The Mesler Lab Team.

Rhiannon MacDonnell Mesler, Lab Director

Rhiannon Mesler is an Associate Professor at the Dhillon School of Business at the University of Lethbridge (Calgary Campus) and a member of the Institute for Consumer and Social Well-Being. Her research on prosocial consumer behavior and consumer well-being has been featured in top (FT50) journals including Journal of Consumer Research, Journal of Marketing, and Journal of Marketing Research. Rhiannon holds a PhD in Management from the University of Calgary, an MSc in Psychology from the University of Calgary, and a BA in Psychology from the University of Waterloo. She also completed a post-doctoral fellowship at the University of Alberta. Rhiannon currently serves as Chair of the Government of Alberta’s Power and Natural Gas Consumer Panel. She has served as a Board Trustee for the City Centre for Charity Effectiveness Trust at City, University of London, the United Way of Calgary and Area, and Classroom Champions International where she now conducts the program evaluation and impact research.

Teaching

Bijit Ghosh

Senior Research Assistant
Bijit Ghosh has been a part of the Mesler Lab team since August 2024. He is a Marketing PhD Candidate at the University of Alberta and focuses his research in consumer behavior, specifically on perceived value, acts of giving, and prosocial behavior. His work explores the intricate dynamics of how consumers make decisions in prosocial contexts and gift-giving scenarios. One of Bijit's notable research projects investigates the impact of flat donation requests on customers' willingness to round up their change for charitable contributions at the point of sale. Another significant study examines the effectiveness of remedial offers that firms should present to existing customers in response to negative reactions to acquisition promotions, considering both monetary and non-monetary incentives. Bijit's research interests extend to understanding the psychological and social factors that influence consumer decision-making in prosocial contexts, aiming to provide valuable insights for both marketing practitioners and policymakers. Bijit aspires to publish his research in high-ranked journals and contribute to a prestigious research institution, where he can continue to advance knowledge in consumer psychology and foster impactful collaborations.
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Sydney Chertoff

Senior Research Assistant
Sydney Chertoff has been part of the Mesler Lab team since September 2023. Her research focuses on personality traits and non-verbal behavior. She graduated from Canisius College with her Bachelors of Science in Animal Behavior Ecology and Conservation and Psychology in the All-College Honors Program, graduating Summa cum laude . She then received her Master of Science from the Psychology Department at the University of Lethbridge and currently in her fourth year of her PhD in the Department of Psychology at the University of Lethbridge. She is co-supervised by Dr. Rhiannon Mesler and Dr. Jean-Baptiste Leca. Using her background studying non-human primates via an ethological perspective, she enjoys bridging the gap the between human-based and non-human based research. Outside of the lab, she has worked as the Executive Director of the Lethbridge Public Interest Research Group and volunteered for multiple community based events. Passionate about workers’ rights, she is a current member of the bargaining committee for the Graduate Student Union at the University of Lethbridge. She is committed to conducting research using an ethological approach regardless of the species to gain a deeper, evolutionary understanding of non-verbal, seemingly purposeless, potentially coping behaviors.
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Seraphin Yip

Research Assistant
Seraphin Yip has been part of the Mesler Lab team since September 2023. Her research focuses on personality traits, hierarchy beliefs, food-related behaviours, and rule-breaking. She graduated from the University of Lethbridge in May 2024 with a BMgt in Marketing and a BSc in Psychology, both with Great Distinction, a coop designation, and nine scholarships. Outside of the lab, she has worked with various nonprofit organizations, including Distress Centre Calgary, Building Brains Together, ORS Council, and Child Haven International. In addition to her research and nonprofit work, Seraphin is a Medical Office Assistant, gaining firsthand experience in healthcare administration and patient care. She is committed to becoming a registered psychologist, driven by her passion for understanding human behaviour, and bridging gaps between research and practice.
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Alejandra Sierra Guerra

Research Assistant
Alejandra Sierra Guerra has been part of the Mesler Lab team since July 2024 as part of her MITACS internship. She holds a Bachelor of Marketing from the University of Los Llanos. Her research focuses on sustainable consumption dynamics, social psychology, and organic product marketing. Outside the lab, Alejandra actively participates in various volunteer activities, including public area cleanups, tree planting, and animal rescue. She has a particular interest in social marketing and consumer profiling research, aiming to contribute to a better understanding of consumer behavior and promote more sustainable consumption practices.
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