Akira Isaac is a seventh-year doctoral student in the clinical psychology program at the University of Louisville. Originally from Trinidad and Tobago, she graduated from Howard University with a B.S. in Biology and a minor in Chemistry. Akira is currently examining the associations between preschool-aged children’s and their parents' physiological stress measured via hair cortisol concentration, and various parental factors. Parental factors of interest include parenting stress, parenting behavior, parents' racial discrimination and parental psychopathology.

Loie Faulkner (she/her) is a fifth-year doctoral student in the clinical psychology program at the University of Louisville. Originally from Ithaca, NY, Loie graduated from American University in Washington, DC before completing a postbaccalaureate training program at the National Institutes of Health. Loie is primarily interested in the intersection of anxiety and eating behavior, and is particularly interested in early childhood anxiety, stress, and mood as predictors of disordered eating.

Rakshitha Yelimineti (she/her) is a second-year graduate student in the clinical psychology Ph.D. program. She graduated from Stony Brook University in 2021 and subsequently worked as the Project Coordinator for the Stony Brook Temperament Study. Rakshitha hopes to examine the onset and development of anxiety and mood disorders (specifically depression), with an additional focus on parent-child interactions and how they may predict or contribute to child affective dysregulation. In her free time, Rakshitha enjoys reading, watching movies, and going for runs

Lucy Block (she/her) is a second year doctoral student in the clinical psychology program at the University of Louisville. Lucy is a New Jersey native, but graduated from the University of Michigan. After completing her undergraduate degree, Lucy was selected for the post-baccalaureate training program at the National Institutes of Health, where she worked for 3 years. Lucy is particularly interested in the emotional and behavioral markers of disorder, and the etiology of psychological symptoms and risk in early childhood. When she is not working, Lucy enjoys thrifting, doing arts and crafts, and working out at Orange Theory.

Dr. Amy Jordan (she/her) joined the CAM lab as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow on the Youth Eating Study in July 2024. She completed her predoctoral internship at Geisinger Medical Center and graduated with her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Bowling Green State University. Amy’s research focuses on sociocultural influences of body image and eating behavior, such as body talk and parental body attitudes, across the lifespan. She is especially interested in how positive constructs like body appreciation may mitigate or protect against body dissatisfaction and disordered eating.

Dr. Aubrey Hoffer (she/her) is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the CAM lab for the Youth Eating Study. She earned her Ph.D. in Family and Human Development from Arizona State University. Dr. Hoffer's research focuses on understanding the cognitive processes that underlie body image development and the ways that body image impacts mental health and behaviors.

Anna Jane Anderson (she/her; B.S. Trinity University) is a study coordinator for the NIH-funded Youth Eating Study. She graduated with honors from Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas with a double major in Psychology and Religion in 2024. While at Trinity, she was a research assistant under Dr. Carolyn Becker, researching and developing manualized single-session interventions on behavioral activation, problem solving, and exposure, and investigated medical weight-stigma and its effects. She is passionate about childhood and adolescent mental health and early interventions. Anna Jane hopes to pursue a Ph.D. in clinical psychology. In her free time, she enjoys reading, walking her dog, and finding new brunch spots.

Zeeba Fatehimanesh (B.A. University of California, Los Angeles) is a study coordinator for the NIH-funded Youth Eating Study. She graduated from UCLA with a bachelor’s in psychology and a minor in Applied Developmental Psychology. At UCLA, Zeeba was a research assistant under Dr. Denise Chavira and Dr. Michelle Craske examining how remote mindfulness and expressive writing interventions affect teens’ moods. After graduating, Zeeba participated in UC Irvine’s Post-Baccalaureate program where she did research under Dr. Jessica Borelli examining parent-child relationships and children’s social-emotional wellbeing. Zeeba plans to pursue a Ph.D. in clinical psychology hoping to one day become a child psychologist and study how adverse childhood experiences, the quality of caregiver–child relationships, and social inequities are associated with the development of child psychopathology. Some of Zeeba’s other hobbies include playing the guitar, hiking, and spending time with friends. 

