Core team

Meet our core team here. Find out more about the brilliant people we are lucky to work with both in the SMRC (Research Fellows, PhD students and EdInMIND Lab) and throughout the University and beyond (Collaborators) by clicking on the links to the left.

Head and shoulder photo of Katie Cebula

Dr Katie Cebula

Director of the Salvesen Mindroom Research Centre

Link to Katie's full profile

Katie is a developmental psychologist and a Senior Lecturer in Developmental Psychology in the Moray House School of Education and Sport. She became Director of the Centre in 2025. Katie’s research focuses on the relationships and school experiences of neurodivergent children and young people, with a particular focus on sibling relationships. 

Headshot photo of Prof Sue Fletcher-Watson

Professor Sue Fletcher-Watson

Core member of the Salvesen Mindroom Research Centre

Link to Sue's full profile

Sue is a developmental psychologist and Professor of developmental psychology. Sue is interested in how children develop and learn, and in particular in cases where this follows an unusual trajectory. In her own research Sue has a particular focus on Autism. 

Photo of Catherine Crompton

Dr Catherine Crompton

Core member of the Salvesen Mindroom Research Centre

Link to Catherine's full profile

Catherine is a neuropsychologist and Chancellor's Fellow. Her research explores the different ways that neurodivergent people communicate, and how this relates to wellbeing. She is particularly interested in peer support and community-based participatory research.

Head and shoulder photo of Sam Friedman

Dr Samantha Friedman

Core member of the Salvesen Mindroom Research Centre

Link to Sam's full profile

Samantha is a developmental psychologist and Lecturer in Applied Psychology. Her research focuses on critical perspectives on autism, nature, wellbeing, and the intersection of these topics. She is particularly interested in supporting autistic and otherwise neurodivergent young people through nature-based learning.