Principal Investigators
Megan Ames, PhD
Dr. Megan Ames is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Victoria. Her program of research determines the links between health behaviours (e.g., physical activity) and mental health (e.g., depression) from adolescence into young adulthood, and the psychosocial contexts within which health and well-being develops during this vulnerable developmental period. Towards this goal, her current work has focused on identifying the underlying mechanisms (i.e., mediators) and contexts (i.e., moderators) involved in the reciprocal relations between health behaviours and mental health symptoms using multiple datasets, advanced statistics, and innovative methodologies. With this knowledge, we can identify how, to whom, and when to promote health behaviours to optimize mental health and well-being for our youth. Specific lines of research include: 1) the use of objective psychophysiological measurement collected via ambulatory assessments (i.e., smartphone survey administration, wearable technology) to understand the daily within-person associations between health behaviours, emotion regulation, and mood; 2) modeling associations among special populations; 3) examining how COVID-19 has affected teens and young adults and their health behaviour decision-making surrounding the vaccine; and, 4) identifying how early experiences of physical and mental health predict longer-term outcomes. Currently, her program of research is supported by internal (University of Victoria) grants and tri-council funding (i.e., SSHRC, CIHR).
Clinically, she provides client-centred services to children, youth, young adults, and their families in private practice.
Jean Buckler, PhD
Dr. Buckler completed her PhD at the University of British Columbia (2019) in Kinesiology, and a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of British Columbia’s School of Population and Public Health in the Mâsse Lab. Dr. Buckler’s primary research goal is to apply physical literacy to existent physical activity behaviour challenges and generate creative solutions to support engagement in positive movement behaviours at critical time points where movement behaviours are developing or threatened due to life transition, particularly early childhood, adolescence, and older adulthood. Dr. Buckler uses a combination of implementation science techniques, and community engaged research to develop interventions that have lasting impact on populations. Dr. Buckler’s work has been funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) and Mitacs. At the University of Victoria, Dr. Buckler teaches classes on community and population health, and physical literacy.
Researchers
Emmett Sihoe
Graduate Student
Emmett is pursuing a Master’s in the Clinical Lifespan Psychology program at the University of Victoria. Emmett completed his Bachelor’s of Science (Honours) at Uvic prior to his graduate studies. Emmett’s research focuses on the relationship between health behaviours, digital media use, and mental health outcomes in adolescents. Specifically, he is studying the relationship between screen time, sleep and physical activity, and mental well-being in high school students. He also is researching the experiences of autistic students in post-secondary settings with the aim of supporting autistic students’ success in school. Prior to entering the program, Emmett worked as an Addictions and Mental Health Outreach worker in the community.
Kevin Styba-Nelson
Graduate Student
Kevin is completing his Master’s of Science in the Clinical Lifespan program at the University of Victoria. Prior to joining the program, he completed his Bachelor’s of Arts in Honours Psychology at MacEwan University in Edmonton. His research focuses on generalized anxiety disorder, and the cognitive and developmental factors that lead to its growth. He is also focusing on the association between anxiety and depression, and the interrelation present in their development. Kevin hopes his research will provide further insight into the early presentations of anxiety and depression, and help guide their effective treatment.
Grace Grant
Graduate Student
Grace is a graduate student at the University of Victoria, studying adolescent mental health in relation to physical activity with Dr. Jean Buckler. Grace focuses on improving adolescents’ mental health by implementing physical activity and mindfulness practices into school curriculums. She is a part of the ADL study with Dr. Buckler and is eager to continue researching the intricacies involved in mental health today. In her off time, Grace is a dance teacher and loves working with youth within the community. She hopes to become an influential government member who can impact health education among adolescents on Vancouver Island after completing her graduate degree.
Justin Tremblett
Ph.D. Student
Justin is a first year Ph.D. student working under the supervision of Dr. Jean Buckler in the Exercise Science, Physical and Heath Education program. Prior to University of Victoria, Justin completed his master’s degree at Lakehead University in Thunder Bay, Ontario and his undergraduate degree at Western University in London, Ontario. Justin has strong interests in physical activity, physical activity and health psychology with a particular interest in increasing and maintaining physical activity levels in various populations. Outside of academia, you can generally find Justin paying golf, tennis, and cheering on the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Bailey Moriarity
VKURA Student
Bailey Moriarity is a third-year undergraduate student at the University of Victoria, pursuing a BA in Psychology with a minor in Music. She joined the Ames Lab in the summer of 2025 as a recipient of the Valerie Kuehne Undergraduate Research Award (VKURA). Bailey is particularly drawn to the mental health and well-being stream within psychology, with a growing interest in preventative approaches to mental health care. Her passion focuses on supporting youth at risk of experiencing mental health and addiction challenges, and she is especially passionate about health promotion and reducing systemic barriers to care. Outside of her academic work, Bailey is an active member of Victoria’s theatre community and enjoys performing on stage.
Kelsey Harty
Honours Student
Kelsey is currently a fourth year student at UVic pursuing a Psychology BSc (Honours). She is especially interested in supporting youth mental health and wellbeing, both through research and her work in the community. Kelsey has thoroughly enjoyed her time as a behaviour interventionist working with neurodivergent children and teens, and has worked as a youth crisis line volunteer. She is passionate about reducing barriers for individuals in the community to access mental health care. Following her undergraduate degree, Kelsey plans to pursue higher education in the field of counselling psychology. When she is not in the lab or in the community, you can find Kelsey baking cookies, playing her flute, or exploring a new hiking spot on the island.
Araela Steidl
Honours Student
Araela is pursuing a degree in Kinesiology (BSc) at the University of Victoria. She is studying adolescent mental health with Dr. Jean Buckler, focusing on the relationship between physical activity and anxiety. Araela is passionate about accessible health education and reducing barriers to physical activity. She is eager to continue learning and working with youth in the community. In her spare time, Araela enjoys coaching minor hockey and training for triathlons. Following her undergraduate degree, she plans to pursue graduate studies in public health.
Collaborating Researchers
Jonathan Rush, PhD
Mauricio Garcia-Barrera, PhD
Ryan Rhodes, PhD
Sam Liu, PhD
Stephanie Craig, PhD