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Meet The TREAT Lab Team!

Click on each profile photo to learn more about our team.

Lab Director
Portrait of Dr. Kelsey Hagan

Kelsey Hagan, Ph.D.

Lab Director

Dr. Hagan is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the VCU School of Medicine, where she serves as a clinician-scientist. She delivers evidence-based psychotherapy to individuals with eating disorders across the lifespan and conducts research which aims to advance the treatment and understanding of eating disorders, with a particular focus on Bulimia Nervosa. Dr. Hagan earned her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Kansas. Beyond her professional endeavors, Dr. Hagan enjoys playing golf and is an avid supporter of KU basketball (Rock Chalk Jayhawk!) CV

Lab Staff
Portrait of Dr. Cate Morales

Cate Morales, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Fellow

Dr. Morales is a Postdoctoral Fellow in the TREAT Lab and completed her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at Hofstra University. Dr. Morales is passionate about advancing eating disorder treatments and etiological models through research. Long term, she hopes to build a career providing clinical services with a specialization in eating disorders and adolescent populations. Outside of work, Dr. Morales enjoys hiking and photography.

Portrait of Sam O'Brien

Sam O'Brien, B.A.

Clinical Research Coordinator

Sam earned his B.A. in Psychology from the University of Virginia. Long term, he hopes to pursue a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology. Outside of research, Sam enjoys fiction novels, movies, and chess.

Graduate Students
Portrait of Ainsley Bryant

Ainsley Bryant, B.A.

M.S.W. and Field Placement Student

Ainsley is pursuing a Master of Social Work at VCU and earned her B.A. from Elon University. Her clinical interest lies within eating disorders with hopes of possibly incorporating dance movement therapy in the future. Ainsley aims to become a licensed clinical social worker therapist specializing in eating disorders. For fun, she enjoys crafting, reading, spending time outside, and spending time with friends and family.

Portrait of Eudora Nordt

Eudora Nordt, B.S.

M.S.W. Student

Eudora is pursuing a Master of Social Work at Virginia Commonwealth University and earned her B.S. in Psychology from Virginia Tech. Her clinical interests include adolescent mental health and the impact of social media on self-image and well-being. Eudora hopes to either become a licensed clinician working in counseling or continue her education by pursuing a doctorate in clinical psychology. In her free time, she enjoys reading, going to the movie theater, and taking walks around Richmond.

Portrait of Kristina Kumpf

Kristina Kumpf, M.A.

Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology Student

Kristina is a clinical psychology doctoral student at VCU and holds an M.A. (with honors) in Psychology from the University of St Andrews. She aims to pursue a research-focused career as a child and adolescent psychologist, investigating interventional psychiatric treatments combined with psychotherapy for adolescents with eating disorders and comorbid conditions. In her free time, Kristina enjoys gluten-free cooking and baking, watching Formula 1 races, and knitting.

Portrait of Brooke Moorman

Brooke Moorman, B.S.

M.S. in Clinical and Translational Sciences Student

Brooke graduated from Virginia Tech with a B.S. in Human Development and is pursuing a Master’s of Clinical and Translational Science at VCU. She also serves as a Clinical Research Assistant with the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) study. After graduation, Brooke hopes to continue working in the research field, focusing on child development and eating disorder prevention. Outside of research, Brooke enjoys practicing yoga and spending time with friends and family.

Medical Students and Trainees
Portrait of Amanda Adolfo

Amanda Adolfo, B.S.

Medical Student

Amanda is a third-year MD candidate at the VCU School of Medicine and earned a B.S. in Biology from the University of California, Los Angeles. She is passionate about working with patient populations of children/adolescents and women. Her research interests involve mental health, substance use disorder, and eating disorders. Besides medicine Besides medicine and research, Amanda loves trying new Richmond restaurants, playing with her cat Sesame, and thrifting.

Portrait of Lindsay Irwin

Lindsay Irwin, B.S.

Medical Student

Lindsay is a fourth-year MD candidate at the VCU School of Medicine and received a B.S. in Chemistry from the University of Virginia. She hopes to pursue a career at the intersection of pediatrics and psychiatry with a focus on integrating trauma-informed care, grief support, and narrative medicine. Her research interests span grief and loss in youth, eating disorders, substance use and addiction medicine, and LGBTQIA+ health. Outside of her medical and research efforts, Lindsay enjoys performing vocal music at open mic nights and writing book reviews on Goodreads.

Portrait of Sarita Maharajh

Sarita Maharajh, B.A.

