John Monterosso is an Associate Professor of Psychology at the University of Southern California, specializing in addiction, motivation, and decision-making research. His work explores the neurocognitive mechanisms underlying impulse control and reward processing, with particular focus on substance use disorders and behavioral interventions. Monterosso's research integrates behavioral experiments with neuroimaging to examine decision-making processes in addiction contexts. His lab investigates how immediate rewards influence behavior and how cognitive control mechanisms can be harnessed for addiction treatment. Recent work examines the impact of e-cigarette flavors on appeal and sensory perception, obesity medication perceptions, and neural correlates of value representation. With collaborations spanning public health and neuroscience, his publications demonstrate consistent focus on translating basic psychological research into clinical applications. The methodological progression shows increasing sophistication in neuroimaging techniques and large-scale behavioral studies examining substance use patterns across diverse populations.
Nora Uglik-Marucha is an NIHR Doctoral Research Fellow at King’s College London’s Department of Biostatistics & Health Informatics, affiliated with the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience. Her work focuses on autism in women and misophonia through advanced psychometric methodologies. She holds MSc and BSc degrees in Clinical Neuropsychiatry and Psychology from King’s College London. Research interests include gender bias in autism screening tools, measurement invariance analysis, and questionnaire development. Her doctoral project develops novel autism assessment tools for women under Dr. Silia Vitoratou and Prof. Francesca Happé. Key contributions include the S-Five tool for misophonia assessment and validation studies across cultures. She has published on misophonia mechanisms, cross-cultural measurement robustness, and autism screening equity.
Susan Holmes is Professor at the School of Media, Language and Communication Studies at the University of East Anglia (UEA), where she joined as Reader in Television in 2007 and was appointed to Professor in 2018. She is an active member of several research groups including Media Equality, Film, Television and Media, Gender and Its Intersections Steering Committee, and HealthUEA. Her work spans television studies, celebrity culture, and feminist approaches to eating disorders. Professor Holmes received her academic training at the University of Sussex (BA in English and Media Studies), followed by an MA in Film from the University of Southampton, and completed her PhD on British film and television in the 1950s at the same institution. Prior to joining UEA, she taught Media and Cultural Studies at the Southampton Institute (now Southampton Solent University) and television and film at the University of Kent. Her research focuses on several interconnected areas that challenge traditional disciplinary boundaries. In television studies, she has made significant contributions to understanding British television history, particularly through her books 'British TV and Film in the 1950s' and 'Entertaining TV: the BBC and Popular Programme Culture in the 1950s,' where she challenges canonical ideas about early BBC television. Her work on reality TV examines historical development, generic labeling, and celebrity. Since 2014, she has conducted important empirical research on feminist approaches to eating disorders, analyzing media representations and working directly with people with lived experience. A key focus of this research examines how feminist approaches are neglected in contemporary eating disorder treatment, with implications for both clinical practice and cultural understanding. She co-founded the influential Celebrity Studies journal in 2010 and edited it for the first eight years of its publication. Analysis of Professor Holmes' recent publications reveals a clear trajectory where her expertise in media and television studies converges with her feminist scholarship on eating disorders. Her most recent work (2023-2025) increasingly focuses on cross-cultural applications of feminist approaches to eating disorders (including work in China), the use of innovative methodologies like Photovoice, and examinations of therapeutic alliance in treatment settings. Simultaneously, she continues to analyze contemporary media representations, particularly focusing on motherhood, true crime television, and reality TV through feminist lenses. This dual focus demonstrates how media representations shape cultural understandings of both celebrity and health conditions. Professor Holmes' significant contributions to academia have been recognized with several prestigious awards: Senior Fellowship from Advance HE (2024) UEA engagement award (2017) ALPSP award nomination for Celebrity Studies as best new journal (2011) She currently runs the Feminist Media Studies research cluster at UEA and is actively supervising postgraduate research in areas including popular television, television/film history, British TV history, stardom/celebrity, and feminist approaches to eating disorders. Her current major research project is the 'ALLIANCE study' (2024-2026), funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research, which aims to develop practice and policy recommendations to support effective therapeutic alliance in inpatient treatment for eating disorders. This builds on her earlier British Academy-funded research on 'Entertaining Television: British TV, the BBC and Popular Programme Culture in the 1950s' (2007-2008). Professor Holmes plays a significant role in the academic community through her editorial work, serving on the boards of journals including Archives of Psychology, Big Data & Society, and Critical Studies in Television, and previously as co-founder and editor of Celebrity Studies. She has also been active in media engagement, contributing expert commentary on topics ranging from Netflix's portrayal of eating disorders to Celebrity Big Brother.
