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IU Indianapolis Pain Research Laboratory
Faculty
Adam T. Hirsh
Lab Director
Professor, Psychology
athirsh@iu.edu
I am a Professor in the Department of Psychology at IU Indianapolis. I established the Pain Research Laboratory in 2010. I received my PhD in Clinical & Health Psychology from the University of Florida and completed postdoctoral training at the University of Washington School of Medicine. At the broadest level, I am interested in the biopsychosocial aspects of pain and functioning in humans. This allows me to examine a wide variety of clinically-important research questions (see above links for details), which challenges me scientifically and creatively and also satisfies my natural curiosity. Outside of the lab, I spend a lot of time "offline" -- running, hiking, cycling, and digging in the dirt.
Amy Williams
Clinical Director of Riley Pain Center
Associate Professor, Clinical Psychiatry
amyewill@iu.edu
I am an Associate Professor of Clinical Psychology in Clinical Psychiatry at Indiana University School of Medicine, and am the Clinical Director of the Riley Pain Center. My clinical and research interests are in pediatric psychology. I work clinically in the Riley Pain Clinic and on the Psychiatry Consultation Liaison Service at Riley Hospital for Children. My research focuses on psychological factors associated with pediatric pain. In particular, I am interested in pain coping and adjustment, strategies to identify children at risk for development of chronic pain (including quantitative sensory testing), and improving interventions to prevent and/or treat chronic pain conditions. In my free time I chase around 3 young kids…if that counts as free time.
Lindsay Flegge
Clinical Psychologist
IU Pain Rehabilitation Program
lflegge@iu.edu
I am an Assistant Professor in Clinical Psychiatry at Indiana University School of Medicine and dually employed at IU Health, where I work as a clinical health psychologist for our Pain Rehabilitation Program and Pain Navigation Service. I have a master’s degree in social work from Indiana University and a master’s degree in school psychology from Ball State University. I completed my doctorate degree at Ball State University, my doctoral internship in health psychology at IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital in Muncie, IN, and my postdoctoral fellowship in pain psychology at Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital in Grand Rapids, MI. My research focuses on understanding comorbidities of chronic pain, including eating disorders, and expanding access to biofeedback for chronic pain. Outside of research, I am always up for chatting about women’s health, religious trauma, and prescription rights for psychologists. When I’m not working, I’m reading thrillers, following celebrity gossip, planning trips, tracking down local kombucha, and building Legos with my boys.
PhD Students
Kristina Bogdan
krbogdan@iu.edu
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I am a fifth-year student in the Pain Lab and the Clinical Psychology program at IU Indianapolis. I earned my BS in Health Psychology from MCPHS University and my MS in Pain Research, Education, and Policy from Tufts University School of Medicine. My research interests broadly include the doctor-patient relationship, pain-related invalidation, pain education for health professionals, and the long-term management of complex pain disorders (such as fibromyalgia). I plan to utilize both quantitative and qualitative methods to answer research questions about pain. In my leisure time I enjoy working on various art projects, playing cooperative online games with friends, exercising, gardening, and spending time with my birds.
Margaret Rose-McCandlish
mrosemcc@iu.edu
I am a fourth-year student in the Pain Lab and the Clinical Psychology program at IU Indianapolis. I earned my BA in psychology from Middlebury College. My research interests include psychosocial factors affecting pain perception and treatment, gender and racial disparities in pain care, and barriers to pain management. In my spare time I enjoy listening to podcasts and audiobooks, cooking, and exploring the parks around Indy.
Alynna Summit
agsummit@iu.edu
I am a fourth-year PhD student in the Health Behavior program at IU Bloomington’s School of Public Health. I recently joined the Pain Lab to supplement my research training as part of an NIH F31 fellowship awarded in 2024. Prior to becoming a student at IU, I received a BA in Psychology and an MA in Psychological Science at the University of North Carolina Wilmington. My research interests broadly encompass correlates and consequences of prescription drug use and misuse. I intend to apply quantitative methods to my research, with a special interest in the application of causal inference methods. Outside of school, I enjoy hiking, playing tennis, going to concerts, listening to podcasts, playing video games, and hanging out with friends.
Ashley "Chachi" Bocanegra
asdboca@iu.edu
I am a second-year student in the Pain Lab and the Clinical Psychology program at IU Indianapolis. I earned my BS in psychology from the University of North Texas, Denton. My research interests center on examining racial differences among women experiencing gynecological pain from various conditions. I seek to understand how these differences influence their experiences and concerns regarding pain, as well as the barriers they encounter in obtaining adequate care and having their voices heard. I am particularly drawn to qualitative data, as it allows for a deeper understanding of their unique stories and perspectives. When I’m not busy I’m spoiling my dogs, Adam and Olive, who always manage to brighten my day. Additionally, I’m a lover of all things art, I love to paint, draw, knit, and crochet.
Emma Estrella
ecestrel@iu.edu
I am a second-year student in the Pain Lab and the Clinical Psychology program at IU Indianapolis. I earned my BS in psychology from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. My research interests include biopsychosocial factors related to managing and coping with pain and multimorbidity, patient-provider relationships and pain management, and barriers to receiving an informed diagnostic process and long-term care for Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and hypermobility spectrum disorder. In my free time, I enjoy participating in pop culture and fandom-related activities, drinking bubble tea (and searching for new shops), and spending time with my cat, Ricky.
Sean Carey
careys@iu.edu
I am a second-year student in the Clinical Psychology program at IU Indianapolis. I earned my BA in Psychology and English from the College of William and Mary. My research interests include treatment decision-making and adjustment in chronic pain. Outside of the lab, I enjoy cooking, running, and various creative hobbies.
Research Assistants
Jill Gonzalves
Parneet Manjal
Lab Alums
Graduate/Postdoctoral
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Alexis Grant, PhD, 2024 (graduate)
Postdoctoral Fellow, Connecticut VA Health Care System
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Philip Procento, PhD, 2024 (graduate)
Postdoctoral Fellow, Indiana University School of Medicine
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Tracy Anastas, PhD, 2022 (graduate)
Postdoctoral Fellow in Integrated Behavioral Health, University of Washington School of Medicine
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Lauren Mehok, PhD, 2022 (graduate)
Clinical Health Psychologist, New Mexico VA Health Care System
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Mary Milder, PhD, 2021 (postdoctoral)
Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychiatry, Indiana University School of Medicine
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Megan Miller, PhD, 2019 (graduate), 2021 (postdoctoral)
Assistant Professor, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati Department of Pediatrics
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Nicole Hollingshead, PhD, 2017 (graduate)
Assistant Professor of Family Medicine, The Ohio State University College of Medicine
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Samantha Meints, PhD, 2017 (graduate)
Assistant Professor, Brigham and Women's Hospital/Harvard Medical School
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Jennifer Steiner, PhD, 2013 (graduate)
Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, Emory School of Medicine
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Undergraduate
Kaylee Murphy
Hannah Illuzzi
Erin Clark
Alexis Ridenour
Kaitlyn Walsh
Eva Kimberly
Tori Rone
David Wuest
Kayla Jackson
Madison Stout
Sam Abplanalp
Kayla Najera
Anna Squillace
Macey Miller
Charnelle Free
Amanda Neufer
Stephanie Middleton
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