Medical Student

Sarita is a second-year MD candidate at the VCU School of Medicine and graduated from UC Berkeley with a B.A. in Molecular and Cell Biology. Her research and clinical interests include learning and decision making, as well as psychosocial support for patients, especially those from underserved and minority communities. Sarita is still exploring what medical specialty she wants to pursue, but is currently interested in psychiatry or neurology. Outside of medical school, Sarita enjoys reading, dancing, and exploring Richmond with her friends.

Portrait of Dr. Jean Wu

Jean Wu, M.D.

Psychiatry Resident

Dr. Wu holds an M.D. from the VCU School of Medicine and is a PGY-2 Psychiatry Resident at VCU Health System. Her research and clinical interests focus on the metabolic underpinnings of eating disorders, particularly anorexia nervosa, and she aims to pursue a fellowship in child and adolescent psychiatry with the goal of working in both academic and clinical settings. In her free time, Dr. Wu enjoys running with friends (followed by iced coffee), oil painting, and caring for her many plants.

Undergraduate Research Volunteers/Interns
Portrait of Rebekah Charles

Rebekah Charles

Research Volunteer

Rebekah is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Psychology at VCU. Her primary research interests center on educational psychology, particularly how motivation, adaptability, and belonging shape learning experiences. Rebekah hopes to pursue graduate study in educational psychology or a related field. Outside of academics, she enjoys hiking and attending concerts.

Portrait of Keira Laborador

Keira Laborador

Research Volunteer

Keira is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Sciences with minors in Biology and Chemistry on a Pre-Physician Assistant track at VCU, with an expected graduation in the Spring of 2026. She served as a medical assistant last summer, where she interacted with patients, took vital signs, and assessed patient histories to support healthcare providers. Her research and clinical interests include oncology, pediatrics, and palliative health. Keira aims to attend Physician Assistant school to become a PA, specializing in oncology or dermatology. Outside of academics, she enjoys spending time by the water, reading, playing pickleball or volleyball, and exploring Richmond with friends and family.

Portrait of Simone Moses

Simone Moses

PSYC494 Research Intern

Simone is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Biology at VCU with an expected graduation in 2028. Her research interests focus on the brain and nervous system, particularly the neurobiological differences in psychological conditions, and how protein degradation and misfolded protein accumulation contribute to conditions like Alzeimer's. Simone aims to become a physician-scientist, specializing in treating and researching neurological conditions. Outside of academics, she enjoys painting, chess, sewing, and volunteering at VCU Health.

Portrait of Sana Singh

Sana Singh

Research Volunteer

Sana is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Psychology & Philosophy with a minor in Statistics at VCU. Her research interests include the psychological effects of incarceration and strategies for reducing offender risk through rehabilitation. She aspires to work alongside the justice system in either correctional or forensic psychology. In her free time, Sana enjoys drawing, nail art and design, and badminton.

Lab Alumni
Portrait of Demah Almesbah

Demah Almesbah, B.S.

Former PSYC494 Research Intern

Demah recently completed a B.S in Biology from VCU in 2025, with plans to pursue graduate programs in molecular biology and pharmacology. Her primary research interests focus on substance use disorders, eating disorders, and cancer treatments. Outside of the lab, Demah enjoys hiking and advocating for animal welfare.

Portrait of Serena Gu

Serena Gu, M.A.

Former Clinical Research Coordinator

Serena is currently a PhD student in Clinical Science at Washington University in St. Louis, holding an HBSc in Psychology and IRHR from University of Toronto and an MA in Clinical Psychology from Teachers College, Columbia University. Her research investigates transdiagnostic mechanisms of internalizing disorders, particularly altered reward processing and maladaptive learning, and she also served as the former Clinical Research Coordinator for the TREAT Lab. She aspires to become a clinical scientist, translating her mechanistic research into effective interventions. Outside academia, Serena enjoys culinary travel, urban sketching, and solving puzzles.

Portrait of Sofia Fasciolo

Sofia Fasciolo, B.A.

Former PSYC494 Research Intern

Sofia recently completed a Bachelor's in psychology and special education, and is currently a research assistant at the ABCD Study at VCU! Their research interests include LGBTQ+ and Latine health disparities, as well as child and adolescent psychology. Sofia's goal is to earn an Ed.S. in School Psychology. In Sofia's free time, they loves grabbing coffee and a sweet treat, going on long walks, and reading!

Portrait of Vivian Johns

Vivian Johns, B.S.

Former PSYC494 Research Intern

Vivian graduated with a B.S. in Biology and Psychology from VCU in 2025. Her research interests include pediatric development and medical complications within eating disorders. She is currently in the process of applying to medical school. Outside of her work, she enjoys Painting, dance, crocheting, and playing piano.

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