Åsa Slotte is a researcher in the Faculty of Arts, Psychology and Theology, Department of Culture, History and Philosophy, with a PhD completed in 2008. Her work lies at the intersection of philosophy, medicine, and ethics, with a strong focus on the contextual and moral dimensions of illness and diagnosis. Research Interests: Her primary areas include Philosophy of Medicine, Medical Ethics, Philosophy of Language, Gender Studies, Eating Disorders, and Medical Humanities. She employs an interdisciplinary approach, integrating philosophy, psychology, psychiatry, and gender studies. Her recent publications reflect a blend of academic and public engagement, including a 2022 book Ur mammas mörker and contributions to Medical Humanities in Finland (2024). The works demonstrate a consistent focus on personal narratives, ethical critique of medical practices, and the philosophical implications of diagnoses—especially in relation to gender and mental health. Themes such as dehumanization in psychiatry, the role of family in illness, and autobiographical reflection recur across her recent articles. Scientific Activities: Co-organizer of the 'Medicinsk Humaniora' symposium (2023) Contributor to public discourse on migraine, Oliver Sacks, and existential philosophy Advising and Grants: While no formal students or grants are listed, her postdoctoral project on sexuality and diagnoses in men suggests ongoing research support. Her work contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in health and well-being. Labs and Teams: She collaborates within Nordic academic networks in Medical Humanities, indicating active participation in interdisciplinary research communities.
Dr. Jennifer Mills is a Professor and Director of Clinical Training in the Clinical Psychology graduate program at York University's Faculty of Health, leading the EASE Lab. Her research focuses on body image, eating disorders, and the impact of social media on women's psychological well-being. She holds degrees from the University of Toronto (PhD 2001, MA 1996, BSc 1995). Key research areas include social media's effects on body dissatisfaction, orthorexia nervosa, and interventions for disordered eating. She has published extensively on topics such as self-compassion interventions, Instagram imagery impacts, and pandemic-related behavioral changes. Her educational background includes a strong foundation in psychology and clinical research, with a focus on translational work between theory and practice. Current projects explore the psychological mechanisms behind body image concerns, including the role of perfectionism and emotional intelligence in mitigating eating disorder symptoms. She collaborates widely, as evidenced by multi-author publications and interdisciplinary research efforts. Labs/Teams: Director of the EASE Lab (Eating, Affect, and Self-Evaluation) at York University. The lab's work integrates behavioral experiments, longitudinal studies, and community-based interventions to address body image and eating disorder prevention.
Katherine McClellan Hastings, MD, is a board-certified family medicine physician and Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Utah School of Medicine. She practices at the Madsen Health Center and teaches medical students during their Family Medicine Clerkship. Education: B.A. in Philosophy from Miami University; M.D. from Georgetown University School of Medicine; Residency and Chief Residency in Family Medicine at the University of Utah School of Medicine. Her professional interests span a broad spectrum of clinical care, with a focus on women's health , pediatric care , and adolescent medicine . She specializes in birth control management , mental health , stress management , and eating disorder management , integrating holistic approaches to patient well-being. Dr. Hastings is actively involved in clinical education, contributing to the training of medical students through the University of Utah's Family Medicine Clerkship program. Despite her heavy clinical workload, she maintains a strong commitment to patient care, as evidenced by her consistently high patient satisfaction ratings (4.9/5 average).
