Dr. Leigh Brosof, Ph.D. (She/Her)
Research Scientist, Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences
Clinical Psychology Ph.D., University of Louisville
Predoctoral Internship, University of California San Francisco (UCSF), Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Postdoctoral Fellowship, UCSF, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
Dr. Brosof is a Research Scientist in the EAT Lab in the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences at the University of Louisville and a licensed clinical psychologist. She graduated with her doctoral degree in clinical psychology at the University of Louisville and received the APA Dissertation Research Award for her dissertation on the overlap between eating and anxiety disorders in adolescents. Dr. Brosof completed her pre- and post-doctoral fellowships in the UCSF Eating Disorders Program, specializing in adolescent eating disorders. Prior to returning to the EAT Lab, Dr. Brosof spent two years as a consultant for several digital mental health companies.
Dr. Brosof’s research interests focus on using technology to improve and disseminate treatments for eating disorders and disordered eating. She is particularly interested in scaling evidence-based interventions and translating traditional psychological treatments into digital formats.
In her free time, Dr. Brosof enjoys running, playing soccer, spending time with her cat, and trying new restaurants.
Graduate Student Alumni
Madison Ortman, M.S.W. (She/Her)
Madison is a graduate student at the University of Louisville Kent School of Social Work and Family Science. She earned her bachelor's of science in psychology from the University of Louisville where she developed her interests into micro level practice and eating disorder therapy. She is primarily interested in therapeutic interventions for treating eating disorders and cooccurring OCD symptoms.
Madison is a graduate student at the University of Louisville Kent School of Social Work and Family Science. She earned her bachelor's of science in psychology from the University of Louisville where she developed her interests into micro level practice and eating disorder therapy. She is primarily interested in therapeutic interventions for treating eating disorders and cooccurring OCD symptoms.
Dr. Brenna Williams, Ph.D. (She/Her)
Dr. Brenna Williams (B.A. Southern Methodist University, Ph.D. University of Louisville) is interested in studying self-relations, such as self-criticism and self-compassion, as transdiagnostic factors that contribute to the high rates of psychiatric comorbidity among eating disorders. She is passionate about studying the impact of self-criticism and self-compassion on eating disorder symptoms and the integration of compassion-focused interventions for eating disorders. Through her research, she hopes to develop transdiagnostic treatments for eating disorders that target eating disorders and other co-occurring symptoms of psychopathology (e.g., anxiety, depression) simultaneously. Brenna has also received clinical training in sleep disorders, and she is currently a practicum student at the Behavioral Wellness Clinic in Louisville, KY where she works with individuals with eating disorders and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Outside of her research and clinical work, Brenna enjoys reading fiction books to escape from reality and taking her dogs, Hera and Ajax, to get pup cups every weekend.
Representative Publications:
Dr. Brenna Williams (B.A. Southern Methodist University, Ph.D. University of Louisville) is interested in studying self-relations, such as self-criticism and self-compassion, as transdiagnostic factors that contribute to the high rates of psychiatric comorbidity among eating disorders. She is passionate about studying the impact of self-criticism and self-compassion on eating disorder symptoms and the integration of compassion-focused interventions for eating disorders. Through her research, she hopes to develop transdiagnostic treatments for eating disorders that target eating disorders and other co-occurring symptoms of psychopathology (e.g., anxiety, depression) simultaneously. Brenna has also received clinical training in sleep disorders, and she is currently a practicum student at the Behavioral Wellness Clinic in Louisville, KY where she works with individuals with eating disorders and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Outside of her research and clinical work, Brenna enjoys reading fiction books to escape from reality and taking her dogs, Hera and Ajax, to get pup cups every weekend.
