CHANGE Lab Butterflies
CHANGE Lab Director
Dr. Thurston is a licensed clinical psychologist and Professor of health sciences and applied psychology at Northeastern University (NU). She is the Associate Director of the Institute for Health Equity and Social Justice Research at NU. She is a fellow of APA and serves on the board for the Society of Pediatric Psychology (APA D54). She trained at Florida State University, University of South Florida, and Boston Children’s Hospital/Harvard Medical School.
As the director of the CHANGE lab, she collaborates with scholars and community members in health equity science. Dr. Thurston’s body of work explores how race, ethnicity, social class, gender, size, and sexuality intersect and influence health and well-being in adolescents and their families. She partners with community organizations to develop and disseminate strengths-based, culturally-responsive resources that reduce stigma, enhance wellness, and promote resilience. She has published over 70 peer reviewed articles and received over 3.5 million in grants. She is the recipient of the 2023 APA Mid-Career Award for Outstanding Contributions to Benefit Children, Youth, and Families. She co-edited a 2023 special issue for the American Psychologist on “How Psychologists Can Help Achieve Equity in Heath Care– Advancing Innovative Partnerships and Models of Care Delivery.
She is passionate about mentoring, dismantling structural and systemic barriers, and promoting pathways to health careers for individuals underrepresented in health sciences. She is committed to a re-imagining of psychological and health science, practice, and training to ensure ALL are seen and represented. She is a mama of 3 and passionate about good food and snatching joy!
CHANGE Lab Coordinator
Krystal Abbott, MPH, CPH
she/her
[KRIST] + [UHL]
Krystal currently works as the CHANGE Lab coordinator. She assists with day-to-day administrative tasks and supports ongoing research projects in the lab. She joined the CHANGE Lab in 2024 after completing her undergraduate and graduate education at Northeastern University, where she earned a Master of Public Health.
Her research interests include integrating public health and psychology to advance health equity among adolescents and young adults. In her free time, she enjoys dancing, listening to music, and exploring new places in Boston.
Northeastern University: Graduate Students
Simran Chatani
she/her/hers
[sih]+[m]+[run]
Simran is currently a graduate assistant in the CHANGE Lab at Northeastern University, where she is completing her M.S. in Applied Psychology. She previously obtained her B.S. in Psychology at Drexel University.
Simran’s research interests are focused on the mental health of children and adolescents, specifically the impact of trauma on youth mental health and culturally sensitive mental health interventions for diverse youth populations. Outside of classes and research she enjoys climbing at Rock Spot and reading.
CHANGE Lab Undergraduates
Aminata Kante
she/her
[AH] + [ME] + [NATA] or [AH] + [ME]
Aminata is a 4th year majoring in Political Science minoring in Biology, graduating in 2025. She is from New York. Her research interest includes understanding the impact of inadequate health care and finding ways to serve disadvantaged communities. Aminata is also interested in understanding cultural health differences as an aspiring physician. In her free time she likes to read and cook.
Anthony Trinidad
he/him
Anthony is currently working in the CHANGE Lab at Northeastern University. He is a second year ('27) with a major in biochemistry and minor in public health and is on the pre-med track.
Anthony's research interests include understanding how identity and adversity in Latinx communities affect health outcomes and how to develop interventions/resources for underrepresented communities that are affected by health inequities. When Anthony isn't busy with classes or research, he enjoys taking walks and exploring new places in Boston!
Arianna Boja
she/her
Arianna is a 3rd year majoring in Health Sciences and Business Administration and is the current co-op with the Institute of Health Equity and Social Justice Research and the CHANGE lab.
Her interests include public health, advancing health equity, and exploring the intersection of healthcare and business administrative practices.
Diego Pacheco
he/him
[DE] + [EH] + [GO]
Diego is a second year ('27) with a major in psychology and minors in Arts and Mindfulness Studies.