Gwendoline graduated as a Psychology major and Criminal Justice minor at UofL. She is passionate about mental health and increasing its accessibility. She plans to further develop her education in a clinical psychology graduate program. In her free time, she enjoys rewatching her favorite shows, being outdoors, and looking after her pet turtle.

Khadija Awale graduated with Honors in Psychology, a minor in Public Health, and a certificate in Peace, Justice & Conflict Transformation. Raised here in Louisville, KY, she is a first-generation college student interested in obtaining her doctorate in Child & Adolescent Clinical Psychology. As an advocate for mental health, she believes in access to care, as well as creating spaces for open conversations aimed at reducing cultural and social stigmas associated with seeking help. She plans to work with children (and adolescents) who have come from disadvantaged, underserved, underrepresented, or vulnerable communities who may be disproportionately affected by higher levels of traumas, illnesses, or other psychological difficulties.

Ellie Nelson (she/her) is a fourth-year undergraduate student at the University of Louisville pursuing a double major in Neuroscience and Psychology with a minor in Humanities. She is passionate about mental health, particularly in the realm of neurodevelopmental disorders. Ellie plans to pursue a graduate degree in Clinical Psychology, concentrating on neurodivergence in children and adolescents. She is particularly interested in researching ADHD in female youth. In her free time, she enjoys being a member of the Cardinal Marching Band at UofL, traveling, spending time outdoors, watching movies, and spending time with friends

Grace Pedersen (she/her) is a research assistant in the CAM Lab. She graduated with a B.A. in Psychology, where she conducted independent research on how cross-gender identification impacts feminist issues, presented at a national conference, and received her university’s highest honors award for students most likely to change the world. Grace has experience working in multiple research labs, including a rodent neuroscience lab, and an experimental social psychology lab. Clinically, she has provided counseling and crisis intervention services to underserved populations. Grace is particularly interested in social anxiety, trauma, personality, and gender dynamics. She plans to pursue a Ph.D. in Clinical or Counseling Psychology. In her free time, she enjoys taking ballet and jazz dance classes, reading YA fantasy romance novels, and adding to her unnervingly extensive giraffe stuffie/trinket collection.

Abby Lunsford is a junior at the University of Louisville majoring in both Criminal Justice and Psychology. She is interested in early intervention and prevention strategies within child and adolescent psychology, particularly for youth who may be at risk for mental health challenges or involvement in the juvenile justice system. Abby plans to pursue a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, with the goal of working with vulnerable youth populations. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her sorority, watching true crime shows, and reading.

Nadia Nasir is a junior at the University of Louisville majoring in Psychology on the pre-med track. She is passionate about exploring the causes of eating disorders in young girls and the external factors that influence their development. After graduation, she plans to attend medical school and continue advocating for healthy eating habits and mental health, no matter what specialty she pursues as a physician. In her free time, Nadia enjoys spending time with friends and family, trying new restaurants around Louisville, and going to concerts.

My name is Jackson Prather. I completed my undergraduate degree with a major in Biology and a minor in Psychology in the spring of 2026. My research interests lie in the development of mental health disorders in adolescence, specifically the development of eating and mood disorders. I am also interested in the role that both physical and social environments play in neurodevelopment. I aspire to continue my education through a clinical psychology PhD program. In my spare time I enjoy reading, finding new music to listen to, thrifting, and visiting the parks throughout Louisville.

Rayce Winn is a fourth year undergraduate student at the University of Louisville majoring in Psychology. He is interested in clinical and forensic psychology, particularly psychological testing and assessment in children and adolescents. Rayce plans to pursue a Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology with the goal of eventually working in forensic psychology. He is also a member of the University of Louisville Swimming and Diving Team. In his free time, he enjoys coaching diving, playing guitar, and spending time with friends and family.

Rameen Jabbar is a junior at the University of Louisville majoring in Psychology with a minor in Business Admin on the pre-med track. She is passionate about understanding the factors that influence mental health and eating disorders within younger girls. After graduation, she plans to attend medical school and pursue a career as a physician, especially in pediatrics, where she hopes to provide compassionate care and advocate for her patients. In her free time, Rameen enjoys spending time with friends and family, going to 7brew, and collecting smiskis and sonny angels! 

Bio in progress

Bio in progress