Lab Director
View CV
Dr. Sarah Racine has been conducting research on eating disorders for the past 15 years. She received her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from McGill University where she conducted her senior honours thesis with Dr. Howard Steiger at the Douglas Mental Health University Institute. She completed her PhD at Michigan State University under the mentorship of Dr. Kelly Klump. Her graduate work used twin study methodology and longitudinal menstrual cycle designs as methods to unravel the complex etiology of disordered eating behaviours. Her clinical internship and postdoctoral training were completed at the University of Pittsburgh/Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic under the mentorship of Dr. Jennifer Wildes. She was an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at Ohio University from 2014-2017 before returning to her alma mater as an Assistant Professor in Fall 2017. Dr. Racine’s research aims to elucidate how genetic/biological risk for eating disorders operates through personality and emotional characteristics as well as what psychological and environmental factors make individuals with these characteristics more likely to develop an eating disorder versus another psychological condition. In her spare time, Dr. Racine enjoys doing Zumba, eating Mexican food, watching psychological and crime dramas, and practising her French.
post doctoral fellow
Katarina Huellemann is a postdoctoral fellow at McGill. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology (2018), Master of Science in Psychology (2020), and PhD in Psychology (2024) from Western University. Her Master’s thesis, which was supervised by Dr. Rachel Calogero, investigated the effectiveness of a self-compassion writing intervention on various body image-related stigmatizing and affirming self-perceptions in women. Her doctoral thesis, completed under the supervision of Dr. Rachel Calogero and Dr. Eva Pila, involved the completion of three mixed-method studies investigating a novel construct, compassionate physical activity, and how the practice of self-compassion in physical activity is related to women’s body image and physical activity behaviour. In her postdoctoral position at McGill, Katarina will be investigating the concept of relational body image in friend groups, that is, how our body image fluctuates or changes depending on the friends we spend time with and how the social status of friends in the group impact these changes. In her spare time, Katarina enjoys yoga, true crime, travel, reading, and listening to Taylor Swift.
graduate students
Ege Biçaker is a sixth-year PhD student studying Clinical Psychology at McGill. She completed her BA at Koc University in Turkey and her honors thesis investigated the relationship between cognitive inflexibility and ruminative tendencies. She also spent a year studying at University of California, Los Angeles, where she worked as a research assistant in multiple lab settings.
For her dissertation, she plans to examine how emotional avoidance and low
levels of self-compassion relate to eating disorder symptomatology in clinical and community samples. In her spare time, Ege enjoys reading, learning French, taking walks by the canal, and cuddling with her cat.
Laura Lapadat is a third-year PhD student studying Clinical Psychology at McGill. She completed her B.A. in Psychology at the University of Victoria, and worked as a research assistant in the University of British Columbia Department of Psychiatry, under the supervision of Dr. Erin Michalak. In the past, Laura has published on participatory research, mobile health, and bipolar disorder. Her research in graduate school will focus on loss of control in eating disorders, and eating disorder-bipolar disorder comorbidity. In her spare time, Laura enjoys yoga, skiing, and spending time with friends, family, and her cat Hank.
Aiden Mehak is a seventh-year PhD student studying Clinical Psychology at McGill. They completed their BA at Toronto Metropolitan University, and their honours thesis explored the roles of appearance anxiety and body shame in disordered eating among undergraduate women. Their dissertation uses biopsychosocial methods to investigate the role of the experience of 'feeling fat' in the etiology and maintenance of eating pathology in both clinical and community samples. In the lab, Aiden's responsibilities include administering clinical interviews, mentoring honours students, and psychophysiological data processing. When they have spare time, Aiden enjoys cooking, powerlifting, and quality television shows.
Alexia Miller is a sixth-year PhD student studying Clinical Psychology at McGill. She completed her B.A in Psychology at the University of British Columbia where she studied the relationship between eating disorder symptoms and borderline personality disorder symptoms under the supervision of Dr. David Klonsky. Her research in graduate school will focus on how traits related to borderline personality disorder, such as emotion dysregulation, influence the etiology and maintenance of eating pathology. In her spare time, Alexia enjoys running, live music, and hanging out with her friends and family.
