2026 Inlight Fellows

Colin is currently a PhD student at the University of Toronto in the Memory and Perception Lab. His research focuses on improving self-identity in social anxiety using memory interventions. Concurrently, he works as a research assistant for Horizon Health Network on the SYNergic@Home clinical trial: a 16-week home-based intervention targeting modifiable risk factors in older adults at-risk for dementia. He began his research career in 2021 at Mount Allison University, examining visuo-haptic integration and multisensory analysis. Since this time, he has gained research experience in a variety of other topics (visual neuroscience, epilepsy, animal learning, and public health). Colin has experience in basic and applied research, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and clinical trials. He is also proficient in several neuroimaging and recording techniques.

K. Colin Li is a PhD student in the social-personality psychology program at the University of Toronto. He studies the interplay between prejudice and well-being at both micro and macro levels. At the micro-level, his work compares ingroup prejudice (i.e., the perpetrator and victim have the same identity) to outgroup prejudice, and examines how this relates to well-being (e.g., meaning in life, belonging, existential isolation). At the macro-level, he uses geospatial data to understand how regional prejudice shapes individual well-being and predicts broader societal outcomes (e.g., policy change, hate crimes). Colin also leads a line of research aimed at improving measurement equity for LGBTIQ+ people by reviewing and validating psychological scales. He previously served as the Vice-President and on the International Student Committee of the Psychology Graduate Student Association at UofT. He is a current member of the Society for Personality and Social Psychology’s Student Committee and Convention Committee.

Erin Anderson (she/her) is a PhD Candidate in Higher Education at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education at the University of Toronto. Prior to beginning her doctoral work, Erin worked in student affairs where she used her lived experience to guide her practice of supporting students. Her research interests centre on barriers to inclusion within the postsecondary environment; disability identity development; mentorship and belonging; and designing inclusive and accessible learning environments.

Isabella Tremonte is a PhD student in the Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education at the University of Toronto. Her research focuses on body image, mental health, and well-being in athletes with the goal of enhancing quality sport participation through a focus on function rather than appearance of the body. Recently, she has been collaborating to advance research specific to the mental health and well-being of post-secondary student athletes. Isabella aims to engage student athletes to develop strategies to improve body image and promote well-being. With a background in psychology and exercise science, she has over five years of research and applied experience working with athletes. As a Clinical Exercise Physiologist through the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology, Isabella has co-developed various community projects focused on improving well-being across the lifespan. Her doctoral research is supported by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council Canadian Doctoral Graduate Scholarship.

Prameshta Prasath (she/her) is a first-year PhD student in the Developmental Psychology and Education (DPE) program at OISE. She previously earned her Honours Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Human Biology at the University of Toronto and her MA in DPE at OISE. She is dedicated to advancing research that employs a holistic and interdisciplinary approach to investigating mental health, help-seeking and resilience, particularly among marginalized and vulnerable post-secondary students. She has a strong commitment to exploring these issues within underrepresented communities, including racialized, disabled and LGBTQ+ youth and emerging adults.

Samira Sunderji is a second-year PhD student in the Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education. Her research leverages physical activity to enhance mental health, well-being, body image, and social belonging among post-secondary students. As a Research Assistant at the Mental Health and Physical Activity Research Centre, she contributes to projects developing evidence-based strategies to improve physical activity, including evaluating a peer-led program at UTM (Move Mentors) and partnering with GoodLife Fitness to apply findings from her SSHRC-funded MSc in gym settings. Beyond research, Samira serves as President of the KPE Graduate Society and representative for the faculty-funded program KINections, translating research into wellness initiatives and advocating for student well-being. Her graduate work has been supported by the Canada Graduate Scholarship – Master’s, two Ontario Graduate Scholarships, the Michael Smith Foreign Study Scholarship, the UTFA Al Miller Memorial Award, and awards recognizing her leadership and contributions to improving post-secondary student experiences.

Sandy is a first-year PhD student in Psychology at the University of Toronto. She holds a master’s degree from Queen’s University and an honours bachelor’s degree from McMaster University. She also assisted with research at SickKids exploring app-based interventions for youth with chronic pain and supports the MIRA Chatbot project as a volunteer coordinator at the Mood Disorders Society of Canada. For her master’s, Sandy co-designed and piloted a web-delivered CBT-ACT program for women with perimenopausal anxiety, where she gained practical experience as an online care provider. Currently, Sandy’s research focuses on linkages between perfectionism, rumination, and self-regulation behaviours. Her work aims to explore interactive mindfulness-based interventions, drawing on psychotherapeutic models to support student mental health in applied settings. Sandy is committed to promoting health equity and accessibility and is continuously exploring ways to break down barriers to amplify lived experiences in mental health spaces within research and everyday life.

Shayla Shewchuk is a Master’s student in Counselling and Clinical Psychology at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE), University of Toronto. Her research examines how intimate partner violence (IPV) and workplace violence in healthcare affect mental health, identity, and career development, positioning IPV survivorship as an equity issue within post-secondary and professional contexts. Shayla’s work aims to inform trauma-informed, intersectional frameworks for prevention and support that promote safety, belonging, and resilience. Clinically, she conducts psychoeducational assessments in private practice and provides counselling, evaluation, and program development support through the OISE Psychology Clinic, where she also serves on the Clinic Steering Committee. She volunteers with Distress Centre Halton and previously served as Executive Director of the University of Toronto Mental Health Association’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Division. Her work bridges research, clinical practice, and advocacy to advance equity and mental well-being across educational and workplace settings.