vanessa stallsmith
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Alumni

B.A., Neuroscience and Psychology, University of Colorado Boulder

I graduated from CU Boulder in Spring 2020 with a double major in Neuroscience and Psychology. Before I started to work at CUChange, I volunteered as a community education and clinical volunteer for Boulder Valley Women’s Health Clinic. It was through this experience I found my passion for the integration of mental health into health care settings. Specifically, I am interested in how novel therapeutic approaches, such as cannabis administration, a change in diet, or increase in exercise can influence gut microbiota and its role in inflammation, brain function, and behavior in psychopathology. The research being done at CUChange provides an excellent opportunity to analyze microbiome data and begin to understand the epic microbiota-gut-brain axis. Ultimately, I hope to someday pursue a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology to further the research in that field and develop gut-focused therapeutic approaches to alleviate psychological distress and promote overall physical and mental health.

About Me: I grew up in the Carlisle, Pennsylvania. After I graduated high school, I moved to Colorado by myself with hopes of a good education, big mountains, and sunshine skies. 5 years later, I’m happy to say I’ve found all 3 and so much more! In my free time I love to work out, cook, paint, and Pinterest-craft. I love to spend time with my friends hiking and playing in the great outdoors. I’m always looking for opportunities to travel somewhere new or visit home to see my (huge- I’m the youngest of 8!) family.