Lab Director

I am an Assistant Professor at the Department of Psychology, and a research fellow at the Centre for Youth and Society, University of Victoria. I am the director of the Motivation and Intercultural Relations Lab (MIR lab). You can find more about me and my research here.

Masters Student

Hi! My name is Imran, and I’m an MSc student in the social psychology program at the University of Victoria. My research interests focus on intercultural/intergroup relations within minority groups. In particular, I am interested in evaluating how culturally based conflicts  ( e.g., choosing a romantic partner from the mainstream culture) between parent and child impact second-generation youth’s identity development. In my spare time, I enjoy traveling, staying active, reading, and sketching.

Kingsley ivande

PhD Student

I am a Ph.D. student in the Department of Psychology at the University of Victoria. My research interests lie at the intersection of Personality-Social, Economic, Cross-cultural, and Positive Psychology. I employ a data-centric approach in my research, leveraging advanced data analytics and data science techniques to explore topics such as acculturation, motivation, and intergroup relations, with a particular focus on migrant and minority populations. A pivotal aspect of my research centers on the well-being of migrants and minority communities as they navigate the complexities of acculturation and adaptation to a different culture and environment. I investigate strategies that not only aid them in coping with the challenges of acculturation but also empower them to thrive in their new environment.

My research often draws inspiration from concepts in Positive Psychology, such as positive mindsets (e.g., growth mindset, stress-can-be-enhancing mindset, and the upward social mobility mindset), exploring how these concepts directly and indirectly influence intergroup and interpersonal processes.

Outside of my academic pursuits, I enjoy spending quality time one-on-one with close friends, and I am an avid sports enthusiast, with basketball being my personal favorite. Go DUBS!

Brandon Justus

Master’s Student

Hi.  Thanks for checking out the lab and reading my bio! My area of interest and research is on the topics of video and board games with relationships to various factors (classrooms, teamwork, friendship, etc.). More specifically, I focus on the impact board games have on learning and developing social cohesion. Additionally, I provide consultation for instructors who wish to implement board games into their class structure, and I assist with running online Psychology labs at Kwantlen Polytechnic University. In general, I enjoy improving different aspects of our lives with video or board games.

I am currently in the MSc. Social Psychology program here at UVic, and I look forward to expanding my research experience. When I am not doing research or working on achieving my Master’s degree, I enjoy playing video games—no surprise—and watching animations (e.g., Castlevania). I am also down for karaoke and grabbing a beer to chat about research or local/world events.

“ I hope to see you on campus or online!

Graduate Student Affiliate

Hi everyone, I am Jie, and I am a graduate student in the clinical lifespan psychology program supervised by Dr. Cathy Costigan. My research interests include immigrant family systems, acculturation, and mental health. Currently, I am working with Dr. Nigel Lou as a research assistant on the Mindsets Project. In my spare time, I enjoy playing squash, skiing and travelling.

KEMMERLY CHIPONGIAN

Honour student (2023 Fall);  Independent Study Student (2023 Spring); Research Assisant (2022 Fall)

Hi! My name is Kemmerly, and I am completing my Honours thesis with Dr. Lou in the MIR Lab. My research focuses on intended versus actual outcomes of equity, diversity and inclusion policies, and how universities can design and deliver initiatives to best support cultural minority students. In the future I hope to pursue a Masters’ degree in Public Health, and continue exploring the biopsychosocial model of health in relation to health equity and accessibility. In my spare time, I love watching films, reading with a hot mug of tea, and spending time outdoors!

Diljot Manj

VKURA Research Assistant (2024 Summer)

Hey there! I’m Diljot, a second-year Computer Science and Psychology major at UVic. Currently, I’m contributing as a Research Assistant in the MIR Lab. I’m personally interested in leveraging AI and Video Game Development in tandem to tackle individual challenges, such as overcoming stage fright. I’m equally fascinated with Cybersecurity and Cryptography, particularly social engineering and how it can be used with AI. Presently, I’m assisting in research at the MIR Lab on the positive impact of video games on intergroup relations. Looking ahead, I aspire to continue my undergraduate studies and later pursue graduate studies in Artificial Intelligence as well as in Applied Computer Science. Beyond academia, I enjoy programming, strategy games like Crusader Kings 3, and fantasy books.