Representative Publications:
- Williams, B. M., & Levinson, C. A. (2022). A model of self-criticism as a transdiagnostic mechanism of eating disorder comorbidity: A review. New Ideas in Psychology, 66(1), 100949. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.newideapsych.2022.100949
- Williams, B. M., Brown, M. L., Sandoval-Araujo, L., Russell, S., & Levinson, C. A. (2022). Psychiatric comorbidity among eating disorders and obsessive-compulsive disorder and underlying shared mechanisms and features: An updated review. Journal of Cognitive Psychotherapy, 36(3). https://doi.org/10.1891/JCPSY-D-2021-0011
- Williams, B. M., & Levinson, C. A. (2021). Intolerance of uncertainty and perfectionism as maintenance factors for eating disorders and obsessive-compulsive disorder symptoms. European Eating Disorders Review, 29(1), 101-111. https://doi.org/10.1002/erv.2807
- Sahlan, R. N., Williams, B. M., Forrest, L. N., Saunders, J. F., Fitzsimmons-Craft, E. E., & Levinson, C. A. (2021). Disordered eating, self-esteem, and depression symptoms in Iranian adolescents and young adults: A network analysis. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 54(2), 132-147. https://doi.org/10.1002/eat.23365
- Williams, B. M., & Levinson, C. A. (2020). Negative beliefs about the self prospectively predict eating disorder severity among undergraduate women. Eating Behaviors. 37(1), 101384. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eatbeh.2020.101384
Dr. Caroline Christian, Ph.D. (She/Her)
Dr. Caroline Christian (Ph.D., University of Louisville) research focuses on integrating novel methods to better understand the role of transdiagnostic factors (e.g., fear and avoidance) in eating disorders and comorbid anxiety-based disorders. She is especially interested in testing these processes across critical periods (e.g., pregnancy/postpartum; stages of remission) to inform prevention, treatment, and relapse prevention interventions. Caroline has worked clinically with eating disorders and anxiety-based disorders through the Psychological Services Center, Lindner Center of Hope, the Louisville OCD Clinic, and the Louisville Center for Eating Disorders, through which she received training in CBT, DBT, radically open DBT, acceptance and commitment therapy, and exposure-based therapies. In her free time, Caroline enjoys taking her dog Lincoln to the park, playing tennis, and making pottery.
Representative Publications:
Dr. Caroline Christian (Ph.D., University of Louisville) research focuses on integrating novel methods to better understand the role of transdiagnostic factors (e.g., fear and avoidance) in eating disorders and comorbid anxiety-based disorders. She is especially interested in testing these processes across critical periods (e.g., pregnancy/postpartum; stages of remission) to inform prevention, treatment, and relapse prevention interventions. Caroline has worked clinically with eating disorders and anxiety-based disorders through the Psychological Services Center, Lindner Center of Hope, the Louisville OCD Clinic, and the Louisville Center for Eating Disorders, through which she received training in CBT, DBT, radically open DBT, acceptance and commitment therapy, and exposure-based therapies. In her free time, Caroline enjoys taking her dog Lincoln to the park, playing tennis, and making pottery.
Representative Publications:
- Christian, C., Cusack, C.E., Ralph-Nearman, C., Spoor, S.P., Hunt, R.A., Levinson, C.A. (in press). A pilot, time-series investigation of depression, anxiety, and eating disorder symptoms in adults experiencing major depressive symptoms: The need for eating disorder assessment and research in depression. Behavior Therapy.
- Christian, C., Levinson, C.A. (2022). An integrated review of fear and avoidance learning in anxiety disorders and application to eating disorders. New Ideas in Psychology. DOI: 10.1016/j.newideapsych.2022.100964
- Christian, C., Cash, E., Cohen, D.A., Trombley, C.M., Levinson, C.A. (2022). Electrodermal activity and heart rate variability during exposure fear scripts predict trait-level and momentary social anxiety and eating disorder symptoms in an analogue sample. Clinical Psychological Science.
