Meet Our Team
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR & LAB DIRECTOR
Taymy Josefa Caso, PhD
Dr. Caso (they/she) is an Associate Professor of Counselling Psychology at the University of Alberta and a lecturer at New York University and the University of Minnesota Medical School. Dr. Caso is the director of IREACH Lab.
Dr. Caso’s University of Alberta Faculty Profile can be accessed here.
DOCTORAL STUDENTS
Madison Dabbs-Petty, MEd
Madison Dabbs-Petty (MEd; she/her) is a third year PhD student in Counselling Psychology in the Faculty of Education, supervised by Dr. Taymy Caso. Madison also holds a Master of Counselling Psychology and Certificate in International Learning from the University of Alberta and a Bacclauréat-es-arts from the University of Alberta’s Faculté Saint-Jean. Madison's research interests centre on sexuality education, LGBTQ+ and BIPOC health, and intersectionality. Her masters capstone project was focused on the importance of human sexuality training for aspiring psychologists in Canada and the US. Madison has contributed to projects regarding sexuality and technology, health disparities for sexual and gender minorities, Black mental health, disability and neurodivergence, and reproductive justice for LGBTQ+ and racialized Canadians. For her doctoral project, she is continuing her masters work by identifying gaps in human sexuality training among Canadian counselling psychology students. This project will serve to highlight areas of growth for programs in training students to provide therapy that is inclusive of all aspects of identity, including sexuality and gender.
Madison aims to embody the scientist-practitioner-advocate model of psychology by serving her community in a number of roles. She has enthusiastically pursued teaching roles, acting as a teaching assistant for two graduate-level courses in the Fall 2025 semester. Madison also works with the ELITE Program for Black Youth, providing training on mental health, wellness, and Anti-Black racism to students who are historically underrepresented in their fields. Madison has engaged in knowledge mobilization efforts through presenting at several local and international conferences, including those of the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA), Society for the Scientific Study for Sexuality (SSSS), the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists (AASECT), and the American Psychological Association (APA). Madison’s academic, clinical, and advocacy work has been honoured through her receipt of the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholarship, the SSHRC Canada Graduate Scholarship, and the Alberta Graduate Excellence Scholarship.
Ahad Asad, MEd
Ahad Asad, MEd (he/him) is a second-year PhD student at the University of Alberta, a Registered Provisional Psychologist, and a 2024 recipient of the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council Doctoral Fellowship and the President’s Doctoral Prize of Distinction Award. In previous years, he received multiple awards including the Alberta Graduate Excellence Award, Harvey Zingle Award, Counselling Psychology Award, and the Stephen and Lynn Mandel Graduate Scholarship in Sexual and Gender Minority Studies. His research interests lie in anti-oppression and advocacy work focusing on intersectional identities. Ahad’s Master’s capstone focused on the impacts of Imposter Syndrome on 2SLGBTQ+ BIPOC students navigating white academic Institutions. He is also a member of the student advisory committee for advancing racial justice at the University of Alberta. Currently, Ahad is working on projects examining social determinants of health, race-based traumatic stress in BIPOC communities, and phantom sensations experienced by transgender and gender-diverse individuals. Ahad also provides counselling services to individuals in Alberta, where his work focuses on LGBTQ+ and POC concerns, and health psychology with a specialization in cancer care. In his free time, Ahad enjoys spending time with his friends & family, reading thriller/fantasy books, trying the newest restaurants, and baking while listening to T-swift.
Lucijana Herceg, MEd
My name is Lucijana Herceg (she/her/hers). I am a third year PhD student in Counselling Psychology at the University of Alberta, under the supervision of Dr. Taymy Caso. For my master’s thesis, I explored how young women experience thin-ideal content (i.e., fitspiration and thinspiration) on Instagram, along with their experiences with social connectedness online.
My research explores several interconnected areas, including body image, disordered eating, and eating disorders, with a particular focus on how social media influences body image through thin-ideal content and impacts social connectedness. While initially examining young women, my work now also extends to transgender and LGBTQ+ communities. I have been honored with multiple awards and fellowships, including funding for my master's thesis through the Joseph-Armand Bombardier Canada Graduate Scholarship and the Walter H. Johns Graduate Fellowship. Additionally, I was awarded the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council Doctoral Fellowship and received several President’s Doctoral Prizes of Distinction from the University of Alberta.
