Dr. Caroline F. Pukall
(she/her/elle)
Ph.D., C.Psych. [CV]
Lab Director
Dr. Caroline Pukall, Canada Research Chair in Sexual Health (Tier 1), received her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from McGill University. She is currently Professor in the Department of Psychology and the Director of the Sex and Relationship Therapy Service at the Psychology Clinic at Queen’s University. Caroline’s research lab—the Sexual Health Research Laboratory—brims with enthusiastic, collaborative, and keen students of all levels who work diligently on research projects examining various aspects of sexual health, including genitopelvic pain, sexual difficulties (e.g., persistent genital arousal disorder), sexual arousal, and questionnaire development. She is lucky to have such a productive and lively lab, the activities of which are coordinated by her dynamic Research Associate, Shannon. Caroline is passionate about using multiple methodologies in her research and she has investigated numerous aspects of sexual health using brain imaging, psychophysics, psychophysiology, and blood flow imaging, all the while relating the findings of these methods to a variety of self-report measures. She places great importance on knowledge translation and clinically relevant research, ensuring that the results of her research have positive effects on members of the public through numerous efforts. She is especially passionate about conducting inclusive research and works with patient partners and a variety of consultants to increase representation in, and relevance of, her work. She has published more than 120 journal articles, more than 40 book chapters, and several books as author/editor. Caroline’s research has been funded by several organizations, including the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and the National Vulvodynia Association. Caroline is Associate Editor for Sexual Medicine Reviews and is on the editorial board of several journals, including The Archives of Sexual Behavior, The Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy, and The Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality. She is currently Chair of the Female Genitopelvic Pain Committee of the International Consultation of Sexual Medicine.
Shannon Coyle (she/her) [CV]
Shannon is the research associate in the Sexual Health Research Lab. She is also a professor at St. Lawrence College teaching human sexuality, psychology and sociology. She is also a Qualtrics survey system trainer and programmer at Queen's. After completing two years as a Ph.D student in Kinesiology and Health Studies at Queen's University she decided to shift her focus and follow her passion to teach and conduct research.
Additionally, Shannon collaborates and consults with the Sexuality and Gender Lab and Queen’s Emotions and Risky Behaviours in Youth (QuERBY) Lab at Queen’s University.
Research Associate
M.A. (Gender studies), B.A.H. (psychology)
B.Sc. (life science)
PH.D. CANDIDATE (Clinical Psychology)
M.SC. (Clinical Psychology)
B.Sc.H. (Psychology)
Meghan McInnis (she/her) [CV]
Meghan is a fifth-year Clinical Psychology Ph.D. Candidate. For her Master’s thesis, she conducted an online study on the experiences of individuals diagnosed with prostate cancer. Her PhD dissertation is an investigation of virginity in adulthood. In terms of her clinical interests, Meghan is particularly interested in assessment, and working with children, adolescent, and adults on the Autism Spectrum.
PH.D. candidate (Clinical Psychology)
M.Sc. (Clinical Psychology)
B.Sc.H (Psychology)
Kayla Mooney (she/her) [CV]
Kayla is a fifth-year Clinical Psychology Ph.D. Candidate. Her Master’s thesis focused on experiences of persistent genital arousal within romantic relationships, and whether interpersonal factors can predict symptom experiences and relationship adjustment. For her dissertation, Kayla is examining the relationship between cannabis use and various aspects of sexual functioning.
PH.D. Student (Clinical Psychology)
M.Sc. (Clinical Psychology)
B.A.H. (Psychology)
Maeve Mulroy (she/her) [CV]
Maeve is a third-year Ph.D. student in the Clinical Psychology program. Her Master's thesis research focused on assessment of Persistent Genital Arousal Disorder/Genitopelvic Dysesthesia (PGAD/GPD) as well as development of a measure for use in assessment of PGAD/GPD. Her Ph.D. program of research will continue to examine this condition, with a focus on evaluating treatment approaches as well as exploring a variety of research methods to better understand the mechanisms involved in PGAD/GPD.
PH.D. Student (clinical psychology)
m.sc. (social psychology)
b.a.h. (psychology)
Trinda L. Penniston (she/her) [CV]
Trinda is a second-year Ph.D. student in the Clinical Psychology program. Her Master’s thesis examined how race, racial attitudes, and identification with sexual stimuli impacts women’s sexual responses. Her current research and clinical interests focus on sexual health and well-being, primarily among racialized individuals and communities. Trinda also has a keen interest in the relationship between sexuality and trauma, with a particular focus on racial and sexual violence trauma.
PH.D. Student (Clinical Psychology)
M.Sc. (Clinical Psychology)
B.A.H (Psychology)
Sam Levang (she/her) [CV]
Sam is a second-year Ph.D. student in the Clinical Psychology program. Her Master’s thesis research focused on vulnerability and resilience processes associated with sexual distress and sexual satisfaction in the endometriosis population. Her Ph.D. program of research will continue to examine this condition, with a specific focus on similarities and differences in the lived experience and symptom profiles among cis-women and gender diverse individuals.
PH.D. Student (Clinical Psychology)
M.Sc. (Clinical Psychology)
B.Sc.H (Psychology)
Caitlin Barry [CV] (they/she)
Caitlin is a second-year Ph.D. student in the Clinical Psychology program. Their research interests include sexual health, mental health, and health care experiences among gender diverse individuals. Their Master’s thesis explored strength-based and health promoting behaviours among trans and non-binary individuals. Their PhD research will focus on how trans and non-binary folks navigate sexuality, sexual health, and health care environments.
PH.D. Student (Clinical Psychology)
M.Sc. (Clinical Psychology)
B.A.H (PSYCHOLOGY)
Megan Henkelman (she/her) [CV]
Megan is a first-year Ph.D. student in the Clinical Psychology program. Her research interests include sexuality among cancer, LGBTQ+, and disability communities. For her Master’s thesis, Megan is developing an inclusive and holistic measure of sexuality.
M.SC. STUDENT (CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY
B.Sc.H (Psychology)
Julianna Park (she/her) [CV]
Julianna is a second-year M.Sc. student in the Clinical Psychology program. Her research interests include sexual function, sexual health, and sexual education. For her Masters’ thesis, Julianna is exploring the impact of clitorodynia on psychosocial well-being and healthcare experiences in sexual and gender minority individuals.