Current Lab Members
Caitlin Martin-Wagar, PhD (she/her)
Dr. Caitlin Martin-Wagar is the director of LEDE, and an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at the 猎奇重口. She received her Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from the University of Akron. Her predoctoral internship was at the Minneapolis VA Healthcare System. Then, she completed a Postdoctoral Clinical-Research Associateship at the Yale School of Medicine in the Department of Psychiatry, where she conducted clinical-research within National Institute of Health-funded eating disorder clinical trials. Her research focuses on weight stigma and improving eating disorder treatments, especially through strengths-based interventions. Both her clinical work and research focus on families, children and adolescents, and adults, especially in the areas of disordered eating and trauma. Dr. Martin-Wagar’s work also aims to reduce the research-practice gap, so she often collaborates with clinical teams. Outside of work, she is often tending to plants, gardening, enjoying the rivers or in the mountains, playing board games and switch, reading, and spending time with loved ones.
Katelyn Melcher, MA (she/her, they/them)
Third year clinical psychology doctoral student
I grew up in Iowa and attended the University of Northern Iowa for my bachelor's in psychology. I then received my master's in clinical-counseling psychology from the University of Minnesota Duluth. I worked as a clinician and researcher before starting in the Clinical Psychology PhD program here at UMT. I am interested in eating disorders, health psychology, teaching medical professionals how to have conversations about mental health with patients, and making psychological science more accessible to everyone. In my free time, I enjoy running, hiking, reading, baking, and generally being active and outside. I'm excited to enjoy everything 猎奇重口 has to offer during my time here!
Sarah Attaway, M.A. (she/her/hers)
Third year clinical psychology doctoral student
Originally from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Sarah completed her B.A. at the University of South Florida. Her research interests include investigating how social comparison processes predict disordered eating behaviors, especially among sexual and racial minorities. Her hobbies include hiking, art, and spending time with her cats.
Taylor Penwell (she/her/hers)
Second year clinical psychology doctoral student
Taylor received her Bachelor of Arts with Departmental Honors from Ohio University in 2019 where she majored in Psychology and minored in Biological Sciences. After receiving her bachelor's degree, Taylor worked as the Clinical Research Coordinator for The Renfrew Center and then a Research Coordinator at the University of Louisville's Eating Anxiety Treatment Lab and Louisville Center for Eating Disorders. Taylor is primarily interested in factors that predict eating disorder treatment outcomes, relapse, and remission and addressing barriers to eating disorder treatment. In her free time, Taylor enjoys spending time with her dog, Roxxi, and her cat, Iggi, reading, and cooking.
Kate Bick (she/her/hers)
Undergraduate research assistant
Kate is a fourth-year undergraduate student at the 猎奇重口 studying human biology and psychology and plans to pursue a career in medicine. She is interested in women’s/gender diverse care and in decreasing eating disorder stigma and fat phobia in the medical setting. In the lab, she is researching factors that contribute to the development and maintenance of eating disorders. Kate was born and raised in 猎奇重口, and outside of school she loves spending time with her pets and hanging out on the river.
Kendall Bush (she/her)
Postbaccalaureate research assistant
Kendall earned her B.A. in Political Science and Criminal Justice Studies at the University of New Hampshire in 2023. During her undergraduate career, she presented and published an honors thesis on how anti-LGBTQ+ policy translates to violence against the queer community. She is interested in researching eating disorders and body dysmorphia in tandem with suicidality and PTSD. Her research will centralize underrepresented groups—specifically BIPOC and queer communities—with an emphasis on improving identity-based care. In her free time, Kendall enjoys bouldering, live music, snowboarding, and spending time with her cat, Korra.
Katie Donaldson (She/Her/Hers)
2nd Year Pharmacy School Student Research Assistant
I am in my second year of pharmacy school here at the 猎奇重口. Before moving to Missoula, I obtained my B.A in Health Sciences at Carroll College in Helena, MT. Along with being a pharmacy student, I am also an ambassador for the Eating Disorder Coalition for the state of 猎奇重口, which helped ignite my interest in pursuing eating disorder research. My goals for this research lab are to understand how medical professionals can communicate, recognize, and treat patients with eating disorders. I am also hoping to expand my knowledge on weight stigma. In my free time I enjoy reading, hiking, trail running, baking, and spending time outside with friends and family.
