The Center for Investigating Healthy Minds

David Bachhuber

Research Specialist

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David is the manager for the NIH/NCCAM funded Well-Being Study which aims to examine the impact of training in well-being enhancing practices on affect, attention, sleep and stress.

David's previous work includes studies of deception, aging in the United States, and a methodological study examining best practices for removing muscle based signals from EEG data.

Mel Charbonneau

Director of Communications and Marketing

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Mel oversees the areas of communications, marketing and media relations for the Center for Investigating Healthy Minds (CIHM). She manages the production of all print publications, video and Web content, and plays a key role in the coordination of Center events. She collaborates with staff and university partners to educate the public on the Center, its mission, and the societal impact of its research in contemplative neuroscience. Mel also supports a variety of the Center’s development and fundraising efforts, and outreach programs.

Frances Haeberli, MS

Associate Researcher

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Frances works on collecting data for the Center’s study on investigating the impact of Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) on preschool teachers in the Waisman Center’s Early Childhood Education Program. The current focus is reviewing curriculum, developing research strategies and laying the groundwork for translational research projects in school and community settings. Frances is also involved in developing functional imaging research programs for research projects at the Center.

Heather Hessenthaler

Associate Research Specialist

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Heather is an Associate Research Specialist for the NCCAM-funded Well-being study. It is her responsibility to facilitate the movement of participants through all of the facets of the study. From recruiting, to screening, to scheduling, Heather makes sure that the participants are aware of the next step in the process, and that all of those steps have smooth transitions.

Susan Jensen, MS

Assistant to the Director

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Susan is the primary contact to CIHM director Richie Davidson and provides support for a variety of Center related activities. Susan coordinates local scientific and advisory meetings and scheduling for Dr. Davidson and the Center. She also assists in grant preparation, donor relations activities, event planning and has managed several aspects of the Center’s remodeling project and web site management.

Laura Pinger, MS

Outreach Specialist
Educational programming

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Laura serves as the primary liaison between the CIHM and local school systems in the development of educational programming and curriculum focused on mindfulness meditation. With thirty years of teaching experience and nine years of teaching affiliation with the UW Health Integrative Medicine Mindfulness Program, Laura works with educators and students in the development and teaching of meditation-based classes. She coordinates with CIHM researchers and school administrators for the teaching of this curriculum and the collection of data as part of translational research protocol. Laura has completed the Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) Professional Training with the Center for Mindfulness at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center, and she is also certified in the areas of Transpersonal Psychology and Internal Family Systems. Her interests include mindfulness in relationships, parenting practices, and teaching children. Laura is a lifelong yoga practitioner, completing her teacher training in 1995.

Bonnie Thorne

Senior Director of Development and Outreach

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Bonnie brings more than a dozen years experience as a development consultant, fundraiser, events producer, business manager, and director. Bonnie oversees all aspects of strategic partnership and donor development with community leaders, educators, institutions and University collaborators on a local, national, and global front on behalf of the Center (CIHM). She spearheads the outreach efforts by the Center, and manages all aspects of the Center’s fundraising initiatives and programs. Ms Thorne has cultivated an extensive network of philanthropists and social entrepreneurs that are truly committed to the exploration of contemplative neuroscientific research. She is also committed to a daily personal contemplative practice. She acts as the main liaison to the UW Foundation. She also volunteers for Thupten Jinpa Langri, President of the Institute of Tibetan Classics, as their Chief Development Director. He is the main translator of the Dalai Lama. Ms. Thorne has specialization in bringing the contemplative education agenda to the forefront across the country in pilot programs.