Vittoria Trolio is a fourth-year PhD student in the Clinical Psychology program at McGill. She completed her B.A. in Psychology at McGill where she explored clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes in an adult cohort of patients with ARFID, under the supervision of Dr. Howard Steiger at the Douglas Mental Health University Institute. Vittoria's graduate research will investigate restrictive eating and associated traits across the spectrum of eating disorders, with a focus on shared mechanisms and differentiating factors between avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder and anorexia nervosa. In her spare time, Vittoria likes to attend concerts, practice hot barre, and travel whenever possible.
Devyn Riddle is a first-year PhD student studying Clinical Psychology at McGill. She completed her B.A. in Psychology at Lehigh University, and then worked as a research coordinator at Drexel University’s Center for Weight, Eating and Lifestyle Science (The WELL Center). Devyn has published on emotion dysregulation and binge-spectrum eating disorders. Her research in graduate school will focus on the relationship between emotion dysregulation and maladaptive coping strategies like disordered eating behaviors. In her spare time, Devyn enjoys reading, running, and spending time with friends and family.
Victoria Franco is a first-year PhD student studying Clinical Psychology at McGill. She completed her B.A. in both Psychology and Spanish at Stanford University, where her undergraduate honors thesis examined the neural correlates of emotion regulation and binge eating in adolescent females. Victoria also completed an M.S. in Community Health and Prevention Research through Stanford School of Medicine. She then worked as a clinical research assistant at McLean Hospital working on different projects investigating the epidemiology and neural underpinnings of binge-eating disorder. For her graduate research, she is interested in examining different mechanistic sub-types underlying binge eating. In her free time, she enjoys baking, food photography, and hiking.
research coordinators
Beth Hales graduated from McGill with a double major in Psychology and International Development and a minor in Behavioural Science in 2024. Beth completed their undergraduate thesis at the BEEP lab exploring cognitive restraint and restriction in women with restrictive eating disorders using ecological momentary assessment and questionnaire data. Beth is interested in eating behaviours in male body builders, and making psychological research accessible to the public. Beth enjoys weightlifting, backpacking, and listening to music.
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Angela Gao graduated from McGill University majoring in Honors Psychology in 2024. She is interested in learning how addictive behaviours and substance use disorders interact with personality, social, and cultural factors. While at the BEEP Lab, Angela is eager to learn more about reward processing and EDs and hopes to pursue graduate studies in clinical psychology. In her spare time, she enjoys exploring the city, crafting, watching movies, and spending time with friends and family.
Undergraduate students
Elizabeth Pung is a third-year undergraduate student majoring in Honours Psychology. Broadly, she is interested in how social factors, particularly cultural backgrounds, may influence the onset of various forms of psychopathology such as eating disorders. She hopes to one day pursue graduate studies in clinical psychology or become a psychiatrist. Some of her favourite activities include attending concerts, volunteering at the animal shelter, and learning new languages.
Samah Ellithi is a fourth-year undergraduate student majoring in Psychology and minoring in Arabic and Behavioural Science. She is interested in learning about the underlying mechanisms shared by different mental disorders as well as the mechanisms specific to eating disorders. This year, she will be working on an undergraduate thesis examining the associations between emotion dysregulation, restrictive attitudes towards emotional expression, and loss of control eating in women with binge eating disorders. She is eager to learn more about eating disorders and aspires to pursue graduate studies in Clinical Psychology. In her spare time, she loves to read, play sports and watch The Office.
Julia Durcan is a third-year undergraduate student pursuing a major in Honours Psychology and a Minor in Sociology. She is particularly interested in the relationship between Eating Disorders and the need for control, and hopes to one day help individuals dealing with food and body image issues. In her free time, you can find Julia in the gym, trying new restaurants with friends and family, or spending all of her money on books.
Julia Paterson graduated McGill University majoring in Psychology and minoring in Behavioural Science and Sociology in 2024. She is interested in the different clinical presentations of eating disorders and the relationship between disordered eating and emotional avoidance. She plans to become a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in anxiety disorders and eating disorders in teens and young adults. She is eager to expand her knowledge on the conduction of experimental research in the BEEP Lab! Some of her favourite things include reading, dog-sitting, and going for long walks accompanied by psychology podcasts.
Ting Ting Liu completed her BA in Psychology from McGill University in 2023. She is interested in exploring ways to challenge cognitive resistance towards fear foods in restrictive-type eating disorders, which is known to maintain restrictive eating behaviours. She aims to one day become a clinical psychologist who can bridge her knowledge of eating disorders with her background in cognition to establish preventative measures against ED relapse. In her spare time, she likes to read, write, and discover new cafes in Montreal.
