DIRECTOR & PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Dr. Hampton-Anderson is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Emory University School of Medicine. Her program of research aims to understand the sociocultural determinants of health disparities and integrated health outcomes in youth and families, with a particular interest in childhood adversity and chronic stress. She is also interested in risk and protective factors that influence mental and physical health diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment with a specific interest in culturally competent clinical practice and research.

RESEARCH COORDINATOR

Troy graduated summa cum laude from Tuskegee University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology. Troy's research interests are centered around mood and anxiety disorders, with a strong emphasis on investigating their occurrences in underrepresented populations. She ultimately aims to mitigate the barriers these populations experience in clinical practice as a clinical psychologist. Outside of her work in the lab, Troy enjoys listening to music and composing playlists, watching film and television--especially reality television--and spending time with her family.

SOCIAL WORKER and DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY OUTREACH

Eukirah Pennyman serves as a social worker. She primarily works in criminal justice policy and research enhancing strategies through evidence-based decision-making. Her interest includes producing data-driven and culturally competent clinical research regarding at-risk youth's accessibility and comfortability to mental health resources with regard to socio-economical and cultural risks. Her research interests support her ongoing pursuit of providing holistic, trauma-informed clinical treatment for youth.  She holds a BS in communications from Tennessee State University and an MSW in health and mental health from Clark Atlanta University. Outside of work Eukirah enjoys cooking and traveling. She has a background in film and communications and enjoys watching various documentaries.

SOCIAL WORKER and DIRECTOR OF YOUTH OUTREACH

Akina earned his Bachelor’s degree from Morehouse College and earned his Master of Social Work degree from the University of Georgia. His interests include reducing stigmas within African American communities, with a primary focus on providing mental health and wellness services to children, adolescents, and their families. He specializes in using Cognitive Behavioral, Dialectical Behavioral, Client-centered and Solution -focused therapeutic approaches. Akina is also interested in researching the impact of adverse childhood experiences (ACES ) on individuals and helping them find healthy alternatives to live more fulfilling lives. He enjoys traveling, spending time with loved ones, and attending music concerts in his free time.

RESEARCH ASSISTANT

Olamiposi is a recent graduate of Emory University, where she received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Sociology. With the goal of pursuing a career in psychotherapy, she is particularly invested in providing accessible and affordable therapy for African Americans, a community that is severely underrepresented in the narrative and treatment of mental health.

UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH ASSISTANT

Reeya is a junior at Emory University, majoring in Neuroscience and Behavioral Biology on the pre-med track. She is interested in learning more about the causes and effects of stress in people of color, especially since it is often overlooked. After undergrad, she hoped to attend medical school and become a physician (specialty uncertain).

UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH ASSISTANT

Leia is a sophomore at Emory University majoring in Neuroscience and Behavioral Biology on the pre-med track. She is interested in developing care that acknowledges patients’ unique experiences as people of color.

GRADUATE RESEARCH ASSISTANT

Dr. Perry is a PGY-1 in the Psychiatry Residency Program at Emory University School of Medicine. He is interested in cultural psychiatry and its impact on adolescent and maternal populations. His research interests are focused on disparities in mental health care around African American youth. He hopes to practice culturally informed psychiatry within marginalized populations and build out his research interests further.