Director: Dr. Kara Christensen Pacella
Dr. Christensen Pacella received her doctoral degree in clinical psychology with a specialization in quantitative psychology from the Ohio State University in 2019 and completed her doctoral internship at the Medical University of South Carolina. She joined the faculty at UNLV in 2022, after completing a three-year postdoctoral clinical research fellowship in eating disorders at the University of Kansas. Dr. Christensen Pacella works across the translational research spectrum to develop, test, and disseminate interventions for disordered eating using novel clinical targets and methods of treatment delivery. Her research uses a variety of methodological approaches, including cross-sectional surveys, intensive longitudinal designs (e.g., EMA), qualitative studies (e.g., focus groups), and treatment designs (e.g., randomized controlled trials, single-case designs). She is a licensed clinical psychologist in NV with PSYPACT authorization.
She enjoys mentoring our next generation of psychology researchers, tending to her dogs’ every whims, and drinking multiple Diet Cokes in the morning.
Graduate Students
Shannon Sagert, M.A., M.S.W. is currently completing her internship year at the Naval Medical Center San Diego. Shannon completed her bachelor’s degree at the University of Central Florida, majoring in psychology and minoring in Criminal Justice. She went on to complete her master’s degree in social work at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, before joining the clinical psychology doctoral program. Her research interests include exploring the association between weight stigma and healthcare-seeking behaviors. Shannon’s future goals are to examine and disseminate evidence-based treatments specific to the optimization of individuals’ complete physical, spiritual, and mental wellness. Shannon enjoys yoga, kayaking, and spending time with her family.
Maegan Nation, B.S. is a fourth-year student in the clinical psychology doctoral program. Maegan completed her bachelor’s degree at Florida State University, majoring in psychology and criminology. She went on to work as a research assistant at the University of Pittsburgh’s Psychoneuroimmunology Lab and Behavioral Medicine Research Group before joining the clinical psychology doctoral program. Her research interests include emotion regulation, romantic relationships, and social media use within disordered eating. Maegan enjoys playing board and video games, watching reality TV, and reading.
Hoor Ul Ain, M.A. is a fourth-year clinical psychology PhD student. Hoor completed her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from the University of Richmond and hopes to return to her home country, Pakistan, after the completion of her doctoral degree to further research on maladaptive coping mechanisms. Her research interests coalesce on eating disorder behaviors in historically underrepresented populations and the protective factors that communities develop to buffer against these symptoms. When she is not in our lab, you can usually find her playing pickleball or at a new cafe!
Rosha Feizi Lighvan, M.A. is a third-year student in the clinical psychology doctoral program. Rosha completed her bachelor’s degree at UCLA, majoring in psychology and LGBTQ+ Studies, and graduating with Highest Honors. She went on to work as a study coordinator for an R01 grant at UCLA’s Dieting, Stress, and Health Lab before beginning her graduate career at UNLV. Her research interests include exploring the association between sleep quality, chronotype, and loss of control eating. In her free time, Rosha loves watching new movies, playing Dungeons and Dragons, drinking tea, and crocheting. She plans to teach herself how to knit soon!
Sarah Orsborn, B.A., is a first-year student in the clinical psychology doctoral program. Sarah completed her bachelor’s degree at the University of Southern California, majoring in international political economy and minoring in climate science. Sarah worked in political science and public health research consulting before earning a post-baccalaureate certificate in Psychology from the University of California, Irvine and working as a research coordinator in the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine at the University of Washington. Her research interests include eating disorder intervention optimization, family-based weight stigma, and body image in Asian Americans and multicultural households. Sarah loves rock climbing, sewing, reading, and spending time outdoors!
Research Assistants
Jessica Nguyen graduated from UNLV in May 2023 with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a minor in neuroscience. She is a member of Psi Chi. Currently, Jessica is involved with multiple psychology research labs as a research assistant at UNLV. Her research interests include acculturation and family relationships in disordered eating. Jessica is also interested in seeking improvements in mental healthcare accessibility, especially for marginalized populations. She plans to attend graduate school to get her PhD in clinical psychology. In her free time, Jessica enjoys playing video games, listening to music and learning languages
Jade Segura is a senior at UNLV majoring in Psychology. Currently, she is serving as the Psi Chi Vice President. Additionally, she is a member of the research team at the Love Yourself Foundation, a local non profit organization focusing on improving mental health and the impact it can have on interpersonal relationships, the community, and the environment. Her research interests include understanding risk factors for eating disorders, as well as the connection between our diets and mental health. In her free time, Jade is usually baking, playing Dungeons and Dragons, reading and writing, crafting, dancing or traveling.
Darin Beasley-Williams is a second-year undergraduate student at UNLV, majoring in Psychology. He volunteers with the UNLV Psychology Club and has gained hands-on experience working with youth through a university summer camp. His interests focus on supplement usage and its effects on eating and sleeping cycles in young adults. Studying abroad in Japan has also sparked his interest in cultural differences in health behaviors and youth development. In his free time, he enjoys exploring fashion, sports, concerts, content creation, and photography.
