WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY IN ST. LOUIS - Key Persons


Abigail A. Schweiger

Job Titles:
  • Clinical Research Coordinator

Andes Daskalakis-Perez

Job Titles:
  • Clinical Research Coordinator

Angela Stevens

Job Titles:
  • Clinical Research Supervisor
Professional Experience Angela has worked in the psychiatric research field at WUSM for over 15 years. During that time she has worked on numerous studies that dealt with depression, schizophrenia and age-related cognitive decline.

Aris B. Perez

Job Titles:
  • Clinical Research Coordinator
Professional Experience Before joining the Healthy Mind Lab in March of 2017, Aris worked with the chair of the University of Missouri's Anthropology department, Dr. Lyman, in researching the hunting behavior of barn owls. Education Bachelor of Arts, University of Missouri, Anthropology

Dawnita Reathaford


Emily Lenard

Job Titles:
  • Clinical Research Coordinator
Emily Lenard has worked with Dr. Lenze conducting research since August of 2010. During that time, she has worked on over a half dozen research studies involving older adults, including coordination of the recently completed Optimum Study for older adults with treatment-resistant depression. Emily facilitates the Health Education groups in the MEDEX studies. Emily works to develop and deliver a patient centered intervention for older adults undergoing surgery with the Center for Perioperative Mental Health. Education Bachelor of Arts, Hendrix College, Psychology Masters in Social Work, George Warren Brown School of Social Work, Washington University in St. Louis

Eric J. Lenze

Dr. Lenze is the Wallace & Lucille Renard Professor of Psychiatry, the Director of the Healthy Mind Lab, and Chair of the Department of Psychiatry at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri. Dr. Lenze is a clinical trialist who has successfully advanced evidence-based medicine for depression, anxiety, and cognitive disorders in older adults. In a series of successful and ongoing clinical trials, he has tested the benefits and risks of antidepressants, deprescribing, mindfulness, cognitive behavioral therapy, and exercise. Dr. Lenze has also advanced the concept of the Precision Clinical Trial, a framework for using clinical trials to advance precision medicine in neurobehavioral disorders.

Ginger E. Nicol

Job Titles:
  • Associate Professor of Psychiatry
  • Certified General and Child Psychiatrist
Dr. Ginger Nicol is a board-certified general and child psychiatrist, and her passion is helping both kids and adults with psychiatric disorders to have healthy bodies as well as healthy minds. She graduated from the University of Iowa with a degree in Journalism & Mass Communication, then obtained her medical degree from the University of Iowa as well. Not having had enough of the Midwest, she came to St. Louis to complete her general psychiatry and child psychiatry training. Following residency and fellowship, she completed a post-doctoral research program where she gained expertise in the study of obesity and related metabolic conditions like diabetes. Dr. Nicol focuses her research on developing and testing new therapies that can help kids and adults with mental health conditions reach and maintain a healthy weight.

Jennifer Wulfers

Job Titles:
  • Clinical Research Coordinator

Karen Flavin

Job Titles:
  • Research Nurse Coordinator

Leonard Imbula

Job Titles:
  • Research Patient Care Coordinator

Logan Griffin

Job Titles:
  • Professional Rater I
Education: BS Psychology, MS Experimental Psychology both from Missouri State University

Marissa Rhea

Job Titles:
  • Senior Clinical Research Coordinator

Mary Lupo

Job Titles:
  • Clinical Research Regulatory Coordinator

Michael D. Yingling

Job Titles:
  • Employee of Washington University School of Medicine
  • Statistical Data Analyst
Michael Yingling has been an employee of Washington University School of Medicine since September of 2004. He has been a team member of our lab since its inception. He has spent a majority of his time working on the data side of research. However, in his earlier days, Michael spent a significant amount of time escorting research participants around campus. Michael also teaches Statistics courses part-time on the Danforth Campus. Education Bachelor of Science in Applied Mathematics & Statistics, Southeast Missouri State University Master of Science in Statistics at Texas A&M University

Michelle L. Voegtle

Job Titles:
  • Clinical Research Coordinator
Professional Experience Before joining the Healthy Mind Lab, Michelle Voegtle spent time at SIUE conducting her own research studies as an undergraduate, with an emphasis on physical activity, mindfulness, and stress, working in several research labs with a focus on older adults, and mentoring students at the SIUE Career Development Center. She also studied at Alton Mental Health Center, participating in therapy sessions with inpatients and assisting with administrative roles. After an internship with Dr. Lenze assisting on the precursor to the MEDEX study, Michelle joined the Healthy Mind Lab in May 2012 as a research assistant; she currently serves as the study coordinator on a large, multi-site study (MEDEX) with Eric Lenze and Julie Wetherell (Prinicpal Investigator, University of California-San Diego). Education Bachelor of Science, Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville, Psychology with a minor in Biology Phi Kappa Phi, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Chapter 203

Rita Haddad

Job Titles:
  • Instructor in Psychiatry
  • Principal Investigators

Robert J. McLaughlin

Job Titles:
  • Psychology

Shahadat (Aziz) Aziz


Stephanie Brown

Job Titles:
  • Administrative Coordinator

Teddi Gray

Job Titles:
  • Senior Clinical Research Coordinator

Torie Gettinger

Job Titles:
  • Licensed Clinical Social Worker
  • Staff Scientist
Professional Experience Torie Gettinger is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and is currently pursuing her PhD in Social Work from Saint Louis University. She works closely with the data team, study coordinators, and Principal Investigators assisting with project management, grant submissions, and manuscript preparation. Prior to joining the Healthy Mind Lab in July 2021, Torie worked in medical (inpatient and outpatient) and non-profit settings, primarily assisting individuals and families in navigating chronic illness management. Through this work, Torie worked closely with individuals impacted by cancer and pursued research in psychosocial oncology and palliative care. Torie is passionate about ensuring research findings are translated into real-world care to benefit patient and system outcomes.

Wilberforce Tumwesige

Job Titles:
  • Research Project Coordinator at the Healthy Mind Lab
Wilberforce Tumwesige is a Research Project Coordinator at the Healthy Mind Lab. He holds a Masters in Social Work (MSW) from Brown School of Social Work, Washington University in Saint Louis. His research interests focus on addressing the social determinants of health and Mental Health among the underserved populations in resource-poor families and communities. He has experience spanning eight years working on ICHAD studies as a field research assistant in Uganda and a Research Project Coordinator at Washington University in Saint Louis. His prior engagements include coordination of two NIH-funded studies at the Brown School, including the Suubi4her research, which seeks to examine the impact and costs associated with an innovative combination intervention that aims to prevent HIV risk behaviors in communities impacted by HIV/AIDS, and the Suubi4Stigma Study, which addresses HIV associated Stigma among adolescents. Currently, he is applying his experience and clinical expertise to working with individuals in the Center for Perioperative Mental Health as Perioperative Wellness Partner.