With extensive experience in research and dissemination, I have published numerous journal articles and presented at various conferences related to social media and body image. Building on this scholarly foundation, I recently served as the Principal Instructor for EDPY 442: Introduction to Counselling Psychology, at the University of Alberta, where I gained valuable experience in teaching, mentorship, and translating theoretical knowledge into practical application. I believe that my roles as researcher and instructor are deeply interconnected. In the words of Paulo Freire, “Teaching demands research,” a philosophy that guides my academic approach: my teaching informs my research, and my research enriches my teaching. This synergy fuels my passion for contributing to both scholarly advancement and community development. Currently, I am completing my PhD dissertation titled, Exploring the Weight of Beauty and Identity: The Impact of Body Shaming Among Transgender Individuals’ Online Dating Experiences. On a personal note, I am Croatian and fluent in both Croatian and Bosnian. I enjoy spending time with my family and two Shih Tzus, Monty and Biscuit. In my leisure time, I love exploring new restaurants, going on long drives with music and singing along, and traveling — my next destination is Las Vegas!
Zalika Scott-Ugwuegbula, MEd
Zalika Scott-Ugwuegbula, BSc (Hons), M.Ed. (she/her), is an autistic second-year doctoral student in Psychological Studies of Education - Research at the University of Alberta. For her Master’s thesis, Zalika examined how the interlocking forces of race, racism, and ableism shape the post-secondary educational experiences of Black autistic students. Her research interests include the intersection of race and disability, Black studies in education, anti-Black racism, and autism and Black identity in education within the Canadian context. Zalika seeks to understand how colonialism, racial capitalism, ableism, and white supremacy operate in conjunction and are implicated in the systemic inequities that influence the schooling experiences of Black autistic youth. Grounded in intersectionality and Critical Race Theory, her work interrogates the systems of power that subjugate and marginalize Black disabled learners. Currently, Zalika contributes to projects exploring anti-LGBTQ+ policies in Alberta, the educational experiences of Black autistic learners, and the long-term impacts of the Nigerian Biafra War. Building on her Master’s work, her doctoral project seeks to examine how the intersection of race and disability shapes the elementary and secondary school experiences of Black autistic youth in Canada by engaging community members, educators, and school personnel. This community-engaged investigation explores systemic barriers and inclusion practices, aiming to generate insights that can inform anti-racist, anti-ableist, and culturally affirming approaches within educational policy and practice.
In between her classes and research, Zalika works as a Graduate Teaching Assistant in the Faculties of Education and Science. She also serves as a Graduate Research Assistant with the Partnership for Research with African Newcomers (PRAN) network and the Dean’s Office. Zalika is actively involved in university initiatives to combat racism and foster inclusive environments on campus, serving as Co-Chair of the Student Advisory Committee for Advancing Racial Justice and as a member of the Race Equity Council. In her spare time, she enjoys endurance running, hiking, camping, reading, and arts and crafts.
Selina Verkland, BA
Selina Verkland (she/her) is a second-year Ph.D. student in Counselling Psychology at the University of Alberta, supervised by Dr. Taymy Caso. She previously earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Concordia University of Edmonton and pursued advanced graduate training in the Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) in Clinical Psychology and the Diploma in Psychological Assessment programs at Concordia University of Edmonton. Selina has received academic awards in recognition of her scholarly excellence, including the Academic Graduate Excellence Scholarship ($14,333). Clinically, Selina has provided psychological support across diverse community and university settings, integrating feminist, trauma-informed, and multicultural frameworks into her practice. Her work has focused on supporting women and gender diverse individuals who have experienced sexual violence, abuse, and domestic violence. She currently serves as a Drop-in Counsellor at the University of Alberta Sexual Assault Centre and as a Behavioural Counsellor at the Edmonton Institution for Women, a position she has held for seven years. Selina’s research interests include trauma recovery, posttraumatic growth, and the intersections of shame and resilience among survivors of sexual violence. She is currently the primary investigator on a scoping review exploring the role of shame in posttraumatic growth among survivors of sexual violence. As a Graduate Research Assistant, she is also involved in a community-based project examining self-efficacy among houseless youth using quasi-psychological interventions. Selina has presented her research at international peer-reviewed conferences such as the Western Psychological Association and the Society for Psychotherapy Research. Her scholarly and professional pursuits are driven by a deep commitment to advancing trauma-informed practice, enhancing sexual violence prevention, and promoting equitable access to psychological services for marginalized communities. Outside of her academic work, Selina enjoys time with her family and friends, being outdoors, and long river valley runs accompanied by her dog, Peanut.
Milica Miskic, BA (hons)
Milica Miskic, BA (hons), (they/them) is a first-year PhD student in Counselling Psychology at the University of Alberta, supervised by Dr. Taymy Caso. Milica’s research interests include 2SLGBTQIA+ mental health and health equity within the criminal justice system and the broader community. Their master’s thesis focused on transgender and gender-diverse individuals' access to gender-affirming healthcare within Canadian federal and Albertan prisons which became a primary interest following their non-profit work with the Elizabeth Fry Society of Northern Alberta. Through supporting clients in rehabilitative efforts, running three community and prison-based programs, and doing regular outreach work to connect with folks through Edmonton, they were awarded the Elizabeth Fry Society of Northern Alberta’s 2022 Advocate of the Year Award. The experience was formative in molding their passion to explore the complex relationship criminalized gender-diverse folk have with the victim-offender overlap, intersections of marginalized identities on surviving oppressive systems, and examination of mitigating recidivism through therapeutic efforts. Milica is from an immigrant background, is bilingual (English and Serbian), and enjoys writing fiction, reading literature, creating digital art, and spending time with parrots in their free-time.