- Christian, C., Bridges-Curry, Z., Hunt, R.A., Ortiz, A.M.L., Drake, J.E., Levinson, C.A. (2021). Latent profile analysis of impulsivity and perfectionism dimensions and associations with psychiatric symptoms. Journal of Affective Disorders. DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2021.01.076
- Christian, C., Perko, V. L., Vanzhula, I.A., Tregarthen, J.P., Forbush, K.T., Levinson, C. A. (2019). Eating Disorder Core Symptoms and Symptom Pathways across Developmental Stages: A Network Analysis. Journal of Abnormal Psychology. DOI: 10.1037/abn0000477
- Christian, C., Brosof, L. C., Vanzhula I.A., Williams, B. M., Shankar Ram, S., Levinson, C. A. (2019). Implementation of a dissonance-based, eating disorder prevention program and investigation of eating disorder comorbidities and risk factors in southern, all-female high schools. Body Image. DOI: 10.1016/j.bodyim.2019.05.003
Gabby Davis, M.Ed. (She/Her)
Gabby is a graduate of the Counseling Psychology M.Ed. program at the University of Louisville. Her primary research interests include how individuals with eating disorders make decisions and developing interventions for combatting diet culture. In her free time, Gabby enjoys going to the movies with her partner, spending time with her dog, Murph, and listening to audiobooks.
Gabby is a graduate of the Counseling Psychology M.Ed. program at the University of Louisville. Her primary research interests include how individuals with eating disorders make decisions and developing interventions for combatting diet culture. In her free time, Gabby enjoys going to the movies with her partner, spending time with her dog, Murph, and listening to audiobooks.
Postdoctoral Fellow Alumni
Dr. Anna Marie Ortiz, Ph.D.
Dr. Ortiz is a Postdoctoral Fellow in the EAT lab. She earned her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Kentucky and completed her pre-doctoral internship at Penn State Hershey Medical Center. Dr. Ortiz’s research focuses on investigating the cognitive and affective factors that contribute to the etiology and maintenance of eating disorders, developing more effective treatments for eating disorders, and improving treatment outcomes. She is also passionate about her role as a clinician working with individuals with eating disorders. In her free time, Dr. Ortiz enjoys hiking, spending time with her nieces and nephews, playing basketball, and doing puzzles.
Representative Publications:
Dr. Ortiz is a Postdoctoral Fellow in the EAT lab. She earned her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Kentucky and completed her pre-doctoral internship at Penn State Hershey Medical Center. Dr. Ortiz’s research focuses on investigating the cognitive and affective factors that contribute to the etiology and maintenance of eating disorders, developing more effective treatments for eating disorders, and improving treatment outcomes. She is also passionate about her role as a clinician working with individuals with eating disorders. In her free time, Dr. Ortiz enjoys hiking, spending time with her nieces and nephews, playing basketball, and doing puzzles.
Representative Publications:
- Ralph-Nearman, C., Williams, B. M., Ortiz, A. M. L., Smith, A. R., & Levinson, C. A. (2021). Pinpointing Core and Pathway Symptoms Among Sleep Disturbance, Anxiety, Worry, and Eating Disorder Symptoms In Anorexia Nervosa and Atypical Anorexia Nervosa. Journal of Affective Disorders.
- Ortiz, A. M. L., Davis, H. A., Riley, E. R., & Smith, G. T. (2021). The interaction between affective lability and eating expectancies predicts binge eating. Eating Disorders: The Journal of Treatment and Prevention.
- Christian, C., Bridges-Curry, Z., Hunt, R.A., Ortiz, A.M.L., Drake, J.E., Levinson, C.A. (2021). Latent profile analysis of impulsivity and perfectionism dimensions and associations with psychiatric symptoms. Journal of Affective Disorders, 283, 293-301.
- Atkinson, E. A., Ortiz, A. M. L., & Smith, G. T. (2020). Affective risk for problem drinking: reciprocal influences among negative urgency, affective lability, and rumination. Current Drug Research Review, 12(1), 42-51.
- Davis, H. A., Ortiz, A. M. L., & Smith, G. T. (2019). Transactions between early binge eating and personality predict transdiagnostic risk. European Eating Disorders Review. 27(6), 614-627.
- Ortiz, A. M. L., Davis, H. A., & Smith, G. T. (2019). Transactions among thinness expectancies, depression, and binge eating in the prediction of adolescent weight control behaviors. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 52(2), 142-152.
- Davis, H. A., Ortiz, A. M. L., & Smith, G. T. (2017). The occurrence and covariation of binge eating and compensatory behaviors across early to mid-adolescence. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 43(4), 402-412.
