Jennifer Sumner, PhD
Principal Investigator
Dr. Jennifer Sumner is a clinical psychologist and Assistant Professor of Psychology at UCLA. Her program of research lies at the intersection of the psychological and physical health consequences of trauma exposure. Dr. Sumner received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Pomona College and her Masters and PhD in Clinical Psychology from Northwestern University. She completed her predoctoral internship program at the Charleston Consortium (Traumatic Stress Track) and received postdoctoral training as an Epidemiology Merit Fellow at the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health. Prior to joining UCLA, Dr. Sumner was an Assistant Professor of Behavioral Medicine at the Center for Behavioral Cardiovascular Health at Columbia University Medical Center. When not in the lab, Dr. Sumner enjoys hiking in the Los Angeles mountains, practicing yoga, and playing tennis.
Jordan Thomas
Graduate Student
Jordan is a third year doctoral student in UCLA‘s Clinical Psychology program, with research and clinical interests in clinical health psychology. Prior to UCLA, Jordan earned her BA from Connecticut College and worked as a Research Associate in the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences at the Yale School of Public Health. Jordan’s research focuses on the intersection of adversity and trauma exposure and sexual health among women and girls. She is interested in interventions that promote sexual and reproductive health at the individual (i.e., clinical) and population (i.e., policy) level. As a therapist, Jordan specializes in evidence-based approaches to trauma and PTSD treatment and in couples therapy. In her spare time, Jordan enjoys biking, playing tennis, and hiking in the Santa Monica mountains with her dog June.
Corinne Meinhausen
Graduate Student
Corinne joins the Sumner Stress Lab as a first-year doctoral student in the Health Psychology program. Her research focuses on the physiological impact of trauma exposure and the biological and behavioral forces related to healthy and pathological fear learning. She is particularly interested in the ways these mechanisms can be used to develop early interventions for post-traumatic stress disorder. Corinne graduated summa cum laude from the University of Arizona, with a BS in Neuroscience and Cognitive Science. She is looking forward to exploring Los Angeles with her dog, Ally.
Shiloh Cleveland, BA
Lab Coordinator
Shiloh graduated with a Neuroscience degree from Barnard College of Columbia University in 2019. She previously did substance use and addiction research at the Columbia University Medical Center. Through her research and courses she became interested in the field of trauma and how it impacts behavior and wellbeing. A lover of science, she hopes to go on to obtain a PhD and continue on in the world of research. In her free time she enjoys biking, going on hikes with friends, and is currently on the search for the best study cafe in LA. As a Los Angeles native herself, she couldn’t be more excited to be back home at UCLA doing research on an important topic that she’s passionate about.
Kristina Reed, BA
Lab Coordinator
Kristina is passionate about understanding and addressing chronic stress and trauma in the community. She cultivated this passion through her prior experiences in social work, where she helped underserved populations become more healthy and financially secure. She has prior research experience in neuroendocrinology, investigating the role of hormones in the neuromuscular system. She recently earned her bachelor’s degree in neuroscience from Pomona College. Her dream is to become a physician and specialize in emergency medicine. A South Florida native, Kristina can be found exploring Southern California’s rich culture and beautiful nature in her free time. She also enjoys dancing, experimenting in the kitchen, and getting lost in a new book.
Aileen Hsu
Research Assistant
Aileen is a third-year transfer student at UCLA pursuing a degree in Cognitive Science with a specialization in computing. Her research interests lie in understanding how the brain and body interact from neurobiological and psychopathological perspectives as well as how and why stress and trauma manifest somatically. She is also particularly interested in exploring how technology can be leveraged to improve the accessibility of mental healthcare. After graduation, she aspires to pursue a PsyD/PhD in Clinical Psychology and work with underserved and stigmatized populations. She is currently playing volleyball with the UCLA Women’s Club team but outside of school, enjoys spending time in nature, practicing yoga, and wandering through the streets of SF.
Annie Jeong
Research Assistant
Annie is a second-year undergraduate student pursuing a degree in Psychology with a specialization in computing. Her research interests involve the health impacts of early life adversity and how they might be mitigated. She is especially interested in how the effects of childhood trauma on development can impact physical health outcomes in adulthood. She has previously worked as a research assistant at the Berkeley Early Learning Lab and currently also
assists with research at UCLA TIES for Families. In the future, she hopes to earn a PhD in Clinical Psychology in order to further investigate the relationships between early adverse experiences and health. Outside of lab and school, she enjoys reading, catching up on shows, and spending time with her cat.
