Students | Therapeutic, Recreational, & Problematic Substance Use

Current Members

Tatiana Sanchez, MA

Tatiana completed her B.Sc. with Honours in Psychology from McGill University in 2016 and her M.A. in Clinical Psychology at UBCO in 2019. Her Masters project focused on the effect of cannabis legalization on the social approval of cannabis use in high school and university students. Her doctoral research is focused on interviewing current psychedelic psychotherapy practitioners and using qualitative methods to identify important themes that inform the development of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy training programs. Aside from her research, she was the first recipient of a mental health equity fellowship at UBC focused on advocating for equity in access to effective mental health services in British Columbia. In 2022/2023 she worked along Dr. Lesley Lutes as a part of a special advisory committee on publicly funded mental health with the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions. As an immigrant from Colombia, she is constantly thinking about the impact of race, ethnicity, culture, language, acculturation status, and nationality on health outcomes. As a clinician-in-training, Tatiana is interested in expanding accessibility for mental health treatment and reducing the stigma of mental health in BIPOC communities. She is a co-founder of the @AIDE_UBCO group which aims to reduce barriers for marginalized students to join the field of psychology and addresses institutional racism within academia.

Joey Rootman, MA

Joey Rootman is a Doctoral student in the clinical psychology program at the University of British Columbia – Okanagan Campus. He moved to the Okanagan after completing his undergraduate education in Psychology at the University of British Columbia – Vancouver campus. Joey’s primary research interest surrounds the use of Cannabis as a substitute for other, more harmful, drugs, but he has contributed to projects across a diverse array of psychological research from neurobiology to human sexuality. Outside of the lab, Joey is heavily involved with Canadian Students for Sensible Drug Policy and loves to combine his interests in photography and music by occasionally working as an event photographer.

Tashia Petker, MSc

Tashia is a PhD student in the Clinical Psychology program at UBCO, where she is researching the therapeutic uses of psychedelics to help people with addiction. She is passionate about improving currently-available addiction treatments using innovative approaches, and recently evaluated the effectiveness of yoga in a residential addiction treatment program for women. She completed her MSc in Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour at McMaster University, where her thesis explored the relationships among ADHD, cannabis use and cognitive functions. Tashia has also contributed to research on assessing impulsivity in correctional settings, gambling and binge eating disorders, and changes in binge-drinking and cannabis use across young adulthood. Her favourite non-school activities include DJing, rock climbing, hiking, and bird-watching. Follow her on twitter @tashiapetker

Christopher Nelson, MA

Christopher is a M.A. student in the Clinical Psychology program at the University of British Columbia Okanagan supervised by Dr. Zachary Walsh and Dr. Maya Libben. His undergraduate research, completed at the University of Florida, investigated the relationship between collective effervescence and musical experience. His master’s research, completed at the University of Central Florida, continued his undergraduate research with the development and validation of an original psychometric tool evaluating collective effervescence through live music events. He also examined the clinical potential for cannabidiol (CBD) as a treatment for anxiety using meta-analytic procedures. His current research focuses on the use of cannabis and psychedelics for recreational and therapeutic purposes.

Jordy Cates, B.Sc.

Jordy Cates is a 2nd year M.A. student in the Clinical Psychology program at UBC Okanagan, working under the supervision of Dr. Zach Walsh. She competed her bachelor’s of science in psychology with a minor in biology in 2021. She is a member of Okanagan Indian Band and started working with Dr. Walsh 4 years ago through the Indigenous Research Mentorship Program. Her research focuses on Indigenous cannabis use, the therapeutic uses of cannabis, and psilocybin. While she isn’t in school, she works as a drug checking technician for the UBCO Harm reduction team.

Ifunanya Okwuobi

Ifunanya (ee-foon-eye-ya) is a 4th year Bachelor of Science student at the UBC Okanagan completing a major in Psychology. Ifunanya’s research is centered on cannabis and pregnancy. She is completing a directed studies project under the supervision of Dr. Walsh and Sarah Daniels. The research intends to characterise public perceptions held regarding the use of cannabis during pregnancy and identify the factors that influence these beliefs. Outside of school and the lab, Ifunanya spends time volunteering with the Central Okanagan Community Food Bank. She is also an avid reader and baker, a novice boxer and a fashion and design enthusiast. In the future, she aims to pursue a doctorate in clinical neuropsychology with a special interest in children and adolescents.

