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), a patient-oriented weight loss maintenance intervention (MAINTAIN), and a partner-assisted intervention for weight loss (Partner2Lose). She is currently PI of the Log2Lose trial.

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.

Allison Hung, MPH
Researcher II

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.

Fiona Robertson, BS
Research Specialist

Fiona obtained a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Edgewood College in 2021. Prior to joining the team, Fiona worked for a local non-profit, helping to establish several community wellness clinics and as an administrative assistant and community engagement specialist for an organization providing services to young adults with disabilities. She is passionate about both mental and physical health, and how these intertwine to contribute to overall wellness. Fiona currently provides support in participant recruitment, enrollment and retention. Outside of work, Fiona spends her time rock climbing, mountain biking, and cooking.

Jamie Colon, BS
Research Specialist

Jamie Colon received her BS in Human Development and Family Studies from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She is passionate about improving health outcomes within the BIPOC community, and has volunteered for several non-profit organizations serving the homeless community and uninsured patients in the Madison area. Prior to joining WiSOR, she provided project management and data collection for federally-funded studies understanding pancreatic beta cell biology in diabetes pathogenesis. On the team, she provides support with participant recruitment, enrollment, and retention. In her free time, she enjoys spending time outdoors, learning new recipes, volunteering, and reading.

Rachael Whitted, MS, RD
Research Dietitian 

Rachael earned her MS in Clinical Nutrition and completed her Dietetic Internship through University at Buffalo. She received her BS in Dietetics from Michigan State University. Rachael brings expertise in providing nutrition education and counseling in both group and one on one settings. She has spent much of her career in the maternal infant health space as a WIC clinic manager. Her experience also includes research with the University of Michigan, exploring novel therapy programs relating to perinatal depression. Outside of work, she enjoys baking, hiking and traveling.

Katya Garza, MPH
Researcher I

Katya earned a MS in Biomedical Science and an MPH in Epidemiology and Biostatistics at Tufts University School of Medicine in 2023. She received her BS in Neurobiology and Spanish from the University of Wisconsin – Madison in 2021. As a member of the Voils’ team, she has had the opportunity to work on multiple VA and NIH weight management interventions. Additionally, she has conducted qualitative and quantitative research at Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Institute and Massachusetts General Hospital. She is passionate about increasing the recruitment and retention of diverse population in clinical research in order to improve health outcomes. Outside of work, Katya enjoys going to concerts and trying new food.

Hisham Ahmad, BA
Research Specialist

Hisham earned his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Northwestern University in 2023. Prior to joining the team, Hisham co-founded a Mental Health Initiative for Muslim students at his university, seeking to provide a marginalized community with access to much-needed mental health resources. Hisham’s enthusiasm for mental health also extends to the realm of physical wellbeing, where he attempts to explore the intricate connection between the two in order to foster holistic wellness. With the team, he provides support with participant recruitment, enrollment, and retention. In his free time, he enjoys playing sports, reading, weightlifting, and spending time with family.

Vishala Parmasad, MBBS, PhD
Scientist II

Vishala Parmasad completed her PhD in Anthropology at the University of British Columbia, Canada, her MSc at University College London, UK, and her MBBS/MD at the University of the West Indies, Trinidad and Tobago. Prior to joining Dr. Voils team, she worked in the Department of Medicine at UW Madison, in the Division of Infectious Diseases. She performed research into healthcare associated infections, antibiotic stewardship, and COVID-19. She has experience conducting implementation science, qualitative, and mixed methods research and working with clinicians and patient populations. On the team, she conducts research and improves health care quality and outcomes through providing research support for Dr. Voils’ VA and NIH funded trials. Outside of work, Vishala enjoys hiking, reading, kayaking, and traveling.

Emma Nockerts
Undergraduate Research Assistant

Emma Nockerts is a senior 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.

Shubhangi Sneha
Undergraduate Research Assistant

Shubhangi Sneha is a third-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.

Gabrielle Acevedo
Undergraduate Research Assistant

Gabrielle Acevedo is a second-year undergraduate student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison majoring in Health Promotion & Health Equity with a Certificate in Entrepreneurship. Gabrielle has been actively involved with the University of Wisconsin’s PEOPLE Program since her first year of high school, as part of her long-term goal to eventually attend physician assistant school and open a medical practice targeted at treating and supporting low-income families. She aspires to become a pediatric physician assistant. In addition to assisting with the Voils Lab, Gabrielle also works as a phone interviewer for the University of Wisconsin-Madison Survey Center. In her spare time, Gabrielle enjoys reading, traveling, and baking.

