Principal Investigator

Alicia Nijdam-Jones, Ph.D., C. Psych.

Dr. Nijdam-Jones (she/her) is a Registered Psychologist and Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Manitoba, who practices in the areas of Clinical and Forensic Psychology. She earned her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology (forensic specialization) from Fordham University and has an MA in Criminology from Simon Fraser University. After her doctoral studies, she completed a clinical psychology postdoctoral fellowship at the University of California, San Francisco. She specializes in the area of violence risk assessment, malingering assessment, stalking, and the use of forensic assessment measures with linguistically, ethnically, and culturally diverse samples. She is Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal of Forensic Mental Health and is the Manitoba lead on a national SSHRC Partnership Development Grant to work in collaboration with community partners and service providers to identify guidelines for culturally safe forensic mental health services. Other current projects include analyzing how judges integrate Gladue Factors and psychological assessment information in sentencing decisions and an international study examining the cross-cultural validity of malingering assessment tools in Mexico City.

Graduate Students

Katérine Aminot, B.A.

Kat Aminot (she/her) is a Master’s student in the Clinical Psychology program at the University of Manitoba. Her research interests include clinical and judicial decision-making in forensic contexts, feigning assessments, and language diversity in forensic assessments. Kat’s thesis research explores forensic psychologists’ practices when assessing individuals with limited English proficiency. In her free time, Kat enjoys playing soccer, hockey, and going camping in the summer.

Sarah Brown, Ph.D., B.Sc.

Sarah Brown (she/her) is a Master’s student in Clinical Psychology at the University of Manitoba. She earned her B.Sc. (Honours) in Psychology from Acadia University in 2013 and completed her Ph.D. in Psychology at the University of Edinburgh in 2017. After finishing a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Edinburgh, Sarah returned to Winnipeg in 2018, where she has been working in a forensic psychiatric practice since. Her previous research focused on the longitudinal course of cognition in forensic mental health patients. Through her Master’s thesis, Sarah aims to investigate the impact of ethnicity on legal decision-making in Manitoba. In her free time, she enjoys running, playing bocce ball, and spending time with her family.

Brandon Burgess, M.A., M.Sc.

Brandon Burgess is a PhD student in the Clinical Psychology program at the University of Manitoba. He earned a MSc. in Applied Forensic Psychology from Saint Mary’s University in 2021. His current research interests include improving forensic mental health service delivery for diverse and underserved client populations. His previous research involved examining atypical sexual interests, and long-term longitudinal patterns of sexual offending. His current MA thesis involves developing a national understanding of both the demand, and capacity to meet demand for fitness to stand trial assessments across Canada. In his free time Brandon enjoys reading, playing guitar, and spending time with his family.

McKenna Claeys, B.A.

McKenna Claeys (she/her) is a first year Master’s student in the Clinical Psychology program at the University of Manitoba. Her primary research interests include forensic mental health services, cultural safety, violence in Indigenous communities, and the impact of colonialism on Indigenous experiences with the criminal justice system. In her free time McKenna enjoys spending time with her cat and loved ones, as well as reading and volunteering as a mentor with Big Brother Big Sisters of Winnipeg.

Anthony Elsom, M.A.

Anthony is a Ph.D. student in the Clinical Psychology program at the University of Manitoba. He completed his B.A. (Honours) in Psychology at the University of Regina, where his honours thesis examined the correlates of suicide ideation among Indigenous Peoples in Canada. Anthony is of Cree First Nations and British/Irish settler descent, and is a member of Paul First Nation, located in Treaty Six territory approximately 70 km west of Edmonton, Alberta. Anthony’s master thesis focused on identifying both protective and risk factors contributing to the disproportionate rates of suicidal ideation and suicide attempts among Indigenous Peoples across Canada. His current dissertation explores Indigenous approaches to suicide prevention using a qualitative research methodology. The proposed two-study dissertation project aims to examine both the risk and protective factors associated with self-directed violence, as well as traditional strength-based approaches to suicide prevention within Indigenous communities. Ultimately, Anthony’s goal is to adapt and implement culturally grounded, evidence-informed mental health strategies that support Indigenous wellbeing and resilience, and to help ensure that mental health services are better designed to meet the needs of Indigenous Peoples in Canada.

