People
Graduate Research Assistants
Gabriela Rodriguez, B.A.
Gabriela Rodriguez is a Master of Social Work student at Boston University School of Social Work studying Clinical Practice. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Studio Arts from Denison University in May 2022. She currently works as a Senior Research assistant for Christina Lee’s research on the Latino and Black community. She is interested Mental health within the social work field. Gaby was born and raised in the Dominican Republic and is working as a bilingual researcher who is proud to give back to underrepresented communities through Dr. Lee’s work.
Laurienna Kurucz, B.S., B.A.,
Laurienna Kurucz is a Master of Social Work student at Boston University School of Social Work studying Clinical Practice with a Behavioral Health Specialization. She received a Bachelor of Science in Behavioral Neuroscience and a Bachelor of Arts in French from the Ohio State University in May 2023. Lu currently works in behavioral health at the Boston Public Health Commission. Her clinical interests include multidisciplinary and somatic therapy approaches as trauma interventions, as well as research on differences in neural reactivity to distress and treatment according to environmental factors.
Maya Coykendall, MSW
Maya Coykendall is graduated with her Masters of Social Work from Boston University School of Social Work studying Macro Practice with a Trauma and Violence Specialization in 2024. She received a Bachelor of Science in Social Work degree from the University of New Hampshire in May 2021. Her research interests include trauma-informed policy and reproductive justice work.
Alexandra Velev, B.A.
Alex recently graduated from the College of Arts and Sciences at Boston University (’24). She received a Bachelor of Art in psychology with a minor in sociology. Alex is passionate about advancing mental health awareness and access to underrepresented communities. She is also interested in promoting research on the intersection between trauma, culture, and familial dynamics.
Undergraduate Research Assistants
Nicole Robertson is a recent graduate from the College of Arts and Sciences at Boston University (’24) – where she received a Bachelor’s degree in Neuroscience. She works as a Research Assistant at the Boston University School of Social Work and investigates health inequities to improve community interventions in Dr. Lee’s lab. She is also passionate about advancement in the fields of neuroscience and public health as interdisciplinary approaches to improve the delivery of health care.
Nathalie Ramirez Rodriguez
Nathalie is an undergraduate student in the College of Arts and Sciences (‘25) pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Psychology. She is on the pre-PA track, and is passionate about using Spanish as her second language in helping to eliminate healthcare disparities, such as language barriers. She is honored to be able to give back to underrepresented communities in Boston through her work as a Research Assistant in Dr. Lee’s lab by conducting interviews and translating.
Rodrigo A. García Sotomayor
Rodrigo is an undergraduate student in Sargent College (‘26) pursuing a Bachelor’s of Science in Human Physiology. He is on the pre-med track with an interest in drug addiction and rehabilitation psychiatry. Rodrigo was born and raised in Puerto Rico and he will be using Spanish, his first language, to work in Dr. Lee’s lab with translations and finding ways to reach out to the Latinx community in Boston.
Lab Alumni
- Victoria A. Lopez, B.S.
- Caroline Melancon, Boston College BA
- Ning Yawen, Phd, Boston University
- Aakash Dave
- Carmen Zhou, Boston University MS
- Melanie Morris, LCSW, Columbia University MSSW
- Andrea Cantalupa (2021-2022), Boston University MSW/MPH
- Tyler Sparkman, PhD, Assistant Professor, University of Oklahoma
- Sylvie Tuchman (2020-2022), Boston University MSW/MPH
- Marianna Nicholls, PhD, Columbia University Health
- Peter Ward, PhD, Postdoctoral Fellow, Boston VA
- Koriann Cox, PhD, University of Washington