Dr. Rachel Butler, Ph.D. (She/Her)
Rachel Butler is an Assistant Professor of Psychology at Transylvania University. A former postdoctoral Fellow in the EAT Lab in the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences at the University of Louisville, Rachel completed her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at Temple University and completed her predoctoral internship at the UCSD Eating Disorder Center for Treatment and Research. Her research focuses on the development and improvement of treatments for anxiety and eating disorders. In particular, she is interested in testing novel, exposure-based interventions for eating disorders. Rachel received the APA Dissertation Research Award for her work investigating imaginal exposure as an intervention for disordered eating related fears. Additionally, Rachel hopes to expand the understanding and treatment of eating and anxiety disorders in sexual and gender minority populations. Rachel is passionate about working with individuals with eating and anxiety disorders clinically as well as teaching and mentoring students. In her free time, Rachel loves riding mountain bikes, racing cyclocross, baking, and stand up comedy.
Representative publications:
Rachel Butler is an Assistant Professor of Psychology at Transylvania University. A former postdoctoral Fellow in the EAT Lab in the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences at the University of Louisville, Rachel completed her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at Temple University and completed her predoctoral internship at the UCSD Eating Disorder Center for Treatment and Research. Her research focuses on the development and improvement of treatments for anxiety and eating disorders. In particular, she is interested in testing novel, exposure-based interventions for eating disorders. Rachel received the APA Dissertation Research Award for her work investigating imaginal exposure as an intervention for disordered eating related fears. Additionally, Rachel hopes to expand the understanding and treatment of eating and anxiety disorders in sexual and gender minority populations. Rachel is passionate about working with individuals with eating and anxiety disorders clinically as well as teaching and mentoring students. In her free time, Rachel loves riding mountain bikes, racing cyclocross, baking, and stand up comedy.
Representative publications:
- Manasse, S.M., Lampe, E.W., Abber, S.R., Butler, R.M., Gillikin, L.M., & Trainor, C. (2021). Exposure-enhanced cognitive behavioral therapy for adolescents with binge eating: An initial case series, Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 26, 1124-1136.
- Horenstein, A., Kaplan, S.C., Butler, R.M., Heimberg, R.G. (2020) Social anxiety moderates the relationship between body mass index and motivation to avoid exercise. Body Image, 36, 185-192.
- Butler, R.M., O’Day, E.B., Swee, M.B., Horenstein, A., Heimberg, R.G. (2020) Cognitive behavioral therapy for social anxiety disorder: Predictors of treatment outcome in a quasi-naturalistic setting. Behavior Therapy, 52, 465-477.
- Butler, R.M., Heimberg, R.G. (2020) Exposure therapy for eating disorders: A systematic review. Clinical Psychology Review, 78, 1-10.
- Butler, R.M., O’Day, E.B., Kaplan, S.C., Swee, M.B., Horenstein, A., Morrison, A.S., Goldin, P.R., Gross, J.J., Heimberg, R.G. (2019). Do sudden gains predict treatment outcome in social anxiety disorder? Findings from two randomized controlled trials. Behavior Research and Therapy, 121, 103453.
- Butler, R.M., Horenstein, A., Gitlin, M., Testa, R.J., Kaplan, S.C., Swee, M.B., Heimberg, R.G. (2019). Social anxiety among transgender and gender nonconforming individuals: The role of gender affirming medical interventions. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 128, 25-31.
- Butler, R.M., Boden, M.T., Olino, T.M., Morrison, A.S., Goldin, P.R., Gross, J.J., & Heimberg, R.G. (2018). Emotional clarity and attention to emotions in cognitive behavioral group therapy and mindfulness-based stress reduction for social anxiety disorder. Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 55, 31-38.
