Dusti Jones, MS, PhD
Dusti Jones, PhD, is the director of the ADAPT Lab and an Assistant Professor in Family Medicine and Public Health at the University of Utah. She obtained an MS in Experimental Psychology from Western Washington University in 2015, and a PhD in Biobehavioral Health from Penn State in 2020. Her work looks at how our emotions shape how our bodies respond to stress and everyday health behaviors, like smoking, eating, and taking care of ourselves. She uses digital tools like smartphone surveys and wearable sensors to understand what’s happening in people’s real lives, moment by moment. The goal is to design smarter digital health tools that offer support when it’s needed. Outside of work, Dr. Jones enjoys having brunch with her family, reading (romance novels only), playing Assassin’s Creed, watching anime, and going for walks – especially in the rain.
Marissa Castillo, MSPH
Marissa Castillo, MSPH, is a Clinical Research Coordinator with the Division of Family & Community Medicine. She holds a bachelor's degree in Health Promotion and Education from the University of Utah and an MSPH from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in Global Disease Epidemiology and Control. She has six years of experience in public health research, including work in neurology, global health, and patient wellness. Her background includes qualitative and quantitative analysis, with a strong interest in health equity, vaccines, and health access. Outside of work, Marissa enjoys spending time with her family, reading, baking, and traveling.
Sumra Arain, MS
Jimena Garcia
Jimena Garcia is an undergraduate research assistant at the University of Utah, where she studies Psychology on the pre-med track. Her work focuses on behavioral health, with an emphasis on daily emotion regulation and health-related behaviors. She has experience in both clinical and research settings, including work in neurobiology and community health, and brings a strong background in data collection, patient interaction, and research coordination. Jimena is particularly interested in the intersection of mental health, behavioral medicine, and health equity, and hopes to pursue a career in medicine. Outside of her academic and research work, she enjoys going to the gym, playing sports such as volleyball and running, and spending time with loved ones.
Valerie Green
Rachel Navarrete
Jayci Palinek
Jayci Palinek is a Research Assistant in the Division of Family & Community Medicine. She is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Honors Psychology with a minor in Chemistry at the University of Utah and plans to attend perfusion school. Since August 2025, she has worked in the ADAPT Lab as a research assistant while also working as a Certified Nursing Assistant in the operating room at Huntsman Cancer Hospital. Her research interests focus on preventive health, health equity, and access to care, with particular attention to how these factors intersect with mental health and sex/gender. She is currently completing her honors thesis examining the relationships among gender, mental health, and motivation to quit smoking and quit attempts. Outside of her academic and clinical work, Jayci enjoys reading, hiking, finding new coffee shops, and going on road trips.
Emma Williams
Kate Williamson, BS
Kate Williamson, BS, is a recently graduated research assistant in the ADAPT Lab. She graduated with a bachelor’s in Psychology and a certificate in Quantitative Research Analytics in Social Sciences from the University of Utah. She has three years of experience in research at various psychology labs, including developmental, clinical, and health psychology work. This included ecological momentary assessment (EMA) studies, experience working with participants, as well as qualitative data coding and analysis. She has a strong interest in clinical psychology, specifically the efficacy of current treatment for different disorders. Kate enjoys drawing, working out, and traveling outside of work.