Nicole Iordache is a third-year undergraduate student at McGill University, majoring in Honours Psychology and minoring in Sociology. She is interested in learning how to improve treatment plans for various eating disorders, and learning about cognitive and societal risk factors that make people more vulnerable to the development of eating pathologies. In the future, she hopes to become a clinical psychologist. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her pets, and trying new restaurants.
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Madhumitha Murugavel Sangeetha, currently in her third year, is pursuing a major in Psychology and a double minor in Science for Arts Students and Behavioural Science . She aspires to go to med school and become a doctor working in either the psychology field or the cardiology field. Madhu is very interested in the concepts of psychopathology, and is excited to learn essential skills at the BEEP Lab this year! During her leisure time, she enjoys reading novels, spending time with loved ones, and touring museums and art galleries.
Senna Mantel graduated from McGill University with a major in Neuroscience and a minor in Psychology. She plans to pursue graduate studies with the aim of integrating her expertise in both clinical psychology and neuroscience to further understand and treat mental health conditions. Senna has a particular interest in under-researched eating disorders, such as avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder, and is eager to expand her knowledge in this area through her work at the BEEP lab. Outside of her academic pursuits, Senna enjoys attending ballet performances, playing board games, and spending time with friends at brunch following her Sunday barre classes.
Can Kök graduated from McGill university in Honours Psychology and minored in Philosophy. His research interests are substance use, impulsivity, and transdiagnostic risk factors for psychopathology. In the future, he hopes to pursue graduate school in clinical psychology or neuroscience. In his spare time, he enjoys watching movies and live music.
Polina Iourtchenko graduated from McGill University with a BSc in Psychology and a Minor in History. She aspires to pursue a medical degree to become a psychiatrist, with a focus on eating disorder treatment and recovery. She is interested in expanding her knowledge of clinical presentations of different eating disorders. At the lab, she is eager to learn more about the role of reward processing in the development and maintenance of eating disorders. In her free time, she enjoys exploring the city’s bookstores and parks, writing in coffee shops, and playing with Phoebe (her small black cat).
Safia Ouedraogo is a second-year undergraduate student at McGill University, majoring in Honours Psychology with a minor in Cognitive Science, and Science for Arts students with a focus on Physiology. She is particularly interested in learning about eating disorders in athletes and the relationship between eating disorders and addiction. In the future, she hopes to pursue graduate school in clinical psychology. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, playing volleyball, and painting.
Audrey Gottschild is a third-year undergraduate at McGill University, majoring in Psychology with minors in Gender Studies and Communication Studies. She is particularly interested in developmental psychology and hopes to pursue a graduate degree in child clinical psychology, focusing on adolescents with ASD and anxiety disorders. She enjoys reading, listening to music, and being with friends in her free time. She is excited to expand her knowledge and experience of psychological research in the BEEP lab!
Maryam Aaouatif is a second-year undergraduate student at McGill University in the Honours Psychology program with a minor in Science for Arts Students. She is interested in learning about the biopsychosocial factors underlying eating disorders and how these differ from those underlying substance use. She aspires to go to medical school and become a psychiatrist or a pediatrician. In her spare time, she likes to go on walks, discover new restaurants, and spend time with her loved ones.
Josie Brooks is a 4th-year student majoring in Psychology and minoring in Interdisciplinary Life Sciences. She has a passion for improving the quality of life for those with mental health problems through researching mechanisms maintaining mental health disorders, particularly eating disorders. In her free time, you can find her at the gym, reading, writing, and painting.
Alex Sheppard is in her final year of her undergraduate studies at McGill University, majoring in Honours Psychology. She is interested in exploring the factors that contribute to the development of eating disorders, as well as how they relate to body image dissatisfaction and emotion regulation. She is excited to learn and conduct psychological research at the BEEP lab and aspires to pursue graduate studies in clinical psychology. In her spare time, she enjoys walking her dog, reading, exercising, and spending time with friends and family.
