PROGRAM MANAGER

Background: I have a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Hamline University. I have been at HHRI since 2016 and strive to make a positive impact on the lives of the patients I serve. For many years, I have volunteered with mental health advocacy groups focused, restorative justice programs, neurodegenerative diseases and others. I enjoy community-based work.

Role in the lab: I support Drs. Busch and Japuntich on a variety of projects. Recently, my focus has been on overall lab management and coordination. You will often find me problem-solving for the lab. I am a nationally certified tobacco treatment specialist and served as a counselor on the PACES study.

Research interests: I'm interested in the intersection of behavioral health and medicine. I particularly enjoy doing qualitative research and have a love for neurology and palliative care.

Fun fact: I used to be a professional makeup artist.

RESEARCH COORDINATOR

Background: I graduated from the University of MN Twin Cities with my bachelor's degree in Biology in 2019. Since then, I worked in a women's health office until transitioning to research with HHRI. I am passionate about health equity and serving the diverse Twin Cities communities. I hope one day to become a healthcare provider.

Role in the lab: I do eligibility screening, on-site recruitment, administer research surveys, obtain informed consent, and conduct interviews and perform qualitative coding across several studies in the lab. I also take care of anything else my lab mates need.

Research Interests: I am interested in preventative healthcare and holistic medicine.

Fun fact: I used to be in a rock band.

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH COUNSELOR

Background: I am a Foreign Medical graduate, graduated from the Autonomous University of Coahuila, Mexico in 2016. The primary focus of my practice during that time was preventative medicine, including working for the Department of Municipal Public Health in the city of Torreon, where I gained valuable experience doing community outreach and health education for underserved communities. I relocated to the Twin Cities in 2018. I’m passionate about helping our diverse pool of participants overcome both language and cultural barriers, in order to help them achieve their goals and improve their health. I hope to become a Family Physician in the future.

Role in the lab: Duties include eligibility screening, conducting research surveys, obtaining informed consent from participants, conducting interviews with both English and Spanish-speaking patients enrolled in our studies, as well as assisting my colleagues here at BHERG.

Research interests: Studies advancing health equity, preventative health.

Fun fact: I was the front man for a covers-only punk rock trio back in high school.

Óscar habla español.

SENIOR RESEARCH ASSISTANT

Background: I graduated from Augsburg University with a Bachelor’s of Science in Biopsychology in 2023. As an undergraduate, I participated in community-based projects and research. I am passionate about serving the BIPOC community and am glad to be a part of a team that values and emphasizes health equity.

Role in the lab: Recruiting and promoting ongoing research projects, performing eligibility screening, and obtaining informed consent in Spanish and English, among other duties.

Research interests: Health care disparities, health behavioral changes, mental health action, and community-based research.

Fun fact: I went bungee jumping in Ecuador!

Odalys habla español.

RESEARCH ASSISTANT

Background: I graduated from St. Olaf College with a major in Psychology and a concentration in Gender & Sexuality Studies. While in college, I found great passion in conducting research on substance use, equitable practices, and issues faced by the LGBTQ+ community. I am beyond excited to bring this passion into the team and contribute to important and equitable research.

Role in the lab: I will primarily be supporting the research in the SCORE and PASCAL projects.

Research interests: substance use treatment and prevention, healthcare disparities for LGBTQ+ people, and accessible mental health resources.

Fun fact: I studied abroad in Norway and got to climb one of the 7 mountains in Bergen!

PROJECT MANAGER

Background: I am a dedicated public health professional with many years of diverse program and research experience spanning Southeast Asia, Western Europe, Sub-Saharan Africa and the United States. Prior to joining HHRI I worked in the Research Division at the University of Minnesota Medical School providing research support to faculty and residency clinics and managing multiple research studies including a five-year longitudinal research project exploring the effects of the Minimum Wage ordinance in Minneapolis on obesity and contributing variables such as dietary diversity and household finances. I am passionate about health as a human right and the importance of research to understand health disparities and develop effective interventions to improve access to care and health outcomes across populations.

Role in the lab: I support Dr. Japuntich as a Project Manager for multiple research studies focused on smoking behaviors, behavior change and equitable access to effective cessation treatments among vulnerable populations.

Research Interests: I am interested in a wide range of health research topics, predominantly within the realm of health disparities, gender-based violence, early child development, nutrition and obesity research. I love getting to work with different study designs and methodologies to study health and social justice issues.

Fun fact about me: I helped organize the Women’s March in Minnesota in 2017.

SENIOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH COACH

Background: I have my Master’s degree in Family and Child Studies, I am a nationally certified Tobacco Treatment Specialist, and a Tobacco Treatment Trainer. I hold a national board certification in Health and Wellness Coaching, and I am a member of the esteemed Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers. I have held several roles in various departments at HHRI, dating back to 2012, and I am currently a Senior Behavioral Health Coach.

Role in the lab: I serve as an interventionalist on several studies all centered on health behavior change (i.e. smoking cessation, diet, exercise, care continuity). I randomize participants, facilitate protocol conversations in a personalized human-to-human style, and at times I help to coach other staff in clinical skills, offering coaching and strengths-based feedback as needed.

Research Interests: The impact of the therapeutic relationship on behavior change.

Fun Fact: I delight in thrift shopping: it’s the thrill of the hunt, supporting sustainability, and it’s fun to imagine the memories each item holds.

RESEARCH ASSISTANT

Background: I graduated from Pomona College with a major in Psychology and a minor in Biology in 2024. As an undergraduate, I was able to work with two developmental psychology labs as a research assistant and the Behavioral Health Equity Research Group as a summer intern, which fostered my interest in promoting optimal health outcomes holistically. As a Mexican American, I am especially interested in how research can be utilized to reduce health disparities in BIPOC populations.

Role in the lab: Assists with study recruitment, consent, and assessments. Additionally, she performs administrative tasks such as calendaring, literature reviews, and manuscript writing.

Research interests: Health disparities, community-based research, clinical psychology, developmental psychology

Fun fact: I love to cook and make food for my family and friends, but my favorite food is Ethiopian!

Rosa habla español.

SENIOR RESEARCH COORDINATOR