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.
Tommaso Feraco is an Assistant Professor at the University of Padova , focusing on the intersection of education , psychology , and behavioral science . His work examines how social, emotional, and behavioral skills (SEBS) influence academic performance, well-being, and developmental outcomes across diverse populations, including adolescents, adults, and individuals with specific learning disabilities. Research trends highlight his contributions to character strengths , self-regulated learning , and adaptability in educational contexts. He has also developed methodological tools to address clustering analysis limitations in data science. His recent publications investigate SEBS applications in career readiness , pro-environmental behavior , and mental health resilience .
Kyle T. Ganson is an Assistant Professor at the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work at the University of Toronto, specializing in adolescent health behaviors, eating disorders, and muscle dysmorphia. He leads the Canadian Study of Adolescent Health Behaviors, a longitudinal study tracking health trends in Canadian youth. His research bridges clinical practice and public health, with over 125 peer-reviewed publications, focusing on marginalized populations including boys and young men. Education: PhD (Social Work, Simmons University), MSW (Wheelock College), BFA (School of Visual Arts). Research Interests: Eating disorders, muscle-building behaviors, body image, substance use, and disparities in mental health outcomes among adolescents. His work addresses societal influences like social media, cyberbullying, and discrimination on health behaviors. Key Projects: Investigates anabolic-androgenic steroid use, muscle dysmorphia, and the impact of adverse childhood experiences. Collaborates on studies with the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) cohort to explore screen time, sleep, and mental health. Teaching: Teaches clinical social work courses including Elements of Social Work Practice and Social Work Practice with Children and Adolescents. Awards: 2021 Connaught New Researcher Award. Recognized for innovative research on male eating disorders and mental health interventions. Public Engagement: Frequently cited in media (CBC, CTV, Healthline) for expertise on adolescent health issues. Maintains a private clinical practice integrating research insights into social work practice.
Michael Grugan (PhD) is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at Northumbria University, specializing in perfectionism research across educational and sport contexts. He employs quantitative methods like structural equation modeling and network analysis to study perfectionistic climates and their impacts on mental health. Education: PhD in Sport Psychology (2018-2023) Research interests include perfectionism, burnout, psychopathologies, and optimizing sport/performance psychology. Collaborations span the Government Legal Service for Scotland, SEREN Network, and higher education institutions. Recent work focuses on perfectionism literacy, school burnout in gifted students, and athlete wellbeing. Scientific contributions include developing the Perfectionistic Climate Questionnaire-Sport (PCQ-S) and serving on the editorial board of the Journal of Clinical Sport Psychology . Awards include Higher Education Academy Fellowship (FHEA).
Matt Boulter is a Lecturer in the School of Health and Life Sciences, specializing in sport and organizational psychology. His research focuses on group dynamics, personality psychology, and their application to team effectiveness and body image disorders. He is particularly interested in how teams resolve conflicts and how narcissism influences team cohesion and mental health outcomes. Boulter has expertise in quantitative methods including multilevel modeling and Bayesian statistics, using tools like Mplus and R. Current projects include a collaboration with St. Mirren FC to develop psychosocial training curricula for youth football academies and examining conflict management strategies in sports teams. His work bridges theoretical insights with practical applications in both sports and organizational settings.
Alisha Van Asperen is affiliated with the Nutrition and Dietetics Research Group at Bond University , where she holds a Lecturer position in the Faculty of Health Sciences & Medicine . Her work focuses on understanding psychological and nutritional aspects of athleticism, particularly in high-performance sports contexts. Education: Master of Nutrition & Dietetic Practice (AQF-9) - Bond University (2018) Research Interests : Alisha investigates the intersection of mental health and athletic performance, with a specific focus on body image disorders like muscle dysmorphia in competitive athletes. Her studies examine how pressures in sports like rugby union influence eating behaviors and psychological well-being. Methodologically, she employs mixed-methods approaches to assess both quantitative physiological metrics and qualitative athlete experiences. Advising & Supervision : She has supervised research on muscle dysmorphia prevalence among elite rugby athletes versus resistance trainers and non-exercisers (2018). No grants or awards explicitly listed in available materials. Lab/Team Affiliation: Active member of the Nutrition and Dietetics Research Group at Bond University.
