The Living Free Lab Team

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rwgoode@email.unc.edu
919-962-6429
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Rachel W. Goode, PhD, MPH, LCSW

Assistant Professor
Lab Director and Principal Investigator, Living F.R.E.E. Lab

Dr. Goode is an Assistant Professor at the School of Social Work, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC-Chapel Hill). She received her PhD, MPH, and MSW from the University of Pittsburgh. Her research interests include developing, implementing, and evaluating interventions to address racial/ethnic and socioeconomic disparities in obesity and eating disorders. Her research has been funded by the NIH, National Eating Disorders Association, Albert Schweitzer Fellowship, Magee Womens Research Institute, and the University Research Council at UNC-Chapel Hill. Additionally, Dr. Goode is a licensed clinical social worker, and has practice experience with the treatment of eating disorders and obesity among clients in university counseling centers, and community-based mental health agencies. She has been fortunate to be the recipient of various awards, including the Oprah Civic Leadership Award, National Health, Lung, Blood Institute (NIH) Research Service Award, and the Outstanding Dissertation Award from the Society of Behavioral Medicine.

The Lab Team

Hannah Malian, BS

Senior Research Assistant

Hannah is a Master of Public Health–Nutrition student at UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health. Hannah received her B.S. in Nutrition and Exercise from Virginia Tech. Prior to coming to UNC, she worked as a Clinical Research Coordinator at Duke University where she expanded her knowledge on chronic diseases and anxiety disorders. Hannah is also involved with a grant-funded, student-run, group that provides fresh foods to food-insecure patients in the Triangle area. Her experience in clinical research and food insecurity helped develop Hannah’s research interests, which include: metabolism, food psychology, and how to improve food and nutrition accessibility for minority or low SES populations. Hannah is excited to join the Living F.R.E.E. Lab to address disordered eating habits and implement effective interventions.

Dani Coan
RESEARCH ASSISTANT

Dani Coan is a third-year student at North Carolina State University majoring in social work and minoring in theater. She has worked on multiple research topics, including disaster-preparedness, treatment outcomes in CBT relating to gender differences, complex trauma, and resilience in refugees. Dani plans to pursue a career in research, focusing specifically on the impact of culture and race in eating disorder diagnosis and treatment.

Megan Crowley, BA

Graduate Research Assistant

Megan K. Crowley is a Masters of Social Work student at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Megan received her Bachelor’s Degree in Film, Television, & Theatre and American Studies at the University of Notre Dame. This is the first opportunity for Megan to be a research assistant. She is very happy to have this opportunity to work in the Living F.R.E.E. Lab as she is interested in eating habits, especially in lower SES communities.

Lisette Bahena

Research Volunteer

Lisette is a senior at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and will graduate in May 2021 with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a minor in neuroscience. After her undergraduate studies, Lisette plans to continue doing research before applying for graduate school. Lisette plans to pursue a career in research to focus on eating disorders and addiction, specifically helping those who come from underrepresented communities where mental health services are lacking.

Shepard Williamson

Research intern

Shepard will graduate from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in May 2021 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Development and Family Studies. Following her undergraduate studies, she will start nursing school at Emory University. This is the first opportunity that Shepard has had to be a research assistant. She is thrilled to be a part of this team and to study the complexities of eating disorders in underrepresented communities.