People

Meet The ADMH Lab

Principal investigator

Dr. Andrew (Hyounsoo) Kim

Dr. Andrew Kim is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at Toronto Metropolitan University and the Principal Investigator of the Addictions and Mental Health (ADMH) Lab. Dr. Kim holds a Canada Research Chair (Tier II) in Addictions and Mental Health Comorbidity. He completed his PhD in Clinical Psychology at the University of Calgary followed by a psychology residency in the Substance Use and Concurrent Disorders Program at The Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre. His research focuses on understanding shared and unique risk factors underlying substance and behavioral addictions and their mental health comorbidities. Dr. Kim is committed to developing integrated, evidence-based treatments that support individuals experiencing co-occurring addictions and mental health difficulties.

Postdocs

Graduate Students

Research Coordinator

RA's

National Collaborators

International Collaborators

Lab Alumni

Banting Postdoctoral Fellow

Dr. Jonathan David

Dr. Jonathan David is a Banting Postdoctoral Fellow supervised by Dr Matthew Keough (York University) and Dr Andrew Kim. Dr David completed his Ph.D. in Psychology at Macquarie University (Australia). His Postdoctoral research is focused on the psychological processes underlying problematic video gaming and gambling.

AGRI Postdoctoral Fellow

Dr. Spencer Murch

Dr. Spencer Murch is an AGRI Postdoctoral Fellow working under Drs. Daniel McGrath and Andrew Kim in the Department of Psychology at the University of Calgary. He obtained his PhD in Cognitive Psychology from UBC Vancouver (2020) and completed a CIHR Postdoctoral Fellowship under Drs. Sylvia Kairouz and Martin French in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at Concordia University (Montreal). Spencer’s research seeks to leverage emerging Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies towards the prevention of harms related to online gambling. This includes mining ‘big’ datasets for behavioural markers of problem gambling, developing AI-based gambling harm detection systems, and using generative AI systems to create always new Responsible Gambling messages and imagery.

Jama Maxie

Jama Maxie is a second-year Master’s student in Clinical Psychology at Toronto Metropolitan University and a graduate of York University, where he earned his BA in Psychology with high distinction. His primary research interests include (1) the relationship between experiences of racial discrimination and addictive behaviours, (2) sports betting motives and risk factors, and (3) the psychosocial mechanisms linking addiction and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). His Master’s thesis examines the protective and moderating role of partner social support in the relationship between addiction and PTSD. Prior to graduate training, Jama worked as an addiction counsellor at Addiction Rehab Toronto.

Eliscia Sinclair, M.A

Eliscia is a Clinical Psychology PhD student whose master’s thesis explored cognitive distortions related to ‘breaking even’ in gambling. Her dissertation investigates links between gaming disorder and PTSD. Clinically, she has assessed and treated trauma- and stressor-related disorders at St. Michael’s Hospital and CAMH. Eliscia has also published and presented research on the gambling gender publication gap, simultaneous gambling and substance use, cashing out in in-play sports betting, and culturally competent interventions for East Asian communities.

Lindsey Snaychuk, M.A

Lindsey is a senior Clinical Psychology PhD in the lab. Though she works with addictions broadly, she has a particular interest in studying the conceptualization and clinical approaches for compulsive sexual behaviour. Her dissertation is focused on developing a multidimensional tool to assess compulsive sexual behaviour to inform treatment planning. She has completed practicum placements at St. Michaels Hospital Toronto Western Hospital, and the Centre for Addictions and Mental Health (CAMH). She is currently a doctoral associate at Ontario Sex Therapy where she works with a variety of sexual health (e.g., sexual desire/pain) concerns and comorbid conditions. Lindsey has published several papers and presented her work at several national and international conferences. As a first generation graduate student, Lindsey is actively involved in mentorship and is always happy to connect with prospective graduate students about their applications or broader academic journey.

Jenna Vieira

Jenna is a first-year PhD student in Clinical Psychology. Her research interests include identifying transdiagnostic psychosocial factors that contribute to the development and maintenance of behavioural addictions (e.g., gaming) and concurrent disorders. Her thesis examined the interactive role of coping motives and experiential avoidance in co-occurring GAD and addictions, both substance and behavioural. She has received research support from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) and has published several peer-reviewed manuscripts. Clinically, Jenna is particularly interested in the assessment and treatment of addictive, concurrent, and anxiety disorders. She has completed a practicum placement at St. Michael’s Hospital (Psychology Training Clinic) and is currently completing a placement at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton (Concurrent Disorders Program).

Study Coordinator

Maya Thulin

Maya completed her Bachelor of Arts in the Honours Psychology program at the University of British Columbia. She has been involved in addictions and mental health research since 2021 and has been the study coordinator at the ADMH Lab since 2023.

Daniel Dabir

Daniel is a Research Assistant in the ADMH Lab. He is an undergraduate student majoring in Psychology with a minor in Biology at Toronto Metropolitan University. His research interests center on addictions and mental health, particularly the biological and psychological mechanisms that contribute to comorbidities. Daniel is strongly motivated by a long-term goal of pursuing psychiatry and is committed to gaining research experience that deepens his understanding of clinical assessment, treatment, and the factors that shape addictive behaviours.

Nalan Guney

Nalan Guney is a Research Assistant in the lab. She completed her B.A. (Honours) in Psychology with Distinction at Toronto Metropolitan University. Her Honours Thesis, which was published, examined the relationship between adverse childhood experiences, urgency, and emotion dysregulation in predicting food addiction. She has also presented her work at different conferences. Currently, Nalan is working on a collaborative project in the ADMH Lab that evaluates the effectiveness of a gambling prevention program developed by the YMCA Youth Gambling Awareness Program.

Megan Molnar, BA Hons

Meg has been a research assistant in the lab for nearly 3 years. She recently obtained her B.A (honors) in Psychology from TMU (with distinction). Meg’s honors thesis (which was recently published) examined the stigma associated with food addiction and binge eating disorder. Her research in the lab has focused on examining clinical correlates associated with food addiction and she has presented this research at national and international conferences. Currently, Meg is assisting with research tasks in the ADMH lab and HEAL lab at TMU. She is also working as an intake coordinator at Danforth psychology. Her goal is to attend graduate school in clinical psychology.

Corina Picco, BA Hons, MSc

Corina recently completed her MSc in Forensic Psychology at Ontario Tech University and is a new research assistant in the lab. Her work focuses on the intersection of substance use disorders, psychopathy, and addictive behaviours, with an emphasis on their neurobiological underpinnings. Currently, her research explores simultaneous substance use, sports betting, and the impact of immigration status on addiction risk. Corina is also a Research Analyst at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) and volunteers with several clinical and forensic research teams, including Ontario Shores. She has multiple manuscripts under review and has presented at several national and international conferences. Corina’s goal is to pursue further graduate training in clinical psychology.

Jesse Shewfelt

Jesse is a volunteer research assistant at the ADMH lab. He graduated from TMU in 2024 with a BAH in Psychology with distinction. Currently, Jesse volunteers with the ADMH lab as well as the Indigenous Experience Lab. His work primarily focuses on using media interventions to reduce prejudice and improve solidarity with marginalized communities. Jesse is looking to pursue graduate studies in clinical psychology.

Hala Sukhon

Hala Sukhon is a research assistant in the lab, majoring in Psychology with a minor in Human Resources. Her research interests focus on understanding the mechanisms underlying stress, emotion regulation, and addictive behaviours. Passionate about pursuing a PhD in Clinical Psychology, Hala aims to continue conducting research that informs effective interventions for addictions and mood disorders.