Lab Director:
Amy Hughes Lansing, Ph.D.
Associate 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.
Ph.D. Students
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 is currently an intern at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
Chelsea Pike
Chelsea is interested in studying the psychosocial processes that shape health outcomes in adolescents and emerging adults with chronic illness. Her current work is focused specifically on chronic pain and endometriosis. She is also interested in the development of accessible, individualized digital interventions that target psychosocial processes to improve outcomes in these populations.
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. Vanessa is currently an intern at Children’s’ Hospital Colorado.
Lab Alumni
Laura Cohen
Laura graduated from our lab at UVM with a PhD in clinical psychology in 2026 after completing her internship at Primary Children’s Hospital/U of Utah School of Medicine. She is interested in studying pediatric psychology and family systems. She conducts research to better understand the role of youth chronic illness within the complexities of a family system. Her current work examines chronic illness self-management theory in adolescents with complex chronic illnesses.
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 is an Assistant Professor of Health Psychology at Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. 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 Associate Professor of Psychological Science at Texas Tech University. (https://www.depts.ttu.edu/psy/people/ccummings/)
Bridget Clark- Research Coordinator Alumni
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. Bridget completed her dietician internship at Yale and is currently employed as an RD with Yale.
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, University of Florida Clinical Psychology PhD Program)
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 (University of Missouri Clinical Psychology PhD Program)
Esha Vaid (Penn State University Clinical Psychology PhD Program)