Katherine Melnik is a third-year undergraduate student at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, majoring in Psychology with a minor in Criminal Justice. She is passionate about understanding and raising awareness of eating disorders beyond their stereotypes, focusing on how experiences of loss and lack of control contribute to their development. Katherine’s personal experiences working closely with therapists and completing treatment with the EDI Institute have shaped her interest in research that connects science and lived experience. Her long-term goals include pursuing graduate studies in law to advocate for families and survivors of abuse. In her free time, Katherine enjoys painting, swimming, and playing video games.
Justin Mykovich is a senior undergraduate student at UNLV, majoring in Psychology. He is a member of the Psychology club as well as a research assistant at multiple labs at UNLV. His research interests include furthering the understanding of the risk and maintenance factors for eating disorders, as well as advancing treatment interventions. He also has additional interests in schizophrenia, and memory. Justin plans on attending graduate school to obtain his PhD in Clinical Psychology. In his free time, Justin enjoys film, live music, and reading about philosophy.
Priscila Krauss is a third-year undergraduate student majoring in Psychology with a minor in Family Studies at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Before joining the CREST lab, she gained extensive experience in education, training, and organizational support through professional roles at Visa Inc., Invent Right LLC, and academic institutions in both the United States and Brazil. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Portuguese Language and Literature from the University of São Paulo in Brazil. Priscila brings a multicultural perspective and a strong foundation in analytical and communication skills to her academic work. Her current research interests include exploring the relationship between social media exposure and eating disorder symptoms in adolescents and young adults. In her free time, Priscila enjoys discovering new sushi restaurants, hiking, and spending time with family and friends.
CREST Collaborators
Angeline Bottera (Assistant Professor, Texas A&M University): circadian rhythms and eating behaviors, integrating sleep and eating disorder treatments
Heather Davis (Assistant Professor, Virginia Tech University): food insecurity, substance use
Kyle De Young (Professor, University of Wyoming): eating disorders, circadian rhythm dysfunction
Kelsie Forbush (Professor, University of Kansas): eating disorder assessment and diagnosis, digital mental health, EDs in military and veteran populations
Kelsey Hagan (Assistant Professor, Virginia Commonwealth University): eating disorders, psychometrics, reward processing
Vivienne Hazzard (Assistant Professor, Michigan State University): food insecurity
Leah Irish (Associate Professor, North Dakota State University): sleep and eating pathology
Shane Kraus (Associate Professor, UNLV): behavioral addictions, substance use
Brianne Richson (Research Scientist, Sanford Research): Assessment and diagnosis, psychometrics
Ilana Seager van Dyk (Senior Lecturer, Massey University, New Zealand): emotion regulation, sexual and gender minority mental health, youth mental health
Matt Southward (Assistant Professor, Ohio State University): therapy processes, emotion regulation, Unified Protocol, transdiagnostic approaches, multilevel modeling
Nicole Short (Assistant Professor, UNLV): stress, trauma, sleep, substance use
Daniel Taylor (Professor, University of Arizona): behavioral sleep medicine, clinical trials
Lab Mascots
Beaker Christensen Pacella has many hobbies including lovingly carrying small rocks around the house, stealing socks, and doing big stretches.
Genya Christensen Pacella enjoys going to the park, barking at the leafblower, and dancing for treats.
Captain Nation-Hernandez loves walks first thing in the morning, eating yogurt, and playing with his Lamby.
Eeyore Feizi-Lueken loves cuddling with her mom and dad on the couch, playing tug-of-war, and learning how to sit. She hopes to continue through her training to become a therapy dog and help the greater Las Vegas community, just like her mom!
Squid “Squinky Dinky” Buckleborn loves belly rubs, a freshly made bed, eating grass, and chasing a tiny bell in a circle.
Jello Buckleborn loves sleeping on mom’s head, doing tricks in exchange for human food, and playing in grocery bags.
Lab Alumni
Isabella Aceituno, B.A. completed her bachelors degree in Psychology with a minor in Neuroscience at UNLV. Isabella is now working toward her master’s in Public Health at the University of Washington.
Melanie Garcia, B.A. completed her bachelors degree in Psychology at UNLV with a minor in Human Services. Melanie served as researcher coordinator at the University of Arizona in the Health Equity Analytics Lab (HEALab) and is now a doctoral student in clinical psychology at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley.
Jaelin Isquith, B.A. completed her bachelors degree in Psychology at UNLV and served as our inaugural Lab Coordinator from 2024-2025. Under her leadership, we launched the R16 study and many other research initiatives. She is currently a full-time Research Assistant in the Eating Anxiety Treatment (EAT) Lab at University of Louisville.
Charlene Gonzales, B.A completed her bachelors degree in Psychology and minor in Couple and Family Therapy. Charlene now currently works part time as a Developmental Learning Coach at the Vibrant Therapy Service.
