Our team

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.

Yasmin Barrientos Kofman, PhD

Post-doctoral Fellow

Dr. Yasmin Barrientos Kofman is a Postdoctoral Fellow on UCLA‘s T32 Program on Biobehavioral Issues in Mental and Physical Health. Before starting at UCLA and joining the Sumner Stress Lab, Dr. Kofman completed her PhD in Psychological Science at UC Irvine with specializations in Health Psychology and Quantitative Methods. Dr. Kofman’s research focuses on biobehavioral mechanisms linking trauma exposure and health, especially in women exposed to gender-based forms of violence. She is also interested in factors of personal, cultural, and community resilience that may buffer the detrimental health effects of trauma and adversity. In her spare time, Dr. Kofman loves to social dance, play volleyball, and watch scary movies.

Jordan Thomas

Graduate Student

Jordan is a fourth 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 is a second 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.

Leah Cha

Graduate Student

Leah is a first year doctoral student in UCLA’s Health Psychology program. She graduated from the University of Georgia with a BS in Psychology and worked as a Research Assistant at the Center for Family Research. Leah’s research focuses on understanding the biological pathways of trauma and how environmental and societal factors affect PTSD risk. She is also interested in intergenerational transmissions of trauma. Outside of the lab, Leah enjoys crocheting and gardening.

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.

Tiffany Chen, BA

Lab Coordinator

Tiffany graduated from Pomona College in 2021 with a B.A. in Neuroscience. While a large part of her research background pertains to sociocultural influences on cognition, she is excited to pivot into the study of trauma as a complex and often multi-scale experience(s) that drives both physical and psychological changes. Having worked with her undergraduate campus community in the context of survivorship and healing, Tiffany hopes to bring together knowledge surrounding what trauma-informed practices can look like, from the community space as well as from a psychological/therapeutic space. As a Lab Coordinator, she aims to continue exploring a future career in clinical or counseling psychology. Outside of the lab, Tiffany enjoys making art, dancing, trying new recipes, and taking the bus to different spots around her new neighborhood in LA.

Anusha Fatehpuria

Research Assistant

Anusha is a third-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.

Segen Araya

Research Assistant

Segen is a rising third-year undergraduate student pursuing a double major in Psychology and African-American Studies. Her research interests lie in the conjunction of mental and physical health, particularly in the ways that preexisting mental health issues and adverse childhood experiences inform physical health. She is especially interested in exploring the ramifications of negative mental and physical health outcomes within marginalized communities. In the future, she aspires to obtain a Ph.D. in hopes to continue research and the application of such findings to her community. During her free time, she loves to read and watch documentaries.

Lauren Perlmutter

Research Assistant

Lauren is a third-year undergraduate student at UCLA pursuing a degree in Psychology. Her research interests include cognitive behavioral therapy and understanding anxiety, trauma, and stress and how it relates to physical and mental health. She is especially interested in specific interventions to better understand different ways to overcome trauma experiences, PTSD, and anxiety. After graduation, her goal is to obtain a Ph.D. in hopes for a future career in clinical psychology, as well as conducting her own research. Outside of the lab, Lauren enjoys reading, hiking, painting, and participating in all types of crafts.

Ira Kadet

Research Assistant

Ira is a a second-year undergraduate student pursuing a degree in psychobiology. His research interests lie in how how the brain ages throughout the lifetime, and what external factors can influence one‘s cognitive functions over time. He’s also interested in how mental disorders are linked to physical health. His aspiration is to work as a psychiatrist in his hometown of Tokyo, where he hopes to treat foreigners who struggle with mental disorders in Japan. During his free time he loves to listen to music, and his favorite artists are Tyler the Creator and Tame Impala.

Destiny Clark

Research Assistant

Destiny is a rising fourth-year undergraduate student at UCLA majoring in Physiological Science. Her research interests lie in understanding how social determinant factors affect one’s mental and physical wellbeing, like how stress plays a part in the long-term development of heart illnesses within underrepresented communities. After graduation, she aspires to pursue an MD/MPH in hope of becoming a physician who could educate others on the proper steps to take in protecting their health. During her free time, she loves to watch foreign films, write creative stories, read, and explore the city of L.A.

Amanda Gong

Research Assistant

Amanda is a rising third-year undergraduate student pursuing a double major in Psychology and Sociology. Her research interests lie in how people are influenced by trauma and what some preventive interventions could reduce the undesirable effects. She also wants to find out effective treatment methods for various mental health disorders. After graduation, she hopes to pursue a PhD in clinical psychology.

Katherine Fu

Research Assistant

Katherine is a second-year undergraduate student majoring in Psychobiology. Her research interests lie in understanding the relationship between psychological stress, the development of physical diseases, and aging. Furthermore, she is excited to explore the applications of research to disease prevention and treatment. After graduation, she seeks to pursue an MD and provide care to individuals with neurological disorders. In her free time, she enjoys thrift shopping, going to farmer’s markets, staying active, and exploring new cuisines.

Akriti Ratti

Research Assistant

Akriti is a third-year undergraduate student at UCLA majoring in Psychobiology. Her research interests lie in how trauma and stress can disproportionately impact minority youth and ultimately impact their physical well-being later in life. She is also interested in how healthcare professionals can better care for their patients with trauma-informed approaches. After graduation, she hopes to pursue psychology through medicine and help bridge the gap between patients’ mental and physical health. Outside of the lab, Akriti enjoys dancing, listening to music, and watching reality TV

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.