ONEMIND Research Team

Dr. Eric Garland, Ph.D., LCSW

Dr. Eric Garland, PhD, LCSW is Endowed Professor in Health Sciences at the Sanford Institute for Empathy and Compassion, Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and the Center for Addiction Science and Treatment at the University of California San Diego, and Director of UCSD ONEMIND (Optimized Neuroscience Enhanced Mindfulness Intervention Development). Formerly, Dr. Garland served as the Distinguished Endowed Chair in Research, Distinguished Professor, and Associate Dean for Research in the University of Utah College of Social Work and Associate Director of Integrative Medicine in Supportive Oncology and Survivorship at the Huntsman Cancer Institute. Dr. Garland is the developer of an innovative mindfulness-based intervention founded on insights derived from cognitive, affective, and neurobiological science, called Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement (MORE). As Principal Investigator or Co-Investigator, he has received more than $90 million in research grants from a variety of prestigious entities including the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Department of Defense (DOD), and the Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) to conduct bio-behavioral clinical trials to develop and test novel integrative health interventions, including trials of MORE as a treatment for addiction and chronic pain. In recognition of his expertise in mindfulness research, in 2012 Dr. Garland was named Fellow of the Mind and Life Institute, the world’s premier, multidisciplinary organization for the scientific study of contemplative practices, and in 2019 was inducted as a Fellow into the American Academy of Social Work and Social Welfare. Dr. Garland served as Chair of the Research Working Group of the National Academic Consortium for Integrative Medicine and Health, and in 2019 was appointed by NIH Director Dr. Francis Collins to the NIH HEAL Multi-Disciplinary Working Group comprised of national experts on pain and addiction research to help guide the nation’s $2+ billion HEAL initiative to use science to halt the opioid crisis. Dr. Garland has briefed federal policymakers on MORE as a treatment to halt the opioid crisis: in 2023, Dr. Garland briefed the Director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), and in 2024, he was invited to the House of Representatives on Capitol Hill to brief the Congressional Addiction Treatment and Recovery Caucus.

Dr. Garland has had over 270 scientific articles and book chapters published in respected, peer-reviewed outlets. In a recent bibliometric analysis of mindfulness research published over the past 55 years, Dr. Garland was found to be the most prolific author of mindfulness research in the world. His work has been covered in multiple news outlets, including CNN, the New York Times, Time, National Public Radio (NPR), the LA Times, and U.S. News and World Report.

To complement his expertise in clinical research, Dr. Garland is a licensed psychotherapist (LCSW) with more than 20 years of clinical experience working with persons suffering from addictive behaviors, mood disorders, traumatic stress, chronic pain, and psychosomatic conditions. He has provided mindfulness-based therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and clinical hypnosis for these patients across a wide range of integrative medicine and mental health settings. In recognition of his expertise as a psychotherapist, in 2015 Dr. Garland was elected Distinguished Fellow of the National Academies of Practice.

Kelly Hendrickson, M.S., LASUDC, ACRP-CP

Kelly Hendrickson is a licensed professional with over a decade of experience in mental health therapy, clinical assessment, and research. At UC San Diego, she serves as a Clinical Research Supervisor, currently overseeing therapists and clinical research staff on studies focused on innovative treatments for addiction and chronic pain. She also serves as the lead clinician delivering Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement (MORE)—a therapeutic intervention developed by Dr. Eric Garland—in multiple studies addressing addiction and chronic pain. Previously, Kelly contributed to groundbreaking research on Alzheimer's Disease and a range of mental health conditions, gaining extensive experience in clinical trial design and patient-centered care. A MAPS-trained clinician, she is skilled in providing psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy and has supported numerous participants through psychedelic sessions in research settings. Kelly is passionate about advancing mental health care through evidence-based, transformative therapeutics.  

Dr. Aysenur Okan, Ph.D.

Dr. Okan is a postdoctoral scholar whose research examines how emotions shape learning, decision-making, and impulsive behavior. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Boğaziçi University and her master’s degree in Neuroscience from Koç University. She received her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she completed a formal concentration in Quantitative Psychology and conducted research in computational neuroscience. 

Her research focuses on the dynamics of learning and decision-making underlying negative affect-driven impulsivity, with particular attention to the role of emotion in value-based decision-making. She is interested in understanding how maladaptive behaviors and rigid patterns of thinking can emerge during negative mood states, particularly when individuals must allocate limited cognitive and behavioral resources across competing goals—such as regulating emotions while pursuing practical, longer-term goals. 

To investigate these questions, Dr. Okan uses a multi-method approach that integrates computational and quantitative modeling, neuroimaging, and clinical research. Her work examines higher-order cognitive processes that support generalization and value-based decision-making, including attention, cognitive control, and prioritized memory access. Ultimately, she aims to develop algorithmic models of harmful behaviors—including self-harm, hazardous substance use, and interpersonal reactivity—that better capture the complexity of behavior in real-world contexts and incorporate emotion regulation as a meaningful goal in decision-making. 

