Dr. Ellison’s Lab
Socially Conscious Lab: Science with a Soul
A Lab Merging Neuropsychology and Social Justice
***Dr. Ellison will be accepting applications/new PhD students for the 2024-2025 academic year. For prospective PhD students interested in applying to work with Dr. Ellison in her Socially Conscious Lab, please submit your application through RFUMS' Clinical Psychology Doctoral Program.***Are you interested in working as a volunteer research assistant in Dr. Ellison’s lab? Please send a cover letter explaining your relevant research interests and goals as an RA along with your CV to Hannah VanLandingham, MS (hannah.vanlandingham@my.rfums.org).
About: Prior to becoming a Clinical Neuropsychologist, Dr. Ellison began her research and practice as a clinical/community psychologist, focused on better understanding ways to engage individuals, particularly those with varying levels of privilege, in social and racial justice. Her current research interests and lab projects merge her background and interest in neuropsychology and social justice.
Helix Summer 2023: Investing in People (RFUMS spotlight on our lab)
Current Projects
Exploring the Cognitive Burden of Race-Based Code Switching
Study goals: to empirically test the potential cognitive burden of race-based code-switching in a controlled context
Assessment of Best Practices in Cognitive Rehabilitation Post-COVID
Study goals: to gain a better understanding of (a) the most effective cognitive rehabilitation methods in post-COVID patients, (b) providers’ sense of other possible etiologies of reported cognitive complaints for this population, and (c) the common cognitive/functional concerns for this patient population (e.g., reason for referral for cognitive rehabilitation treatment; treatment goals, etc.)
COVID-19 & Cognitive Outcomes
Study goals: to understand the effect(s) of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) “long COVID syndrome”, better known as Coronavirus Disease 2019 or COVID-19 “long haulers” and its potential impact on cognitive functioning in a diverse adult community sample
Mild Cognitive Impairment, Cognitive Rehabilitation, & Racial Stress
Study goals: to pilot a new adaptation of Motivationally Enhanced Compensatory Cognitive Training for Mild Cognitive Impairment (ME-CCT-MCI; Huckans et al., 2013) that integrates components from the Race Based Stress and Empowerment (RBSE) group (Carlson et al., 2018) for an increased focus on race-based stress and discrimination for racial minority older adults
Executive Functioning, Emotion Regulation, & Challenging Sociopolitical Conversations
Study goals: to empirically test potential short-term, low-effort interventions on increasing empathetic understanding to diverse viewpoints. The study also explores the role of executive functioning (through objective neuropsychological testing), and the process of staying emotionally regulated during challenging social/political conversations
Research Lab Collaborations
Cognitive Rehabilitation for Veterans with Parkinson's Disease
Study goals: to determine the feasibility, cognitive effects and effects on real-like function of an at-home computerized cognitive training and implementation strategy program for Veterans with Parkinson’s disease
Primary Investigator: Sandra L. Kletzel, PhD
Understanding Intrinsically Photosensitive Retinal Ganglion Cells in Parkinson’s Disease
Study goals: to better understand the role of retinal ganglion cells in Parkinson’s disease.
Primary Investigator: Sandra L. Kletzel, PhD
Hines VA TBI Research Team
Avocado Vascular (AvVa) Study: Effects of regular intake of avocados, a source of health fats and micronutrients, on systemic and ocular vascular health
IIT, Institute for Food Safety and Health
Primary Investigators: Britt Burton-Freeman, PhD (IIT, Institute for Food Safety and Health), Rebecca K Zoltoski, PhD (Illinois College of Optometry); Arlene Chapman, MD (University of Chicago Medicine)
The Ellison Lab is currently building relationships with the Captain James A Lovell Federal Health Care Center
Biology, Identity and Opportunity (BIO) Study
Study goals: to explore if disparities in race-based stress (e.g., perceived racial discrimination) and stress biology (e.g., cortisol daily rhythms and sleep hours and quality) may help to account for racial-ethnic disparities in academic performance and cognition.
Primary Investigators: Emma Adam, PhD (Northwestern University); Adriana Umaña-Taylor, PhD (Harvard University); Mesmin Destin, PhD (Northwestern University)
Socially Conscious Lab Team
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Hannah B. VanLandingham, M.A., M.S.
Clinical Psychology Doctoral Student; Neuropsychology
Dr. Ellison Primary Clinical/Research Advisee
Hannah is a 4th year clinical psychology Ph.D. student at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science and an adult neuropsychology extern at Northwestern Medicine. She previously trained as a neuropsychology extern at University of Illinois - Chicago, and as a complex medical care extern at Edward Hines, Jr. VA hospital. She is primarily interested in integrating neuropsychology and rehabilitation in her areas of interest, namely cognitive health for underserved populations with complex medical conditions, brain injury and/or neurodegenerative pathology. Her current research centers on the impact of health inequities on cognitive functioning, cognitive rehabilitation, and examining the neurocognitive sequelae and profiles of various medical pathologies. Prior to attending RFUMS, she earned her M.S. in psychology at Illinois Institute of Technology and completed her clinical master’s thesis on verbal and nonverbal processing speed discrepancy profiles for Veterans with co-occurring mTBI and PTSD. Moreover, she earned an M.A. in Psychology from San Diego State University and her B.S. in Psychology with a minor in English at Virginia Commonwealth University.
