Raina Barara

Raina is a full-time research assistant in the CRANI Lab. She completed her Honours BSc in Psychology (2023) and her MSc in Neuroscience (2024) at the University of Ottawa. Her Honours thesis (completed under the supervision of Dr. Jude Mary Cénat) explored the role of parental violence, emotional regulation, and resilience in sexual violence outcomes in adolescents and young adults in Haiti. Her Master's research project (completed under the supervision of Dr. Mario Tiberi) delved into the role of the Parkinson LRRK2 gene in dopamine D3 receptor function. Raina is extremely passionate about approaching research with an intersectional lens and rendering mental healthcare more accessible, equitable, diverse, and inclusive. She is most interested in youth mental health, the effects of identity and discrimination on mental health outcomes, and the development of culturally-sensitive therapeutic approaches tailored to the needs of equity-deserving groups. Outside of the lab, Raina enjoys fencing, singing, acting, and going to concerts.