Ashley Baumann

Postgraduate Research Assistant

Ashley Baumann earned her BA in psychology at Minnesota State University (2019), Mankato and her Master of Arts in Psychological Science (experimental track) at University of Minnesota, Duluth (2022). Ashley is working full-time as a Research Professional at the Center for Magnetic Resonance Research (CMRR) at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities campus. Her research interests include complementary and alternative therapies for mental health as well as overall data analysis. Outside of school, she enjoys hiking, working on paint by numbers, reading, and cooking.

bauma514@umn.edu

Projects: COVID-related traumatic stress and adjustment in the U.S.; Trauma-sensitive yoga and psychotherapy

Kelsey Dietrich

Graduate Research Affiliate & Research Mentor

Kelsey Dietrich 🔈 is a Graduate Research Affiliate and Research Mentor for the Mind-Body Trauma Care Lab. She earned her BA in English and Psychology from Bowling Green State University (2021) and MA in Psychological Science (clinical-counseling track) from the University of Minnesota Duluth (2023). Currently, Kelsey is a PhD student in the Clinical Health Psychology program at East Carolina University with a research assistantship in the Stress and Health Lab. Her research interests include mindfulness-based interventions, integrative primary care, resilience and coping related to chronic health conditions, and trauma-sensitive yoga. Kelsey is a 500-hour Yoga Alliance Registered Yoga Teacher and Trauma Center Trauma-Sensitive Yoga Facilitator who enjoys guiding sessions in the community. In her free time, she likes to read and play with her puppy, Leo. 

dietr133@d.umn.edu

Projects: Emotional abuse perceptions; Trauma-sensitive yoga and psychotherapy; Trauma-sensitive yoga with First Nations; Trauma-sensitive yoga and group therapy; Mindfulness and professional sports

Mikayla Falteisek

Undergraduate Research Assistant & Mindful Mornings Coordinator

Mikayla Falteisek is a third-year undergraduate student at the University of Minnesota–Duluth. She is majoring in Psychology with minors in Cognitive Science and Early Childhood Studies. In the future, she hopes to continue her education and earn a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Her primary research interests include the connections between nature and yoga with Somatic, Cognitive Behavioral and Dialectical Behavioral Therapies, especially in children and adolescents. She has participated in a Community of Practice focusing on deepening a child’s empathy through Indigenous perspectives. When Mikayla is not focusing on academic work, she enjoys yoga, hiking, reading, and working as a barista and behavioral health clinic admin.

falte034@umn.edu

Projects: Trauma-informed weight lifting with residential youth; Trauma-sensitive yoga and dialectical behavioral therapy

Sutapa Goswami

Affiliate Postbaccalaureate Research Assistant

Sutapa Goswami 🔈 recently graduated with a Bachelors in Psychology (with Honours) from the University of Delhi, India. She harbours a keen research interest in understanding the impact of early-life stress and traumatic adversity on the socio-emotional development of children and adolescents. Through pursuing a career in research (as well as clinical practice), she intends to integrate mind-body contemplative practices from the east with the traditional biomedical models to foster a more holistic approach towards psychotherapeutic treatments. Apart from school, she is trained in Kathak (an Indian classical dance form) for 8 years, and enjoys reading, peaceful walks/runs in nature, and music. 

sutapa.gos1209@gmail.com

Projects: Emotional abuse perceptions

Colleen Jender

Postbaccalaureate Research Assistant

Colleen Jender completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Minnesota Duluth, earning a Bachelor of Applied Sciences in Psychology with a Public Health minor. Colleen is a Postbaccalaureate Research Assistant for the Mind-Body Trauma Care Lab. Her area of interest is developmental psychology, specifically looking at traumatic or stressor events in childhood and how that impacts the individual later on. Colleen is interested in the changes over a lifespan, holistic approaches, and the mind-body relationship. She wants to work with at-risk youth who are experiencing childhood trauma and their families to enhance coping mechanisms and family dynamics. In her free time she enjoys hiking, traveling, hanging out with her cat, friends, and family.

