Lab Coordinators

Jackie began her journey at WashU in 2021 as the Project Coordinator for the SPAN Study. Her passion for understanding how life experiences impact future generations drove her work in intergenerational research. Now an alumna, Jackie is stepping into a new role as Senior Clinical Research Coordinator for Pediatric Orthopedic Surgery, where she will continue to apply her skills in research coordination and leadership. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her wife, fishing with her daughter, and traveling to new destinations.

Abigail joined Washington University in 2022 as the Human Subject Coordinator for the BRAIN Lab after earning her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Maryville University. She is currently pursuing her M.S. in Forensic Psychology at Liberty University. She is interested in the intersection of human behavior and criminal justice, specifically with at-risk youth and individuals with mental health disorders. Outside of the lab, Abigail enjoys reading, mixed media art, and traveling. Fun fact: Abigail also has a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Studio Arts – Mixed Media & Ceramics.

Sawsan started at Washington University in summer of 2019, after graduating with her masters in Public Health from Saint Louis University. Her love for research and appreciation of longitudinal studies were the perfect ingredients for an organized Project Coordinator at the SPAN Lab. After spending a little over 2 years with us, she continued her work in Public Health by working as a Project Coordinator for a local, community-based project seeking to increase COVID-19 vaccination access in North St. Louis neighborhoods.  Sawsan is now working toward her PhD in Public Health at Penn State University.

In her free time, Sawsan enjoys many things including a fresh cup of coffee, documentaries, and dabbling in different forms of art.

Christina was the 2nd Project Coordinator of the SPAN Lab. She joined our lab after earning her Ph.D. in experimental psychology at Saint Louis University, where her dissertation was concerned with interoceptive awareness and cognitive empathy.  She is currently a behavioral scientist and senior strategist in market research, applying her deep knowledge of human behavior to provide solutions for healthcare and pharmaceutical companies.

Merlyn is currently a Senior Research Coordinator overseeing 3 clinical trials at the Department of Medicine, Section of Health Services Research, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas.

Merlyn served as the project coordinator for the SPAN lab from 2007 – 2016 and set the tone for its early success. Prior to joining the SPAN lab, Merlyn coordinated two epidemiological studies in India on mental and reproductive health in collaboration with the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.

Over the span of 20 years, Merlyn has been a project coordinator on dozens of NIH, VA, and foundation-funded research projects. While her research interests are multifaceted, she is drawn towards projects that are geared at improving mental health and wellbeing. In her free time she enjoys dancing, interior decoration and shopping.