Current Fellows
Fellows
Felecia Pullen, Ph.D.
Diversity Fellow
Dr. Felecia Pullen is a qualitative researcher with expertise in applying Critical Race Theory to understand the impact of systemic and structural racism on people of color. She also designs integrated conceptual models to explore the intersection of race, structural racism, and addiction among people of color who use drugs (PoCWUD). She aims to establish political, social, economic, and health equity for PoCWUD. Her seminal work in the field has been recognized by OASAS, SAMHSA, the CDC, the New York City Dept. of Health & Mental Hygiene, and Mt. Sinai/REACH. She has been deemed one of America’s most noted racial justice and equity experts, activists, and advocates.
Dr. Pullen's influence extends beyond her research. She is the mastermind behind the Mixed Method Recovery Capital Assessment Tool (MRCAT), a digitized product that has revolutionized the standardization of recovery and negative recovery capital measurement. This ground-breaking tool, an organic extension of her research, has been hailed by Peers and industry leaders as the gold standard for recovery capital assessment, a testament to the impact of her work.
Dr. P.'s expertise, advocacy, and activism have made her one of the most sought-after keynotes. She has delivered numerous presentations on health equity, Peer engagement, racial justice and harm reduction, racialized drug policies, and the intersection of structural racism and addiction of PoCWUD, and she has advised other researchers on Cultural and Racial Responsivity. Due to her recognition in the field, she was twice appointed by NYC Mayors Bill DeBlasio and Eric Adams to New York City’s Municipal Drug Strategy Council and holds an executive position on the FOR-NY and Let’s Talk SAFETY boards of directors.
Dr. Pullen's commitment to social change is not limited to her research and tool development. As the founder, President & CEO of The PILLARS and SAFE in Harlem, she spearheads financial growth, organizational structure, and program development. As a policy analyst, she leverages her expertise to champion financial equity for small not-for-profits and health equity for people of color, a testament to her dedication to making a tangible difference in the lives of those she serves.
Last updated: 1/6/2025
Past Fellows
Diadora Finley-Abboud, B.S.
Post Baccalaureate Research Fellow
Diadora Finley-Abboud is a NIDA-funded post-baccalaureate Research Fellow in the Health Through Flourishing lab at Massachusetts General Hospital. She graduated summa cum laude from Worcester State University where she received her Bachelor of Science degree with a major in psychology, a minor in communication, and a concentration in mental health services.
Diadora is currently working under Dr. Bettina Hoeppner on multiple projects, including the R24 initiative to advance the science on Recovery Community Centers across the nation. Diadora’s interest include health services research, community engaged research, peer-led services, substance use disorder, and biostatistics. She will be attending Boston University’s School of Public Health in the fall of 2024 to pursue her PhD in health services and policy research.
Last updated: 1/1/2024
Behnam Heydarshahi, M.S.
Volunteer Fellow
Behnam is a volunteer fellow at HtF Lab. He received his master’s degree in computer science from Tufts University. He works as a software engineer at Google on mobile operating systems and artificial intelligence.
Behnam contributes to several research projects at HtF Lab including one analyzing mobile app solutions to opioid addiction recovery. He wants to answer questions like whether these apps employ positive psychology, or how accessible they are to different social classes.
In the future, Behnam plans to combine his computer science background with the skills he is gaining at HtF Lab to design and lead research projects at the cross section of psychology, public health, and AI.
Last updated: 2/1/2024
Ross Sonnenblick, M.S.
Volunteer Fellow
Ross graduated from Tufts University in 2020 and worked at MGH as a clinical research coordinator in the Division of General Internal Medicine for two years. At Dr. Bettina Hoeppner’s generous invitation, he also participated in our team's lab meetings, analyzed qualitative interviews detailing users’ experiences of the SiS-H smartphone application to promote smoking cessation among adults living with HIV, and wrote and voice-narrated content for the app.
Ross is now a Ph.D. student in clinical psychology at Drexel University in Philadelphia, PA, where his research focuses on men’s experiences with disordered eating. He has shared his early perspectives on graduate school and the Ph.D. application process as part of Dr. Bettina Hoeppner’s career development series, and he feels fortunate that both Drs. Hoeppner allow him to practice his mediocre German with them (although they might flatter him by calling his German better than mediocre).
Last updated: 2/1/2024