The Mental Health Law & Policy Research Lab

Who We Are

We are a group of faculty, postdoctoral residents, graduate students, and undergraduate students from across the University who collaborate on ongoing research, writing, and consultation projects.

Though we take students from all areas of the University, we partner specifically with the Department of Public Health Sciences (PHS) to provide Applied Practice Experiences (APEs) through the PHS Mental Health Policy Research Program.

Faculty

Heather Zelle, JD, PhD

Dr. Zelle is the primary faculty associated with the Institute’s Mental Health Policy & Practice Team. She is also an Associate Professor of Research through the UVA Department of Public Health Sciences.

Associate Director of Mental Health Policy Research
Faculty Page

Richard J. Bonnie

Richard Bonnie retired from the ILPPP team, but remains an active consultant with the Institute. His primary faculty appointment was with the law school as the Harrison Foundation Professor of Law and Medicine.

Director Emeritus
Postdoctoral Research Associate

Sarah Fishel, JD, PhD

Dr. Fishel is the postdoctoral research associate with the Institute’s Mental Health Policy & Practice Team. Her appointment is through UVA’s Department of Public Health Sciences.

Faculty Page
Faculty Page

Mental Health Law & Policy Lab Members

  • Abrianna Handel, BA

    RESEARCH ASSOCIATE

  • Katelyn Do '27

    BACHELOR OF ARTS

    Global Public Health & Finance

  • Sophia Waldhoff '27

    BACHELOR OF ARTS

    Global Public Health

  • Madelyn Bello '28

    BACHELOR OF ARTS

    Political Philosophy, Policy & Law / Psychology Majors

    Public Writing & Rhetoric Minor

  • Reilly Mulcahy '28

    MASTERS OF PUBLIC POLICY

  • Samar Rahmani '28

    BACHELOR OF ARTS

    Global Public Health

Public Health Sciences Applied Practice Experience Students

  • Austen Day '26

    MASTERS OF PUBLIC HEALTH

    Health Policy, Law, and Ethics Concentration

  • Riley Salomone

    MASTERS OF PUBLIC HEALTH

  • Cassidy Thibodeau '27

    MASTERS OF PUBLIC HEALTH

    Research in Practice Concentration

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Lab Alumni

  • Ashleigh Allen Le, MPH

    RESEARCH SPECIALIST

  • Kathy Markie Faris Gwinn, MPH

    RESEARCH SPECIALIST

  • Meret Hofer, PHD

    COMMUNITY PSYCHOLOGY AND PREVENTION RESEARCH PROGRAM

  • Alex Jakubow, PHD

    EMPIRICAL RESEARCH LIBRARIAN

  • Grace Juran, MPH

    LAB MEMBER

  • Nicole Kwan, BA

    LAB MEMBER

  • Sarah Leser, MPH MPP

    RESEARCH SPECIALIST

  • Ace Rogers, MPH

    LAB MEMBER

  • Clare Sifferman, BA

    LAB MEMBER

  • Sean Womack, MA

    RESEARCHER

  • Daniella Wong, MD

    LAB MEMBER

Interested in Joining our Lab?

The Lab is able to take on new graduate and undergraduate students based on funding, projects, availability and overall fit. If you are interested in joining, please reach out to us to schedule a short call.

The Lab is not currently recruiting students.

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