Professor Emma Rich is affiliated with the University of Bath as a Professor of Physical Activity and Health Pedagogy and Director of the SPHERE Research Centre (Centre for Sport, Physical Activity and Health Equality). Her work bridges sociology and education , focusing on intersections between digital health technologies , body politics , and health inequities in educational and sport contexts. University: University of Bath Role: Professor & Research Centre Director Research Interests : Emma’s expertise spans critical pedagogy , digital health studies , obesity policy critique , and gendered body narratives . She pioneers feminist new materialist approaches to analyze how digital platforms shape health identities and practices among youth. Recent Publications examine digital health’s impact on body dissatisfaction , teacher mind maps , and spatial dynamics in digitized health education. These works emphasize datafication and quantified self trends in adolescent health behaviors. Awards & Recognition : Elected Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences (2022) Nominated for FSHI Book Prize (2024) Bristol Bath Healthcare Research Impact Award (2019) Leadership & Collaborations : She leads international projects like the Wellcome Trust-funded Digital Health Generation and DigiHealthPE (UNA Europa), collaborating with institutions across the UK, Australia, and New Zealand. Her work integrates UN Sustainable Development Goals , particularly those addressing health equity and digital inclusion .
Brandon L. Velez is an Associate Professor of Counseling Psychology at the Graduate School of Education, Health & Psychology at Teachers College, Columbia University. His research examines the intersections of oppression and collective identity with mental health and career outcomes for sexual, gender, and racial/ethnic minority populations. He is affiliated with the Counseling & Clinical Psychology department and leads the Stigma, Identity, and Intersectionality Research Team. Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology, University of Florida, 2014 Predoctoral Internship, Georgia Institute of Technology Counseling Center, 2014 M.S. in Psychology, University of Florida, 2011 B.S. in Psychology (summa cum laude), B.A. in Religion (cum laude), Minor in Anthropology, University of Florida, 2009 Dr. Velez’s work focuses on minority stress , intersectionality , and the well-being of multiply marginalized groups, including LGBTQ+ people of color, transgender individuals, and women of color. His studies explore how systemic discrimination and coping strategies influence mental health , body image , and career development , often integrating theories like objectification and work adjustment. His recent publications analyze: Protective effects of womanist attitudes on women of color Minority stress in transgender communities and bisexual women Applications of work theory to racial and sexual minorities Resilience mechanisms against systemic oppression Scientific honors include graduating summa cum laude (B.S.) and cum laude (B.A.) from the University of Florida. He does not currently advise new Ph.D. students for the Fall 2025 cohort.
Dr. Leah S. Horvath is an Associate Professor and Program Director at the Illinois School of Professional Psychology (ISPP) within National Louis University. She holds a PhD in Clinical Psychology from the University of Kentucky, with prior degrees from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. Her clinical expertise includes Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), cognitive-behavioral treatments for anxiety, PTSD, trauma, and eating disorders, alongside mindfulness-based interventions. She has specialized training from Yale-New Haven Psychiatric Hospital and New York University. Education: PhD, Clinical Psychology, University of Kentucky MS, Clinical Psychology, University of Kentucky BS, Psychology, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign Research & Clinical Focus: DBT and exposure-based therapies Treatment of eating disorders and self-harming behaviors Romantic relationships dynamics Professional development of psychologists Affiliations: Licensed clinical psychologist in Illinois, active in teaching (courses like PSYD711/712, PSYD820/821), and clinical supervision. She emphasizes client-centered care and training future psychologists. Personal Interests: Enjoys yoga, theater, Chicago tourism, and family time.
