Our Team
Dr. Bradley Smith
Director of the Mindfulness, Well-Being, and Spirituality Lab
Dr. Smith was hired as a professor in the College of Education at the University of Houston in 2013. His current teaching emphasis is training School Psychology Doctoral students to be sensitive community partners who advocate for the development and use of evidence-based practices that improve well-being. He is the director of the University of Houston Mindfulness, Well-Being, and Spirituality Lab that is studying ways to make mindfulness an integral part of the educational and social culture of diverse educational communities. He is also a yoga teacher and faculty advisor to the University of Houston Mindful Coogs student organization, and enjoys hiking, biking, and non-judgmental present time appreciation of life.
“I am interested in research methodology in general and school-based interventions for youth in particular, with numerous peer-reviewed publications in both areas. For the past 30 years, I have been developing and studying innovative interventions for youth in collaboration with schools and community organizations. Through these intervention experiences, I have sought to make breakthroughs in equitable education. Toward this end, I am contributing to training a new generation of educational researches, particularly in school psychology. I am also very interested in working with undergraduate students to promote engagement in service-learning and pursuit of careers in school psychology. My current research interests include working with two youth serving organizations in Houston, LEAD and The Woods Project, that are developmental asset building programs for middle and high-school students. My other major research activity is working with students, faculty, and administrators at the University of Houston to develop and study mindfulness interventions that improve academic performance and increase equity in graduation rates.” - Dr. Smith
Kimberly Smoots
Doctoral Student
Caroline Mousa
Doctoral Student (5th Year)
Caroline Mousa is a 5th year PhD student in School Psychology who received a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology (2020) and a Master of Education in Counseling (2024).
Caroline began her involvement with the lab as an undergraduate “Mindful Ambassador” in 2018. Upon learning new perspectives on mindfulness and the evidence supporting the positive outcomes of various practices, she felt empowered and equipped to support others as well. She chose to continue her studies at UH in pursuit of her PhD in School Psychology in 2020 to continue to develop her research in mindfulness. She is now the Primary Investigator of the Mindful Ambassador Program (MAP).
Caroline strives to continue spreading mindfulness in all settings she works in— schools, clinics, community centers, and beyond! Additionally, she enjoys drawing, painting, coloring, all things art, a good cup of coffee, playing sports, and spending time with friends and family.
Proposed dissertation: Mindfulness for College Students: An Investigation of Format and Dosage to Inform Practice
“Many people are alive but don’t touch the miracle of being alive.” Thich Nhat Hanh
Brian Dang
Doctoral Student (5th Year)
My name is Brian Dang. I am a 5th year doctoral student in the School Psychology program. In a previous life, I was a biology teacher in HISD. Nowadays, I am interested in positive youth development programs. In this lab, I assist with delivering and evaluating the Mindfulness Ambassador Program (MAP). I have also presented mindfulness workshops with our other lab members at state and national conferences.
I would like to leave you with this quote from Octavia Butler’s Parable of the Sower.
“All that you touch, You Change.
All that you Change, Changes you.
The only lasting truth is Change.
God is Change”
Adam Garcia
Doctoral Student (5th Year)
Howdy! My name is Adam Garcia and I am a fifth-year doctoral candidate in school psychology. Prior to graduate school, I attended Texas A&M University (Gig’em Aggies!). My research interests generally focus on religion and spirituality as aspects of diversity within clinical populations. I completed my candidacy thesis on examining spiritual attributions made by parents of autistic children, and I am starting my dissertation focused on how school psychology clinicians are trained regarding religion and spirituality. Outside of school, I enjoy playing chess, ultimate frisbee, and competitive air hockey!
“There are many things that can only be seen through eyes that have cried.” – Oscar Romero
Catherine Urso
Doctoral Student (4th year)
Hey y’all! I began my journey in the School Psychology doctoral program at UH in 2021. I am born and raised in Houston, TX, and had the pleasure of living in New Orleans, Louisiana (Who Dat?!) while completing my B.S. at Tulane University with a major in Public Health, minor in Psychology, and was pre-med.
At UH, I work with my advisor, Dr. Brad Smith, who heads our research lab of Mindfulness, Wellbeing, and Spirituality. My present research is focused on school-based yoga and social emotional learning programs, in collaboration with the Puranik Foundation, provided to Houston’s Title 1 high school students. I am particularly interested in how these practices can contribute to the reduction of mental illness symptoms, and improved wellbeing, attention, compassion, forgiveness, and enhanced interpersonal relationships. My current research project is concerning program evaluation, ensuring high degrees of fidelity and acceptability prior to implementing a rigorous impact evaluation.
Nema Kebbeh
Doctoral Student (3rd year)
Hello! My name is Nema Kebbeh. I am a third-year student in the School Psychology program. I graduated with a B.A. at the University of Detroit Mercy in developmental psychology. My research interests are broad in child and adolescent development, with a particular emphasis on (a) how emotional regulation influences that growth; (b) how affect and self-control influence peer affiliation dynamics; and (c) how culture and interpersonal relationships contribute to and are influenced by social-emotional development.
