Laboratory coordinator · Master's in psychoeducation
Marc-André Massé
Coordinate the laboratory’s scientific activities and pursue his master’s project, supported by a SSHRC CGS-M scholarship.
Human ethology laboratory
People.
Questions.
Projects moving forward.
At LOCO Lab, every research project begins with a person and a question. Under the direction of Pierrich Plusquellec, each person takes ownership of their project.
LOCO
also spots blind spots.
« My role is not to have people carry out a predetermined research program, but to create a setting where each person can build their own scientific identity. »
Pierrich PlusquellecDirector of LOCO Lab
Full Professor
Our scientific perspective
Observe behaviour.
Understand adaptation.
What is human ethology?
Ethology is the biological study of behaviour. It seeks to understand what triggers our actions, how they develop, and how they help us adapt to our environment. At LOCO Lab, we apply this perspective to human behaviour: emotions, nonverbal communication, stress, social interactions, and new observation technologies. Our projects differ, but they share one conviction: to understand a person, we must observe what they experience, what they express, and the environment in which they live.
Nonverbal signalsEmotionsStress and adaptationSocial interactionsObservation technologies
People first
A question of their own.
A project they build.
The laboratory brings together a method, infrastructure, and a network. Each person develops their own scientific voice.
PhD · Psychoeducation
Amélie Gauthier
Turn climate emotions into a catalyst for action rather than a source of distress.
PhD · Organizational psychology
Lesly Nzeusseu-Kouamou
Understand the emotional well-being of contact-centre agents and help establish responsible boundaries for affective AI.
Master's · Psychoeducation
Laurie-Anne Côté
Characterize emotional dysregulation and complex trauma using affective computing.
Master's · Psychoeducation
Lili-Pier Gauthier
Study civic engagement and social support among older adults.
Master's · Psychology
Pierre-Briac Métayer-Mariotti
Use AI and observable behaviour to support the early detection of neurodegenerative disorders.
Since 2003, dozens of people—from undergraduate students to postdoctoral fellows—have been part of the laboratory.
View 45 supervised projectsWhat our projects leave behind
An idea becomes a study.
The study leaves a mark.
The laboratory’s credibility is reflected in its scientific output, but also in its ability to join the conversation and make knowledge useful.
New publication · 2026
Who remains resilient in youth protection—and why?
Sophie Massé and colleagues empirically characterize resilience profiles among youth-protection workers.
Discover ↗International consensus · 2026What facial-affect scientists can agree on
A collective contribution bringing several theoretical traditions closer together.
Discover ↗Podcast · 2026The miracle solution
Pierrich Plusquellec joins Le Réflexe Humain, an Antenne AXEL podcast.
Discover ↗Why a chameleon?
Because adapting
requires seeing clearly.
It changes with its environment without ceasing to be itself. Its eyes look in several directions. To us, it is a reminder that good research adapts its methods, combines perspectives, and remains attentive to context.
We call it LOCO. It keeps an eye on our blind spots.A question worth exploring?
Let’s talk.
Scientific collaboration, research setting, student project, or media request.
pierrich.plusquellec@umontreal.ca