BAC Lab

Kelly is a third-year B.A. Hons Psychology student at Glendon Campus of York University. Her main role in the lab is shadowing the RAs and assisting in any kind of help that is needed. Kelly plans to pursue a graduate degree in Health Psychology.

Julienne is currently an undergraduate student completing her second year in the Psychology program at York University. She is currently gaining hands-on research experience in the BAC lab through the REDI program. Julienne is primarily interested in Clinical and Counselling Psychology, which she plans to pursue in graduate school. She aims to apply the skills she's developing in Dr. Wardell's lab for both her studies and professional practice.

Ryan is in his fourth year in the Specialized Honours Psychology program at York University. He is completing his thesis under Dr. Wardell’s supervision, examining how perceived stigma among individuals who use cannabis medicinally and recreationally relate to cannabis use behaviours and negative outcomes. Following the completion of his undergraduate degree, Ryan intends to pursue a graduate degree in social-personality psychology through which he plans to form his own social psychology research lab in order to study constructs such as how misinformation is disseminated and personality judgements of leaders. Ryan also plans to become a professor of social psychology as well as research methods and statistics.

Sophie is a research student at the BAC lab who is currently pursuing her B.A. Honours in Psychology at York University. Her main role in the lab is to assist with the MEDCAN study. Sophie’s research interests focus on the effects of alcohol and cannabis on mental health outcomes. She is also interested in the link between alcohol use and trauma-related outcomes. Sophie plans to continue her journey in academia and hopes to attend graduate school following the completion of her bachelor's degree.

Rose is currently working toward her B.A. Honours in Psychology at York University. Her interest in addiction research became salient when she began working as a relief worker in harm reduction shelters. She has a passion for mental health and is aspiring to pursue her graduate studies in counselling psychology. Rose’s research interests are centred around positive psychology, specifically on how to promote and maintain psycho-emotional well-being in trauma survivors and individuals suffering from treatment-resistant psychopathologies. Beyond learning, Rose enjoys hiking, travelling, reading, and photography.

Nicole graduated with a B.A. in Specialized Honours Psychology from York University. She completed her honours thesis under the supervision of Dr. Wardell, examining the perceived effectiveness of cannabis use for pain management in people living with HIV. Nicole is currently a lead research assistant in the BAC lab, where her primary role is to assist with the MEDCAN study. Her main research interest is in individuals with physical disabilities, and she is particularly interested in examining how physical impairments may serve as a risk factor for substance addictions. Nicole plans to pursue graduate school in the future.

Christina graduated from York with a B.A. Specialized Honours in Psychology, completing her honours thesis under the supervision of Dr. Wardell. She is currently in a Lab Coordinator role and a Lead RA on the MEDCAN study. Christina’s research interests focus on developing and validating assessment tools to identify risk factors associated with concurrent substance use and mental health disorders. She plans to pursue these topics in graduate school.

Jeffrey Wardell is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology and the director of the Behavioural Alcohol and Cannabis Research Lab (BAC Lab) at York University. He is a registered Clinical Psychologist with expertise in the assessment and treatment of addictive behaviour. He is interested in studying the interplay among personality, cognitive, social and biological factors in substance use behaviour, with the goal of identifying risk and protective factors for substance-related harms. A current focus of his work is understanding the predictors and consequences of combined use of cannabis and alcohol, as well as clarifying medicinal and non-medicinal motivations for cannabis use.

Meet our team! For a full list of lab team members and alumni visit https://www.baclab.org/meet-the-team

BAC Lab was established in 2020 by Dr. Jeffrey Wardell in the Department of Psychology at York University.

Our lab is interested in understanding the behavioural processes involved with addiction blending the perspectives of clinical, cognitive, social and personality psychology.

Our mission is two-fold. We aim to improve our understanding of the multiple determinants of substance use and misuse, and to clarify both risk and protective factors. In doing so, we aim to generate findings that can inform targeted interventions and harm reduction approaches.

For more information visit https://www.baclab.org

Nicolle Fox
P.H.D student

Nicolle Fox is currently a PHD student in the Clinical Psychology program working under Dr. Wardell's supervision. Nicolle has been a Research Assistant in the BAC Lab since 2020 primarily assisting with the SMART-CAN study. Nicolle’s independent research interests include treatment outcomes for those engaging in unhealthy addiction. Nicolle is also a Registered Psychotherapist working with adults experiencing various struggles and sits on the Board of Directors of Big Brothers Big Sisters of South-West Durham and Northumberland.

Kyra Farrell
P.H.D student

Kyra Farrelly is a Clinical Psychology Ph.D. student supervised by Dr. Wardell. Kyra graduated Dalhousie University in 2019 where she first gained experience working in addictions and mental health research. Kyra also has past experience working as a research assistant at the Peter Boris Centre for Addictions Research in Hamilton where she further grew her interest in pursuing substance-related research.