Research Staff

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Gabriella Tost, BA, she/her

Gabriella is from Quito, Ecuador and graduated from Lewis & Clark College with a B.A. in Psychology and Economics. She worked with Dr. Yueping Zhang researching the role of bilingualism on executive functioning and how culture influences perception. Her interests include developmental psychopathology and public health. In the SNACK lab, she provides cross-site coordination for the MADDY study, and oversees the OHSU MADDY site, working with the participating study families.

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Alisha Bruton, MS, ND, she/her

Alisha earned her doctorate in natural medicine and her masters in integrative medicine research from the National University of Natural Medicine in Portland, Oregon. She is currently in a master's program in Biostatistics at the OHSU/PSU School of Public Health. Her research interests include ADHD, temperament, and structural equation modelling. She is the manager of the SNACK Lab.

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Hayleigh Ast, ND, she/her

Hayleigh Ast is a T32 post-doctoral fellow and a naturopathic doctor.  Hayleigh received her BS in Neuroscience from Allegheny College in Meadville, PA and her naturopathic doctor degree from the National University of Natural Medicine in Portland, OR. She joined Dr. Johnstone’s lab during medical school as a volunteer and has continued working with the lab throughout her residency, which she completed at the University of California Irvine - Susan Samueli Integrative Health Institute. Her clinical research for her post-doc will focus on gut microbial health and integrative analyses such as organic acid testing in the ADHD youth populations. While completing the T32 program, Hayleigh will hold a clinical practice at Neurotherapeutic Pediatric Therapies Inc. in Oregon City.

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Priya Srikanth, MPH, she/her

Priya Srikanth has a faculty appointment in the OHSU-PSU School of Public Health as an Instructor in the Biostatistics programs. In her faculty role, she also mentors students. Srikanth is also a senior biostatistician with the Biostatistics & Design Program (BDP). She has training and expertise in teaching, conducting statistical analyses, and assisting investigators on study design and data analysis. Priya Srikanth’s background in biostatistics has been strengthened with ongoing advanced biostatistical training. As an instructor of basic introductory biostatistics, she strives to convey features of data through graphical displays and numerical measures.

Lydia Norby-Adams

Lydia Norby-Adams, BA, they/them

Lydia is a current Naturopathic medical and research student at the National University of Natural Medicine in Portland, OR. Prior to this, they earned their B.A. in Latin American Studies at Tulane University in New Orleans, LA. With a background in agriculture, their research interests include nutrition and plant medicines,  as well as public health, and integrative transgender healthcare. They are currently serving in the SNACK lab as a volunteer. 
 

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Ayanna Bell, PhD she/her

Ayanna Bell earned her B.S. in Neuroscience with a minor in Artificial Intelligence at Agnes Scott College. There she was an undergraduate research assistant in numerous labs exploring novel methods to treat neurological diseases and psychiatric disorders. As a Clinical Psychology PhD student, her research interests include providing culturally competent care to those seeking psychiatric treatment, sociobehavioral impacts on human health, innovative initiatives for health, and exploring psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy. She currently serves as a member of the SNACK lab as a graduate research assistant.

Alanna Welsh

Alanna Welsh, MS, ND, she/her

Alanna received her Bachelor’s degree in Biology from Seattle University. She then continued her education at the National University of Natural Medicine where she earned her doctorate in naturopathic medicine and a masters in integrative medical research. Since graduating from NUNM she has spent her time working in cancer research and health policy. Her research interests include public health, botanical medicine, and oncology. She is currently serving as a volunteer in the SNACK lab.