Meet Our Team

Brooke Franklin, B.S.

I’m Brooke! I’m originally from Morgantown, West Virginia, and I earned my B.S. in psychology and human developmental sciences from UC San Diego. My research interests primarily surround the intersection of physical and mental health and understanding how we can better prevent physical and mental illness (especially anxiety, depression, and chronic physical illnesses, such as diabetes). I am passionate about examining how lifestyle behaviors (ex. exercise), relationships, and mind body interventions can be leveraged to improve mental and physical health outcomes! I’m also passionate about dissemination and implementation!

Kristina Gale, M.S.

Hello! I'm a current PhD student studying Public Health at the U. My research interest include global malnutrition issues especially diabetes and diabetes prevention programs. When I'm not teaching, writing, or in the lab, I enjoy hiking, camping, backpacking, taking walks with my husband and kiddos.

Manuel Gutierrez Chavez, B.S.

I am a graduate student in the Clinical Program at the U. My mentors are Dr. Anu Asnaani and Dr. Katie Baucom. With both of their guidance, I am currently working on a community engaged project that is planning to create a mindfulness-based health intervention related to emotional eating for the Hispanics/Latines in the Salt Lake City area. My research interests are in the intersection of identity, mental and physical health, and community-based interventions. It is imperative that research diversifies its whole process, including interdisciplinary research, and that we empower our community members through the affirmation of their identities.

Brynn Meulenberg, B.A.

I graduated from Michigan State University with a B.A. in Psychology. I am currently a graduate student in the Clinical Psychology program. My research interests include exploring how family relationships impact health and can be utilized to improve health outcomes and decreasing health disparities within Latinx communities more generally. I’m specifically excited to address these issues through a community-based participatory research approach! In my free time I enjoy walking while listening to podcasts, eating good food, and spending time with friends.

 

Madelyn Whitaker, B.S., M.A.

I am a PhD student in the Clinical Psychology program, who is interested broadly in health psychology and how to improve lifestyle behaviors among patients with or at risk for chronic conditions. I have my B.S. in Sport Medicine from Pepperdine, my M.A. in Clinical Psychology from Northwestern, and have worked as a scribe in a family medicine clinic, so appreciate an interdisciplinary approach to research and clinical work.

I love trail running, hiking, and enjoying mountain top views! If you ever need trail recommendations, let me know!