how university-aged individuals conceptualized kink with a focus on sexual fantasy and communication. Pippa will be volunteering in the lab by helping with social media and various projects. 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.

  • Abby Bacon, BA (Hons)

    Volunteer | CV

    Abby (she/her) completed her Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Psychology at Queen’s University, where she completed an undergraduate thesis project examining vaginismus through the fear-avoidance model. In the SageLab, Abby has been involved in research examining sexual well-being following experiences of sexual violence. She has a strong interest in sexual health research and advocacy, particularly the impacts of sexual violence as well as women’s sexual dysfunction, such as pain disorders. Abby is excited to continue as a member of the SageLab and pursue her interests in sexual health research. In her free time, she enjoys trying new restaurants, baking, and spending time with friends.

  • Paige Koccoris

    Volunteer | CV

    Paige (she/her) is a third-year undergraduate student at Queen’s University pursuing a BSc (Honours) in Psychology with a minor in Health Studies. She has research experience at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), contributing to mental health research, program evaluation, and knowledge translation. Paige is particularly interested in Clinical Psychology and women’s mental health, with a long-term goal of becoming a Clinical Psychologist and combining clinical practice with research and advocacy. She is excited to join the SAGE Lab to gain hands-on research experience and strengthen her skills in working with research participants. Outside of academics, Paige enjoys reading Greek and ancient mythology, photography, and creating accessible social media content about psychology and mental health.

  • Cynthia Lu

    Volunteer | CV

    Cynthia (she/her) is a fourth-year undergraduate student majoring in Life Sciences and Psychology. Her research interests lie at the intersection of neuroscience, clinical psychology, and public health, with a particular interest in individual differences in mental health and well-being. She is passionate about mental health advocacy, challenging stigma, and improving health and well-being through research and healthcare. Outside of academics, she enjoys pottery, painting, photography, spending time in nature, and travelling.

  • Emma Frigault

    Volunteer | CV

    Emma (she/her) is a fifth-year undergraduate student majoring in psychology. With a passion for clinical psychology and a keen interest in sexual health, she is excited to further develop her knowledge and research skills through her contributions to the lab and the broader sexual health research community. Her research interests involve the impact of sexual communication on various sexual outcomes. Outside of the lab, you can find her spending time with family and friends, playing with her dogs, or traveling!

  • Adela Marin

    Volunteer | CV

    Adela (she/her) is a fifth-year undergraduate student at Queen’s University majoring in Psychology. Her research interests are broad, but include sexual health and well-being, accessibility and disability, diversity, and inclusive clinical psychology research. She is excited to be part of the lab and looks forward to gaining additional experience as a research assistant. Outside of the lab, she enjoys reading, crocheting, and walking her dog.

  • Sarah Cui

    Volunteer | CV

    Sarah (she/her) is a second-year undergraduate student majoring in Health Sciences. Her research interests include the intersection between gender and sexual minorities and sexual health, particularly in long-term sexual relationships. Sarah is pursuing a career in medicine in her goal to become a pediatric oncologist and wishes to learn more on sexual health to inform her future medical practices. In her free time, she enjoys playing her saxophone with her band Wynd, crocheting, and playing rhythm video games. 

  • Rachel Lau

    Rachel (she/her) is currently in her third year of health sciences at Queen's. She is interested in sexuality and gender research, especially on women's health and equity-related areas. She is hoping to get involved in more research related to stereotype and sexual wellbeing in the future in contexts of advocacy. In her free time, she likes to read Substack, make matcha, and watch movies with family and friends!