CHOICE Lab - Lab Alumni

Natalie Bayrakdarian, B.S.

Research Coordinator

Natalie graduated from the University of Michigan with a B.S. in Biopsychology, Cognition, & Neuroscience. She is interested in studying health disparities through community-based research, with a focus on access to behavioral health care and public health initiatives that promote health equity. In her free time, she enjoys going on walks, listening to music, and spending time with friends and family. In the fall of 2026, she will be attending the University of Michigan’s School of Public Health graduate program with a focus in Health Behavior and Health Equity.

Jaclyn Melasi, B.S.

Research Assistant

Email: jamelasi@med.umich.edu

Jaclyn graduated from Michigan State University with bachelor’s degrees in Genomics & Molecular Genetics and Neuroscience. She is currently finishing her master’s in Genetic Counseling at Wayne State University School of Medicine. Jaclyn is interested in contributing to research that explores alternative care delivery models and promotes more equitable access to health information. In her free time, she enjoys reading, exercising, and spending time with her cats.

Rachelle Evans

Research Assistant

Email: evansra@umich.edu

Rachelle is a student at the University of Michigan, studying Biopsychology, Cognition, and Neuroscience with a minor in Entrepreneurship. She is interested in understanding how the brain impacts substance use and improving associated healthcare policy. She hopes to become an attorney. In her free time, she enjoys reading, baking, writing, exercising, and playing board games.

Catherine Caggiano

Research Assistant

Email: crcagg@umich.edu

Catherine is a student at the University of Michigan studying Pharmaceutical Sciences with a minor in Quantitative Methods in the Social Sciences. She is on the pre-medical track and is interested in addiction treatment methods and the broader intersections of mental health and medicine. She enjoys hiking, skiing, and reading in her free time.

Sahana Lothumalla

Research Assistant

Email: sahanal@umich.edu

Sahana graduated from the University of Michigan with a B.S. in Pharmaceutical Sciences. She is interested in studying the intersection of healthcare and vulnerable populations, specifically in developing resources to increase accessibility to care. She hopes to pursue a career as a physician in the future. In her free time she enjoys spending time with family and friends.

Lauren Hellman, B.A.

Research Assistant

Email: lhellman@umich.edu

Lauren graduated from the University of Michigan with a B.A. in Psychology and a minor in Quantitative Methods of the Social Science. She is interested in studying community health and ways to help at-risk populations access necessary resources and support. She plans to pursue a career in School Psychology. In her free time she enjoys cooking, playing tennis, and spending time at Lake Michigan.

Amrita Kondur

Research Assistant

Email: akondur@umich.edu

Amrita is a student at the University of Michigan studying neuroscience on the pre-medical track. She is interested in studying addiction and ways to alleviate negative social determinants of health, as well as health policy initiatives to publicize healthcare. In her free time, she enjoys spending time outdoors and trying new coffee shops.

Vivian Kaufman

Research Assistant

Email: vrkaufma@umich.edu

Vivian is a student at the University of Michigan, studying Public Health with a minor in Science, Technology, and Society. Her passions lie in improving access to healthcare, particularly in the mental health sector, advocating for innovative approaches to substance use treatment, and advancing healthcare access through policy reform. In her free time, she enjoys playing ultimate frisbee, baking, and exploring the outdoors.

Ariana Chaidez

Research Assistant

Email: achaidez@umich.edu

Ariana is an undergraduate student at the University of Michigan majoring in Neuroscience and minoring in Science, Technology, and Society. After graduating, she wants to obtain a Dual Master's Degree in Genetic Counseling and Public Health. In her free time, she likes to binge watch TV shows, crochet, and make jewelry.

Aya Murray, MS

Research Assistant

Email: azmurray@med.umich.edu

Aya graduated with an M.S in Medical Physiology from Case Western Reserve University as well as a B.A in Biological Sciences from Wayne State University. Prior to joining CHOICE Lab, she worked as a research assistant in studies related to pancreatic ductal cancer with a focus in metabolomics. She is passionate about promoting equity in healthcare for underserved and marginalized populations. In her free time, she enjoys the company of her cats, reading, and catching up with friends.