Diego's research interests include mental health, particularly among youth and adolescent communities, and the well-being of youth and adolescents in minority and at-risk communities. Outside of classes and research Diego enjoys bouldering at Rock Spot, reading, and crafts.
Elizabeth Hill
she/her
[EH] + [LIZ] + [UH] + [BETH]
Elizabeth is a lab affiliate for the Spring 2025 semester in the CHANGE Lab at Northeastern University. She is a third-year ('26) with a combined major in Behavioral Neuroscience and Philosophy.
Elizabeth's research interests are in cognitive wellbeing and the use of technology, like artificial intelligence, in the realms of health care, health informatics, and neuroscience. Elizabeth also enjoys being outside, traveling, reading, and trying new restaurants and cafes!
Elizabeth Sun
she/her
[EE] + [LIZ] + [UH] + [BETH]
Elizabeth is a 2nd year with a major in psychology. Her research interests include how cognitive processes shape observable behavior, as well as what mental health care looks like across the globe. In her free time, she enjoys drawing and creative writing.
Gloria Mancera-Sortillon
she/her
[GLO] + [REE] + [AH]
Gloria is currently working in the CHANGE Lab at Northeastern University. Gloria is a second year ('27) with a major in health science and is on the pre-med track.
Gloria's research interests include chronic health conditions in minorities as well as exploring substance abuse tendencies in minorities, women, and youth. Gloria also enjoys going to the gym, playing piano, and watching various television series.
Jade Lozewski
Jade is currently working in the CHANGE Lab at Northeastern University. Jade is a third year ('26) with a major in health science and a minor in human nutrition.
Jade's research interests include a variety of topics including children/adolescents, psychology, as well as movement and nutrition. Jade enjoys reading, going on walks, crocheting, baking, and traveling.
Jaidene Henry
[JAY]+ [DEAN]
Jaidene is currently working in the CHANGE Lab at Northeastern University as a Health Equity Intern (HEI). Jaidene is a fourth year ('25) majoring in health sciences and minoring in cultural anthropology.
Jaidene's research interests include a variety of topics such as substance use and harm reduction as well as racial disparities in women's reproductive health. In her free time, Jaidene enjoys reading science fiction novels and crocheting.
JC Nguyen
he/him
[JAY]+ [SEE]
JC is currently working in the CHANGE Lab at Northeastern University as an undergraduate research assistant. JC is a second year ('27) majoring in Health Science & Psychology.
JC is interested in addressing complex urban challenges like homelessness, HIV/AIDS, and healthcare accessibility. He has a desire to bridge psychological research, where we can understand the inner workings of a rigid healthcare system and how this system is built on certain ideals and morals, with healthcare policy to create sustainable, impactful, and inclusive change for Boston’s underserved communities. Outside of research and school, JC loves to try new restaurants with friends, work out, travel to new places, and relax in the sun.
Kimberly Kanchan
she/her
[KIM] + [BER]+ [LEE]
Kimberly is currently working in the CHANGE Lab at Northeastern University. She is a 2nd-year Health Science major with double minors in Nutrition and Cell & Molecular Biology.
Kimberly's research interests include the impact of social determinants of health, such as food security, on diverse communities, cardiovascular health, and preventive care. In her free time, Kimberly enjoys playing tennis, painting, and trying new restaurants in Boston!
Laila Harruna
she/her
[LIE] + [LA]
Laila is currently working in the CHANGE Lab at Northeastern University. Laila is a fourth year ('25) with a double major in health science and psychology and a minor in behavioral neuroscience.
Laila's research interests include several topics including mental health in adolescents and young adults, mental illnesses, substance use, and health disparities. Laila enjoys working out, listening to music, and trying new restaurants in her free time.
Mia Cain
she/they
[ME] + [UH]
Mia is currently working in the CHANGE Lab at Northeastern University as a health equity intern (HEI). Mia is a second year ('27) with a major in health sciences and minors in French and public health.