Jesse J. Helton, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor in the School of Social Work at Saint Louis University, where he has been since 2014. His research focuses on child maltreatment, adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), food insecurity, and disability, with notable work published in JAMA Pediatrics , Child Maltreatment , and Preventative Medicine . He holds editorial roles at the Child Maltreatment journal and serves on the Prevention Committee of the American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children. Dr. Helton’s community partnerships address child abuse prevention, food security, and family violence mitigation in collaboration with statewide and local organizations. Education: Ph.D. in Social Work, University of Illinois; M.A. in Social Work, University of New Hampshire. Research Interests: Dr. Helton’s work explores intersections between childhood trauma, socioeconomic factors, and health outcomes. Key themes include the impact of food insecurity on caregiver-child dynamics, disparities in ACEs among marginalized groups, and policy interventions to reduce maltreatment. His studies often employ mixed-methods approaches, combining quantitative data analysis with qualitative insights from affected communities. Awards: Recipient of the 2020 Association of Jesuit Colleges Leadership Institute award, 2018 Outstanding Young Alumni from Eureka College, and a 2014 Innovative Teaching Fellowship from SLU’s Reinert Center. Teaching: Courses include Principles of Statistics and Data Analysis , Research Methods for Diverse Societies , and Science of Helping . He emphasizes evidence-based practices and culturally responsive pedagogy. Labs/Teams: Collaborates with multidisciplinary teams across universities and NGOs, focusing on translational research to inform child welfare policies and community programs.
Irell and Manella Graduate School of Biological SciencesUnited States
Chen Ran, PhD, is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Neuroscience at Scripps Research in San Diego. His laboratory focuses on understanding how the brain processes internal sensory signals from visceral organs, such as hunger, satiety, nausea, and visceral pain. Using advanced techniques like in vivo two-photon calcium imaging, optogenetics, and circuit tracing, his team maps the functional architecture of brainstem circuits responsible for interoceptive processing. Key contributions include the discovery of a 'visceral homunculus' in the brainstem and the development of novel calcium indicators for high-resolution neuronal activity tracking. Education : PhD in Biology, Stanford University (2017) Bachelor of Science in Biology, Peking University (2011) Research Interests : Dr. Ran’s work integrates experimental and analytical approaches to decode how visceral stimuli are transduced into conscious sensations. Current projects investigate the coding logic of mechanical, chemical, and thermal signals from internal organs, with implications for developing therapies for obesity, diabetes, visceral pain, and eating disorders. The lab employs cutting-edge tools to visualize and manipulate neural circuits in awake behaving mice, linking circuit-level activity to physiological states. Awards & Honors : NARSAD Young Investigator Award (2022) NIH K01 Career Development Award (2023) Simons Collaboration on the Global Brain Award (2022) Harvard Brain Science Initiative Award (2021) Grants & Funding : Supported by NIH, Simons Foundation, and private philanthropy, his research bridges basic science and translational medicine. Current grants focus on brainstem circuit mapping and developing therapeutic targets for interoceptive disorders. Labs & Affiliations : Dr. Ran leads an interdisciplinary team at Scripps Research’s Neuroscience Department, collaborating with engineers, geneticists, and clinicians to advance interoceptive neuroscience.
Ross Otto is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at McGill University. He holds an office at 2001 McGill College, 711, and can be reached via email at ross.otto@mcgill.ca. His research focuses on understanding the mechanisms underlying reflective versus reflexive decision-making, particularly how cognitive resources, stress, and contextual factors influence effort-based choices. He employs computational modeling, behavioral experiments, and neuroimaging techniques. Notable contributions include studies on stress-induced cognitive avoidance and the neural correlates of effort evaluation. His work is affiliated with the Otto Lab, and he collaborates widely across disciplines such as neuroscience and behavioral economics.
