Larissa Panetta

Dr. Larissa Panetta, PhD, C. Psych is a post-doctoral researcher at York University's Faculty of Health within the Developmental Disabilities and Mental Health Lab. As a clinical developmental psychologist, she investigates the relationship between physiological functioning patterns and subjective experiences in neurodivergent populations.

Her research focuses on autism and developmental disabilities, examining how bio-physiological factors like heart rate variability and circadian rhythms connect with behavioral outcomes and emotional states. Current work explores therapeutic photography interventions for improving psycho-physiological well-being in autistic youth.

Her publication record shows expertise in cognitive psychology, particularly regarding mental effort measurement during attention tasks. Research trends indicate specialization in cognitive load assessment within populations experiencing attention difficulties.

Her educational background includes doctoral and master's degrees from the University of Guelph, undergraduate studies at York University and Queen's University, plus additional qualifications from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education.

Dr. Panetta actively contributes to the lab's research portfolio which includes multiple projects examining mental health promotion, autism service provision, and therapeutic interventions for neurodivergent individuals.