Dr. Lynda Stein, Director
Lyn Stein, PhD is a faculty member in the Psychology Department in the Psychology Department at the University of Rhode Island (URI), a researcher at the Social Sciences Research Center (SSRC) and head of the STRIDE lab. Dr. Stein is also an Adjunct Professor within the Behavioral & Social Sciences Department at Brown University’s School of Public Health and is a member of the training faculty at Brown’s Center for Alcohol/Addiction Studies (CAAS). Dr. Stein is immensely active with research initiatives throughout Rhode Island for which she has facilitated many research positions for graduate and undergraduate students.
Her primary interest is in the treatment and assessment of health risks, including issues related to ethnic/racial bias; detection of under/over-reported substance use; enhancing treatment engagement; family intervention/planning; reducing at-risk behavior following facility release (correctional or hospital setting); and implementation science.
Dr. Sara (Sally) Cottrill, Coordinator
Dr. Cottrill has expertise in strategic management of large projects. She provides important guidance to undergraduate students, and assist graduate students working with them as may be relevant. Dr. Cottrill is integrally involved in the MOU (see above) providing advisement in creating and sustaining training opportunities between URI and the state, especially as pertains to undergraduate training. Dr. Cottrill excels in systems management, personnel management, and has interests in trainee well-being, placements, advising, and professional development. She has been involved in multiple local and nationally funded research for decades in the area of behavioral health including smoking, exercise, substance use, diet and more. Her specialty is project management and strategy.
Michelle Stage, Graduate Research Assistant
Doctoral Candidate, Behavioral Science, Psychology Department, University of Rhode Island (URI)
Graduate Research Assistant, Emotion, Pain, Interpersonal Communication (EPIC) Lab, URI
Michelle Stage (she/her) is a doctoral candidate in Behavioral Science at the University of Rhode Island, where she focuses on improving healthcare experiences for LGBTQ+ communities, particularly in primary care. Her research centers on how environmental and interpersonal cues in healthcare settings affect patients’ comfort, communication, and willingness to disclose sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) information. Through her work in the Emotion, Pain, and Interpersonal Communication (EPIC) Lab, Michelle collaborates on studies examining stigma, trauma, and healthcare inequities faced by LGBTQ+ individuals. Outside of her university roles, she is an active member of the Pride in Aging RI Education Subcommittee, contributing to the development of inclusive training materials for assisted living and nursing home staff to better support older and aging LGBTQ+ adults.
Atticus Carroll, Graduate Research Assistant
Doctoral Candidate, Behavioral Science, Psychology Department, University of Rhode Island (URI)
Atticus received his Master of Art in Psychology from URI in 2025. His master’s thesis evaluated perceptions of Nonbinary individuals when occupying leadership roles. His research focuses on the needs of the LGBTQ+ community, interpersonal relationships, and implicit bias.