Lauren is a licensed Clinical Psychologist and Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Psychology at the University of Pittsburgh. Lauren was born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana from a working class family and was the first in her family to pursue graduate school. She earned her BA in Psychology and Master of Liberal Arts (MLA) from the University of Pennsylvania and later went on to earn her MA and PhD in Clinical Psychology from the University of South Florida. After completing a Clinical Psychology Internship at the VA Puget Sound in Seattle, she moved to Pittsburgh to begin a T32 postdoc at the University of Pittsburgh. When she was awarded a K01 from NIMH in 2014, she then transitioned to faculty. Her current faculty position is approximately 75% research and 25% clinical, including direct patient care and clinical supervision of psychology and psychiatry trainees. Her program of research focuses on examining the neurobiology of emotional functioning in depression and depression risk using a multi-method developmentally-informed approach. Clinically, her focus is on cognitive-behavioral therapy for mood, anxiety and schizophrenia-spectrum disorders. Lauren is also active in teaching, research, and clinical training of undergraduates, psychology graduate students, medical students, psychiatry residents, and postdocs. Lauren is passionate about supporting students from disadvantaged backgrounds in pursuing graduate studies. In her spare time, Lauren enjoys reading sci-fi/fantasy, cooking, trying new restaurants, and traveling.