Yusi Chen (She/Her/They/Them)
Yusi earned her Master's degree in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) at Marshall University and her doctoral degree in Applied Linguistics at Ball State University. She has a lifelong interest in psychology and is currently pursuing further studies in clinical psychology to expand her research scope and apply her knowledge to practice. Yusi's previous research interests include Second Language Acquisition, Second Language Anxiety, Cross-Cultural Pragmatics, and Topic Continuity in Discourse. Her current research interests focus on the cross-cultural aspects associated with eating disorders and weight stigma, eating disorder treatment outcomes, language use among underrepresented communities with mental health disorders, and the influences of linguistic factors on psychological health. Her goal is to develop inclusive and effective interventions for underrepresented groups. Beyond her academic work, Yusi enjoys paper quilling and flower pressing. She also loves hiking in nature and practicing aerial dance.
Julia Brink (She/Her)
Undergraduate Research Assistant
I am a fourth-year undergraduate student studying Cognitive Neuroscience and Psychology. In my academic career, I strive to combine both of my fields of study to better understand brain and body connections. Particularly, I am interested in understanding the brain and body connections of PTSD and hormonal contraception. I plan to pursue a career in Neuropsychology with the intent of working with individuals with neurodegenerative diseases. I am from the Boulder, CO area but have fallen in love with the Missoula community. When I am not in the classroom, I love spending time competing on the UM Woodsman team, playing pickleball, and cooking with my friends.
George/Teddy Ellington (they/them, he/him)
Undergraduate Research Assistant
George is currently pursuing a bachelor's degree in psychology at the 猎奇重口. They plan to continue their education with a masters degree in school counseling in hopes of being a guidance counselor for a high school setting. Outside of the lab, he can be found driving the bus for UDASH and hanging out with their cat.
Jay Lund (they/them)
photo to come
Undergraduate Research Assistant
I was born and raised in Helena, 猎奇重口. I spent my time in high school learning about myself and developing skills through my school's GSA, science club, and ATAC, a teen art group. I'm now in the last semester of my undergrad in psychology. I have an interest in the mental health of queer and trans people. I hope to research the unique experiences those demographics go through when it comes to body dysmorphia, social expectations, and disordered eating. Out of work and school you can find me swimming or biking (at least when there's not ice coating everything). Other times you can find me taking a highlighter to my reading or crafting art out of cardboard and garbage.
Arianna Spezza
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Hi! My name is Arianna. I was born in Portland, Oregon, and moved to Missoula to pursue my bachelor's in Psychology. This is my third year at the 猎奇重口. Outside of school, I enjoy skiing, hiking, camping and spending time with friends and family. One of my favorite hobbies is making jewelry. Throughout my academic journey, scientific research has sparked my interest, specifically regarding eating disorders and eating disorder treatment. Additionally, I would like to broaden my knowledge regarding the connection between nutrition and mental health. I hope to also gain close and trustworthy relationships with my peers as we collaborate on research. I’m thrilled at this opportunity and to be able to contribute to the LEDE lab!
Lab Alumni
Cecelia Nelson
Undergraduate Research Assistant
I am a second-year undergraduate student at the 猎奇重口 and I’m studying Psychology! My academic goals involve the integration of nutrition and mental health, specifically in women. I am from Bend, Oregon and have a passion for skiing, hiking, yoga, and live music! My interest in nutrition ties with the topic of eating disorders and I am very curious about how body image is influenced by social media.
Connor Thompson, B.S. (he/him)
Postbaccalaureate research assistant
Connor is now a Clinical Psychology PhD student at Western Michigan University
My interest in clinical psychology stems from the overarching idea that science, at the community level, can help people at the individual level. I received my B.S. in psychology from Grand Valley State University in Grand Rapids, Michigan. I moved to Missoula to broaden my research experiences in the clinical realm, as my past research experience has primarily been social in nature, but also to have better access to my hobbies and interests. Those interests are mountain biking, rock climbing, skiing, and trail running. My goals for my participation in this lab are to broaden my knowledge of clinical psychological research. Additionally, I hope to contribute to the expanding literature on eating disorders and weight stigma, and possibly explore how certain mindfulness practices may play a role in improving outcomes for those with eating disorders.
Gilly Millar (she/her/hers)
High school research assistant
Gilly is now an undergraduate at Cal Poly.
