Ellen Fitzsimmons-Craft

Ellen Fitzsimmons-Craft is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences and the Department of Psychiatry at Washington University in St. Louis. She leads the ACCESS Lab, which focuses on scalable digital solutions for eating disorders and mental health disparities. Her work integrates technology, implementation science, and public health to bridge research-practice gaps.

• Ph.D., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
• M.A., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
• B.A., University of Notre Dame

Her research centers on digital interventions for eating disorders, particularly through mobile apps and chatbots. She emphasizes equitable access to care, prevention, and evidence-based treatments using technology. Her work is grounded in cognitive behavioral therapy and implementation science, aiming to scale interventions across college campuses and broader populations.

Recent publications highlight her leadership in chatbot development, online screening, and cluster randomized trials of digital CBT. Her work spans mobile health (mHealth), implementation science, college mental health, and public health innovation. She has published in top journals such as JAMA Network Open, International Journal of Eating Disorders, and Contemporary Clinical Trials.

• Translational Impact Award, ISRII (2025)
• Transformation of Mental Health Care grant, Klingenstein Foundation (2024)

She mentors graduate and undergraduate students and leads major funded projects, including an NIH R01 grant on chatbot optimization. She also serves as Director of the mHealth Research Core and Treasurer of the Academy of Psychological Clinical Science. Her lab collaborates with industry, non-profits, and government agencies to translate research into real-world impact.

The ACCESS Lab develops and tests digital tools to expand access to eating disorder care. Current projects include state-wide university screening platforms, adolescent chatbots, and provider training in digital CBT. The lab emphasizes diversity, equity, and scalability in mental health innovation.