Members' Bio's

Patrick Allen

Patrick joined the lab in 2010. He is currently in his last year at VIU. Patrick’s interests include the natural sciences, epistemology, and philosophy of mind. He is focusing on Educational Psychology and Child Development, and plans on applying to graduate school. He is optimistic that his time spent in the Resilience Lab will facilitate his future research in minimal-guidance education.

 

Caroline Burnley

Caroline obtained her Ph.D. from Carleton University in 1994 and has been a full-time faculty member in the Department of Psychology at VIU since 1995. Caroline is one of the directors of the Department’s Resilience Research Lab (RRL) which she founded with her colleague Ruth Kirson. Caroline’s interests include social welfare, developing social capital in communities, understanding how resilience is exhibited within contextual frameworks, and supporting programs which foster and support resilience in children, youth and adults. Caroline values the opportunity to teach her students through lab activities and research.

 

Courtenay Crucil

Courtenay joined the lab in September 2008. She is in her final year of her Psychology major and First Nations Studies minor.  Courtenay is interested in Eco-psychology and Environmental psychology (specifically wilderness therapy and pro-environmental behavior change strategies), counselling psychology, community development, First Nations protocol, and promoting resilience in at-risk children and youth. Courtenay also works as a youth outreach worker at Nanaimo Youth Services Association and plans to enter graduate school upon completion of her Bachelor of Arts.

Jean King

Jean returned to university after a long hiatus to finish her degree. She believes the opportunity to work with this lab is exciting as well as a wonderful learning experience. Jean intends to finish her degree at VIU and will continue to work with children and adolescents.

 

Karen Kurytnik

Karen joined the lab in January 2008. She is a former psychology graduate of Malaspina University-College and recently completed a PhD in Educational Psychology at SFU. Her dissertation was on the topic of resilience in adolescents adopted from Romanian Orphanages. She is thrilled to be back in Nanaimo and involved with the resilience research lab at VIU.

 

Amy Moyer

Amy joined the lab in January 2009. She is currently in her fourth year at VIU. Amy has research interests in applied social psychology and health psychology. She is interested in exploring the connection between resilience and health and health promotion. When she's not studying, Amy enjoys cycling around Nanaimo.

Kristy Tymos

Kristy joined the lab in January 2008. She is in third year and is delighted to finally see graduation on the distant horizon. Kristy has a research interest in family resilience bridging the gap between family and marriage psychology and resiliency. Upon graduation, Kristy aims to apply to graduate schools that can support her in pursuing her interest in these close family relations.