Our Team

S. JUSTIN THOMAS, Ph.D. FSBSM

I am a Clinical Psychologist by training but have spent most of my academic career in the field of Sleep Medicine. I completed undergraduate degrees at UAB, graduate school at the University of Alabama, clinical internship at the University of Florida, and post-doctoral fellowship at UAB. I am an Assistant Professor in the UAB Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology. I serve as the Director of the UAB Behavioral Sleep Medicine Program and Co-Director of the UAB Sleep and Circadian Research Core. My research focuses on disparities in sleep and circadian rhythms and associated health outcomes and I hold funding from the American Heart Association, Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute, and the National Institutes of Health.

Shubhi Jain, M.P.H., B.D.S.

Shubhi is a Clinical Research Coordinator at the DISC Lab within the Department of Psychiatry. Armed with a Master of Public Health degree from Boston University, her passion lies in contributing to the advancement of healthcare through research and advocacy. Her journey in the field of healthcare began as a dentist in India, where she spent over two years dedicated to working with patients from diverse backgrounds. Before joining the DISC Lab, she gained valuable experience as both a Research Assistant and Data Analyst in two large-scale global studies focusing on Alzheimer’s disease. With her clinical and research experience, she is eager to further expand her knowledge and skills in the fields of data analysis and clinical research in the realm of neuropsychology and cognitive decline.

Gabby Gloston, M.A.

Gabby is a 4th year PhD student in the Medical/Clinical Psychology program. She currently coordinates the AHA “Dipper” study examining circadian contribution to blood pressure variation in Black/African Americans adults. In her master’s thesis, she is investigating the effect of dietary sodium on obstructive sleep apnea in a crossover feeding trial using both intent-to-treat and per protocol analyses.

REBECCA WILLIAMS, M.A.

Rebecca is a 3rd year PhD student in the Medical/Clinical Psychology program. She coordinates the Alabama site for the COZI clinical trial as well as the SCN-BP study. For her master’s thesis she analyzed the relations between neighborhood deprivation and sleep quality as well as shift work status. Her dissertation is focused on assessing the way social determinants of health may moderate behavioral sleep medicine treatment response.

KATIE WARD, B.F.A.

Katie is a 1st year PhD student in the Medical/Clinical Psychology program (beginning Fall 2023). She has a penchant for patient advocacy from past clinical experience working with a wide range of patient populations. Prior to graduate school, she worked as a neuropsychology technician. She has experience in sleep deprivation research and most recently was involved in research looking at inflammatory biomarkers in Multiple Sclerosis and how they impacted the hippocampus and cognition. She is interested in delving deeper into both neuropsychology and health psychology during her studies with the program.

DHEERAJ EDULAKANTI

Dheeraj Edulakanti is a junior majoring in Neuroscience and minoring in Business Administration. He’s from Madison, Alabama, but was born in India. Some of his hobbies include camping, watching movies, and hanging out with his dog! 

ROSHNI DATTA

Roshni is a sophomore majoring in Neuroscience on the pre-med track. She enjoys practicing Indian classical dance, reading, and listening to music.

ELENA MAILAPUR

Elena Mailapur is a sophomore majoring in Biobehavioral Nutrition and Wellness on a pre-med track. She loves to bake, read a good book, and spend time with her family.

Ani Harishankar

Ani is a junior majoring in neuroscience on a pre-med track and minoring in STEM education. His hobbies include traveling, playing video games, and watching Lakers games with his dad.