Aarti Patel
Research Assistant
Aarti is a second-year undergraduate student at UCLA pursuing a degree in Psychology. Her research interests center on how individual vulnerabilities to physical health problems may be marked by specific types of adverse life experiences and psychological symptoms. In particular, she is interested in how specific markers, such as the type of trauma experience or types of symptoms, individuals present with may inform the construction of a more personalized treatment plan that addresses not only psychological issues and acute physiological symptoms, but also incorporates preventative measures to address vulnerability to chronic physical health problems. After graduation, she hopes to pursue a PsyD in Clinical Psychology. Outside of school, she enjoys watching movies and TV shows as well as playing guitar.
Jessica Nguyen
Research Assistant
Jessica is a third-year undergraduate student at UCLA pursuing a degree in Psychobiology and minoring in Cognitive Science. Her research interests involve the connection between mental and physical health. She is particularly interested in the preventative aspect, where extensive studies can help establish methods to prevent illnesses to ultimately improve qualities of life. After graduation, she aspires to become a physician and specialize in physical and rehabilitation medicine. Outside of school, she enjoys exploring the different Los Angeles communities, crocheting little animals, and going on peaceful hikes.
Sheila Zhang
Research Assistant
Sheila is a third-year undergraduate student pursuing a degree in Psychobiology. Her research interests include understanding the mental and physical components of psychosomatic disorders, as well as learning how people can build resilience following early childhood adversity. Sheila is also interested in exploring the role of culture and society on health and well-being. After graduation, she hopes to pursue an MD, and is interested in the field of Psychiatry. Outside of lab, she enjoys drawing, reading/watching thrillers and trying new restaurants around Los Angeles.
Anusha Fatehpuria
Research Assistant
Anusha is a second-year undergraduate student at UCLA pursuing a degree in Human Biology and Society. Her research interests lie in understanding how external factors, such as exposure to trauma and adversity affect physical health outcomes and how this information can be used to develop preventative interventions. She is also interested in the role that health disparities play in physical and mental well-being and the healthcare that individuals receive. After graduation, she hopes to pursue an MD. Outside of the lab, she enjoys reading and watching TV, as well as exploring LA with her friends.
Joan Li
Research Assistant
Joan is a third-year undergraduate majoring in Psychology at UCLA and an intern for the UCLA DCG STAND For All program. She is currently providing CBT coaching sessions and trauma-informed support to individuals with symptoms of depression and anxiety. Joan is interested in research surrounding adverse childhood experiences and trauma throughout the lifespan, focusing on what treatments or interventions have successfully mitigated negative health consequences. She would like to explore the application of such findings to study how healthcare providers, educators, and social workers can better intervene or practice preventative care to improve health outcomes. When she’s not working or studying, Joan is practicing and teaching collegiate ballroom dance. Find her at the UCLA John Wooden Center waltzing when the campus is open again!
Jaifreen Bhangu
Research Assistant
Jaifreen is a third-year undergraduate student pursuing a degree in Psychobiology. Her research interests lie in mental health and its implications on physical well-being, especially in marginalized communities. She is particularly interested in how varying social experiences across communities affect mental health and manifest in physical health. Her passion for mental health has been highly influenced by her role as a crisis counselor for the Crisis Text Line. After graduation, she aspires to become a physician and practice in an underserved area. During her free time, she likes to try new vegetarian recipes and enjoys doing giddha, a traditional Punjabi dance.
Suki
Lab Mascot
Suki is passionate about treats, curling up into a ball, and long walks exploring Los Angeles. As an expert on stress relief and management, she is excited about the innovative research being conducted in the Sumner Stress Lab.
Our Collaborators
Hover to learn more
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
1
UCLA School of Medicine and VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, CA
Ramin Ebrahimi, Tzung Hsiai
2
Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA
Karestan Koenen, Laura Kubzansky, Eric Rimm, Andrea Roberts
3
Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
Kate McLaughlin
4
National Center for PTSD, Boston, MA
Erika Wolf
5
Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY
Donald Edmondson, Ian Kronish, Daichi Shimbo, Joseph Schwartz
6
Wayne State University, Detroit, MI
Tanja Jovanovic
7
Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA
Vasiliki Michopoulos, Rebecca Hinrichs
8
Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA
Jaimie Gradus
9
Stanford University, Stanford CA
Katharine Sears Edwards
10
Alexandria, VA
SCAD Alliance
