Canada 150 Research Chair in Social Neuroendocrinology, Sexuality, & Gender/Sex.
Professor of Psychology, Gender Studies, & Neuroscience.
³ÉÈË´óƬ.
infofind out how to pronounce "Sari", and to learn where my made-up last name comes from!
My research focuses on social neuroendocrinology, sexuality, gender/sex & sexual diversity, and feminist and queer science.
Sari M. van Anders Bio
Dr. Sari van Anders is the Canada 150 Research Chair in Social Neuroendocrinology, Sexuality, and Gender/Sex, and
Professor of Psychology, Gender Studies, and Neuroscience, at ³ÉÈË´óƬ. Dr. van Anders has published over 120
papers with research that sets out new ways to conceptualize, understand, measure, and map gender/sex, sexual
diversity, and sexuality, and also provides unique tools and theories for feminist and queer science, especially
within social neuroendocrinology and studies of testosterone. Dr. van Anders' work has been recognized with the
2013 Janet Taylor Spence Award for Transformative Early Career Contributions from the Association for Psychological
Science, the 2014 Frank Beach Young Investigator Award from the Society for Behavioral Neuroendocrinology,
the 2016 and 2020 Distinguished Publication Award from the Association for Women in Psychology, the 2019 George
A. Miller Award for an Outstanding Recent Article on General Psychology from APA Division 1, the 2012 Ira
and Harriet Reiss Theory Award from the Foundation for the Scientific Study of Sexuality, the 2016 Committee on
Women in Psychology Leadership Award from the American Psychological Association, the 2022 Distinguished
Scientific Contribution Award from the Society for Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity (APA Division 44),
and more. Dr. van Anders has also been named one of 50 Distinguished Sexual and Gender Health Revolutionaries
from the University of Minnesota’s Program in Human Sexuality as well as a Member of the Royal Society of Canada’s
College of New Scholars. Dr. van Anders is committed to progressive transformation efforts for academic spaces
and beyond.
I'm a third-year PhD candidate at Queen's, in social-personality psychology. I completed my BA and MA at the
University of Saskatchewan, focusing on interactions between positive bisexual identity, microaffirmations, and gender.
My main research interests are romantic and sexual attraction and relationships, positive sexual minority identity, and
mental illness experiences in academia. In my free time, I enjoy crafting, dancing, and cuddling with my three cats!
I am taking on the lab coordinator position for the 2024–2025 academic year! I recently completed my Bachelor of Arts
in Psychology at Queen's and am thrilled to continue my research endeavours here. I am interested in using a feminist lens
to push heteronormative boundaries and deepen our understanding of the intersections between gender/sex, sexuality, and
social contexts while simultaneously challenging the normative constraints put on gender diverse individuals. When I am
not researching, I love running, practicing piano, playing with my cat, Dairy, or listening to Beyoncé (especially
her Renaissance album!).
Honours Students, Volunteers, & Research Assistants
Elias Azizi
He / him
Volunteer
- Present
I am a second-year Health Sciences student at ³ÉÈË´óƬ, and I am very excited to join the van Anders lab this
year. I am currently interested in research involving the relationship between sexuality and the modulation of
different hormones, as well as the impact of culture and lived experiences on sexuality. I hope that my experiences at
the van Anders lab positively impact my ability to provide inclusive care as a future healthcare professional. During my
free time, I enjoy listening to music and going to the gym.
Victoria Belway
Volunteer & Research Assistant
- Present
I am an undergraduate student at Simon Fraser University, majoring in Behavioural Neuroscience and minoring in Gender,
Sexuality, and Women's Studies. I am interested in how gender and sexuality interact with hormones, the brain, and our
psychology, especially among neurodiverse people. I am glad to work with the van Anders lab to explore these questions
from an intersectional feminist perspective. In my free time, I like to write poetry, scrapbook, and volunteer with
animals.
Caroline Ding
Volunteer
- Present
I am a second year Health Sciences student at ³ÉÈË´óƬ, and I am so thrilled to be a part of the van Anders lab
as a volunteer! I am interested in women's health, and in particular, through the context of social neuroendocrinology. I
also have a broad interest in how gender and sex/uality perceptions can impact sexual behaviours and attitudes. Outside of
the lab, I enjoy reading, playing the NYT games, and petting cats!
Jennifer Du
She / her
Volunteer & RA
- Present
I am a third-year Health Sciences student currently attending ³ÉÈË´óƬ, and I am glad to be a part of the van
Anders lab! Some topics in research that I am interested in are women's health, the effects of gender stereotypes on social
well-being, and studies involving hormones or mental health. I hope that my experiences and knowledge gained from my
time at the van Anders lab would positively influence my perspectives on inclusivity in the future, since I aspire to
become a medical professional. Outside of the lab, you can find me baking cupcakes, playing squash, or attending a spin
class.
Flynn Eves-Welch
They / them
Volunteer
- Present
I am currently a Health Sciences student at ³ÉÈË´óƬ, and I am working to focus my degree on the anatomical
basis of health and disease. I am proud to be working in a lab that focuses on intersectionality within its practices,
and I am invigorated to learn more about the psychosocial interactions of identity and perception within queer feminist
research. I plan to instill the knowledge gained in this research team to future practices as a healthcare provider.