Contact: hannah.vanlandingham@my.rfums.org
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Christopher Gonzalez, M.S.
Clinical Psychology Doctoral Student; Neuropsychology
Dr. Ellison Primary Clinical/Research Advisee
Christopher is a 4th year PhD student specializing in neuropsychology. His research interests include the cultural effects of subjective cognitive decline (SCD) and social determinants of health (SDOH), particularly in the preclinical stages of Alzheimer's disease. His other research interests are SARS-CoV-2, imaging markers, cardiovascular health, memory, and health disparities among English/Spanish speaking non-Hispanic Black and Latine/Hispanic populations. Christopher actively contributes to his field as a Student Liaison for the Hispanic Neuropsychological Society and as a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) Ambassador for New2Neuropsychology. Through these roles, he promotes collaboration and awareness of the challenges faced by underrepresented communities. He hopes to unravel the complexities of neuropsychology and advocate for marginalized communities drives with the ultimate goal of improving the lives of individuals affected by cognitive decline and related health disparities.
Contact: christopher.gonzalez@my.rfums.org
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Humza Khan, M.S.
Clinical Psychology Doctoral Student; Neuropsychology
Dr. Ellison Primary Clinical/Research Advisee
Humza is a sixth-year Ph.D. student in the Illinois Institute of Technology’s clinical psychology doctoral program. Prior to starting at IIT, he received his B. S in Neuroscience at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Humza's current research interests include examining social determinants and health in the context of neuropsychology, specifically identifying differences between health information and executive functioning. Outside of research, Humza is interested in non-profit work, architecture, and racket sports.
Contact: hkhan20@hawk.iit.edu
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Karen Basurto
Clinical Psychology Doctoral Student; Neuropsychology
Dr. Ellison Primary Clinical/Research Advisee
Karen is a first-year student in the clinical psychology PhD program. Her research interests include multicultural neuropsychology, currently through assessment and evaluation to further understand best-practices for overall healthcare in the context of diverse sociodemographic and culture-specific backgrounds, primarily in Latin American populations. In her free time, she enjoys exploring novel skills such as learning new languages, dancing, and self-defense alongside spending time with her family and friends.
Contact: karen.basurto@my.rfums.org
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Jared Cherry
Clinical Psychology Doctoral Student; Neuropsychology
Dr. Ellison Primary Clinical/Research Advisee
Jared is a 1st-year Clinical Psychology Ph.D. student specializing in Neuropsychology. He received his B.A. in History and B.F.A. in Music Performance from York University in Toronto. He has work experience as a teacher and course designer for multiple international educational institutions, and he has a variety of research experience with several Neurology, Neuropsychology, and Neuroscience based laboratories throughout North America. His research interests lie at the intersection of neuroscience and psychology with a focus on the use of neuroimaging and neuropsychological assessment for the development and administration of cognitive and behavioral interventions such as psychoeducation, cognitive rehabilitation, cognitive training, and counseling.
Contact:: j.jacobsoncherry@my.rfums.org
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Kimberly Grzesek
Clinical Psychology Doctoral Student; Neuropsychology
Dr. Ellison Primary Clinical/Research Advisee
Kim is a 2nd-year student in the Ph.D. program specializing in neuropsychology. She is a current extern at Mind/Body Solutions for Empowered and Balanced Living. Kim’s interests include examining the role of executive functioning and the process of emotional regulation within underrepresented communities. Specifically, she would like to identify differences between neuropsychological testing and cognitive health outcomes among diverse populations with various complex medical conditions.
Outside of research, Kim enjoys running, photography, spending time with friends, and traveling.
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Jessica Hudson
Research Assistant
Jessica is a first-year master student in the clinical counseling program. Her research interests include cognitive rehabilitation and traumatic brain injury in underrepresented communities. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, exercising, reading and spending time with family and friends.
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Thomas A. Sedgwick, M.A.
Volunteer Research Assistant
Thomas is a volunteer research assistant and has been involved with Dr. Ellison’s Socially Conscious Lab since 2023. He received his B.S. in Neuroscience with a specialization in behavioral/systems at The Ohio State University and his M.A. in Clinical Psychology at Roosevelt University. His research interests include cognitive rehabilitation, executive functioning, and pediatric neuropsychology. In his free time outside of research, he enjoys spending time with family and friends, cooking, playing and watching soccer. goes here