Team

Dr. Fiona Conway is an Assistant Professor at the Steve Hicks School of Social Work at The University of Texas at Austin. She received her Ph.D. in social work from Rutgers School of Social Work and completed her postdoctoral training at the Center of Alcohol and Substance Use Studies at Rutgers University. Her research primarily involves collaborations with biomedical scientists to investigate the relationships between behavioral health and human biology. She is particularly interested in the relationships between stress, cardiovascular processes, and substance use. Her work focuses on intervention and implementation science in the fields of addiction and mental health. She is currently involved in research projects that develop, test, and deliver technology-assisted interventions. Her interdisciplinary research seeks to facilitate the transfer of new and innovative scientific strategies to prevention specialists and treatment providers. 

Ty Barnes is a current MSSW graduate student at UT’s SHSSW. Ty has primarily worked in the psychiatric field after receiving his B.A., and he has been involved in various research projects prior to joining the Addiction Research Institute at SHSSW. Ty’s academic interests involves substance use disorders, mood and anxiety disorders, intellectual and developmental disabilities, and applications of neuroscience in mental health counseling. Ty plans on working towards his LCSW licensure post-graduation and hopes to continue being involved in the mental health field as a clinical social worker.

Cheng Chow is a doctoral student at the Steve Hicks School of Social Work. His research explores immigration, health equity, and social policy. Cheng has extensive experience in community outreach and migration health, having served as a community outreach coordinator in Hong Kong and as a regional migration health officer at the International Organization for Migration (IOM). He investigates the impacts of structural racism and social policy on health disparities among immigrants and ethnic/racial minorities. Passionate about advancing global health equity, Cheng aims to translate his research into actionable community resources. Outside of work, Cheng enjoys hiking and kayaking.

Skyler Hamilton completed their Bachelor of Social Work in May of 2024. Skyler has continued her studies at Steve Hicks and will receive her MSSW in the summer of 2025. Skyler’s areas of interest include working with unhoused populations and or those living with substance use disorders. Her passion lies in empowering communities with the resources to make decisions that support their self-determination and improve their lives. When Skyler is not studying, you can find her at the skatepark, eating vegan food, or at a local coffee shop.

Patrick Kennedy graduated with his B.A. in Psychology from The University of Texas at Austin with Highest Honors and is pursuing his Master of Science in Social Work degree on the clinical track at the Steve Hicks School of Social Work. His research interests include technology-assisted treatment for comorbid mental illness and substance use disorders, and exploring the training of primary care providers to use motivational interviewing techniques in medical settings. Patrick is currently completing his practicum education at the St. Michael’s Veterans Services program at Catholic Charities – co-leading psychoeducational groups for incarcerated veterans and providing rehousing assistance to homeless veterans. Outside of work, Patrick enjoys recruiting members of his cohort to play pickleball and exploring the parks and trails of Austin with his dog, Guillermo.

Obi Onyegesi is a doctoral student at UT Austin’s Steve Hicks School of Social Work, licensed master social worker, chemical dependency counselor, and NHLBI T32 Research Training Program Fellowship recipient. Born in Italy and of Nigerian descent, he holds a BSc in Cognitive Neuroscience from the University of Westminster (UK) and an MSW from the University of Texas at Arlington (USA). His research focuses on health disparities in cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases among people with minoritized racial and sexual identities, such as Black men who have sex with men (MSM) who smoke methamphetamine. He also investigates the motivations behind combustible tobacco and cannabis misuse to address these disparities among Black youth and adults, evaluating the effectiveness of culturally adapted CBT interventions to reduce morbidity and mortality related to methamphetamine, tobacco, and cannabis use. With experience in both direct and macro clinical services, Obi has worked extensively with underserved communities, including BIPOC, LGBTQIA+ groups, neurodivergent individuals, and refugees. He is ultimately focused on creating equitable mental health care systems that address the needs of marginalized Black individuals globally. Obi enjoys spending time with his family and cat in his spare time, boxing, cycling, and making music.

Shafaat Ahsen is currently a senior at the University of Texas at Austin in the Cockrell School of Engineering. He is interested in substance use treatment and therapy for minority and Muslim communities. He hopes to apply to graduate school.

Ashley Cheng was HOPE Lab’s Research Manager and has more than 15 years of experience in project management and communications strategy. She is currently completing her master’s in social work at the University of Texas at Austin’s Steve Hicks School of Social Work and is passionate about improving health outcomes through individual empowerment and systemic advocacy work. Named a 2020 Tribeza Magazine Person of the Year, she is also a certified yoga therapist and founder of Austin School of Yoga. She volunteers with Hospice Austin, Asian Family Support Services of Austin, and Fusebox Festival. 

Haelim Jeong is a graduate of the Steve Hicks School of Social work. After her master’s she is pursuing her doctorate in social work at The University of Alabama. She is currently studying substance use and behavioral health disparities in rural parts of Alabama. Haelim hopes to integrate her clinical training from her master’s program into her research, as she hopes to work closely with the community members. Outside of school, Haelim enjoys traveling and spending time outdoors.

John Moore is a PhD student at the Steve Hicks School of Social Work. His primary research interests are in substance use, with a focus on substance-misuse behavior change and recovery. He is also interested in examining the comorbidity of serious mental illness and substance misuse to inform best practices for individuals with dual diagnoses. 

Sierra Moran is pursuing her Master of Science in Social Work from the Steve Hicks School of Social Work (SHSSW). She graduated with a B.S. in Neuroscience from the University of Texas at Dallas in 2021. Sierra is grateful for the opportunity to explore several interests while at the SHSSW such as substance use and recovery, biofeedback, and housing. In her free time, she likes to run around Austin looking for ingredients to make ice cream for friends and family.

Erin Nolen is a PhD student at the Steve Hicks School of Social Work at the University of Texas at Austin. She holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in social work from Baylor University. Her research aims to address food insecurity and its disproportionate affect on women and families of color, and to investigate the multidimensional aspects of positive body image and embodiment as both a form of resistance and a mediator of health behaviors.

Jake Samora is a PhD student at the Steve Hicks School of Social Work at the University of Texas at Austin. Originally from Houston, Jake received his B.A. in Psychology from the University of Texas at Austin and completed his M.A. in Psychology at Boston University in May 2020. Jake’s research interests include social and neurocognitive factors in illicit substance use, targeting these factors through systemic intervention, and improving harm reduction and treatment service provision via community health. He hopes one day to pursue a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology. His hobbies include throwing sticks for his puppy, hiking, and seeing live music.

Elaine Tang is pursuing a Master of Science in Social Work degree at the Steve Hicks School of Social Work. She graduated with a B.A. in psychology and in English language and literature from the University of Chicago in 2019. She is currently interning in Austin Independent School District and is interested in working with immigrants and racial minorities, as well as in improving systemic inequities in mental health. In her free time, Elaine enjoys reading books, baking new recipes, tackling New York Times crossword puzzles, and learning about religious studies. 

Elijah Woodson is completing his Bachelor’s of Arts in Psychology at the University of Texas at Austin. He is very interested in research that seeks to understand how the Covid-19 pandemic affected adolescents, specifically relating to the connection between long periods of isolation and the development of mental illnesses, such as social anxiety or depression. Elijah is currently a proud member of the Longhorn Marching Band, where he plays the Tuba. When he isn’t working, he loves spending time with friends, listening to music, binging TV shows, baking, and, recently, learning the saxophone.