Mia's research interests include researching HIV prevention and its effects on minoritized communities as well as how race and racism play into the health of different communities and what can be done to ensure equity and equality in those areas. Mia enjoys reading, shopping, and hanging out with friends.
Nicole Rodriguez
She/her/hers
Nico: [NEE] + [KOH], Nicole: [NIH] + [KOHL]
Nicole is a 4th-year Behavioral Neuroscience major in her last semester at Northeastern!
She's interested in both health equity research, specifically about immigrants as her family immigrated here from Cuba, and Neuroscience research that involves sleep science and neuron regeneration.
Her hobbies outside of benchwork involve reading new fantasy books on her Kindle and basking in the sun.
Sena Etefa
She/her
[SAY] + [NUH]
Sena is currently working in the CHANGE Lab at Northeastern University. She is a third-year ('26) with a major in Behavioral Neuroscience.
Sena's research interests include determining the root cause of inadequate healthcare across underserved and underrepresented individuals across the globe, and the intersection of healthcare advocacy and health policy as it pertains to cognitive health. In her free time, Sena enjoys cooking, listening to music, and exploring the city.
Trisha Reddy
She/her
[THRI]-[SHUH]
Trisha is currently working at the CHANGE Lab at Northeastern University. She is a second year health science and psychology major who is also on the premed track.
Trisha’s research interests include the role of stigma in sexual health and HIV prevention efforts, along with maternal and children’s health, particularly in rural areas and disadvantaged communities. She is also interested in exploring how health literacy impacts health outcomes, including how empowered individuals navigate the healthcare system, communicate effectively with providers, manage chronic conditions, and follow treatment plans. In her free time, Trisha enjoys art museums, movies, concerts, and painting.
Vandya Goel
[VAAN] + [DE]+ [YAH]
Vandya is currently working in the CHANGE Lab at Northeastern University as a health equity intern (HEI). Vandya is a fourth year ('25) with a major in health sciences and double minors in Spanish and cell and molecular biology.
Vandya's research interests include examining disparities and social determinant of care in marginalized populations and understanding how to effectively utilize community-based research interventions in health equity efforts. In her free time, Vandya enjoys reading, swimming, and doing yoga.
Texas A&M University: Graduate Students
Danielle Porter, M.S.
Focus area(s): health disparities in underserved communities, utilizing community-based particpatory research, and pediatric psychology.Annisa Ahmed, B.A.
Focus area(s): pediatric psychology, health equity, as well as diversity, equity, and inclusionCHANGE Lab Ph.D. Alumni
Jessica Eden Mandell, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral fellow at the Munroe-Meyer InstituteGraduation Year: 2023Caroline C. Kaufman, Ph.D.
Instructor, McLean Hospital/Harvard Medical School Graduation Year: 2020Kristina Decker, Ph.D.
Pediatric Psychologist andAssistant Professor at UC Department of PediatricsGraduation Year: 2020Robin Hardin, Ph.D.
Clinical Psychologist, Private Practice OwnerGraduation Year: 2020Courtney Maclin, Ph.D.
Clinical Health Psychologist and Faculty member of the Graduate Medical Education Program at WellStar health systemGraduation Year: 2020Rebecca Kamody, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Child Psychology at Yale UniversityGraduation Year: 2018Mollie B. Anderson, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Teaching at University of MemphisGraduation Year: 2016CHANGE Lab Masters Alumni
Andrew Paladino, M.S.
Medical Student at UTHSCGraduation Year: 2018Amanda Toumayan, M.S.
Regulations and Compliance Specialist at CareAcademyGraduation Year: 2020CHANGE Lab Undergraduate Alumni
Michael Higgins
Dominic Ingram
Jamie PaddenRegina Rochelle
Abigail Soefker
Jordan TaylorDanielle Thomas
Sascha Young
Britney Amankwah
Lasya Dutta
Christian Herrera
Cayla Hoang