Outside of the lab, I enjoy drawing, printmaking, weightlifting and gaming.
Emma Hickey
she / her
Honours Thesis Student
- Present
I am a fourth-year student at Queen's majoring in psychology and I'm very excited to be joining the van Anders lab
as an honours thesis student this year! My research interests include exploring the social and biological factors
influencing desire and the ways by which people conceptualize their gender and sexual identities. I'm looking forward to
exploring these interests using feminist and queer science perspectives and learning more about the experiences
of gender and sexual diverse individuals. Outside of the lab I enjoy weightlifting, going on hikes, and baking.
Hannah Jin
She / her
Volunteer
- Present
I am a third-year Health Sciences student at ³ÉÈË´óƬ, and I am excited to be a part of the van Anders
lab again this year! I am interested in how certain social structures (such as heteronormative views) govern interactions
and well-being. The work done in the lab has allowed me to understand the impact of how research is conducted–it does
not simply serve as a source of information but as a catalyst for social change. I am excited to continue learning
about how to conduct equitable research, preparing me to prioritize advocacy and social responsibility throughout my
academic and professional career. Outside of the lab, I enjoy playing and teaching piano, as well as swimming and
ice skating.
Joshua Joseph
He / him
Volunteer
- Present
Hi! My name is Josh. I am in my third year of Health Sciences at McMaster and I am a volunteer at the van Anders lab.
My current research interest involves exploring the relationship between body satisfaction and sexual desire, and how
hormones may connect them. In my free time, I like playing video games, doing Pilates, and reading manga. As well,
I love everything Pokemon related!
Emily Lackie
She / her
Volunteer & RA
- Present
I am an undergraduate student majoring in Life Sciences and minoring in English Literature. I am so excited to be back in
the lab this year! I have a broad interest in feminism and gender and sex/uality but I also have a background in
neuroscience which makes me particularly interested in the biopsychological aspects of the field. I hope to use
this knowledge in the future to work in medicine and inform patient care practices that focus on inclusivity.
Outside of the lab, you can usually find me reading or playing guitar or piano.
Jessica Lee
She / her
Volunteer & RA
- Present
I am a third year Health Sciences Student at ³ÉÈË´óƬ specializing in Global and Population Health, and
I am beyond excited to join the van Anders lab this academic year. My undergraduate background in health sciences has
afforded me a new lens through which I view my earlier interests, feminist literature and gender, and I am now
looking to consider how gender/sex and sexuality perceptions and identities impact reproductive care and sexual health.
I believe that the lab's inclusive research practices resemble an important step towards improving patient-centered care,
and therefore bettering health outcomes amongst diverse individuals.
Ariella Myers
She / her
Volunteer
- Present
I am a second year Psychology student at ³ÉÈË´óƬ, and I am thrilled to be joining the lab as a volunteer
research assistant! My research interests lie within the cognitive neuroscience branch of psychology, with
a particular focus on the connections between sexuality, hormones, and cognition. I am very passionate about
conducting research in a way that reflects diverse lived experiences, and I believe that this closely aligns
with the inclusive values and practices of the van Anders lab. Outside of the lab, I enjoy travelling, thrifting,
going to the gym, and doing puzzles.
Reyna Okumura
She / her
Volunteer
- Present
I'm a second year Psychology-Sociology Joint Honours student at Queen’s University and I’m so excited to be a part of
the van Anders lab this year! My research interests lie in social influences on gender/sex and sexuality, particularly
in the repercussions of heteronormativity and (on the flip side) queer/feminism-informed education on sexual
attitudes/behaviour/relationships. I hope to use this experience in the future to incorporate feminist/queer frameworks
and values into legal practice. Outside of the lab, you’ll find me doing NYT crosswords or collecting CDs!
Tharushi Nathasha Perera
She / her
Volunteer
- Present
I am a second year Health Sciences undergraduate student at ³ÉÈË´óƬ, and I am excited to be joining the van
Anders Lab. My research interests include exploring factors that affect diverse groups, particularly minorities,
in receiving medical care, and I'm interested in using queer and feminist perspectives to understand the way this can
affect accessibility and post care in Canadian Medicine. Outside the lab I am on the novice rowing team, I collect
vinyl records, play sudoku, and enjoy learning new cooking recipes.
Veronika Safarian
She / her
Volunteer
I am a third-year undergraduate psychology student at ³ÉÈË´óƬ and am thrilled to join the van Anders lab this
year! I'm interested in researching the societal influences on sexual health, particularly the impact of heteronormativity
on sexual behaviours and relationships. Additionally, I am interested in the interplay between sexual and gender identity
and the consumption of sexually explicit material. I am originally from Toronto, ON, residing in Kingston, ON. When I'm not
in the lab, I enjoy playing video games, DJing, and watching The Sopranos.
Paige Stanley
She / her
Honours Thesis Student
Hi, my name is Paige, and I am a fourth-year psychology honors thesis student. I am thrilled to be part of the
lab, and my research interests include understanding the heteronormativity theory and how it interacts with cortisol
and testosterone. I am excited to approach psychology from a multidisciplinary perspective, integrating social, spiritual,
biological, and endocrinological approaches. Outside the lab, my biggest hobby is traveling, and I love hiking,
swimming, and scuba diving.