Meet the Team

Corrine Voils, PhD
Professor

Dr. Voils completed her MS and PhD in Experimental Social Psychology at the University of Kentucky. Her research focuses on identifying behavioral strategies to promote treatment adherence. One line of research focuses on promoting adoption and maintenance of a healthy lifestyle. Dr. Voils was previously the Principal Investigator (PI) of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to evaluate the effectiveness of a partner-assisted intervention for cholesterol management (CouPLES) and a patient-oriented weight loss maintenance intervention (MAINTAIN). She is currently PI of Partner2Lose and Log2Lose.

A second line of research focuses on incorporating genomic/genetic information in healthcare delivery. Previously Dr. Voils was the PI of RCTs to evaluate the clinical utility of genetic testing for diabetes and of a family history platform to promote risk-concordant colorectal cancer screening. She is currently the PI of an evaluation of PHASER, a Veterans Affairs clinical program providing pharmacogenomic testing to veterans.

In addition to developing interventions to promote a healthy lifestyle, Dr. Voils created a self-report measure of medication nonadherence. To learn more, click here.

Outside of work, Dr. Voils enjoys cooking, traveling and spending time outdoors with her family. She is also a cellist in the Middleton Community Orchestra.

Kara Gavin, PhD, MPH
Scientist II

Dr. Gavin completed her PhD in Social and Behavioral Epidemiology at the University of Minnesota and her MPH in Health Behavior Health Promotion at Ohio State University. Prior to joining WiSOR, she completed her post-doctoral research fellowship in cancer prevention and control at Northwestern University. She works closely with Dr. Voils on several trials focusing on strategies to help adults successfully lose and maintain weight loss. She also works on studies that focus on implementation efforts to improve the uptake of interventions including pharmacogenomics testing and medication adherence. Outside of work, she enjoys running outdoors and biking.

Allison Hung, MPH
Researcher I

Allison Hung completed her MPH in Epidemiology and Biostatistics at Boston University School of Public Health. Prior to joining WiSOR, she worked at the State of Wisconsin in the Department of Health Services with the COVID-19 Response Team, performing data quality assurance and communicating with providers to enroll in the Wisconsin COVID-19 Vaccine Program. She has experience conducting research and working with a variety of populations. On the team, she conducts research and improves health care quality and outcomes through providing project management and research support for Dr. Voils’ VA and NIH funded trials of weight management interventions. Outside of work, Allison enjoys baking, yoga, hiking, and playing music.

Andrea von Helms, MS, RD, CD
Dietitian

Andrea von Helms completed her MS in Nutrition with a concentration in Nutrition Counseling at Mount Mary University. She has a background in obesity treatment, nutrition counseling, and nutrition education. On the team, she is a study interventionist who provides virtual nutrition education and counseling to individuals and groups. She encourages a realistic and attainable approach to nutrition so that anyone can achieve a healthy lifestyle and maintain it long term. She has a profound sense of purpose to create a more just and humane world by supporting the discovery, development, and implementation of more equitable and effective care – particularly for those with struggle with obesity. Andrea strives to teach others how to facilitate habit changes that yield weight loss and long-term weight loss maintenance.

Whitney Sharp, MPH, RD
Dietitian

Whitney Sharp completed her MPH in Nutritional Sciences at the University of Michigan. She is an interventionist on the team and has experience in nutrition education and counseling for individuals, couples, and groups from a variety of diverse backgrounds. She is certified in Motivational Interviewing and uses a person-centered approach to meet participants where they’re at in their health and wellness journey. She is passionate about health equity and making research opportunities accessible and inclusive, especially for participants from marginalized communities. In her free time, Whitney enjoys practicing yoga, biking, hiking and road tripping with her fiancé and their 2 dogs.

Fiona Robertson, BS
Research Specialist

Fiona Robertson received her BS in Psychology at Edgewood College. She is passionate about both mental and physical health, and how these intertwine to contribute to overall wellness. She has experience in providing Applied Behavior Analysis therapy to children on the Autism Spectrum, leading group fitness classes for college students with disabilities and coaching young adults with disabilities to build healthy habits. In her free time, Fiona enjoys rock climbing and mountain biking.

