The Center for Investigating Healthy Minds

David Bachhuber, BS

Research Specialist

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David is the manager for the NIH/NCCAM funded Well-Being Study which aims to examine the impact of training in well-being enhancing practices on affect, attention, sleep and stress.

David's previous work includes studies of deception, aging in the United States, and a methodological study examining best practices for removing muscle based signals from EEG data.

Jon Brumbaugh, BA

Associate Research Specialist

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Jon is working specifically with the CIHM's research in mindfulness interventions in early education. Jon has previously worked with mindfulness meditation interventions in college-aged students and has experience as a substance abuse clinician.

Amelia Cayo, BS

Associate Research Specialist

Amelia is a member of the experimental team for the NCCAM-funded Well-Being Study. She is involved with running data collection sessions using hdEEG, fMRI, and other various behavioral measures.

Mel Charbonneau, MS

Director of Communications and Marketing

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Mel oversees the areas of communications, marketing and media relations for the Center for Investigating Healthy Minds (CIHM). She manages the production of all print publications, video and Web content, and plays a key role in the coordination of Center events. She collaborates with staff and university partners to educate the public on the Center, its mission, and the societal impact of its research in contemplative neuroscience. Mel also supports a variety of the Center’s development and fundraising efforts, and outreach programs.

Isa Dolski

Administsrative Director

Isa is the Administrative Director for the Waisman Laboratory for Brain Imaging & Behavior, the Laboratory for Affective Neuroscience and the Center for Investigating Healthy Minds. She deals with issues in the areas of: lab coordination, resources, personnel, facilities, grants, undergraduate research assistants and web maintenance. She also administers the Training Program in Emotion Research.

Frances Haeberli, MS

Associate Researcher

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Frances works on collecting data for the Center’s study on investigating the impact of Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) on preschool teachers in the Waisman Center’s Early Childhood Education Program. The current focus is reviewing curriculum, developing research strategies and laying the groundwork for translational research projects in school and community settings. Frances is also involved in developing functional imaging research programs for research projects at the Center.

Susan Jensen, MS

Assistant to the Director

Susan is the primary contact to CIHM director Richie Davidson and provides support for a variety of Center related activities. Susan coordinates local scientific and advisory meetings and scheduling for Dr. Davidson and the Center. She also assists in grant preparation, donor relations activities, event planning and has managed several aspects of the Center’s remodeling project and web site management.

Tammi Kral, BS

Associate Research Specialist

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Tammi is a member of the experimental team for the NCCAM-funded Well-Being Study. She is responsible for data collection using fMRI, hdEEG and various behavioral and physiological measures. She also processes and analyzes fMRI data from an emotion regulation task.

Barb Mathison

Executive Director

Barb provides overall management for CIHM.  She also works with CIHM leadership on strategic planning and implementation, including clarifying priorities, funding plans and a global outreach agenda. 

Barb has over 20 years of health care administration leadership, extensive experience on non-profit boards and a deep commitment to fostering high-functioning teams within a culture of compassion. 

Barb continues as a student of meditative/contemplative practices.

Trina Nelson

Associate Research Specialist

Trina is involved with recruiting long-term meditators and assisting with the logistics and coordination of participants' involvement in the Meditation study. She also runs experimental studies with participants in the NCCAM funded Well-Being Study.

Laura Pinger, MS

Outreach Specialist
Educational programming

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Laura serves as the primary liaison between the CIHM and local school systems in the development of educational programming and curriculum focused on mindfulness meditation. With thirty years of teaching experience and nine years of teaching affiliation with the UW Health Integrative Medicine Mindfulness Program, Laura works with educators and students in the development and teaching of meditation-based classes. She coordinates with CIHM researchers and school administrators for the teaching of this curriculum and the collection of data as part of translational research protocol. Laura has completed the Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) Professional Training with the Center for Mindfulness at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center, and she is also certified in the areas of Transpersonal Psychology and Internal Family Systems. Her interests include mindfulness in relationships, parenting practices, and teaching children. Laura is a lifelong yoga practitioner, completing her teacher training in 1995.

Liz Vanderwerff

Outreach Assistant

Liz provides support for a number of outreach-related activities here at CIHM including events, fundraising and community relations. She also works closely with CIHM's executive director on coordinating the various day-to-day activities of the Center.

Stephanie Veazie, BA

Associate Research Specialist

Steph is working with the CIHM's research in mindfulness interventions in early education. She did her senior research project on child development at the University of Illinois and spent a year teaching English in Shenzhen, China.