Deborah Mitchison Crawford is an Associate Professor of Clinical Psychology at the University of Technology Sydney's Graduate School of Health. Ranked as the #14 eating disorder scholar globally by ScholarGPS and recognized as an inaugural Highly Ranked Scholar (placing her in the top 0.05% of researchers worldwide), she has specialized in eating disorders research since 2009. Her academic journey includes an NHMRC Research Fellowship at Western Sydney University (2019-2023) and a Macquarie University Research Fellowship (2016-2019), alongside clinical work as a psychologist at Basten & Associates. PhD, Western Sydney University (2015) Master of Clinical Psychology, Western Sydney University (2012) Master of Science (Health Psychology), University of Sydney (2009) Bachelor of Psychology (Honours), University of Newcastle (2008) Professor Mitchison's research focuses on understanding the prevalence, distribution, determinants, and health service use associated with eating disorders. She employs population-based cohort studies, registry-based research, and program evaluations as primary methodological approaches. Her work addresses critical gaps in eating disorder knowledge across diverse populations including children, adolescents, males, athletes, and autistic individuals. She has made significant contributions to understanding muscle dysmorphia, disordered eating in athletes, and early warning signs for eating disorders in children. Her research reveals important trends in eating disorder epidemiology, particularly the rising prevalence among younger populations and specific demographic groups. She has documented the complex relationship between trauma and eating disorders, developed screening tools for specialized populations, and evaluated treatment outcomes across different care settings. Her work on the TrEAT Registry and EveryBODY Study represents major contributions to longitudinal data collection in the field. #14 ranked eating disorder scholar globally (ScholarGPS) Inaugural Highly Ranked Scholar (top 0.05% of researchers worldwide) Leader of the TrEAT Registry (first registry for community-based eating disorder treatment in Australia) Principal investigator of the EveryBODY Study (5000-adolescent cohort study) Professor Mitchison actively collaborates with clinical leaders across eating disorder specialty clinics in Australia and New Zealand. Her research informs early detection strategies, treatment protocols, and policy development in the eating disorder field. She has contributed to understanding how factors like social media use, social fears, and body image concerns contribute to eating disorder development. Her recent work on AI readiness in the eating disorder field demonstrates her forward-looking approach to integrating new technologies into clinical practice.
Ata Ghaderi is a Professor in the Department of Clinical Neuroscience at Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm, Sweden. His research focuses on understanding, preventing, and treating eating disorders, with a strong emphasis on developing and evaluating clinical interventions. He leads the Clinical Psychology research group and has authored numerous peer-reviewed articles in high-impact journals. Education: Earned a Docent (associate professor) title from Uppsala University in 2004. His doctoral education and primary academic training are in clinical psychology and behavioral medicine. Research Interests: His work spans prevention of eating disorders through internet-based and in-person interventions, mental health of refugee youth, child abuse prevention, and resilience in vulnerable populations. He has led randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and systematic reviews on cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and family-based interventions. Grants: Secured funding from Swedish Research Council, Bank of Sweden Tercentenary Foundation, and regional health authorities for projects like 'Effectiveness of the Body Project to Prevent Eating Disorders' and 'Prevention of Anxiety in Offspring of Anxious Parents.' Advising: Supervised PhD student Androula Savva. His research team collaborates on projects involving parent training, child health services, and digital health solutions. Labs/Teams: Directs the Clinical Psychology research group at Karolinska Institutet, focusing on translating evidence-based treatments into scalable interventions.