Dr. Hannah Fitterman-Harris, Ph.D. (She/Her)
Dr. Fitterman-Harris is a former Postdoctoral Fellow in the EAT Lab in the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences at the University of Louisville. Currently, Dr. Fitterman-Harris works at Tampa Memorial Hospital as research faculty. She earned her PhD in Clinical Psychology at Saint Louis University and completed her predoctoral internship at the University of Florida Health Science Center. Dr. Fitterman-Harris’s primary research and clinical interests include the intersection of weight stigma and eating disorders, assessment and reduction of weight stigma (particularly weight stigma in healthcare settings), prevention and treatment of eating disorders, and the intersection of sleep, weight stigma, and eating disorders. Dr. Fitterman-Harris received the Saint Louis University Dissertation Fellowship to support her research to create and validate an instrument to assess weight stigma among healthcare providers. She also received the RSH Scholarship through the Academy for Eating Disorders to support her work more broadly in the reduction of weight stigma and treatment of eating disorders. Dr. Fitterman-Harris enjoys watching hockey and baking shows, knitting hats, and anything involving golden retrievers.
Representative publications:
Dr. Fitterman-Harris is a former Postdoctoral Fellow in the EAT Lab in the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences at the University of Louisville. Currently, Dr. Fitterman-Harris works at Tampa Memorial Hospital as research faculty. She earned her PhD in Clinical Psychology at Saint Louis University and completed her predoctoral internship at the University of Florida Health Science Center. Dr. Fitterman-Harris’s primary research and clinical interests include the intersection of weight stigma and eating disorders, assessment and reduction of weight stigma (particularly weight stigma in healthcare settings), prevention and treatment of eating disorders, and the intersection of sleep, weight stigma, and eating disorders. Dr. Fitterman-Harris received the Saint Louis University Dissertation Fellowship to support her research to create and validate an instrument to assess weight stigma among healthcare providers. She also received the RSH Scholarship through the Academy for Eating Disorders to support her work more broadly in the reduction of weight stigma and treatment of eating disorders. Dr. Fitterman-Harris enjoys watching hockey and baking shows, knitting hats, and anything involving golden retrievers.
Representative publications:
- Fitterman-Harris, H. F., Han, Y., Osborn, K. D., Faulkner, L. M., Williams, B. M., Pennesi, J.-L., & Levinson, C. A. (2024). Comparisons between atypical anorexia nervosa and anorexia nervosa: Psychological and comorbidity patterns. International Journal of Eating Disorders.
- Fitterman-Harris, H. F., Davis, G. G., Bedard, S. P., Cusack, C. E., & Levinson, C. A. (2024). Digital mental health interventions: Differences in intervention framing. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 21(1), 24. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21010024
- Levinson, C. A., Fitterman-Harris, H. F., Patterson, S., Harrop, E., Turner, C., May, M., Steinberg, D., Muhlheim, L., Millner, R., Trujillo-ChiVacuan, E., Averyt, J., Peebles, R., Rosenbluth, S., & Becker, C. B. (2023). The unintentional harms of weight management treatment: Time for a change. The Behavior Therapist, 46(7), 271-281.
- Pearl, R. L., Wadden, T. A., Groshon, L. C., Fitterman-Harris, H. F., Bach, C., & LaFata, E. M. (2023). Refining the conceptualization and assessment of internalized weight stigma: A mixed methods approach. Body Image, 44, 93-102. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim. 2022.12.002
- Stiles, D. L., Ma, L., Fitterman-Harris, H. F., Naseralla, E. J., & Rudolph, C. W. (2022). Body dissatisfaction and romantic relationship quality: A meta-analysis. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships. https://doi.org/10.1177/02654075221128504
- Fitterman-Harris, H. F., Hughes, H. M., Soulliard, Z. A., Zane, K. (2022). Barriers to LGBQ- and TGNB-affirmative clinical training in psychology doctoral programs. Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity. https://doi.org/10.1037/sgd0000565
- Fitterman-Harris, H. F., & Vander Wal, J. S. (2021). Weight bias reduction among first-year medical students: A quasi-randomized, controlled trial. Clinical Obesity, e12479. https://doi.org/10.1111/cob.12479
- Soulliard, Z. A., Fitterman-Harris, H. F., Perry, J. E., Poe, L., & Ross, M. J. (2021). Differences in body appreciation and functionality appreciation outside of and directly following sport among collegiate student athletes. The Sport Psychologist, 35(4), 320-328. https://doi.org/10.1123/tsp.2020-0175
- Smith, L. B., Foster, N., Bollepalli, S., Fitterman-Harris, H. F., & Rancourt, D. (2020). An examination of sex differences in a disease-specific model of disordered eating behaviors in type 1 diabetes. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 45(1), 91-100. https://doi.org/10.1093/jpepsy/jsz090
Staff Member Alumni
Madison Hooper, Ph.D. (She/Her)
Dr. Madison Hooper's research focuses on the comparative evaluation of statistical methods designed to handle violations of traditional statistical assumptions, including normality, homogeneity of variance, and linearity, within the field of clinical psychology. Madison joined the EAT Lab as a summer intern in 2021 and continues to collaborate as a postdoctoral fellow! She is interested in cognitive and affective factors that contribute to and maintain eating disorders. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, cooking, and reading mystery novels.