Miriam Steele serves as the Alfred J. and Monette C. Marrow Professor of Psychology at The New School for Social Research and Co-Director of the Center for Attachment Research. Her career bridges psychoanalytic theory with empirical child development research, focusing on attachment transmission across generations and clinical interventions. Her educational background includes a PhD from University College London (1990) and training as an Anna Freud Center psychoanalyst. She is a member of the Adult Attachment Interview Trainers’ Consortium and has co-edited seminal works including the Handbook of Attachment-Based Interventions (2018). Dr. Steele's research centers on intergenerational attachment patterns, with pioneering work establishing 'reflective functioning' as a key mechanism. Her NIH-funded studies examine attachment-based interventions for vulnerable families, while current projects explore body representation transmission, impacts of smartphone use on parent-child relationships, and embodiment in adolescence. She extends this work through interdisciplinary courses like 'Psychology for Designers' that connect psychology with Parsons School of Design. Analysis of her 15 most recent publications reveals sustained focus on longitudinal attachment studies from pregnancy through adolescence, adoption outcomes, and pandemic impacts on family dynamics. Her work increasingly integrates cross-cultural perspectives, as seen in studies of caste systems in India and global mental health frameworks. Notable awards include the 2017 Bowlby-Ainsworth Award from the Center for Mental Health Promotion, a $15,000 New School Research Cluster Award for 'The Body as Metaphor' (2013-2014), and a $900,000 MCH Research Program Award for 'Birth to Three' (2012-2015). As an educator, she teaches 'Child and Adolescent Global Mental Health' and mentors PhD/MA students through the Center for Attachment Research. Her grant portfolio demonstrates strong funding success in intervention development and longitudinal studies, with recent work securing support for digital media impact research. The Center for Attachment Research, co-directed with Howard Steele, operates as a multidisciplinary hub involving NSSR psychology students, Eugene Lang undergraduates, and international interns. Current initiatives include the Group Attachment-Based Intervention (GABI), Body Group studies examining physical disability impacts, and embodiment research in emerging adulthood.
Kris Baetens is a Professor in the Department of Psychology Brain, Body and Cognition at Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB). His research focuses on the neural mechanisms underlying social cognition, mentalization, and inhibitory control, particularly exploring the role of the cerebellum and prefrontal cortex in these processes. He employs techniques such as transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), EEG, and fMRI to investigate cognitive and clinical phenomena. Leading projects like ANI423 (neural correlates of inhibitory control in adolescents) and FWOAL1160 (cerebellum's role in social cognition). Recipient of the EUTOPIA Young Leaders Academy fellowship (2024-2026). Active collaborations in the PRISM network for mental health research. Key research interests include: - Cerebellar contributions to cognitive and social functions - Neurostimulation techniques for mental health interventions - Mentalizing processes in social action prediction - Personality and learning mechanisms His articles consistently analyze the interplay between neural structures like the cerebellum and behavioral outcomes in clinical and cognitive contexts. Recent work emphasizes applications of tDCS in treating alcohol use disorders and disordered eating, highlighting translational research in non-invasive brain stimulation. Advising/Grants: Supervises student research projects and manages grants from FWO and OZR agencies. Labs/Teams: Core member of the PRISM network and involved in the EUTOPIA fellowship initiative.
Suzanne Estaphan is a Senior Lecturer in Medical Science (Physiology and Clinical Pharmacology) at the Australian National University (ANU) School of Medicine and Psychology . She holds qualifications including a Doctorate of Physiology (2015) , MSc in Physiology (2012) , MBBCh (2005) , and Basic Certificate in Medical Education (2018) . Her academic roles span curriculum development, admissions, and assessment committees in the ANU Medical School. Senior Lecturer, ANU (2023–present) Academic Editor, PLOS ONE (2024–present) Review Editor, Frontiers in Physiology (2023–present) Dr. Estaphan's research bridges oxidative stress and inflammation in disease pathology with medical education innovation . Her work explores antioxidant interventions for organ damage and investigates AI/virtual reality applications in education. Recent projects include studying sleep dysfunction in eating disorders and diabetes medication effects on exercise capacity . Between 2023–2025, her 15 most recent publications span oxidative stress , medical education , and molecular pathophysiology . Themes include homeostasis , clinical reasoning , and metabolic disorders , with subfields like MMP-9 biology , pancreatic injury , and VR-based hypoxia training . Scientific accolades include the American Physiological Society Travel Award (2017) and recognition as Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (2023) . She mentors medical students, contributes to national physiology curriculum consensus projects, and has secured approximately $200,000 in research funding .
