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.

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

  • Daniella Wong, MD

    UVA SOM RESEARCH RESIDENT

  • Grace Juran '26

    MASTERS OF PUBLIC HEALTH

    Health Policy, Law, and Ethics Concentration

  • Ace Rogers '26

    MASTERS OF PUBLIC HEALTH

    Health Policy, Law, and Ethics Concentration

  • Nicole Kwan '26

    BACHELOR OF ARTS

    Public Policy and Leadership Major; Data Science Minor

  • Samar Rahmani

  • Clare Sifferman '26

    BACHELOR OF ARTS

    Biology Major; Spanish and Politics Minors

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

    MASTERS OF PUBLIC HEALTH

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Lab Alumni

  • Sarah Leser, MPH MPP

    RESEARCH SPECIALIST

  • Kathy Markie Faris Gwinn, MPH

    RESEARCH SPECIALIST

  • Ashleigh Allen Le, MPH

    RESEARCH SPECIALIST

  • Meret Hofer, PHD

    COMMUNITY PSYCHOLOGY AND PREVENTION RESEARCH PROGRAM

  • Sean Womack, MA

    RESEARCHER

  • Alex Jakubow, PHD

    EMPIRICAL RESEARCH LIBRARIAN

Interested in Joining our Lab?

The Lab is able to take on new graduate and undergraduate students based on current 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 taking on new students. However, we are still happy to chat and place you on our waitlist if we have future availability.

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