Adriana Xiong
Undergraduate Research Assistant

Adriana Xiong is a second-year undergraduate student at the University of Wisconsin–Madison double majoring in Nursing and Psychology with a Certificate in Asian American Studies. Adriana is passionate about helping others, volunteering, building stronger community engagement, and giving back in the Hmong and Hispanic communities. She is a Certified Nurse Aide where she promotes a positive healing environment and delivers high quality nursing care with dignity and respect to her patients. In the future, she strives to further advance her career in healthcare, develop her leadership roles in the community, and focus on building stronger relationships to increase health awareness and better public health.  On the team, she contributes to participant recruitment and retention efforts. In her free time, Adriana enjoys reading, gardening, volunteering in the community, and traveling.

Kayla Lemens
Undergraduate Research Assistant

Kayla Lemens is a second-year undergraduate student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison majoring in genetics with certificates in French, as well as Health and Humanities. Kayla became interested in genetics when she joined the Science Olympiad team at her high school. In the future, she is hoping to pursue genetic counseling, or participate in further genetic research. In the lab, she assists with participant recruitment, retention and qualitative coding. In her free time, Kayla volunteers as princess Rapunzel and visits underserved children in the community. She also loves to read, sew, and cook.

Karly Konik
Undergraduate Research Assistant

Karly is a fourth-year undergraduate student majoring in psychology. She is passionate about mental health and overall wellbeing, especially in relation to young adults. Karly has experience working at a counseling center with youth from underserved populations as an assistant advocate, inspiring her to pursue a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology post-grad. In the lab, she assists the dietitians with co-piloting virtual classes. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, reading, yoga, and spending time with her friends.

Myla Riehl
Undergraduate Research Assistant

Myla Riehl is a third-year undergraduate student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison majoring in Biology with Certificates in Global Health and Leadership. Myla is extremely eager to help others, volunteer, and be involved in civic engagement. She is immensely involved in a variety of student organizations on campus. She serves as the rush and retention director of Alpha Phi Omega, a service fraternity. In this role, she assists new members with their adjustment and encourages active participation, demonstrating her dedicated and hands-on approach to community involvement. Through this organization, she has gained leadership, problem-solving, teamwork, and communication skills. In the future, she is dedicated to advancing her career in healthcare by becoming a physician. In her free time, Myla enjoys working out, volunteering, cooking/baking, traveling, and spending time with friends and family.

Anna Rifkin
Undergraduate Research Assistant

Anna Rifkin is a third-year undergraduate student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison majoring in Psychology with a certificate in Health and the Humanities. She has a strong interest in medicine and public health with hopes to pursue a MD/MPH. She has experience working as an EMT, where she enhanced her skills of patient care and communication with a healthcare team. In the lab, she assists the dietitians with co-piloting virtual classes. In her free time, Anna enjoys traveling, reading, and spending time with family and friends.

Chloe’ Mayfield, BS

Chloe’ Mayfield received her BS in Rehabilitation Psychology with certificates in Athletic Healthcare and Leadership at University of Wisconsin-Madison. She is passionate about aiding people from the BIPOC community helping to increase accessibility and awareness to their health. She has experience working as a certified nursing assistant at a nursing home in the memory care unit. Additionally she has helped with research projects regarding patients that have gone through amputation surgery studying how effective physical and occupational therapy are for their inpatient recovery process. On the team she assists with participant recruitment, retention, and community outreach with the African American Community in Dane County. Chloe’ enjoys traveling, spending time with family, trying out new restaurants, and watching movies.

Karina Melendez, BS

Karina Melendez received her BS in Biochemistry with a certificate in Chican@ & Latin@ Studies from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She aspires to create a culturally responsive and inclusive environment to help families navigate their healthcare both physical and mental. She has experience in qualitative research, survey programming, and creating or reconstructing educational models to improve their inclusivity among groups. On the team, she contributes to recruitment and retention efforts. In her free time, Karina enjoys cooking Puerto Rican and Mexican cuisine, painting, and traveling.

Armaan Shetty, BS

Armaan Shetty graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2023 with a double major in Psychology and Economics. He is currently pursuing a PhD in clinical psychology from the University of Florida. Armaan was a member of the Voils team from 2019 to 2023. He helped with many study activities, including class materials used by the registered dietitians in their virtual classes, videos to demonstrate exercises and data collection procedures, data entry, transfer, and security, as well as scheduling and programming. One of his biggest passions and main hobbies is playing soccer. During college, Armaan played soccer with a travel team in Milwaukee.

Ellie Boisjolie

Ellie Boisjolie is a recent graduate of 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.

Gabriela Sanchez

Gabriela Sanchez is a second-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.