ACCESS for Mental Health
Discover MoreRanya is currently a Research Associate working with Dr. Tara Mehta in the ACCESS for Mental Health Lab. She received a master’s degree from Villanova University in Experimental Psychology. Her research interests include community mental health and implementation of culturally competent mental health services.
Jennifer Canovas is a Research Associate in the ACCESS for Mental Health Lab under the mentorship of Dr. Tara Mehta and a graduate of Williams College, where she earned her B.A. in Psychology and Art History. Her research interests focus on reducing mental health disparities among historically marginalized communities, with a particular emphasis on immigrant and LGBTQ+ populations.
Sofia Lostaunau is a fourth year undergraduate student at the University of Illinois Chicago pursuing BS in Psychology and Gender & Women’s Studies, with a minor in Sociology.
Mary completed her undergraduate studies at Loyola University Chicago in 2021 and is currently a medical student at the University of Illinois College of Medicine.
Alexandra Zax is a postdoctoral fellow in the Maternal Health Research Center of Excellence and ACCESS for Mental Health Lab at UIC. To date, her primary research interests aim to shed light on complex associations between individual, cultural, and community factors on mental health and behavioral outcomes in youth and caregivers.
Shawn Nelson Cole is the Director of the Office of Medicaid Innovation at University of Illinois Health.
Colleen Lammel-Harmon is the Health & Wellness Officer for the Chicago Park District.