Tiffany Brown is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychological Sciences at Auburn University and Co-Director of the Auburn Eating Disorders Clinic (AEDC). She previously served as an Assistant Project Scientist and licensed clinical psychologist at the UCSD Eating Disorders Program. Her research focuses on developing interventions for appearance-based and eating disorders in marginalized populations, particularly LGBTQ+ individuals, males, and gender-diverse groups. She also examines interoception, anxiety sensitivity, and treatment outcomes across genders and sexual identities. Education: PhD, Florida State University Post-doctoral work at UCSD Eating Disorders Program Research Interests: Her work emphasizes prevention programs targeting LGBTQ+ and male populations, muscle dysmorphia risk reduction, and adapting dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) for eating disorders. She investigates sociocultural factors influencing body image, including media impact and minority stress. Lab Affiliations: She leads the Appearance Concerns, Eating, Prevention and Treatment (ACCEPT) Lab at Auburn, which collaborates with international teams (e.g., Brazil, Denmark) to address eating disorders in underserved communities. The lab also explores systemic barriers to care and culturally adapted interventions. Advising & Training: Guides a diverse team of graduate students and postdocs focusing on eating disorders, body image, and mental health equity. Current advisees include Kristin Denmark (LGBTQ+ body talk), Marley Billman Miller (intersectionality in treatment), and Jennifer Finkelstein (biological and sociocultural factors in LGBTQ+ eating disorders).
Aaron Blashill, Ph.D., is a Professor of Psychology in the Department of Psychology at San Diego State University's College of Sciences. He leads the BISH lab, focusing on body image's role in health behaviors, particularly among LGBTQ+ populations. His research spans HIV prevention, eating disorders, skin cancer risk, and suicide prevention, with an emphasis on addressing health disparities. Dr. Blashill has advised numerous graduate students and secured grants from NIH, NIMH, and others totaling over $7 million. He received the Early Career Investigator Award from the Society of Behavioral Medicine in 2018. His research explores how body image influences behaviors like medication adherence, HIV risk reduction, and skin cancer prevention. Notable projects include developing interventions for LGBTQ+ youth suicide prevention and evaluating PrEP adherence among Latinx MSM. His work integrates clinical, epidemiological, and community-based approaches to tackle systemic health inequities. Key Research Themes: Body image disorders, LGBTQ+ health equity, HIV/AIDS prevention, eating disorders, and adolescent development. Funding Highlights: NIMH grants for suicide prevention, NIH support for eating disorder prevention, and ACS funding for skin cancer research. Awards: 2018 Society of Behavioral Medicine Early Career Investigator Award. Dr. Blashill’s lab emphasizes translational research, bridging clinical practice and community needs. He collaborates with organizations like the American Cancer Society and CDC to advance preventive health strategies. Current projects include testing peer-led interventions for LGBTQ+ youth mental health and studying TikTok’s impact on body image.
Nicholas SantaBarbara is an Assistant Clinical Professor of Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences at Merrimack College's School of Nursing and Health Sciences, where he also serves as Graduate Director. He holds a Ph.D. in Kinesiology from Columbia University, an M.Phil. in Kinesiology from Columbia, an M.S. in Strength & Conditioning from Bridgewater State University, and a B.A. in Communications from Stonehill College. His research focuses on leveraging exercise to treat/prevent chronic diseases and improve health equity among marginalized populations such as substance users, individuals with mental illnesses, and people living with HIV. Recent work emphasizes scalable workplace wellness programs combining exercise and nutrition education to reduce cardiovascular disease risk. His publications (2016-2022) demonstrate a strong focus on: Resistance training effects on mental health outcomes (e.g., PTSD, depression, anxiety) Exercise interventions for HIV+ populations Workplace wellness program efficacy and cost-effectiveness Body image and muscular strength associations Research consistently integrates behavioral health principles with exercise science to address disparities in underserved communities. Ongoing projects likely expand workplace wellness applications and explore pandemic-era health adaptations.