Kelli Lahman, LSSP, NCSP
Doctoral Student (3rd Year)
Kelli Lahman, L.S.S.P., N.C.S.P., is a third-year student in the Ph.D. School Psychology program at the University of Houston. She is currently completing a practicum in the Forensic Unit at the Harris County Juvenile Probation Department, providing assessment of children and adolescents pre- and post-adjunction. Kelli is a student member on the National Association of School Psychologist’s Communiqué Editorial Board. Her research interests include evidence-based assessment and interventions focusing on disruptive behavior and mood disorders, investigating mindfulness deficits and their impact on pathological personality traits, and manifestation determination reviews. Kelli plans to pursue a career as a research practitioner following graduation.
“If people sat outside and looked at the stars each night, I’ll bet they’d live a lot differently.” – Calvin & Hobbes
Mahnoor Ahmad, MAT
Doctoral Student (2nd Year)
Mahnoor completed her B.S. in Psychology at UH with minors in Human Development and Family Sciences, and Quantitative Sciences. She then went on to do her Masters in Teaching at UH Clear-Lake, and is now pursuing a Ph.D. in hopes to go into academia. Her research interests are broadly identity development within South-Asian and Muslim Americans. She is interested in researching risk and resilience factors such as family influences, parental involvement, substance use, religiosity/spirituality, and mindfulness on overall mental health and academic outcomes. Mahnoor is also interested in the intersection between Mindfulness and Religiosity/Spirituality, and serves as a Mindful Ambassador for MAP in this lab. She is also passionate about helping undergraduates learn more about and get involved in research and graduate school. You can contact her at mahmad26@cougarnet.uh.edu if you have any questions!
“We are all implicated when we allow other people to be mistreated. An absence of compassion can corrupt the decency of a community, a state, a nation.” – Bryan Stevenson
Said (Steve) Alsarraf
Doctoral Student (2nd Year)
Greetings! I'm Steve Alsarraf, a second-year student in the UH School Psychology Ph.D. program, holding a B.S. in psychology from the College of Charleston. Hailing from Halifax, UK, and Baghdad, Iraq, my diverse background inspires a global perspective and deep appreciation for understanding the unique experiences of individuals across cultures. Guided by Dr. Bradley Smith, my research focuses on developing a reliable coding system for Motivational Interviewing (MI) to evaluate the quality and progression of core tasks—engaging, focusing, evoking, and planning—and their predictive impact on conversational outcomes like change talk and sustain talk. I aim to advance MI implementation and effectiveness in training and practice.
Mindfulness has always been an integral part of my life, and I utilize it to foster peace and joy. As a graduate student, I contribute to the lab through collaboration and meaningful discussions. Additionally, I serve as the Financial Student Officer for the Mindful Coogs Student Organization, promoting mindfulness and well-being across campus.
Beyond academics, I treasure moments with family and friends, love traveling, and find joy in music, cooking, and staying active. Houston's vibrant life has been a delightful transition. Connect with me at salsarra@cougarnet.uh.edu for any inquiries or to chat!
"It's not the years in your life that count, it's the life in your years." – Abraham Lincoln
Jeff Carter
Doctoral Student (2nd Year)
I am a current school psychology Ph.D. student at the University of Houston and a graduate of Butler University with expertise in psychology and research. I have experience contributing to the development and presentation of multiple manuscripts and poster presentations relating to psychological and clinical research. In my free time, I enjoy reading, gardening, and exercising.
Dhwani Sanghavi
Doctoral Student (2nd Year)
Hello! My name is Dhwani Sanghavi and I am a second-year Ph.D. student in the School Psychology Program. I have completed my B.A. in Psychology and M.A. in Clinical Psychology from Mumbai, India. I have also completed a specialized Master’s (M.Sc.) in Development, Disorders and Clinical Practice from the University of York, U.K. My research interests, currently, involve studing the effects of mindfulness on compassion fatigue and burnout in school psychology practitioners and the implications of it on their practice. In my free time, I love to watch K-Dramas, explore new places, read books and sleep a lot!
“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” – Mahatma Gandhi
Mayson Spillman
Doctoral Student (2nd Year)
Hello! I am a second-year doctoral student in the School Psychology Ph.D. program. I have a B.S. in psychology and a minor in mathematics from the University of Kentucky (Go Cats!). My research interests revolve around early childhood education and implementing and translating interventions into low-resource school districts as well as motivation and self-efficacy in different contexts. My current research project is about the expectancy- and value-beliefs college students have about mindfulness and how that is associated with their mindfulness practice. Outside of school, I love to read, do puzzles, go to hockey games, and hang out with my cat!