Graduate & Post doctoral Alumni
Sarah Schell
Samantha Wilson
undergraduate Alumni
Talia Schroeder, Completing Masters in School and Clinical Child Psychology, University of Toronto
Tayla Bain
Jane Wan
Nesrine Mesli, Completing Masters in Clinical Psychology, Concordia University
Lisa Zhu, Completing PhD in Clinical Psychology, Western University
Amanda McCue
Katerina Giannoumis
Rida Siddiqui
Adèle Hotte-Meunier
Bronwen Lathrop, Completing Masters of Clinical Psychology, Columbia University
Johanna Keller, Completing Masters in Clinical Mental Health Sciences, University College London
Bianca Adjei
Chloe White, Completing PhD in Clinical Psychology, Simon Fraser University
Müge Acar
Justine Daigneault
Ruqayya Hirji, Completing Medical Degree, University of Toronto
Jesse Rae
Ivy Salloum
Alexandra Smedmor
Charlotte Sacré
Malka Reich, Completing Masters in Transcultural Psychiatry, McGill University
Helen Liu
Tasha Liang, Completing Doctor of Law, York University
Bianca Akeson
Lina Badran
Rosie Chaykin, Completing Masters in Affective Disorders, Kings College London
Rachel Dufour, Completing PhD in Clinical Psychology, Concordia University
Lana Downs
Benjamin Lawson, Completing Masters of Experimental Psychology, University of Toronto
Doosik Shin, Completing Masters in Counselling Psychology, University of Ottawa
Genevieve Auclair
Viveca Lee, Completing Erasmus Mundus Masters of Industrial and Organizational Psychology
Alice Luo
Nilufar Mokhtarian, Completing Masters in Counselling Psychology, University of Ottawa
Etienne Tessier
Seffie Yip
Stephanie de Silva, Completing Masters in Cognitive and Decision Science, University College London
Amané Asakawa-Halicki, Completing PhD in Clinical Psychology, University of British Columbia-Okanagan
Léah Suissa-Rocheleau, Completing BCL/JD Program, McGill University
Sarah Brassard, Completing PhD in Neuroscience, McMaster University
Joyce Quansah, Completing PhD in Clinical Neuropsychology, University of Montréal
Sabrina Martel
Isabella Tremonte, Completing Masters in Kinesiology and Exercise Science, Brock University
Julia Ferrone, Completing PsyD in School Psychology, Adelphi University
Irene Giannis, Completing PhD in Clinical Psychology, Concordia University
Chloé Savignac, Completing PhD in Integrated Program in Neuroscience, McGill University
Akira Wang, Completing Masters in Public Health, Emory University
ALUMni 2022-2023
First row from left to right (standing):
Sarah Schell, Alexia Miller, Laura Lapadat, Talia Schroeder, Bronwen Willa, Tayla Bain, Ege Bicaker, Angela Gao
Second row from left to right (standing):
Lisa Zhu, Vittoria Trolio, Samantha Wilson, Nesrine Mesli, Amanda Mccue, Jane Wan.
Bottom row from left to right (sitting):
Dr. Racine, Aiden Mehak, Adele Hotte-Meunier
On the Computer:
Katerina Giannoumis
ALUMni 2020-2021
Top row:
Dr. Racine, Vittoria Trolio, Tasha Liang, Rachel Dufour, Lina Badran
Second row:
Alexia Miller, Justine Daigneault, Samantha Wilson, Ruqayya Hirji, Alexandra Smedmor
Third row:
Charlotte Sacré, Ivy Salloum, Lana Downs, Bianca Akeson, Müge Acar
Fourth row:
Rosie Chaykin, Aiden Mehak, Jesse Rae, Ben Lawson, Ege Bicaker
Bottom row:
Malka Reich, Helen Liu
ALUMni 2019-2020
From left to right (standing):
Muge Acar, Dr. Racine, Vittoria Trolio, Sarah Schell, Sam Wilson, Aiden Mehak, Alexia Miller, Chloe White, Viveca Lee, Stephanie de Silva, Rosie Chaykin, Malka Reich, Étienne Tessier, Bianca Akeson, Ege Biçaker, Alice Luo
From left to right (sitting):
Helen Liu, Seffie Yip, Nilufar Mokhtarian, Yuvika Dandiwal, Geneviève Auclair
ALUMni 2018-2019
From left to right (standing):
Vittoria Trolio, Isabella Tremonte, Alice Luo, Alexia Miller, Dr. Racine, Sarah Schell, Léah Suissa-Rocheleau, Dana Ajjaoui, Amane Halicki-Asakawa, Doosik Shin.
From left to right (kneeling):
Chloe White, Chloe Savignac, Joyce Quansah, Aiden Mehak, Akira Wang
ALUMni 2017-2018
From left to right (standing):
Irene Giannis, Léah Suissa-Rocheleau, Sabrina Martel, Dr. Sarah Racine,
Sarah Brassard, Julia Ferrone