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.
Armanjot Lakhen, BS
Clinical Research Coordinator
Armanjot graduated in 2022 from UIC in Biological Sciences with a concentration in Molecular and Cellular Biology. He has been with the Happy Lab since February 2020 and is very interested in studies involving biology, psychology, and medicine.
In the future, he aims to build a career that allows him to work in psychiatry and learn more about the human body.
Nam Nguyen, BS
Post-bac Research Assistant
Nam graduated from UIC with a degree in Neuroscience, 2022. He is currently studying hard for medical school and also working as a medical assistant at a Neurology clinic. He enjoys camping and exploring different cuisines throughout Chicago :)
Nida Ullah
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Nida is a Senior at UIC majoring in psychology. She has future career goals in the health field, with a particular interest in working with under-served communities. In her free time, she enjoys long walks with her dog, and drinking coffee :)
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.
Drey Maton
Research Aide
Drey is a Senior student-athlete (Go Flames!) majoring in Neuroscience with a minor in Spanish for the Professions. He joined the lab in May 2021 and has a career goal in medicine. He runs cross country and track and field as a UIC Flame.
Devin Peterson
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Devin is currently a senior at UIC majoring in Neuroscience. He joined the lab in the Fall of 2022 and wants to obtain a PhD in the Neuroscience field.
Yusra Ahmed
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Yusra is a student at UIC majoring 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.
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.
Mumin Ragbie
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Mumin is an aspiring Clinical Psychology Ph.D./PsyD graduate and an undergraduate UIC student. He is currently pursuing a psychology major and a sociology minor.
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.
The HAPPY Lab Team
Megan Sia
now: Undergraduate Student, UIUC
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