Wu Team Members
Current Members
Yelena P. Wu, PhD
Dr. Wu is a licensed clinical psychologist. Her research focuses on skin cancer prevention and behavioral interventions to support young populations, families, and communities in engaging in sun-safe practices.
Nathan received his Bachelor of Science degree in neuroscience from Brigham Young University in the spring of 2024. In July 2024, he joined Dr. Wu’s team as a study coordinator helping with the SHINE and RAYS studies. He has research experience researching the effects of stress on reward processing and error awareness working as a lab manager in a clinical neuropsychology lab at BYU.
With a background as a tennis instructor working with children and adolescents, he is excited about contributing to research that aims to prevent melanoma in these vulnerable populations. Nathan plans on attending medical school after his time with the Wu team.
Sarah received her BS in nutrition from UNC Greensboro in 2018 and then her Master of Public Health from UNC Chapel Hill in 2020. She is passionate about anything and everything related to public health, especially nutrition and health equity. She enjoys being on the implementation and coordination end of the research process where she can build relationships directly with the community and plan out study activities. Sarah joined the Wu Team in November 2021 as a health navigator for the SCALE-UP Counts study and now is the clinical research coordinator for the SHINE study since May of 2023.
Michael received his Bachelors of Science degree in psychology from Utah Tech University in 2022 where he worked in a research lab focused on studying attachment styles and trauma. During his college years, Michael had the opportunity to work in a variety of mental health fields from neuroscience treatments to wilderness therapy which strengthened his passion for interdisciplinary approaches to wellness.
After taking a year off to backpack South America, Michael joined Dr. Wu’s team as a research assistant for the RISE-UP study in December 2023. Michael plans on pursuing a PhD in clinical psychology where he will continue using interdisciplinary methods to promote a healthy mind and body.
Kendra graduated from Southern Utah University in December 2023 with her Bachelor of Arts in psychology, with minors in Spanish and family services. Kendra joined the Wu Team in May 2024 as a research assistant/analyst. After attending university in a rural area, she is excited to learn more about the health education and access disparities across rural communities and is anxious to help minimize these disparities wherever possible. Looking forward, Kendra plans to attend graduate school to get a master's degree in communication.
Nathan Shen is a clinical melanoma research fellow at the Huntsman Cancer Center who recently completed his 3rd year of medical school at Central Michigan University College of Medicine. Nathan graduated undergraduate at the University of Michigan where he majored in biomolecular science and economics, and completed a minor at the Ross School of Business. Prior to medical school, he worked for two years as a supply chain and information technology analyst. Nathan’s prior research has focused on oncology, and he is currently interested in finding methods to reduce incidence of melanoma, and improve melanoma treatment outcomes.
Dr. Stump is a social and health psychologist (PhD, University of Utah, 2016) whose research focuses on health promotion among populations with an elevated risk of cancer. She develops and tests interventions that are guided by a nuanced understanding of the multiple factors that influence behavior, including the interplay among health behaviors (e.g., sun protection and outdoor physical activity). Dr. Stump is the principal investigator of two mobile health interventions targeting sun exposure: EUREKA, for children and families; and SESAME, an NCI-funded program for melanoma survivors. She also leads a translational science pilot project examining the implementation of sun protection education in rural high schools (STARS).
Ben earned his Bachelor of Science in Human Physiology from Boston University in 2023 and became a clinical research coordinator for the RISE-UP study with the Wu Team in August 2024. He comes from a background in cardio-oncology research, clinical medicine as a research assistant, and EMT-Firefighter back in Boston. Ben looks forward to making immediate differences in his community through research at Huntsman Cancer Institute. When he's not immersed in the lab, Ben enjoys hiking, skiing, and supporting local Utah sports teams.
Kate received her Bachelor of Science in Public Health with an emphasis in health education and promotion from Brigham Young University Idaho. The last few years of her professional experience she has focused on improving health equity and overcoming health disparities in vulnerable populations. Kate is passionate about empowering families and communities to improve their mental and physical health through better access to health services and education. She joined the Wu Team in November 2022, working across multiple melanoma prevention studies, and now is the clinical research coordinator for the RAYS study.
Liberty received her Bachelor of Science in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from the University of Michigan in 2020. She has research experience in disease ecology, evolutionary trade-offs, and cancer research studying immune evasive mechanisms of tumor initiating stem cells. She cares about research on cancer prevention and treatment, women’s health, mental health, and environmental sustainability. Liberty joined the Wu Team in October 2022 as a clinical research coordinator for the RISE-UP study, and she is really excited to work with this awesome team.
Former Members
| Name | Former Title |
| Tara Austin, MPH | Research Volunteer |
| Emily Ballard | Research Assistant |
| Linda Barton, BS | Research Volunteer |
| Hannah Brady, MPH, CHES | Study Interventionist/Lead Health Educator |
| Elise Brunsgaard, MD | Postdoc Research Associate |
| Heloisa Caputo, BS | Research Volunteer |
| Michelle Chan | Research Associate |
| Christy Chapman, BS | Health Interventionist |
| Sam Christiansen | Undergraduate Research Assistant |
| Bridgid Mariko Conn, PhD | Research Assistant |
| Malynne Cottam | Health Navigator/Educator |
| Johanna Coy | Administrative Assistant |
| Braden Cunningham | Research Assistant |
| Natalie Flores | |
| Rachel Forrest, BS | Research Volunteer |
| Brynn Fowler, MPH | Research Coordinator |
| Kylie Ginoza | Research Assistant |
| Jacey Jones, BA | Study Coordinator |
| Caroline Joung | Undergraduate Research Assistant |
| Patsaporn Kanokvimankul, BPhar | Research Volunteer |
| Marina Khan, MPA | Research Assistant |
| Kade Kofford | Research Assistant |
| Riley Lensink | Research Volunteer |
| Jessica McPhail, MPH | Research Assistant |
| Tim Michaelis | Medical Student |
| Sanga Mohmand | Research Assistant |
| Ryan Mooney, BS | Research Assistant |
| Elizabeth Nagelhout, MPH | Research Assistant |
| Katy Nottingham, BS | Research Analyst |
| Ali Palmer, BS | Research Assistant |
| Bridget Parsons, MSPH | Clinical Research Coordinator |
| Ayesha Patil, BS | Research Assistant |
| Mackenzie Perkett | Study Navigator |
| Ryan Ring | Administrative Assistant |
| Andrea Rivero | |
| Mahasen Samhouri | Research Assistant |
| Brantley Scott | Research Coordinator |
| Nic Siniscalchi | Clinical Research Coordinator |
| Cameron Smelcer | Research Assistant |
| Heather Smith | |
| Mack Tempero | Research Assistant |
| Monique Tulley-Bahe | Research Intern |
| Andrew Wilson, MSTAT, PhD Candidate | Graduate Student |
| Kelsey Zaugg, BS | Research Volunteer |
| Angela Zhu | Research Assistant |
| Mardi Hepworth | Undergraduate Research Assistant |
| McKenna Hyman | Health Educator |
| Lindsey Anderson, BS | Research Assistant/Analyst |
| Sam Hancock, BS | Study Coordinator |
| Leighann Kolp, MPH | Program Manager |
| Will Tanguy, BS | Study Coordinator |