jende014@d.umn.edu

Projects: Trauma-sensitive yoga qualitative interviewing

Elizabeth Lee

Graduate Research Assistant, Graduate Research Mentor, & Research Team Coordinator

Elizabeth Lee (she/her) is a graduate student at the University of Minnesota Duluth in the Master of Arts in Psychological Science (MAPS) program, counseling/clinical track. Elizabeth graduated from the University of Minnesota–Twin Cities in May 2020 with a Bachelor of Sciences in Psychology and minor in Neuroscience. While at the University of Minnesota, she volunteered at the Aurora Center as a direct service advocate for victim/survivors of sexual assault, relationship violence, sexual harassment, and stalking. After graduating, she started a position at the Avanti Center, a DBT-based youth residential facility, as a Residential Counselor for adolescents experiencing mental health crises. She was then promoted to be a Unit Supervisor at the Avanti Center and coached employees on behavior management techniques before she transitioned into the MAPS program.

With these experiences, she has developed an interest in conceptualizing how mindfulness-based techniques can serve those who have experienced various forms of abuse and trauma. Elizabeth started her journey at the Mind-Body Trauma Care Lab in summer 2021 to expand her research skills and knowledge. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, photography, yoga, and staying active. 

leex8075@umn.edu

Projects: Emotional abuse perceptions; Trauma-informed care in healthcare and education settings; Trauma-informed weight lifting with residential youth; Trauma-sensitive yoga and dialectical behavioral therapy

Xiaofan Lei

Interdisciplinary Doctoral Fellow

Xiaofan Lei 🔈 is a PhD candidate in speech pathology at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities. Her research focuses on investigating the influence of stuttering moments on the mood and attention control of people who stutter with both experimental and non-experimental methods. Prior to speech pathology, she received a master's degree in Applied English Linguistics and a Bachelors' degree in English literature. In her free time, she enjoys being outdoors, reading, and embroidering. 

leixx147@umn.edu 

Projects: Ecological momentary assessment with adults who stutter 

Lizzy Nikcevich

Postbaccalaureate Research Assistant

Lizzy graduated from St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN with a major in Biology and Psychology with a minor in Neuroscience. Lizzy is originally from Duluth and, post graduation, she is currently a a pediatric and adult psychometrist with MN Epilepsy Group. She is a Research Assistant for the Mind-Body Trauma Care Lab. Her current research interests include trauma-impacted childhood development, human sexuality, attachment styles, and psychopathology as a precipitate of trauma. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, yoga, and mindfulness exercises.

nikce005@umn.edu

Projects: Prenatal hot yoga; Voice and psychology

Val Niklas

Postgraduate Research Assistant

Val Niklas (she/her) earned a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Lesley University (Holistic Studies track). She is a 500-hour certified yoga teacher with an interest in yoga therapeutics and trauma-informed yoga therapy. She completed clinical work at a community-based residential program for traumatized youth where she incorporated mindfulness and body-based interventions. As a former intern for JRI’s Center for Trauma and Embodiment, she hopes to continue integrating psychosomatic interventions into her clinical work. Val is interested in research to better understand the benefits or contraindications of mindfulness-based modalities, psychosomatic therapies, and trauma-informed yoga interventions.

nikla007@d.umn.edu

Projects: Trauma-sensitive yoga qualitative interviewing

Jessica Nowacki

Affiliate Graduate Research Assistant

Jessica Nowacki is from Andover, Minnesota. She started UMD as a Biology major, switched to Elementary Education, and then graduated in the Fall of 2020 with a major in Psychology with a Biology minor. She is now attending University of Minnesota Twin Cities for her master's of science in nursing. Assisting in this research as an undergraduate sparked her interests, especially in the field of addiction and mindfulness. She wants to relate the Mind-Body connection to how people understand their feelings and actions depending on how they discover their own connections within themselves. 

nowac033@d.umn.edu

Projects: Trauma-sensitive yoga and treatment court

Lindsay Okindo

McNair Scholar Research Assistant

Lindsay Okindo is a junior at Carleton College majoring in Psychology and minoring in Africana Studies. She hopes to further her education by pursuing a PhD in clinical psychology. Her research interests include the impact of trauma on childhood development and improving access to mental health care, especially for marginalized communities. In her free time, she enjoys baking, reading, and spending time outdoors.

