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CANDLE Team

Qi Zhao, PhD

Interim Director, CANDLE Cohort                        Principal Investigator, ECHO Study

Karen Derefinko, PhD

Principal Investigator, NIDA Study

Nicole (Nicki) Bush, PhD

Co-Scientific Director

Kaja LeWinn, ScD

Co-Scientific Director

Fran Tylavsky, DrPH

Co-Investigator

Phyllis Richey, PhD

Co-Investigator

Chi-Yang Chiu, PhD

Co-Investigator

Marion Hare, MD

Co-Investigator

 

 

Lauren Sims Taylor, PhD, MPH

Research Associate III, Clinic Director

Janette Anaya, BS

Research Study Coordinator

Janette Anaya is a first-generation college student who graduated from Christian Brothers University with a degree in Psychology in 2021. She’s passionate about helping people and has worked in several roles where she could make a difference. Janette ensures that our study visits are running smoothly. She is skilled at using research tools and loves working with people to make a positive impact in her community!

“Outside work, I enjoy exploring new coffee shops and spending time with friends and family.”

Miracle Ingram, MS

Research Study Coordinator

Miracle plays a vital role in keeping our study on track by ensuring seamless participant engagement and study operations. She is passionate about improving maternal and child health outcomes and is dedicated to advancing research through collaboration and community involvement!

“Outside of work, I love getting lost in a good book, exploring new experiences, and unwinding with a great romance movie.”

Ariel Phillips, MS

Research Study Coordinator

Ariel specializes in data collection and clinic organization to ensure a smooth experience for our participants. Her role involves overseeing research protocols and preparing the clinic space to accommodate the dynamic families who contribute valuable information to our research on child development!

“Meeting these enthusiastic families is a highlight of my work, as their participation is crucial to our study’s success. Outside of work, I enjoy unwinding through reading and practicing yoga.”

Kristen McKenzie, MSFCS

Retention Specialist

Kristen plays a key role in keeping our study running smoothly, ensuring that participants remain connected and engaged throughout the process. With a Master’s in Family and Consumer Science, she is deeply committed to child and family development, as well as fostering community engagement through digital media.

“Outside of work, I love playing and making memories with my family and friends. I enjoy being active outdoors, exploring local hidden gems during weekend outings, and meeting new people through common interest and similarities!”

Adam Snider

Repository Coordinator

Kianna Garner, MHP

Research Study Coordinator

Kianna plays a key role in ensuring the success of our clinical research. She is dedicated to maintaining seamless clinic operations and strives to uphold the highest standards in research integrity and accuracy. Kianna effortlessly ensures that she makes herself available in different ways to support meeting the goals of our studies, contributing to meaningful scientific progress!

“Outside of work, I enjoy traveling and embracing beautiful sceneries, discovering new foods and recipes of other cultures, and spending time with family and friends!”

Luhang Han, MS, PhD

Postdoctoral Scholar/Data Manager

Luhang’s research focus is on statistical methodology development in clustering and spatial point processes with applications to epigenetic, genetic, and phenotypic data. She is particularly interested in identifying molecular biomarkers as well as prenatal and pubertal risk factors associated with health outcomes such as allergic diseases and obesity.

James ‘Matt’ Hood

Research Project Coordinator

Isabel Sipkema

Noyce Fellow, Rhodes College

Ashli B. Martin

MPH student, University of Memphis

Morgan Bromley

MPH Student, University of Memphis

Rebecca Johnson

MPH Student, University of Memphis