Eating Disorders Research Team

Faculty

Dr. Barbara Wolfe’s research focuses on the psychobiology of eating disorders. Her work examines on the relationship between neurotransmitter functioning and mood, impulsivity, and eating behavior. Dr. Wolfe received her BSN from Syracuse University, her MSN from Yale University, and PhD from Boston College. She is certified as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse in the specialty of Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing. She is an active member of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association, serving as President from 2003-2004. She is also a member of the Eating Disorders Research Society, Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing, and a Fellow in the American Academy of Nursing.

Research Coordinator

Alix Zamansky is the Research Coordinator for the Eating Disorders Research Team’s current project on the neurobiology of eating disorders. She graduated from Bates College with a B.A. in Psychology and extensive course work in Women and Gender Studies in May 2008. During the summers of 2005, 2006, and 2007, Alix worked at a residential program for behaviorally and emotionally at-risk female adolescents. Upon completing her work with the Research Team, Alix hopes to pursue a degree in Clinical Psychology.

PhD Candidates

Ann Cousins is an Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurse and nurse doctoral candidate in the Connell School of Nursing at Boston College.  She received a diploma in nursing, a BS in Psychology from Emmanuel College, and her MSN from Yale University specializing in Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing.  Her dissertation work is investigating disordered eating behavior in women with infertility.

Karen Daley is a doctoral candidate at the Connell School of Nursing and past research fellow to the team. She has since remained as a member of Dr. Wolfe’s team in order to pursue opportunities to continue to learn. Experiences have included data collection, coding and entry, mentorship of less experienced team members, scientific poster presentation and recent submission of an article, co-authored with Dr. Wolfe.

PhD Students

Sandy Hannon-Engel is a doctoral student in the Connell School of Nursing at Boston College. Her clinical experience includes that of an advance practice nurse in the inpatient and outpatient mental health settings as well as a clinical instructor in Psychiatric/ Mental Health Nursing at Boston College. Her program of study focuses on physiological mechanisms that may perpetuate eating disorders, specifically bulimia nervosa.

Brian French is a first year student and fellow in the combined MS/PhD program at the Connell School of Nursing at Boston College. He received his BS in Nursing from the University of Connecticut and MS in Health Care Administration from Simmons College. His clinical experience includes general surgical and adult trauma surgical critical care clinical practice and for the last 15 years he has managed the nursing professional development and education initiatives at Massachusetts General Hospital. His research interests include clinical decision making and clinical simulation.

Undergraduate Research Fellows

Sarah Kennedy is an undergraduate student in the Connell School of Nursing, class of 2010. Sarah assists with recruitment of individuals for the team. She is interested in the field of adolescent psychology and would like to pursue psychiatric/mental health nursing upon graduation.

Jennifer Engel is an undergraduate student in the Connell School of Nursing, Class of 2009. She plans to specialize in psychiatric/mental health nursing after she graduates.

Ariana Chao is an undergraduate student in the Connell School of Nursing, class of 2010. She is the AHANA representative in the nursing senate and is a member of the Boston College cheerleading team. After graduating, she plans to specialize in psychiatric/mental health nursing with a focus on pediatrics.