okind010@umn.edu

Projects: Trauma-informed embodiment practices for youth

Julia Smith

Affiliate Graduate Research Assistant

Julia Smith is a graduate student at St. Cloud State University - St. Cloud, MN and an alumnus of the University of Minnesota, Duluth. She is currently pursuing a M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling where she will later receive her LPCC/LPC. Her (research) interests are the mind-body connection, holistic healing, trauma, and sexual health.

smi00861@d.umn.edu

Projects: Trauma-informed weight lifting audit

Nicole Strumbel

Undergraduate Research Assistant and Lab Manager

Nicole Strumbel 🔈 is an undergraduate student at the University of Minnesota - Duluth seeking two bachelor's degrees in Psychology (BAS) and Cognitive Science (BA). She hopes to continue her education in a master's or Ph.D. program in clinical psychology. Her research interests include the physiological effects of stress, mind-body-based care for trauma, stress, depression, and anxiety. In her free time, she enjoys weight-lifting, running, singing, drawing, and writing.

strum031@d.umn.edu

Projects: Trauma-informed weight lifting with residential youth; Trauma-sensitive yoga and psychotherapy; Trauma-sensitive yoga and dialectical behavioral therapy; Voice and psychological stress

Reese Wilcox

Graduate Research Assistant

Reese Wilcox 🔈 (she/they) is earning her Master's of Psychological Sciences in the Clinical-Counseling track. They are interested in eating disorders, trauma-informed care, and the path to recovery after a traumatic event. 

She graduated from the University of Wisconsin, River Falls with a Major in Psychology, a minor in Gender Studies, and an emphasis in Social Justice. Reese worked at The Emily Program for a year and a half prior to becoming a student at the University of Minnesota, Duluth which is where their interest in eating disorders originated. 

wilco336@d.umn.edu

Projects: Trauma-sensitive yoga and dialectical behavioral therapy for eating disorders

Rachel Willhite

Postbaccalaureate Research Assistant

Rachel Willhite graduated from the University of Minnesota Duluth with a Bachelor of Applied Sciences in Psychology as well as her Bachelor of Science in Statistics and Mathematics. She currently works remotely for a market research insight company called EthniFacts. She hopes to further her education and obtain her PhD in Clinical/Experimental Psychology. Rachel is an Postbaccalaureate Research Assistant for the Mind-Body Trauma Care Lab and hopes to gain insight into different research areas in preparation of graduate school. 

In the past, Rachel has studied psychological safety in the workplace, implicit theories of relationships, as well as assisted in a positive psychology meta-analysis. She has an extensive background in data analysis & statistical methods. Her research interests include improving mental health care, mood disorders, trauma recovery, dream analysis, and the healing properties of psychedelic drugs. She enjoys yoga, reading, cats, traveling, and bowling. 

willh021@d.umn.edu

Projects: Trauma-sensitive yoga and dialectical behavioral therapy

Linda Zheng

Postgraduate Research Assistant and Postgraduate Research Mentor

Linda Zheng 🔈 (she/her) is a Postgraduate Research Assistant and Mentor for the Mind-Body Trauma Care Lab and a graduate of the University of Minnesota, Duluth in the Master of Arts in Psychological Science program (clinical/counseling track). Her Plan B/thesis-equivalent project focused on early maladaptive schemas and coping responses after childhood maltreatment at a child advocacy center. She currently provides psychotherapy to adolescents and adults at Collaboration for Psychological Wellness, as she works toward becoming a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor. Her practice attracts clients who are navigating adoption traumas, interpersonal and intergenerational traumas, mood disorders, relationship challenges, codependency, and self-esteem difficulties. Outside of service, she enjoys spending time outdoors, drawing, music, cooking, yoga, and reading.

zhen0355@d.umn.edu

Projects: Ecological momentary assessment and adults with autism; Emotional abuse and forensic interviewing; Emotional abuse and physical health; Emotional abuse perceptions; Trauma-sensitive yoga with First Nations