Dr. Madison Hooper's research focuses on the comparative evaluation of statistical methods designed to handle violations of traditional statistical assumptions, including normality, homogeneity of variance, and linearity, within the field of clinical psychology. Madison joined the EAT Lab as a summer intern in 2021 and continues to collaborate as a postdoctoral fellow! She is interested in cognitive and affective factors that contribute to and maintain eating disorders. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, cooking, and reading mystery novels.
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Abby McCarthy, B.S. (She/Her)
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Allison Grady, B.A. (She/Her)
Allison "Alli" Grady (B.A.) is a clinical psychology Ph.D. student at Kent State University, under the mentorship of Dr. John Gunstad; examining mental health risk and protective factors among undergraduate college students and athletes. Alli is also the former study coordinator in the EAT Lab, worked on the NIMH-funded Online Relapse Prevention (ORP) and Personalized Treatment (PT) studies, and is a former research coordinator at the Louisville Center for Eating Disorders. She obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from North Central College in Naperville, Illinois with highest honors and with departmental honors. She has a particular passion for research relating to sportswomen and their relationships with their bodies, movement and food. A former captain of her college’s track and field team, Alli is an avid runner, and enjoys reading, traveling, and exploring new hiking trails with her dog, Nellie. |
Brendan Sullivan, M.S. (He/Him)
Brendan is a PhD student in the Biostatistics department at UofL. His current research interest is in longitudinal data analysis. Brendan's work with the EAT Lab includes creating and organizing data sets to be used in various analyses.
Brendan is a PhD student in the Biostatistics department at UofL. His current research interest is in longitudinal data analysis. Brendan's work with the EAT Lab includes creating and organizing data sets to be used in various analyses.
Emma Crumby, B.S. (She/They)
Emma Crumby (B.S. Georgia College & State University) is a clinical psychology Ph.D. student at Michigan State University working with Dr. Blair Burnette. Emma is also the former Study Coordinator for the EAT lab for our NIMH funded Personalized Treatment trial. Emma graduated from Georgia College & State University in 2021 with a degree in Psychology. While she was earning her degree, she worked under Dr. Eric Rindal studying the development of false memories. However, her true passion and interest lies in eating disorder and body image research. Her interest was solidified when she became involved in Dr. Jessica Saunders’ research refining measures of body dissatisfaction and internalized weight stigma. In her free time, she enjoys reading horror novels, listening to music, and creative writing.
Emma Crumby (B.S. Georgia College & State University) is a clinical psychology Ph.D. student at Michigan State University working with Dr. Blair Burnette. Emma is also the former Study Coordinator for the EAT lab for our NIMH funded Personalized Treatment trial. Emma graduated from Georgia College & State University in 2021 with a degree in Psychology. While she was earning her degree, she worked under Dr. Eric Rindal studying the development of false memories. However, her true passion and interest lies in eating disorder and body image research. Her interest was solidified when she became involved in Dr. Jessica Saunders’ research refining measures of body dissatisfaction and internalized weight stigma. In her free time, she enjoys reading horror novels, listening to music, and creative writing.