Cosette Robertson

Cosette is a 4th year undergraduate student pursuing her B.A. with Honours in Psychology at UBCO. After being disillusioned by conventional treatment methods, she became interested in studying alternative means of addressing substance use disorders and addiction. She is currently completing a directed studies project under the supervision of Dr. Zach Walsh and Tashia Petker using lab alum Dr. Kim Crosby’s dissertation work on substituting cannabis for prescription opioid medication. Cosette is passionate about harm reduction education and integration, as well as deconstructing stigmas around substance use in both the public and in users themselves. She intends to center her prospective graduate research broadly around psychedelics, existential well-being, and problematic alcohol use. Her own level of well-being is directly correlated with the density of the nearest forest and the number of peculiar critters hidden therein.

Lab Alumni

Michelle St. Pierre, PhD – 2023

Michelle received her M.A. in clinical psychology in 2018. Her thesis sought to identify differences in pain perception between cannabis users and non-users. Her doctoral research focused on validating a naturalistic cannabis administration protocol (NCAP). Throughout her degree, Michelle was active in drug policy reform and remains a Strategic Advisor for the Board of Directors for Canadian Students for Sensible Drug Policy. Michelle completed her PhD in Clinical Psychology in September 2023. Follow her on twitter @ms_st_pierre

Sarah Daniels, PhD – 2023

Sarah completed her Bachelor of Arts with Honours in Psychology at the University of British Columbia, Okanagan campus in 2017. Her Honours thesis examined the efficacy of Yoga Nidra in decreasing problematic substance use in young adults. During her Master’s degree completed in 2019, her research focused on physician communication and stigma related to prenatal cannabis use, and the impact of parental cannabis use on parenting and parent-child attachment. Her doctoral research focused on the effects of set and setting on cannabis use outcomes, particularly the use of cannabis during yoga. Throughout her degree she was active on campus as an executive member of the UBC Okanagan branch of Canadian Students for Sensible Drug Policy, as well as president of the UBCO Yoga Club. Outside of the program, Sarah was an avid yoga educator, leading teacher trainings and classes with a focus on yoga as a complementary practice to support mental health. In addition, she enjoys snowboarding, paddleboarding, yoga, and hiking. Sarah completed her PhD in Clinical Psychology in September 2023.

Whitney Evans, BA – 2022

Whitney is a 4^th year Bachelor of Arts student pursuing a Major in Psychology. Whitney’s research focuses on therapeutic psychedelic use, particularly in Indigenous Psychedelic technologies. Whitney is also an advocate for respectful Indigenous-based research. Currently, Whitney is completing a directed studies ship under the supervision of Dr. Walsh that will detail the importance of using an Indigenous research paradigm in therapeutic psychedelic research. Whitney has applied to the Master of Social Work program for the fall of 2022. Whitney’s future educational goals include attending the Clinical Psychology Doctoral program at UBCO. Whitney can be found outside of work and school, connecting with culture, practicing sustainable living, spending time with her family, and travelling.

Lucas Standing, BA – 2022

Lucas is a 4th year undergraduate pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a Minor in Sociology. He is currently working towards completing his Honours thesis under the supervision of Dr. Walsh and Michelle St. Pierre. Lucas’ research project is a cross-sectional study examining therapeutic intent and physician communication among psychedelic users. As the President of the Canadian Students for Sensible Drug Policy Okanagan Chapter, Lucas advocates for evidence-based drug policies that reduce drug-related harms and stigma. He previously worked as a harm reduction specialist for Campus Health’s Harm Reduction Team where he helped develop and provide drug checking services. Lucas’ interests include playing guitar, practicing mindfulness meditation, skiing, and hiking in his hometown, Jasper Alberta.

Sonali Kuber, BA – 2021

Sonali is starting her Masters of Social work at UBCO in September 2022 and completed a directed studies project in the lab during her undergraduate degree. Her area of focus is a qualitative study about Ganja Yoga with PhD student Sarah Daniels researching perceptions and motivations of Ganja Yogis compared to Non-Ganja Yogis. Additionally, she is the Vice-President of the Okanagan chapter of Canadian Students for Sensible Drug Policy and seeks to continue developing her skills clinical research. Outside of the lab you an find her with her dog Myla, or making art.

