The HAPPY Lab Team

The HAPPY Lab research team, led by Dr. Emma Childs, consists of experienced clinical research coordinators, nursing staff, a psychiatrist, and undergraduate student research associates.

If you are interested in training opportunities at the HAPPY Lab, please email Dr. Childs.

Emma Childs, PhD

Principal Investigator

Emma is an Associate Professor in the Department of

Psychiatry and Director of The HAPPY Lab.

She graduated from King's College London, UK, with degrees in Pharmacology (BSc), Neuroscience (MSc), and Behavioural Pharmacology (PhD, PI: Dr. Ian Stolerman). She then completed postdoctoral training in Human Behavioral Pharmacology with Dr. Harriet de Wit at the University of Chicago.

Nida Ullah, BS

Clinical Research Coordinator

Nida graduated with a major in psychology in 2024 and is currently applying to medical school, hoping to practice community-based care to Chicago's underserved populations. In her freetime, she loves spending time with her dog, drinking lots of coffee, and taking loooong walks. :)

Phimvana Boonliam, BS

Clinical Research Coordinator

Phimvana graduated from UIC with a degree in Integrated Health Science. She finished 2 years of the psychology post-baccalaureate program at UIC and is now a full-time researcher in the HAPPY Lab. She is an aspiring clinical psychologist.

Yusra Ahmed, BS

Graduate Research Assistant

Yusra graduated from UIC with a major in Biological Sciences. She is interested in learning more about clinical psychiatry and is keen to understand addictive disorders and how they impact people’s behavior and physiology.

The HAPPY Lab is located on the UIC Medical Campus in the Near West community of Chicago. We are based in the Psychiatric Institute building

(SPHPI) at the corner of Ashland and Taylor.

1601 W Taylor St, Suite 318, Chicago, IL 60612.

Map Directions

Diya Kamath

IMSA Student Trainee

Diya Kamath is a student at the Illinois Math and Science Academy. Her current research focuses on understanding the transition from recreational to compulsive opioid use and its connection to the affordability and accessibility of opioid overdose medication.

Ellen Nguyen

IMSA Student Trainee

Ellen is a current high school senior attending the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy. Her current independent study observes how drinking cultures affect substance use across different countries.

Fope Ojomalade

IMSA Student Trainee

Fope Ojomalade is a junior in high school and a participant in the Scientific Inquiry and Research Program. She likes sociology, psychology, and enjoys watching television, listening to music, playing tennis and soccer, and running!

Shanya Yang

IMSA Student Trainee

Shanya is a high school junior pursuing a Student Inquiry Project under the IMSA. She enjoys kayaking and going out for walks in nature and aims to pursue careers in medicine and public health.

Medical Staff

Our Collaborators

Pauline Maki

Professor of Psychiatry, Psychology and Obstetrics & Gynecology

Dr. Maki is an internationally recognized expert in women’s mental health research. She is Director of the Women’s Mental Health Research Program and Senior Director of Research at the Center for Research on Women and Gender at UIC. Learn more

Tori Eisenlohr-Moul

Assistant Professor of Psychiatry

and Psychology

Dr. Eisenlohr-Moul is an international expert in the pathophysiology, assessment, and treatment of premenstrual dysphoric disorder and cyclical exacerbation of other psychiatric disorders. She is Associate Director of Translational Research in Women’s Mental Health at UIC. Learn more

Aneet Y. Ahluwalia MD

Assistant Professor of Psychiatry

and Internal Medicine

Dr. Ahluwahlia is the HAPPY Lab study physician who provides care and safety oversight for participants in our studies. He is Director of the inpatient psychiatry consult-liaison service at UIHealth and also a board certified internist providing primary care and inpatient internal medicine coverage.

Ana-Leonor Jay

Research Nurse

Ana provides support and safety oversight for procedures in our research studies. Her primary interests are in reproductive health and she also conducts research into Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome in the Laboratory for Reproductive Endocrine and Inflammation Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at UIC. Click here to read about the study.