Danielle Shinbine (MSc)
Danielle Shinbine (MSc) is a first-year PhD student in Counselling Psychology at the University of Alberta, supervised by Dr. Taymy Caso. Danielle’s research interests include LGBTQ+ mental health and well-being throughout the lifespan and the LGBTQ+’s community relationship with social media. Their master’s thesis was focused on the experiences of LGBTQ+ older adults in Alberta. Danielle has been involved in numerous research endeavours, with topics including depictions of gender affirming care in Canadian media, experiences of transgender and gender diverse Canadians, and equity and diversity in addiction treatment. In their PhD, Danielle seeks to explore homelessness and service provision amongst transgender and gender diverse youth. Danielle also values the importance of serving their community in various ways through mentorship roles and current service as the student representative of the counselling section of the Canadian Psychological Association. When not working, Danielle enjoys their hobbies of retro video gaming and visiting animal sanctuaries.
MASTERS STUDENTS
Areej Rizvi, BA (hons)
Areej Rizvi is a second year Master’s student in Counselling Psychology at the University of Alberta. Areej is currently the Master’s Liaison for the Professional Psychology Graduate Students Association. During her undergraduate degree in psychology and sociology at the University of Waterloo, Areej received an NSERC USRA and assisted on multiple projects across different psychological research labs. Areej also completed an honours thesis project where she investigated how a company's commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) values influences how people perceive the company's culture. Areej plans to further explore how different environments can create a sense of inclusivity and authenticity, particularly in the context of therapeutic relationships. Through her experiences of working in various pharmacies and hospital settings, Areej has developed a passion for promoting accessibility of mental health services among marginalized groups. During her free time Areej enjoys reading, hiking and spending time with loved ones.
Aaron So, BSc (Hons)
Aaron is in his second year of the MEd Counselling Psychology program at the University of Alberta and is co-supervised by Dr. Taymy Caso and Dr. Sophie Yohani. Aaron holds a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Psychology with an Embedded Certificate in Mental Wellbeing and Resilience from the University of Calgary. Aaron is a second-generation Asian Canadian who speaks English and Teochew and is a first-in-family post-secondary student. Aaron’s research interests relate to improving mental health for immigrant, newcomer, racialized, and 2SLGBTQ+ communities through research, practice, and advocacy. Aaron has had experience in bringing together research and practice in a community-based manner through his honour’s thesis work with Distress Centre Calgary on investigating ways to better support the mental health of crisis line volunteers. Aaron has also coordinated a research study that interviewed students and caregivers on how post-secondary institutions can better support students experiencing challenges with their mental health. As part of his master's thesis, Aaron is planning to conduct a scoping review investigating what approaches currently exist in supporting the mental health of LGBTQ+ asylum seekers. Aaron has received multiple awards for his work, such as the SSHRC Canada Graduate Scholarship – Masters and the Opportunities Graduate Award in Counseling Psychology. During his free time, Aaron enjoys running, folding origami, and curling. Aaron encourages others to connect with him if they are interested in learning more about his work or are looking to collaborate.
Dawn Abraham, BSc (spec)
Dawn Abraham, BSc (spec) (she/her) is a second-year MEd Counseling Psychology student at the University of Alberta. Between her current MEd and her BSc Psychology Specialization, she has over three years of research experience across several labs, primarily studying cultural psychology. On her own time, she completed a wide variety of mental health certificates, such as ASIST, MHFA, Trauma-Informed Care, and more. Though her experiences in academia have been inspiring, she prioritizes giving back to her communities above all else. She volunteers for Alberta Health Services and several community organizations, and works as a teaching assistant in the Faculties of Education and Business. Her thesis focuses on hyposexuality as it relates to racialized peoples. In her free time, she enjoys reading, writing, and listening to audio drama.
Masha Ghaffari Targhi, MSc
Mahsa is a first-year Master of Education student at the University of Alberta, specializing in Counselling Psychology under the supervision of Dr. Taymy Caso. Her research interests center on social justice and the mechanisms of oppression that shape individual and collective well-being. She has previously conducted SSHRC-funded qualitative research on women’s experiences of pretending pleasure or orgasm in partnered sex. Alongside her research, she has volunteered in crisis lines and community mental health programs supporting women and newcomers, integrating her commitment to equity and culturally grounded care.