People
Lab Member
Dr. Joelle T. Taknint
Dr. Joelle T. Taknint is honored to be leading the ANEW lab. Dr. Taknint is a migrant mental health equity researcher, an Assistant Professor in the Counseling Psychology Department, and a licensed psychologist with expertise in psychological assessment, PTSD treatment, and asylum medicine. Dr. Taknint loves mentoring undergraduate and graduate students in research (and clinical work). Feel free to be in touch if you may be interested in exploring a contribution to the research lab. Outside of being a psychologist, Dr. Taknint enjoys playing in the imaginary worlds of her young children, lap swimming, hiking, eating a cheese board, and watching dark comedies with her spouse. Learn more about Dr. Taknint’s research and clinical expertise through her faculty bio here.
Molecula Hopkins-Sheets
Molecula Hopkins-Sheets is a research assistant with the ANEW lab at the University of Wisconsin – Madison and is matriculating at Western University of Health Science’s College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific Northwest this year as a first-year medical student. She received a bachelor’s degree in Health Promotion and Health Equity from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. She is interested in increasing access and acceptability of care in healthcare systems for underserved populations in the United States, with a special interest in women’s and rural health.
Halle Ho-Yee Shen
Halle Ho-Yee Shen (she/hers) is a 2nd year PhD student with the Department of Counseling Psychology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Her current research and clinical interests are working with young adults and children on developing resilience in the mental health dimension.
Prior to coming to UW, Halle got her Bachelor of Science degree in psychology from the University of Maryland College Park in 2023. During her undergrad, she has worked in research labs spanning across the social psychology, counseling psychology, and gender & LGBTQ+ studies. Prior to coming to UW, Halle worked as a full-time research assistant at the National Taiwan University Hospital’s Department of Psychiatry for 1 year on doing research on child ADHD and adult ASD populations. During that time, she also shadowed and observed treatment groups for neurodivergent adolescents and adults on the autism spectrum.
Halle’s future career goal after completing graduate studies is to become a licensed psychologist who works with adolescents and young adults in therapy and assessment settings.
Hanxi Li
Hanxi is a first-year graduate student in the Counseling Psychology program at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. She is passionate about community mental health services and trauma-focused therapy, with particular interests in occupational and chronic trauma, as well as sociopolitical stress.
Prior to coming to Madison, Hanxi worked as a mental health writer and was actively engaged in sex education in China. She also gained clinical experience in hospital and crisis hotline settings.
Outside of the lab, Hanxi enjoys jogging around the city, swimming, collecting photos of chairs in public spaces, and drinking black tea from her hometown.
Emily Guaman
Hi, my name is Emily Guaman. I am a first-generation student from a humble Ecuadorian immigrant background and currently a senior at the University of Wisconsin Madison majoring in Heath promotion and Health equity (HPHE) and I have a certificate in Chicanx and Latinx studies. I am also pre-med, hoping to pursue a career in Pediatrics. I am dedicated to giving back to underserved communities, improving access to quality healthcare, and fostering holistic well-being. I hope to continue promoting health well-being and health equity to underserved communities like the one I grew up in Chicago, I hope to continue my advocacy for these communities through my career. As hobbies, I love to bake, read, and build Legos.
Maddie Dorantes
I am a senior in Rehabilitation Psychology and am interested in assessing the needs of immigrants’ mental health within their communities.
Dolores Liu
Dolores Liu is a second-year undergraduate student at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, majoring in Psychology and Statistics. She is interested in family dynamics, cross-cultural experiences, and trauma. Outside the lab, she enjoys swimming, watching anime, and collecting scented candles.
Gabriela Valdivia
Gabriela is a first-year PhD student in the Department of Counseling Psychology. She has been a practicing psychotherapist in the Madison area since 2018 and is dually licensed as a Clinical Substance Abuse Counselor and Marriage and Family Therapist. Gabriela was introduced to the world of psychological research in 2022 through her work as a Research Specialist at the Center for Healthy Minds. Her clinical and research interests lie in expanding on trauma informed care and culturally sensitive practices and increasing accessibility to care for underserved communities.
Gabriela is a first-generation Mexican American with strong familial ties. She enjoys nature, cinema and spending time with her family and young son.
