By SUSAN C. KLEIMAN
Published: January 7, 2014

Recently, two new research assistants have joined the UNC Center of Excellence for Eating Disorders (CEED) team, and they have been hard at work ensuring that the day-to-day operations of our ongoing research studies are running smoothly. From recruiting and consenting participants for the Anorexia Nervosa Genetics Initiative (ANGI) to conducting follow-up assessments for our Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Bulimia Nervosa (CBT4BN) trial, they have both proven to be invaluable additions.

Chris Hilliard, a Raleigh native and UNC graduate, comes to us from the Sullivan Lab in the Department of Genetics, where he was a Research Technician. In preparation for graduate school and a future career as a therapist, Chris is enjoying the chance to get more clinical exposure through research and work with our interdisciplinary team. Outside of the lab, you can find him listening to music (jazzy hip-hop and down-tempo electronic are his current favorites), playing chess, and reading science fiction or books on spirituality/religion/mysticism. An avid writer, Chris writes music reviews for an online music magazine and is on the verge of finishing his first novel (a two-year labor of love!), which explores how little things in our lives can have a big impact. When he’s not strategizing how to meet the AN25K Challenge, he would be happy to tell you about his love of Bob Ross and the Joy of Painting or get your travel tips for a future vacation in Iceland.

Lauren Metzger has worn many hats in the Bulik lab, starting as a VHP (very helpful person) while pursuing her undergraduate degree at Kenyon College, where her honors thesis focused on examining the “Superwoman” Ideal. Lauren made a permanent move to the Triangle post-graduation and returned as a summer fellow in 2012 while studying at the UNC School of Social Work. After completing her Master’s degree, Lauren joined our research staff this year and is currently working towards full clinical licensure (LCSW). The people and the atmosphere at UNC CEED have kept her coming back, and the opportunity to mix research and clinical work fits perfectly with her long-term professional goals (a PhD program is on the horizon!). Lauren met her husband, Kaleb, on the cross-country team at Kenyon, and training for races (now including triathlons) keeps them busy. She is also on a quest to see a national park in every state possible and is excitedly planning a summer trip to Seattle, where they plan to visit North Cascades National Park, Olympic National Park, and Mt. Rainier National Park. Raised in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Lauren is a lover of all things winter and is keeping her fingers crossed for snow in Chapel Hill.

Welcome, Chris and Lauren!

photo credit: smcgee via Creative Commons