Volunteer Research Assistant

Hello! My name is Anjuli, and I am a third-year psychology student at Uvic from Toronto. I am interested in the intersection between mental health issues and diverse cultural backgrounds, and how to create treatments that take these differences into account. I am currently volunteering as a research assistant for a study at the MIR lab about the difficulties second generation immigrants face in relationships. I am aiming to become a clinical psychologist, though I’d like to focus on research first. At the moment, I’ve been enjoying playing video games, spending time with my friends, and painting surreal art.

Lab Intern (Undergraduate student)

Hi! I am Sunwoo, and I am a rising fourth-year psychology and counseling student at the University of Hong Kong. As part of the Mitacs program, I am excited to contribute my assistance at the MIR lab during this summer. My research interests focus on the intricate aspects of how 1.5-2nd generation immigrants maintain their cultural identity, language development, and well-being. In my spare time, I like to dance, travel, go for a walk or go to the beach. 

ISABELLA SCHOPPER

Research Assistant and Honours Student Graduate (2021-2023)

My research in collaboration with Dr. Nigel Lou explores the experiences of Asian-identifying students in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in relation to mental health outcomes. My academic involvement also includes being the former co-president of the Psi Chi international Honor Society, and the undergraduate student representative of the psychology department’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion committee. I am now studying for my LSAT exam.

Honours Student and Indepedent study student (2022-2023)

Hi! My name is Isabella Thurston. I am currently a fourth-year student at UVic majoring in Psychology. I am working alongside Dr Lou on my independent study this year, which will focus on whether or not exposure to diversity initiatives on campus effects white students attitudes of threat, and we are also exploring potential moderators of this relationship. Additionally, my research interests include the effects of racism and sexism, discrimination and inequality on one’s culture, identity and well-being.

Volunteer Research Assistant

Hi! My name is Charlotte, and I am in my fifth and final year at UVic. I am from Ontario but now reside in Tofino. I am interested in mental health, neurodivergence, and disabilities. I am volunteering as a research assistant and am excited to investigate the different stressors and coping mechanisms of minorities as well as individual well-being. I am hoping to do a master’s in counselling or work with children, and when I am not in school, I am working with kids at my other job, serving, or playing with my cat Toast.

Amelia Ogino-Bremaud

Indepedent study student

Hello, my name is Amélia, and I am in my third year at Uvic majoring in psychology and minoring in linguistics. Currently, my research interests primarily centre around language learning and its intersection with intergroup relations. I am particularly interested in understanding how cross-cultural family dynamics influence language acquisition and how these factors converge to shape individuals’ identities and social integration. I am currently completing an independent study on the topic of synergistic mindset interventions and its impacts on language learning and acculturation outcomes for ESL migrants. 

When I’m not busy with school, I enjoy playing piano, weightlifting, and experimenting with new culinary recipes.

Independent study student (2022)

Hi my name is Kusam and I am a third year student at UVIC for a BSC in psychology, majoring also in psych. I’m originally from Victoria, I attended my first two years of my bachelors at Camosun College and transferred to UVIC at the beginning of my third year. My research interests are anything relating to the root causes of racisms, the impact racism/discrimination has on an individuals mental health as well as how individuals can expand their well being. For fun I like to watch movies, horror is my favourite genre and I enjoy going outdoors on short trips.

Lab coordinator (2022-2023)

Hello! My name is Evelyn and I am a fourth year psychology undergraduate student at UVic. I’m from Jakarta, Indonesia, and I transferred to UVic last year from Edmonds College in Washington. I am interested in mental health and coping strategies of migrant students, especially of marginalized communities. I am interested in pursuing graduate studies in counseling psychology in the future. 

JAZMYN CHEN

Research Assistant (2023)

My name is Jazmyn Chen, I am currently in my third year working to finish my undergraduate degree here at UVIC majoring in Psychology. I am volunteering for Dr. Lou as a research assistant this year on the Mindset project.