Elina Birmingham
Associate Professor
Faculty of Education
Simon Fraser University
email: ebirming@sfu.ca

Faculty Profile Page:  https://www.sfu.ca/education/faculty-profiles/ebirmingham.html

Behnaz Bahmei is a PhD student in the School of Mechatronics Systems Engineering, Simon Fraser University, and is co-supervised by Dr. Siamak Arzanpour.  She received her M.Sc. degree in mechanical engineering from K. N. Toosi University of Technology, Tehran, Iran in 2014. Behnaz is proficient in computer programming with the focus on machine learning and deep learning for multiple applications including Computer Vision, Recommendation Systems and Signal Processing. Behnaz joined our group since May 2018 as an artificial intelligence specialist. She is currently working on the sound identification for studying auditory sensitivity in people with ASD.

Ashkan Tavassoli is a MSc student in the School of Mechatronics Systems Engineering, Simon Fraser University, and is co-supervised by Dr. Siamak Arzanpour.  Ashkan joined our group in 2020 and is currently working on one-shot learning for environmental sound classification, for an intervention to support autistic children and youth with decreased sound tolerance.

Troy Boucher is a recent graduate of the Psychology Honour’s program at SFU. He is currently a research assistant working on the sound sensitivity project. Troy also helps with research collaborations between AEL and the Autism and Developmental Disorders Lab (ADDL) at SFU, where he serves as the lab manager.

Meryssa Waite is a Master’s student in the Clinical Psychology program. She received her BSc (Hons.) in Psychology at the University of Victoria. Meryssa has worked with individuals with developmental disabilities as a respite care provider, community support worker, and educational assistant. She is currently a research assistant working on the sound sensitivity project.

Bradley Karstadt recently graduated from UBC with a B.Sc in Cognitive Systems. He is currently working as a research assistant for Dr. Birmingham examining the effects of social vs. non-social cues on the prioritization of adult attention in realistic environments.

Rebekah Stevens is in her last semester of her Linguistics & Indigenous Studies joint major program, with a minor in Psychology. Rebekah hopes to pursue a Masters in Speech-Language Pathology and is currently working with autistic children as a speech-language pathology assistant. She is also a research assistant for Dr. Birmingham, working on the sound sensitivity project.

Marissa Zhu graduated SFU with a BA in Psychology and an extended minor in Linguistics. Additionally, she completed the Certificate in the Linguistics of Speech Science. Currently she is working as a speech-language pathology assistant for children with developmental disabilities and volunteers as a program assistant for After Stroke BC. Marissa is a part of the sound sensitivity project in Dr. Birmingham’s lab.

Sarah Lee is in her 4^th year of undergraduate studies at SFU. She is majoring in Linguistics with a minor in Learning and Developmental Disabilities, and a certificate in Speech Sciences. She is aiming to pursue a Master’s in Speech-Language Pathology and has experience working with neurodivergent children through speech therapy, tutoring, volunteering, and coaching. Sarah volunteers for Dr. Birmingham on the sound sensitivity project.

John Yang, M.A. (SFU)

Joshua Wiebe, B.A. (SFU)

Rebecca Fisher, B.A. (SFU)

Vidaluz Ortuno Nacho, B.A. (SFU)

Dr. Dominic Trevisan, Ph.D (SFU)

Qiwans (Cindy) Shi, M.A. (SFU)

Nicole Roberts, M.A. (SFU)

Marleis Bowering, B.A. (SFU)

Vivian Qi, B.A. (SFU)

Dawn Chan, M.A. (SFU)

Victoria Athey, M.A. (SFU)

Cathy Lin, B.A. (SFU)

Pamela Plantinga, B.A. (SFU)

Emerson Gaglardi, B.A. (SFU)

Zoe Crane, B.A. (SFU)