Karina Melendez
Undergraduate Research Assistant

Karina Melendez is a fourth-year undergraduate student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison majoring in Biochemistry with a Certificate in Chicanx & Latinx Studies. She aspires to create a culturally responsive and inclusive medical environment to help families in the healthcare field. This past summer, she interned at the Medical College of Wisconsin and created a trans-inclusive education model for health care providers in gender-based oncology departments. She has also worked with the Clinical Trials Office at UW Hospital Health & Clinics as a liaison between staff, patients, and other members of the community. On the team, she contributes to recruitment and retention efforts. In her free time, Karina enjoys cooking Puerto Rican & Mexican cuisine, painting, and traveling.

Chloe’ Mayfield
Undergraduate Research Assistant

Chloe’ Mayfield is a fourth-year undergraduate student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison majoring in Rehabilitation Psychology. She is passionate about aiding people from the BIPOC community by helping them increase their overall health. In the past, she worked as a certified nursing assistant at a nursing home in the memory care unit. She has also helped with research projects with people going through amputation surgery and studied how effective physical and occupational therapy was for their recovery process following their surgery. Her role on the team includes community outreach with the African American Community in Dane County. She also contributes to broader participant recruitment and retention efforts. In her free time, Chloe’ enjoys travelling, spending time with family, trying out new restaurants, and watching movies.

Armaan Shetty
Undergraduate Research Assistant

Armaan Shetty is a third-year undergraduate student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison double majoring in Psychology and Economics. He has been a member of the Voils team since 2019, and works on class materials used by the registered dietitians in their virtual classes. On the team, he has been working on class videos that demonstrate exercises. In the past, Armaan has worked on data entry, transfer, and security, as well as scheduling and programming. After graduation, he hopes to pursue further education in graduate school. One of his biggest passions and main hobbies is playing soccer. In the majority of his spare time, Armaan plays soccer with his travel team back in Milwaukee.

Ellie Boisjolie
Undergraduate Research Assistant

Ellie Boisjolie is a third-year undergraduate student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison majoring in Biology. In the past, she has worked as a personal caregiver, nursing assistant and respite provider. On the team, she assists the dietitians with co-piloting virtual classes. She also contributes to participant recruitment and retention efforts. In the near future, she aspires to attend physician assistant school. In her spare time, Ellie enjoys working out and going on hikes.

Emma Nockerts
Undergraduate Research Assistant

Emma Nockerts is a third-year undergraduate student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison majoring in Nutritional Sciences with Certificates in Global Health and Art History. She is extremely passionate about the conjunction between one’s diet, lifestyle choices, and genetics, and how these factors impact the development of metabolic disease and overall wellbeing. On the team, she currently co-pilots the virtual classes delivered by the registered dietitians. After graduating, she plans on attending medical school. In her free time, Emma enjoys cooking and baking, as well as staying active through running.

Gabriela Sanchez
Undergraduate Research Assistant

Gabriela Sanchez is a first-year undergraduate student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison majoring in Neurobiology with a Certificate in Global Health. She is a trilingual first-generation college student. From an early age, she has wanted to be a specialized doctor. Over the years, her interest in the healthcare field has grown, and she’s now a Certified Nursing Assistant. She aspires to embrace her rich Hispanic heritage as a doctor by providing health care services and educational resources to underrepresented individuals. On the team, she currently aides with recruitment of participants from Latinx communities by partnering with La Comunidad News. She also contributes to participant recruitment and retention efforts. In her spare time, Gabriela enjoys going on walks, traveling and painting.

Valentina Castano
Undergraduate Research Assistant

Valentina Castano is a first-year undergraduate student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison majoring in Psychology with a Certificate in Global Health. She is a first-generation college student, and is one of 120 New York scholars to receive the Posse foundation full-tuition leadership scholarship at UW-Madison. She aspires to become a Physician Assistant and hopes to one day give back to immigrant communities in New York City. She is a certified Medical Assistant, and has worked for Planned Parenthood of Greater New York as a Youth Educator. On the team, she currently contributes to outreach with Latinx communities by partnering with La Comunidad News. She also contributes to participant recruitment and retention efforts. In her free time, Valentina enjoys traveling, musical theater, movies, going on walks, and ice cream.

Shubhangi Sneha
Undergraduate Research Assistant

Shubhangi Sneha is a first-year undergraduate student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison majoring in Biology. She became drawn to the healthcare field at a young age when she witnessed how doctors had the power to heal others, and thus her ambition to help others grew. She has continued taking steps in this journey by volunteering at hospitals and joining student organizations that provide more insight into medicine, and in the future, hopes to develop the knowledge and expertise that physicians have to heal others. On the team, she contributes to participant recruitment and retention efforts. In her spare time, Shubhangi enjoys playing volleyball, staying active, and spending time with her friends.