Chavez Rodriguez, B.A.

Research Coordinator

Email: chavezrz@med.umich.edu

Chavez graduated from Washington University in St. Louis with a B.A. in Psychological & Brain Sciences and minors in Anthropology and History. Before joining the CHOICE Lab as a research coordinator, he worked as a research assistant and as a research technician on studies related to anxiety and trauma, ecological momentary assessment, and social determinants of health (treatment acceptability, mental health stigma). Currently, he is interested in associations between anxiety, trauma-related, and substance use disorders, personalized models and treatments, and health equity research. In his free time, he enjoys music, games, and following Red Wings hockey.

Humnah Wasi

Research Assistant

Email: hwasi@umich.edu

Humnah is a student at the University of Michigan majoring in Psychology and Women and Gender Studies. She is pursuing a career in clinical psychology and is aiming to gain a Doctorate in Psychology in the future. In her free time, she enjoys art and watching movies.

Belle Duguid, B.A.

Research Assistant

Email: belledug@umich.edu

Belle graduated from the University of Michigan with a B.A. in Biopsychology, Cognition, and Neuroscience and a minor in Medical Anthropology. During her senior year, Belle was a Research Assistant in the Coughlin Lab. After graduating, Belle served with the AmeriCorps VISTA program at Legal Council for Health Justice where she worked to expand access to health and legal services for those living with HIV/AIDS. After her service, she returned to the Coughlin Lab as a Research Assistant and intends to pursue a Master's in Public Health. In her free time, she enjoys listening to music and watching New Girl.

Jasper Ragla, B.A.

Research Assistant

Jasper is a class of 2023 University of Michigan graduate with a B.A. in Psychology. He is working towards pursuing a career that can help sexual and gender youth minorities and those faced with incarceration gain better access to mental health resources. Outside of academics, you can find him tending to his plants, napping in a hammock up high in the trees, or skateboarding around Ann Arbor.

Sarah Salino, B.A.

Research Assistant

Sarah is a class of 2022 University of Michigan graduate with a B.A. in Psychology and a minor in Law, Justice & Social Change. She is interested in studying the ways in which members of underrepresented communities can better access health resources. She hopes to pursue a career as a School Psychologist or Clinical Psychologist. In her free time, she enjoys baking and playing the ukulele.

CJ Jennings, B.A.

Research Assistant

CJ is a class of 2022 University of Michigan graduate with a B.A. in Psychology and minors in Crime & Justice and Gender & Health. She is interested in studying substance use and mental health, and the ways in which societal factors affect access to care and treatment. She hopes to pursue a PhD in Psychology and eventually become a Clinical Psychologist and researcher. In her free time, she enjoys watching Criminal Minds and playing the guitar.

Aditi Anand, MS

Research Assistant

Aditi is an MSI student majoring in the data science track at the U of M School of Information. Before joining the U of M, she worked as a software developer at organizations like J.P. Morgan and Accenture. Her research interests include natural language processing and computational social science. After graduation, she aspires to pursue a career as a research scientist. In her free time, she enjoys reading blogs, watching Netflix documentaries, and listening to music.

Nicholas Stewart, B.A.

Research Assistant

Nick is a class of 2021 University of Michigan graduate with a B.A. in Psychology and a minor in creative writing. He is interested in cyberpsychology and the compulsions toward excessive internet use. He enjoys reading, watching movies, and listening to music in his free time.

Madelyn Lacek, B.A.

Research Assistant

Maddie is a class of 2021 University of Michigan graduate with a B.A. in Psychology and Economics. She is interested in studying how to improve access to addiction treatment nationwide. Maddie is currently working as an Investment Consulting Analyst. In this position, she works with consultants to produce deliverables for clients, aids in selecting investment managers that align with clients’ needs and goals, and analyzes data to make sure clients are receiving the most efficient investment plans. In her free time, she enjoys cooking and listening to podcasts.

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