Clinically, Dr. Okan has over a decade of experience in psychological assessment and intervention across individual, couples, and group settings. Her clinical experience spans outpatient, partial hospitalization, residential, and inpatient levels of care. She has specialized training and experience in the assessment and treatment of transdiagnostic manifestations of impulsive decision-making, including those occurring in the context of post-traumatic stress disorder, alcohol and substance use disorders, self-harm and suicidality, interpersonal reactivity, and personality disorders. 

Across her research and clinical work, Dr. Okan is interested in understanding the mechanisms that contribute to maladaptive behavior—and in using this understanding to inform more precise, ecologically valid approaches to research and clinical care. 

Jesse Barrera, B.A., Ph.D. Student

Jesse is a PhD student in the SDSU/UC San Diego Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology, advised by Dr. Eric Garland. He is a 2026 recipient of the Katzin Prize, offered to a handful of the top incoming doctoral students at UC San Diego.  Jesse’s research interests primarily concern the role of self-transcendence as a therapeutic mechanism of contemplative and psychedelic-based treatments for addiction. He is particularly interested in applying predictive processing and dynamical systems frameworks to understand how self-transcendent experiences alter high-level priors and attractor states in the brain.

Prior to joining ONEMIND, Jesse worked as a lab manager and research coordinator at multiple labs across the departments of psychology and psychiatry at Stanford University. Through this work he developed a keen interest in how core beliefs about the self, world, and the nature of pleasure, pain, and stress contribute to mental illness. Jesse graduated magna cum laude with a BA in Philosophy from Harvard University, where he wrote a senior thesis offering a novel formulation of welfare hedonism as a philosophy of well-being.

Outside of the lab, Jesse enjoys watching baseball, hiking, and playing guitar. He is also, at the ripe-old-age of 28, trying to learn to ride a skateboard for the very first time. 

Hannah Pfeffer, LMSW

Hannah Pfeffer is a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) and clinical research coordinator who has been working in behavioral health research since 2017. She has contributed to studies focused on psychedelic-assisted therapies, as well as clinical research in chronic pain and opioid use disorder. Her work includes serving as both a coordinator and therapist on studies using Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement (MORE).

Based in Connecticut, Hannah enjoys spending her time outside of work gardening, teaching spin classes, hunting, fishing, needlepointing, and paddleboarding with her dog.

Emily Hearne, MSW, LCSW

Emily is a clinical research coordinator-assistant and holds a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree from the University of Utah and is currently a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) working with children, teens, and families at a private clinic in Utah. Her current research interests focus on the application of mindfulness techniques for managing chronic pain, smoking, and substance use. Looking ahead, Emily is particularly interested in exploring mindfulness as a therapeutic tool for self-harm and investigating the relationship between pain, substance use, and mental health in teens and young adults.

Kobe Hanson, B.S.

Kobe is a clinical research coordinator-assistant and earned his B.S. degrees in both Biochemistry and Psychology from the University of Minnesota in 2023. He is currently working on the MIRHIQL chronic pain study, which compares provider-based chronic pain management visits with or without an added mindfulness-based intervention (MORE). His research interests focus on addiction recovery, mindfulness practices, and the therapeutic use of psychedelics. In his free time, Kobe enjoys spending time hiking, playing basketball, and reading.

Elizabeth Bridge, B.S.

Elizabeth is a research laboratory assistant and earned her Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a Minor in Cognitive Science from the University of Utah in 2023. She is currently part of a research team studying smoking cessation and chronic pain management, where she focuses on how Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement (MORE) therapy can help individuals with Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) reduce nicotine cravings and find relief from chronic pain. Additionally, she is continuing her education at the University of Utah, pursuing a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC).

Lori Kroh, B.S., CMC, CRMT, CYT200

Lori ("Sway") is a research laboratory assistant, and earned her B.S. degree in Cognitive & Behavioral Neuroscience from UC San Diego. She is currently heading a pilot mechanistic study (SYNC) investigating interpersonal brain function in opioid use, providing meditation interventions while measuring dyadic physiological data. She is also involved in the MIRHIQL study for chronic pain care management, and assisting with KetaMORE, which is a phase II Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy intervention study. She relocated from WA state, and, with a 17 year background in massage therapy and wellness instruction, Lori has cultivated a strong ambition to study mindbody interventions such as mindfulness, somatic therapies, and movement. Her interests include neuroimaging and electrophysiology, neuroplasticity, habit, movement, emotion, chronic pain, and psychopharmacology, particularly that of psychedelics. When she isn't in the lab, she enjoys spending time outdoors with her partner and dog, yoga, baking, reading, and rollerskating.

Carmen Blum, B.S.