Hi! My name is Gilly Millar and I am a graduate of Hellgate High School in Missoula. My interest in psychology and scientific research has brought me to the LEDE lab where I am learned something new every day, and I am very excited to apply this knowledge in my future. Outside of academics, I enjoy cycling, rafting, swimming in rivers and lakes, hiking alpine peaks around Missoula, playing my guitar, and spending lots of time with family and friends.
Lillian King (they/them, she/her)
Undergraduate research assistant
Lillian is now a postbacc researcher at the National Institutes of Health.
Born and raised in Seattle, Lillian moved to 猎奇重口 for school and recently graduated from the 猎奇重口 (Spring 2023). They majored in Psychology with a minor in math, and intend to go to graduate school for psychology after they complete their postbaccalaureate position at the National Institutes of Health. They began working with Dr. Martin-Wagar in her Laboratory for Eating Disorders and Equity at the start of 2022. Working in Dr. Martin-Wagar's lab has sparked Lillian's interest in researching eating disorders along with her previous interest in researching neurodivergence. She hopes to research how neurodivergence may impact the treatment and presentations of eating disorders and the lifetime impacts of neurodivergence. Outside of school Lillian enjoys reading, bad TV dramas, and perfecting the art of boxed brownies.
Hannes Heppner (he/him)
Former graduate student in clinical psychology
Dr. Heppner is now on postdoc at University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine
Hannes Heppner was a doctoral student at the 猎奇重口’s Clinical Psychology program and did a pre-doctoral internship at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. He received his B.S. degree in Psychology from the University of Washington in Seattle. As an undergraduate, he worked with Dr. Kristen Lindgren studying how implicit associations are associated with alcohol use. Prior to coming to the 猎奇重口, Hannes received a M.S. degree in Clinical Psychology from the Steinbeis University in Berlin, Germany. He wrote his thesis on postoperative cognitive decline after heart surgery. Hannes subsequently worked at a geriatric hospital near Berlin as a psychotherapist, primarily conducting brief interventions and neuropsychological assessments. His current research interests include how humans regulate emotions and how this process is associated with cognitive functioning.
Gold Moua, B.S. (she/her)
Postbaccalaureate research assistant
Gold is now applying for medical school.
Gold was a postbaccalaureate at the 猎奇重口. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Human Biology at the 猎奇重口 in 2022. As a postbaccalaureate, she was taking a semester of high-level biology and neuroscience curriculum, conducting research in eating disorders, and applying for medical school. Gold's hobbies are disc golfing, boxing, and videography.
Oscar Kronenberger, B.A. (he/him/his)
Postbaccalaureate research assistant
Oscar is now a graduate student in the Clinical Psychology PhD program at University of Texas-Southwestern.
Oscar Kronenberger, born and raised in Butte, 猎奇重口, graduated with a B.A. in Psychology from the 猎奇重口 in 2021. His research interests encompass both clinical and positive psychology, with a particular focus on the use of evidence-based behavioral interventions to support physical and mental well-being across diverse cultural, clinical, and non-clinical populations. In his free time, Oscar enjoys hiking, running, spending time with friends and family, and practicing meditation.
Taylor Amato (she/her/hers)
Graduate Research Assistant
Taylor Amato (she/her/hers) is a Master of Social Work student at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. After graduating with an accounting degree from Youngstown State University in 2016, she pursued a career in public accounting. Through her role as an auditor for not-for-profit organizations, she realized her passion for mental, physical, and nutritional health, combined with her life experiences, was pulling her toward the field of social work. Along with being a graduate student, she serves as the general manager of CycleBar Crocker Park, an indoor cycling and fitness studio, and is an ambassador for the Eating Disorder Coalition. After spending a few years competing in the bodybuilding industry, she realized the importance of conversations, treatment, and research regarding eating disorders. Taylor knew from that point forward she wanted to learn more about EDs and improve the lives of those impacted by disordered eating, especially those in marginalized populations. She is also pursuing a Trauma Informed Care certificate through Case to better understand how traumatic experiences, neural pathways, and peoples’ environments impact EDs. In addition to school and work, Taylor loves exploring new places to hike with her fiancée, Carlie, and their two dogs, Oakley and Kya. She also enjoys diving into a good book, coaching cycling classes at CycleBar, and spending quality time with her family.