Taylor is in the full-time Master of Applied Disability Studies (MADS) with specialization in Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA). She moved from Ottawa to complete her masters at Brock and is enjoying living in a new city. Her 3 years of experience as a research assistant in pediatric emergency medicine at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) and various volunteer positions led to her interest in behaviour analysis. Taylor has an interest in topics including autism spectrum disorder (ASD), behavioural pediatrics, and BCBA supervision experiences.

Taylor enjoys reading, yoga, skiing, spending time with friends and family, and hiking with her goldendoodle, Nelson. She looks forward to making connection with her peers and the ADS faculty as a coordinator of the SEW Committee. She is excited to plan many fun social and professional development events.

Kevin is a full-time Master of Arts student in Applied Disability Studies (ADS) specializing in Applied Behaviour Analysis. Under the supervision of Dr. Priscilla Burnham Riosa, he is currently conducting research examining the effects of strengths-based and positive psychology approaches in creating positive changes in the lives of individuals with autism and their families.

When not bogged down with academic work Kevin enjoys activities such as: cooking, baking, playing piano, playing video games, skating, and playing with his guinea pig (Crouton; @croutontheguineapig).

As an ADS student ambassador, Kevin not only wants to help create fun and engaging events for ADS students but also to improve student connections within and between cohorts to create strong and lasting academic and professional relationships!

Samantha is a full-time Master of Arts (MA) student in Applied Disability Studies with a specialization in Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA). She is supervised by Dr. Kendra Thomson and is exploring research with parent training.

Samantha currently commutes to St. Catherines from York Region, where she lives with her husband and four children. She currently works as a behaviour technician supporting clients of all ages.

Outside of school and work, Samantha enjoys musical theatre, drinking coffee and strolling the bookstore. She is excited to share her passion for ABA with the SEW Committee and hopes to bring a sense of community to the students of the ADS program.

Manyata is a second year M.A. student of Applied Disability Studies with a specialization in Applied Behaviour Analysis.

She hails from India and looks forward to settling down in Canada. A student of Dr. Rosemary Condillac’s Lab, Manyata holds staunch interest in diverse applications of ABA. She also holds a master’s degree in counselling psychology and is hopeful to use experiences from both the fields towards developing wholesome services for individuals with developmental disorders.

Her hobbies include knitting, spoken word poetry and cooking. She is delighted to be a part of the SEW committee and is enthusiastic to be working for the students of this department.

Tina is in final year of MADS. She lives and works in Toronto, where she spends her time stuck in traffic. Tina is currently doing her placement with Surrey Place’s TRE-ADD program where she works with some pretty cool teenagers.

Tina is passionate about the field of ABA and making a socially significant impact on the individuals and families she supports. When she’s escaping from school work, Tina enjoys learning French, playing volleyball, and skating.

As an engagement ambassador, Tina hopes to connect with students from other Brock University campuses and cohorts.

Bijal is in the full-time Master of Applied Disability Studies with a specialization in Applied Behaviour Analysis at the Hamilton cohort. She completed her undergraduate degree with a double major in psychology and English, focusing on emotion regulation and creative writing.

By day, Bijal works as an Instructor Therapist with children diagnosed with autism and developmental disabilities. By night, she is a freelance digital artist, Instagram: @bijeweled_. She also enjoys baking cookies, cakes, and other desserts, reading fiction novels, and solving puzzles.

After being a cohort representative in her first year, Bijal is looking forward to her new role as a student ambassador in her final year of the program, helping connect the new and current students through various SEW events!

Rachel Henderson is a full-time Master of Arts Student in Applied Disability specializing in Leadership, Diversity, Community, and Culture (LDCC). Rachel is working under the supervision of Dr Jan Frijters. Rachel’s work focuses on the development of effective diagnostic tools through the lens of intersectionality and feminism.

When Rachel is not working, she can normally be found baking or hiking in the woods.

Rachel is excited to work to improve students’ overall wellness in ADS and to help students to develop meaningful connections across the department.

Nishika is in her final year of the Master of applied disability studies program specializing in ABA, in St. Catharines. She has been working with autistic children for the last year and a half and hopes to continue working and improving the lives of the people in her community.

In her free time, Nishika loves to read, binge shows and movies, play with her dog, and hopes to travel more in the future.

She joined the SEW committee to create new relationships with her peers and hopes to meet more people before completing her program at Brock.

I am a full-time student of Master of Applied Disability Studies with a specialization in ABA. I currently work as a direct instructor for children with autism spectrum disorders.  

I completed my Bachelor’s and Master’s in Psychology. I worked as a university guest lecturer before turning my focus to ABA. I was doubtful when I started working as an ABA therapist. But soon, became passionate about it and decided to learn more.   

I like to be active all the time but mostly find myself curled up in my bed. During my free time, whenever I have the willpower to get out, I like to travel and try out new foods. 

I am excited to be an engagement ambassador for SEW committee. I am looking forward to organizing and participating in events to connect with other ADS students as well as to learn from each other. 

Marwa is a full-time student pursuing her second year of Master of Applied Disability Studies program with specialization in Applied Behavior Analysis. She moved from India with her child to complete her masters at Brock. Her 8 years of experience as a speech language pathologist in India and the Middle East in various settings like multidisciplinary clinics, schools and rehabilitation centres motivated her to learn more about disability and ABA.

Marwa enjoys travelling and has travelled and lived in many cities across India and travelled to various countries and learnt the culture and especially food. She loves reading, dancing, ping pong, soccer and of course exploring Niagara and GTA with her daughter.

Marwa loves socializing and is excited to build new connections with students and the ADS faculty as the SEW committee outreach ambassador. She is excited to help international students, and plan and join fun events with the ADS community!