Ashley Manaigre, B.Sc (Honours 2023)

Ashley Manaigre (she/her) is a first year Master’s student in the Clinical Forensic Psychology program at Simon Fraser University. Her research interests include self-directed violence, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder and neurodevelopmental disorders in the criminal justice system. In her free time, Ashley enjoys running, travelling, and spending time with family and friends.

Madison Hardman, M.A.

Madison Hardman (she/her) is a PhD student in the Clinical Psychology program at the University of Manitoba. Within her research, Madison utilizes quantitative and qualitative methodologies to explore the characteristics and mental health experiences of women involved with the Canadian criminal legal and forensic mental health systems. Her dissertation research will examine the delivery of forensic mental health services for women found NCRMD, and how these services can be optimized to support women’s healing and wellness. In her free time, Madison enjoys trying new restaurants and spending time at her cottage.

Undergraduate Students

Abby Vovchuk (Honours 2024)

Abby (she/her) graduated in Spring 2024 with a B.Sc (Honours) Psychology at the University of Manitoba. Abby’s primary research interests include stalking, self-directed violence risk and protective factors, and barriers to mental health services for forensic populations. She works as part of the Drop-In Staff at Siloam Mission where she addresses community member’s needs such as access to meals and housing. During her free time, Abby enjoys swimming, sketching and spending time with her family and friends.

Rowan Baran (Honours 2026)

Rowan Baran (she/her) is an undergraduate student completing her final year in the B.A Honours Psychology program at the University of Manitoba. After graduating in 2026, Rowan plans to pursue a Master’s degree and PhD in Clinical Forensic Psychology. Rowan’s primary research interests include forensic psychology, psychosis, malingering perceptions and violence risk assessment. In her free time, Rowan enjoys volunteering at Winnipeg Animal Services, going for runs and hikes and spending time with family and friends.

Taylor Matthew (Honours 2026)

Taylor Matthew is in her third year of her Honours Psychology degree within the Faculty of Arts working towards a minor in Sociology. Her interests focus on the forensic psychology, specifically the Not Criminally Responsible defence. In the future she plans to pursue a master’s degree in Forensic Psychology. During her free time, Taylor enjoys playing video games, travelling and going for walks with friends.

Rebekah Waite (Honours 2026)

Rebekah (she/her/elle) is in her third year of the psychology honours program through the faculty of science. Her interests include forensic assessment, the NCRMD defence, and the intersection of forensic psychology and the media. After graduation, she plans on pursuing graduate studies in clinical psychology, with a final goal of testifying in court as an expert witness. In her spare time, Rebekah enjoys travelling and going to concerts.

Larissa Arias Sanches Cunha

Larissa (she/her) is a third-year honours student at the University of Manitoba. She plans to pursue doctoral studies in Clinical Psychology. Larissa is interested in forensic psychology and clinical interventions. Outside of academics, she enjoys travelling, spending time with her family, and volunteering at a local tutoring centre.

Vicky Robinson

Vicky Robinson (she/her) is a third-year student in the B.A. Honours Psychology program at the University of Manitoba. After graduating with her Bachelor’s degree, she plans to pursue graduate studies in clinical psychology and specialize in forensic psychology. Vicky currently works with individuals in addiction and alcoholism recovery at Two Ten Recovery at Destiny House, and was previously employed by Manitoba Corrections. She is an avid hockey fan, loves to travel, and is often with her golden retriever.

Umaima Uneeb

Umaima (she/her) is a third year psychology undergraduate student in the faculty of Arts at the University of Manitoba. With a minor in sociology, she intends to combine her interest in both these fields and pursue a future in research. Umaima’s primary interests include how experience in the legal system affects individuals and the barriers faced by these individuals when accessing mental health services. In her free time, she likes to go to the university gym, hang out with her cats and read mystery novels.

Raquel Anderson

Raquel Anderson (she/her) graduated in the spring of 2023 with a B.A Psychology from the University of British Columbia. Her research interests include forensic mental health, cultural safety, and the lived experience of Indigenous populations within the criminal justice system. Currently, Raquel works as the partnership coordinator for the Cultural Safety Project, an international partnership spanning British Columbia, Manitoba, Quebec, and Aotearoa New Zealand. This project is committed to advancing cultural safety in forensic mental health. In this role, Raquel facilitates communication among partners and collaborators across regions and supports project coordination to ensure the partnership’s success. In her free time, Raquel enjoys running, hiking, and spending time with family and friends.