Taylor Penwell, M.A. (She/Her)
Taylor Penwell (B.A., Ohio University) is a clinical psychology graduate student at the University of Montana working with Dr. Caitlin Martin-Wagar. She is primarily interested in identifying a) why some individuals respond to eating disorder treatment while others do not along with b) how we can improve access to eating disorder treatment. After receiving her bachelor's degree, Taylor worked as the Clinical Research Coordinator for The Renfrew Center and a Study Coordinator at the University of Louisville and Louisville Center for Eating Disorders. In her free time, Taylor enjoys spending time with her dog, Roxxi, and her cat, Iggi, reading, and trying new recipes. Taylor continues to collaborate on several EAT Lab projects, including the Online Relapse Prevention Study and the Barriers to Treatment Access Study.
Representative Publications:
Taylor Penwell (B.A., Ohio University) is a clinical psychology graduate student at the University of Montana working with Dr. Caitlin Martin-Wagar. She is primarily interested in identifying a) why some individuals respond to eating disorder treatment while others do not along with b) how we can improve access to eating disorder treatment. After receiving her bachelor's degree, Taylor worked as the Clinical Research Coordinator for The Renfrew Center and a Study Coordinator at the University of Louisville and Louisville Center for Eating Disorders. In her free time, Taylor enjoys spending time with her dog, Roxxi, and her cat, Iggi, reading, and trying new recipes. Taylor continues to collaborate on several EAT Lab projects, including the Online Relapse Prevention Study and the Barriers to Treatment Access Study.
Representative Publications:
- Penwell, T. E., Bedard, S. P., Erye, R., & Levinson, C. A. (2024). Barriers to eating disorder treatment access in the United States: Estimates of perceived inequities among reported treatment seekers. Psychiatric Services. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ps.20230193
- Penwell, T. E., Smith, M., Ortiz, S. N., Brooks, G., & Thompson-Brenner, H. (2024). Traditional versus virtual partial hospital programme for eating disorders: Feasibility and preliminary comparison of effects. European eating disorders review: the journal of the Eating Disorders Association, 32(2), 163-178. https://doi.org/10.1002/erv.3031
- Christian, C. B.**, Nicholas, J. K.**, Penwell, T. E., & Levinson, C. A. (2023). Profiles of experienced and internalized weight-based stigma in college students across the weight spectrum: Associations with eating disorder, depression, and anxiety symptoms. Eating Behaviors.
- Nicholas, J. K., Penwell, T. E., Christian, C. B., Overberg-Wagoner, K., Peiper, N. C., & Levinson, C. A. (2023). Eating disorder screening and treatment in a medically underserved state: Data collected by a legislative eating disorder council and implications for statewide assessment. Administration and policy in mental health, 50, 342-355. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10488-022-01240-z
Sam Bedard, M.A. (She/Her)
Graduate Student - University of Wyoming
Sam studied Psychology and Human Development during her undergraduate tenure at the University at Albany under the mentorship of Dr. Julia Hormes and Dr. Drew Anderson. During her time as a Study Coordinator at the EAT Lab, her research interests evolved to focus on the impact of barriers to eating disorder treatment access on illness trajectory both broadly, and specifically for folks with marginalized sexual and gender identities. Sam is a third-year graduate student at the University of Wyoming under the direction of Dr. Kyle De Young. Sam continues to collaborate with the EAT Lab through her involvement as a co-investigator on the National Eating Disorder Association (NEDA) Funded Barriers to Treatment Access (BTA) Study in partnership with Project HEAL. In her free time, Sam enjoys hiking, practicing yoga, and spending time with her free-roaming pet rabbits, Beasley and Malone.
Representative Publications:
Graduate Student - University of Wyoming
Sam studied Psychology and Human Development during her undergraduate tenure at the University at Albany under the mentorship of Dr. Julia Hormes and Dr. Drew Anderson. During her time as a Study Coordinator at the EAT Lab, her research interests evolved to focus on the impact of barriers to eating disorder treatment access on illness trajectory both broadly, and specifically for folks with marginalized sexual and gender identities. Sam is a third-year graduate student at the University of Wyoming under the direction of Dr. Kyle De Young. Sam continues to collaborate with the EAT Lab through her involvement as a co-investigator on the National Eating Disorder Association (NEDA) Funded Barriers to Treatment Access (BTA) Study in partnership with Project HEAL. In her free time, Sam enjoys hiking, practicing yoga, and spending time with her free-roaming pet rabbits, Beasley and Malone.