“Strive not to be a success but rather to be of value” – Albert Einstein
Meet the RAs
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Villa Matovu
B.A. in PSYCHOLOGY
Hiya! I am a research assistant in the Mindfulness, Well-Being & Spirituality Lab. I have a B.A in Psychology and a minor in Medicine & Society from the University of Houston. I have been a research assistant in the lab since 2022. In 2024, I co-presented at NASP and spoke about mindfulness apps as an accessible and affordable alternative and/or additive to in-person mindfulness-based programs.
My research interests are broad in mindfulness/mindfulness-based interventions with a particular emphasis on how they could potentially support medical school students and individuals experiencing difficulties with executive functioning. I am also generally interested in exploring how mindfulness practices could improve holistic well-being.
Mindfulness has been a core theme in my life for the past 7 years. I have cultivated a devoted personal practice through meditation and Yoga and incorporate mindfulness in my daily life as a way to feel calm, centered, and connected with myself and the world around me. In my free time, I enjoy exploring local events/restaurants, traveling, cooking, listening to music, journaling and practicing Yoga.
“On really romantic evenings of self, I go salsa dancing with my confusion.” – Timothy Levitch, Waking Life
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Shahraiz Umar
B.A. in PSYCHOLOGY
Shahraiz Umar is a second-year research assistant in the MWS Lab. He began working in the lab during his senior year at UH where he completed his B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Human Development and Family Sciences.
Over the past year, he has developed a deep respect and appreciation for mindfulness, both as a recreation and as a perspective. He likes to manifest this in his life by being attentive to nature and spending time outdoors.
His research interests include understanding how deficits in mindfulness contribute to the development of maladaptive interpersonal patterns as well as examining the effects of mindfulness-based interventions on emotion regulation in individuals with pathological personality traits. He hopes to explore these interests through a Ph.D. in clinical or counseling psychology program and become a competent scientist-practitioner.
In his free time, Shahraiz enjoys going on long walks, watching documentaries, playing card games, trying new restaurants, and spending time with friends and family.
“The only people who ever get anyplace interesting are the people who get lost.” – Henry David Thoreau
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Eno Mbaba
SENIOR
Eno Mbaba is a dual-degree senior in Health and Psychology with a minor in Medicine and Society at the University of Houston. Since 2024, she has been a research assistant in the MWS Lab and recently transitioned to their intern in Spring 2025. With the knowledge gained from her three semesters in the lab, Eno will create a poster for Undergraduate Research Day using data derived from the Mindful Ambassador Program (MAP).
She hopes to incorporate her love for mindfulness, social justice, and health into future graduate research for populations of color. Specifically, Eno seeks to use mindfulness-based interventions to increase well-being and reduce the stigma surrounding mental health in marginalized communities. Eno plans to attend a Clinical Psychology Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) program in the Fall of 2025 that will help her fulfill her career aspiration of becoming an impactful psychotherapist.
In her free time, Eno likes to read fantasy novels, binge-watch television shows, tend to her plants, and listen to Broadway cast recordings!
“God is within her; she will not fail” – Psalm 46:5
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Dana Soruji
JUNIOR
Dana Soruji is a University of Houston junior majoring in Communication Disorders and Health on a Public Health Track with a minor in Psychology.
Her research interests include anything related to different factors that contribute to the awareness of communication disorders, such as language disorders, what causes them, and their impact on daily life.
Since 2024, Dana has been a research assistant in the MWS Lab. Using her three years of experience, Dana wants to investigate how mindfulness can benefit pre-speech therapy students.
Alumni
Former Graduate Students
Syed Rizvi
Former Doctoral Student
Syed Rizvi was a PhD student in School Psychology who completed his pre-doctoral internship in Erie, PA at Sarah Reed Children’s Center with plans to become faculty in the Houston area. Check out his website!
Candidacy: Impact of Religiosity/Spirituality on College Student Well-Being
Dissertation: Does Religion Help with Nature Exposure? Faith as a Moderator During Summer Camp
“You presume you are a small entity, but within you is enfolded the entire universe.” - Imam Ali (A.S)
Gulden Esat, Ph.D. Former Doctoral Student
Gulden is an experienced clinician with a unique training focus on Tier 1 prevention interventions and implementation integrity. Currently, she is a faculty member at Sam Houston State University.
Starting in the fall 2016, Gulden began developing Mindful Ambassador Program (MAP), a college-based universal well-being enhancement intervention at the University of Houston. Extensive mentoring of Dr. Smith, substantial support of Syed Rizvi, and the passionate feedback of all the volunteers of Yoga & Mindfulness Lab put MAP in the path to be an evidence-based social-emotional curriculum. That work is still being carried out today by the members of the lab, particularly, Caroline Mousa.
Former Undergraduate Research Assistants
Chase Philip
Tyler Boston
Guy Joseph
Khanh Trinh
Piya Malhan
Ester Shaw
Vanissa Oeun
Arifa Habib
Trystn Cardenas
Vincent Dang
Shea-lyn Moss
Brianna Kreditor
Meliza Vasquez