Carmen Blum is a laboratory assistant who earned her B.S. in Clinical Psychology from UC San Diego in 2023. She spent the following two years treating adolescents with eating disorders at the residential level. Here she developed an interest in the power of group therapy and alternative interventions for biopsychosocial disorders such as eating disorders and chronic pain, as well as a curiosity about how neuroimaging and electrophysiology can help illuminate the effectiveness of these clinical interventions. These interests led her to ONEMIND, where Carmen now works on the Neural Mechanisms of Meditation-Based Interventions for Chronic Low Back Pain (CLBP) study. She plans to pursue a doctorate in clinical psychology, with the goal of improving treatment for the adolescent populations that first drew her to this work. Outside of the lab, Carmen spends her time backpacking, gardening, and enjoying all the outdoor delights San Diego has to offer.

Anjelica Pantoja, B.S.

Anjelica is a research laboratory assistant at ONEMIND and earned her B.S. in Clinical Psychology at UC San Diego. She is currently working on the KetaMORE study which is looking to evaluate the efficacy of Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy in conjunction with Mindfulness Orientated Recovery Enhancement (MORE) for patients with treatment-resistant opioid use disorder. Her research interests focus on novel treatment methods for substance use disorders, and neuroimaging. In her free time, Anjelica enjoys swimming at the beach, cooking, and collecting vinyl records. 

Jahred Rosa-Sullivan, M.A.

Jahred is a laboratory assistant in UCSD's Department of Psychiatry. He recently earned a Master of Arts (M.A.) from the University of Virginia (UVA) in Religious Studies, the largest department across all national public universities. Before this, Jahred earned a B.A. in Psychology from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), graduating Summa Cum Laude and in three years. Jahred has worked as a research assistant in several neuroscience and clinical science labs, and he was among the first lab coordinators of the Contemplative Innovation + Research Co-Lab (CIRCL) at UVA. During this time, he was awarded a Varela Grant to train in neurophenomenology and study nondual meditation traditions. Jahred aspires to enroll in a Ph.D. program in behavioral or clinical science to continue researching the applications and accessibility of programmatic contemplative practices for ameliorating chronic illnesses. While in the ONEMIND lab, his primary focus is supporting the MIRHIQL study.

Veronica Szpak, M.S.

Megan Lu, B.S.

Dani Kaur

Dani Kaur is a laboratory volunteer and undergraduate student at UC San Diego, majoring in neurobiology. She is passionate about the mind-body connection, with an interest in how neuroplasticity shapes the brain in response to one's physical and mental well-being. Dani is the author of "Fulfill Your Life," a personal development book to help people develop a growth mindset and time-management skills. She is also a certified Pilates instructor and is committed to helping others live healthier and happier lives. 

Saloni Patel

Saloni is a laboratory volunteer and a junior undergraduate studying Cognitive Science and Biology at UC San Diego. She is interested in exploring the neurobiological mechanisms underlying mindfulness, empathy, and compassion, particularly how these insights might inform interventions to enhance wellbeing and health. Outside the lab, she enjoys painting, hiking, and spending time at the beach.

Kylie Andrew

Kylie is a laboratory volunteer, graduating senior at UC San Diego majoring in Cognitive Science with a specialization in Neuroscience. She is interested in advancing mindfulness research to better understand and support mental health and resilience. She aspires to a career in military medicine, where she hopes to integrate evidence-based mindfulness into the care of veterans and service members. Outside the lab, she enjoys surfing, competitive powerlifting, road trips, and many creative hobbies.

Jade Paschall

Jade is a laboratory volunteer at ONEMIND Lab and an undergraduate at UC San Diego majoring in Cognitive & Behavioral Neuroscience and Public Health, with a minor in General Biology. She supports research efforts, helping with participant assessment across ongoing studies. Her experience in behavioral health, and community care strengthens her interest with ONEMIND commitment to advancing scientific research. Jade plans to pursue a PhD in neuroscience to study chronic pain and addiction to improve outcomes for underserved populations.

Diego Ramirez

Diego Ramirez is a laboratory volunteer and an undergraduate at UC San Diego majoring in
Clinical Psychology with a minor in Cognitive Science. He is interested in improving emotional
well-being and psychological strengths for those struggling with addictive behavior. More
specifically, he is drawn to how self-regulation can be enhanced from a neuroscience-based
approach. He plans to pursue a doctorate in Clinical Psychology to become a licensed clinician
using mindfulness-based techniques to treat substance use disorders and addiction. Outside of
the lab, he loves cooking, playing guitar, running, reading, and spending time absorbing
podcasts.

Jayanthi Chelliserry

Jayanthi is a laboratory volunteer and undergraduate student at UC San Diego majoring in Clinical Psychology, with a minor in Global Health. As a meditation practitioner herself, she is interested in understanding how mindfulness-based interventions influence emotional regulation and impact psychiatric outcomes. She is also intrigued by the use of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapies to induce self-transcendence experiences and improve psychological well-being. In the future, she plans to pursue a psychology doctorate and hopefully have a private practice of her own integrating spiritual and mindfulness-based practices.