Representative Publications:
- Levinson, C.A., Spoor, S.P., Keshishian, A.C., Pruitt, A (in press). Pilot outcomes from a multidisciplinary telehealth vs in-person intensive outpatient program for eating disorders during vs before the Covid-19 Pandemic. International Journal of Eating Disorders.
- Levinson, C.A., Cash, E., Welch, K., Epskamp, S., Hunt, R.A., Williams, B.M., Keshishian, A.C., & Spoor, S.P. (2021, Advance Online Publication). Personalized networks of eating disorder symptoms predicting eating disorder outcomes and remission. A registered report. International Journal of Eating Disorders.
- Coffino, J.A., Spoor, S.P., Drach, R.D., & Hormes, J.M. (2020). Food insecurity among graduate students: Prevalence and association with depression, anxiety, and stress. Public Health Nutrition.
- Vanzhula, I.A., Sala, M., Christian, C.B., Hunt, R.A., Keshishian, A., Wong, V.Z., Ernst, S.E., Spoor, S.P., & Levinson, C.A. (2020). Avoidance coping during mealtimes predicts an increase in eating disorder symptoms. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 53(4), 625-630.
- Christian, C.B., Williams, B. M., Hunt, R.A., Wong, V.Z., Ernst, S.E., Spoor, S.P., Vanzhula I.A., Tregarthen J.P., Forbush, K.T., & Levinson, C.A. (2020). A network investigation of core symptoms and pathways across duration of illness using a comprehensive cognitive-behavioral model of eating-disorder symptoms. Psychological Medicine, 1-10.
Sarah Ernst, B.S. (She/Her)
Sarah is a former lab manager for the EAT Lab. She graduated from UofL, obtaining her B.S. in Psychology, with minors in Biology and Spanish. She then went on to complete her master's degree at UNC.
Sarah is a former lab manager for the EAT Lab. She graduated from UofL, obtaining her B.S. in Psychology, with minors in Biology and Spanish. She then went on to complete her master's degree at UNC.
Shruti Shankar Ram, B.S.
Shruti Shankar Ram was the Lab Manager of the EAT Lab from 2017-2019. After two years of post-baccalaureate research with Dr. Levinson at the EAT Lab, Shruti went on to become a clinical psychology PhD student working with Dr. April Smith at the Research on Eating Disorders and Suicidality (REDS) lab. She is continuing to use her skills from the EAT lab to explore transdiagnostic risk factors in eating disorders and comorbid illnesses.
Shruti Shankar Ram was the Lab Manager of the EAT Lab from 2017-2019. After two years of post-baccalaureate research with Dr. Levinson at the EAT Lab, Shruti went on to become a clinical psychology PhD student working with Dr. April Smith at the Research on Eating Disorders and Suicidality (REDS) lab. She is continuing to use her skills from the EAT lab to explore transdiagnostic risk factors in eating disorders and comorbid illnesses.
Lisa Michelson, M.A., M. Phys.
Lisa was a study coordinator in the EAT lab from August 2017- May 2019. She went on to enroll in the UNC's School of Medicine.
Lisa was a study coordinator in the EAT lab from August 2017- May 2019. She went on to enroll in the UNC's School of Medicine.
Laura Fewell, B.A. Laura was a study coordinator in the EAT lab from Aug 2016-Aug 2017. She also previously worked with Dr. Levinson at Washington University. Laura then enrolled in the University of Missouri St. Louis Clinical Psychology PhD program.
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Laura_Fewell
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Laura_Fewell
Research Assistant Alumni
Coby Banet
Coby is a former research assistant in the EAT Lab, and went on to pursue medical school at Indiana University. Coby noted his EAT Lab experience held major weight in his application and continues to apply is EAT Lab RA experiences in his studies at the IU in pursuit of his degree!
Coby is a former research assistant in the EAT Lab, and went on to pursue medical school at Indiana University. Coby noted his EAT Lab experience held major weight in his application and continues to apply is EAT Lab RA experiences in his studies at the IU in pursuit of his degree!