Laura Fleming is a Senior Lecturer in Sport & Exercise at Teesside University's Centre for Rehabilitation within the SHLS Life Sciences School. She leads the BSc (Hons) Applied Sport and Exercise (Top Up) program and oversees the FdSc Sports Coaching & Exercise at Hartlepool College of Further Education. Her research focuses on intersections between sport/exercise and mental/physical health, particularly body image, weight stigma, muscle dysmorphia, and anabolic steroid use. She actively pursues Sport & Exercise Nutrition qualifications to enhance her work on holistic body perception improvement. Her research interests emphasize using exercise as a wellbeing mechanism rather than solely weight control. Notable contributions include a 2025 systematic review on physical activity interventions in acute mental health units, published in the International Journal of Mental Health Nursing, and two 2024 conference abstracts exploring exercise's role in inpatient mental health settings. These works analyze health outcomes, patient engagement, and behavioral activation strategies. Fleming holds fitness instructor certifications including kettlebell training and advocates for 'green exercise' through outdoor activities with her dogs. Her work integrates nutritional science with psychological aspects of body image, reflecting a multidisciplinary approach to health promotion.
Jerel Calzo is a Professor in the Department of Health Promotion and Behavioral Science at San Diego State University’s College of Health and Human Services. His research focuses on LGBTQ+ health disparities, mental health, eating disorders, homelessness, and youth advocacy. He is particularly known for studying the role of gender-sexuality alliances (GSAs) in improving school belonging and mental health outcomes for LGBTQ+ youth. His work also addresses public health crises such as hepatitis A outbreaks and basic sanitation deprivation among marginalized populations in San Diego. Dr. Calzo’s research integrates mixed-methods approaches, including participatory action research and community-based participatory research. He has explored topics such as disordered eating in transgender youth, the impact of socioeconomic factors on health behaviors, and the intersection of race/ethnicity and sexual orientation in housing disparities. His recent studies emphasize the need for evidence-based interventions targeting suicide prevention and healthcare access for sexual and gender minority populations. Key areas of his work include: (1) the psychosocial determinants of health behaviors among marginalized groups, (2) the role of schools in fostering inclusive environments for LGBTQ+ youth, and (3) the sociopolitical factors influencing health outcomes in underserved communities. He has collaborated with community organizations to develop interventions addressing issues like restroom access for homeless individuals and substance use prevention in high-risk populations.
Stephanie Quinton is a Researcher in the Department of Psychology at Charles Sturt University. Her work focuses on disordered eating, eating disorders, and related psychological factors such as emotional intelligence, sociocultural influences, and perfectionism. She has contributed to clinical case studies, treatment program evaluations, and research on gender-specific mental health challenges. Key research interests include the intersection of diet patterns (e.g., vegetarianism), selflessness, and disordered eating behaviors, as well as the physiological manifestations of bulimia nervosa. Her work explores both clinical and psychological dimensions of eating disorders, with a focus on improving treatment outcomes through evidence-based interventions. Stephanie received the 2020 Excellence Awards from Charles Sturt University, recognizing her contributions to academic and research excellence. Her articles emphasize interdisciplinary approaches, combining psychology with gastroenterology, public health, and gender studies to address complex mental health issues.
Jennifer Lundgren is the Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor of the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC), serving as the university's chief academic officer since 2020. She holds a dual role as a Professor in the Department of Psychology within the College of Arts and Sciences. Her academic leadership includes prior roles as department chair, associate dean, dean of the School of Graduate Studies, and interim dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. Dr. Lundgren earned a B.A. in Psychology from Oklahoma State University and a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University at Albany–SUNY. Her clinical training includes a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine’s Division of Weight and Eating Disorders. Her research focuses on the interplay between eating behaviors and sleep patterns, particularly in the context of eating disorders. She has authored over 100 peer-reviewed articles and co-edited the seminal text Night Eating Syndrome: Research, Assessment, and Treatment (2012). Her research has advanced diagnostic tools and treatment protocols for night eating syndrome, incorporating neuroimaging, circadian rhythm analysis, and cognitive-behavioral interventions. She has pioneered studies on body image among marginalized populations, including Black women and collegiate athletes, and has explored weight bias in political contexts. Her work bridges clinical practice with public health, emphasizing prevention programs like the REbeL peer education initiative for adolescents. Lundgren is a Fellow of both the Academy for Eating Disorders and the Obesity Society. She has received UMKC’s Chancellor’s Early Career Teaching Award and Student Government Advisor of the Year. Her leadership positions reflect her commitment to academic excellence, interdisciplinary collaboration, and student mentorship across multiple institutional levels.