Kim Crosby, PhD – 2020

Kim completed her Bachelor of Arts with Honours in Psychology from the University of British Columbia – Okanagan in 2013. She successfully defended her Master’s Thesis in the fall of 2015 and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy in Clinical Psychology under the supervision of Dr. Walsh. Her research interests include medical and recreational cannabis use, problematic alcohol use, personality, and intimate partner violence. Kim is currently out on internship in Edmonton, Alberta.

Drew DeClerck, PhD – 2020
I am currently working towards my Ph.D. in clinical psychology with Dr. Susan Holtzman as my supervisor. My areas of research include examining the role of medical cannabis for patients diagnosed with PTSD; investigating the relationship between exercise, depression, and relationship satisfaction; and understanding the role of text based communication in close relationships.

I received my M.A. in clinical psychology from UBCO in 2016, and my B.A. in psychology from the University of Calgary in 2011. During my undergrad I completed two research driven independent studies in central Alberta. The first of these studies examined student nurses perceptions of gerontological nursing before and after a geriatric placement. The second study examined the potential of assistive technology for persons with disabilities to improve independence and quality of life.

Tyler Arnold, BA – 2020

Tyler is in her fourth year of her undergraduate degree working towards her B.A. in Psychology with Honours under the supervision of Dr. Walsh. Her research project is a systematic literature review of Canadian Family Law cases that involve cannabis use and parenting. She is also one of the directors of the Women’s Resource Centre as well as part of the Canadian Students for Sensible Drug Policy. Her interests outside of academia include weight lifting, snowboarding and going to the dog park.

Sherry Hanna, BA – 2020

Sherry is currently in the 4th year of her Bachelor’s of Science degree working towards her Honours in Psychology. She is an avid learner and devotes much of her time to the pursuit of knowledge. She has conducted studies on open educational resources, adolescent substance use prevention and currently, the typologies of cannabis users. She intends to pursue graduate studies in order to continue her research on drugs and substance use. Sherry’s greatest out-of-school passion is spending time with her family playing in the Okanagan’s endless outdoor playground (hiking, biking, swimming, boating, camping, snowshoeing, etc).

Jennifer Langille, PhD – 2019

Jennifer is a fourth year PhD student in the Walsh Lab. Her dissertation research is on the relationships between social support and mental health in people who have had abusive intimate partners. Her clinical interests include Greenberg’s emotion focused therapy, motivational interviewing, programs for offenders, and therapeutic approaches for PTSD. She completed a Master’s in Clinical Psychology at the University of Regina in August 2010, with a clinical focus on treatment for sexual offenders. Her Master’s thesis examined women’s perceptions of police response to intimate partner violence. She completed her Bachelor’s of Applied Arts (Honours) at Kwantlen Polytechnic University in 2007. In her spare time, Jennifer can be found reading sci-fi, spending time with her family (including the cats!), teaching friends vegan cooking, or running random heroics on her mage.

Timothy Nemet – BSc, 2019

Timothy is completing the final year of his undergraduate degree, and is working towards a Bachelors of Science in Psychology with Honours under the supervision of Dr. Walsh, and Michelle St. Pierre. Timothy has previously completed a research study with Dr. Walsh on the relationship between cannabis use and intimate partner violence. Currently he is working on an honours study that further examines that relationship. His research interests include psychopharmacology, cannabis use for therapeutic and recreational purposes, intimate partner violence, and positive psychology.

Avery Sapoznikow – BSc, 2017

Avery is in the final year of his undergraduate working towards a Bachelors of Science in Psychology with Honours under the supervision of Dr. Walsh. Avery has previously completed an independent research study with Dr. Walsh on the Amazonian psychedelic tea Ayahuasca, which is in the process of being submitted to an academic journal. Currently, he is working on a study regarding cannabis use and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). His research interests include psychopharmacology, psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy, cannabis use for therapeutic and recreational purposes, and treatments for substance use disorders.