Lab Director:
Amy Hughes Lansing, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Department of Psychological Science
University of Vermont
Dr. Hughes Lansing
Dr. Hughes Lansing is a pediatric (child clinical health) psychologist. Her primary research interest is in designing and testing programs, systems, and behavioral interventions that help kids, teens, and their families facing health challenges get access to the holistic healthcare they want and need to live joyful and fulfilling lives. Dr. Hughes Lansing’s research is interdisciplinary, collaborating with teams from pediatric specialty care, patients and families, and community systems to co-produce knowledge, programs, and behavioral interventions. In addition, her research incorporates mobile sensing, intensive longitudinal modeling, and digital interventions to explore ways to deliver not only accessible but also personalized interventions that support pediatric health.
Research Project Coordinator
Bridget Clark
Bridget earned a BS in Nutrition Science from Syracuse University and MS in Nutrition and Food Science from the University of Vermont. Her master’s research focused on plant-based nutrition, consumer food choice, and improving nutrition knowledge among healthcare professionals. Bridget is particularly interested in how socioeconomic status and food security impacts food choice and health behaviors. She is excited to be managing a project for the Hughes Lansing Lab focusing on improving cardiovascular health and health behavior regulation in adolescents with type I diabetes and socioeconomic disadvantage. Bridget.Clark at uvm.edu
Ph.D. Students
Laura Cohen
Laura is interested in studying pediatric psychology and family systems. She conducts research to better understand the role of youths chronic illness within the complexities of a family system. Her current work examines parental distress associated with caring for an adolescent with a complex chronic illness. In addition, Laura would like to study the influence of social support for coping with life-altering circumstances. Laura. Cohen at uvm.edu
Nathan Hacker
Nathan is broadly interested in exploring the impact that daily health behaviors and behavior changes have on the health and wellness of adolescents and their families. My research interests include daily nutrition and dietary behaviors, inflammation and the gut-brain interaction, the social determinants of health and health disparity, and the impact of health education among adolescents and their caregivers. Nathan.Hacker at uvm.edu
Vanessa Ramirez
Vanessa is interested in understanding how adolescents cope with stress, and how they learn to cope. Currently she is involved in research that applies these interests to the context of chronic illnesses. Drawing from health psychology and developmental processes, Vanessa seeks to examine the nuanced experiences of these vulnerable populations. She is aiming to inform tailored interventions and support systems. Vanessa hopes to bridge research and practice, and lend her support as a voice in understanding and advocating for adolescent health and well-being amidst chronic illness challenges.
Lab Alumni
Tori Humiston
Tori graduated from our lab at UVM with a PhD in experimental psychology in 2024 after completing her MS in clinical psychology at Eastern Michigan University. Dr. Humiston will start as an Assistant Professor of Health Psychology at Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health sciences in Fall 2024. Tori’s primary interests surround the intersection of health behavior, chronic pain, and health literacy.
Caroline Cummings
Caroline graduated from our lab at UNR with a PhD in clinical psychology in 2021 after completing her internship at Oregon Health Sciences University. Dr. Cummings is now an Assistant Professor of Psychological Science at Texas Tech University. (https://www.depts.ttu.edu/psy/people/ccummings/)
Undergraduate and Post-Baccalaureate Alumni:
Anne Carracher (The Ohio State University College of Medicine)
Laura Cohen (UVM Clinical Psychology PhD Program)
Rebecca Crochiere (Assistant Professor, Williams College; Drexel University Clinical Psychology PhD Program)
Billie Jo Goddard (Pacific University Clinical Psychology PhD Program)
Kylie Hill (Research Assistant, Center for Biobehavioral Health, Nationwide Children’s Hospital)
Helen Kidane (UNR Behavioral Analysis Master’s Program)
Jacquie Mitzner (Rosalind Franklin Clinical Psychology PhD Program)
Melanie Nigro (UVM Occupational Therapy Doctorate Program)
Hema Prabhu ( University of Cincinnati Clinical Psychology PhD Program)
Elizabeth Tampke (Post-doctoral Fellow, Alpert School of Medicine at Brown University; KU Clinical Child Psychology PhD Program)
Siena Tugendrajch (Post-doctoral Fellow, UPENN and TRAILS, University of Michigan; University of Missouri Clinical Psychology PhD Program)
Esha Vaid (Penn State University Clinical Psychology PhD Program)