Lab Director
Dr. Lara-Cinisomo, Ph.D.
Dr. Lara-Cinisomo is a developmental psychologist. Dr. Lara-Cinisomo’s research focuses on addressing mental health disparities in women and mothers, particularly racial and ethnic minorities, immigrants, and military populations. Her research approach builds on a framework focused on psychosocial, cultural, structural and physiological factors. Specifically, she examines how contextual factors (e.g., culture, biology) are associated with poor mental health in her populations of interest. As such, she takes an integrated approach to understand mental health disparities in mothers and women. Recently, she completed several studies that examine associations between hormone function (i.e., cortisol and oxytocin) and perinatal depression in Latinas. Her recent studies also tested the effectiveness of a mindfulness-based intervention on reducing stress, depression, anxiety and worry in caregivers of veterans, most of whom were women. Currently, she is conducting a multisite study on prenatal depression, diabetes, and disease management. Dr. Lara-Cinisomo is also exploring brain activation in the context of pain in postpartum women with and without depression.
MEET THE RESEARCHERS
Graduate Students
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Sudhamshi is an integrative physician from India, currently pursuing PhD in Community Health. Her academic background includes a master’s in public health and a bachelor’s in Naturopathy and Yogic Sciences. Her research interests are global health disparities, mental health and disease prevention. She loves technology and enjoys exploring UX design in her free time.
REACH SUDHAMSHI:
beeram2@illinois.edu
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Gabriella is a Master of Science student in Community Health. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Biological Anthropology with a minor in Gender and Women’s Studies at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Her current research interests include how migration stressors and traumatic experiences can lead to the development of post-traumatic stress disorder in Latine youth. In addition, she is interested in infectious and chronic disease disparities among minoritized populations. In her free time, she enjoys reading, exercising, and playing chess.
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Mary Ellen is a 5th year Ph.D. student in the Community Health Department. She is from The Gambia, West Africa. She received a Bachelor of Science in Biology with a minor in Public Health from the University of The Gambia. In May 2019, she graduated with a Master of Public Health degree and an Epidemiology Graduate Certificate from the University of Illinois at Springfield. Her research interests is focused on the relationship between prenatal mental health and gestational diabetes. In her free time, Mary Ellen runs her fashion blog and sometimes reads fictional novels. Working at the LESA lab has been a wholesome experience for her, so she would encourage anyone interested to join the team.
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Melany is a Clinical Psychology and Spanish major who wants to have a positive impact on low-income communities. She strives to challenge mental health stigma and inequities among minorities, specifically the Latinx community, through research and implementation of new methods
Undergraduate Students
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Bernard is a junior studying Community Health with a concentration in Health Administration & Planning, partnered with a Business minor. Bernard is passionate about closing gaps in health disparities and inequitable outcomes, especially among underserved youth populations. His current research is centered around an intervention for perinatal African American Women. Bernards’ relevant roles outside of the LESA Lab consist of serving as a Resident Advisor and secretary for the American Red Cross Club. Away from Academics and extracurriculars, Bernard enjoys running, working out, and spending quality time with his friends.
REACH BERNARD:
Bcjones4@illinois.edu
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Sylvia is a junior studying Psychology with a concentration in Cognitive Neuroscience and minors in Statistics and Public Health. She is passionate about leveraging data-driven, community-centered, and neuroimaging-based approaches to advance research on mental health, with a focus on improving outcomes for perinatal and aging populations. Beyond her work in the LESA lab, Sylvia also serves as a Course Assistant for STAT 212 (Biostatistics) and a Community Representative for the Alzheimer’s Association. Outside of academics, she enjoys singing and performing with her a cappella group, Girls Next Door.
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Zara is a senior in Community Health with a concentration in Health Promotion, as well as Psychology with a Clinical/Community concentration. Her interests include a variety of topics including health disparities, nutrition, and disease prevention among underrepresented populations. After she graduates, she would like to work abroad and study the health status of different countries and potentially do research in less developed countries. Outside of the LESA Lab, she also does research for the Developing Equitable Minds Lab. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, going to the gym, and trying new foods.
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Cecilia is a current junior, who wishes to be a physician and researcher someday. Cecilia joined the lab as a scholar from the Community-Academic Scholars program, where the focus is to engage undergraduate students in community-based research. Her interests include learning more about postpartum depression in Latinas, mental health in the Latinx community, community-based research, and health equity. She has enjoyed all the research experiences she has had so far and cannot wait to learn more from her peers. Outside of the lab, Cecilia enjoys spending time at La Casa Cultural Latina, is part of the Latino Student Association, enjoys weekend volunteering, reading, and going to coffee shops.
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Audrey is a sophomore majoring in Kinesiology with a minor in Spanish. She initially joined the lab as part of the UIUC SPARK (Students Pursuing Applications, Research and Knowledge) program with the College of Applied Health Sciences. She finds researching women’s and minority health to be incredibly rewarding and hopes to use her knowledge in a future career in medicine. Outside of the lab, you can find Audrey playing trumpet in the Marching Illini and Hoops Bands, reading various types of books, or cooking/baking a new recipe.
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Nitya is a sophomore studying Community Health with a concentration in Health Administration. She is on the pre-PA track and hopes to become a Physician Assistant one day. She is passionate about advocating for equal and affordable healthcare and has a strong interest in mental health awareness and research. Beyond her work in the LESA Lab, she is a James Scholar, the Community Health Departmental Representative for the AHS Student Council, and an AHS Ambassador. She also works as a personal assistant, helping students with physical disabilities. Outside of academics, she enjoys weightlifting and trying new foods.