Chiara Mascarello holds a research grant at Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, where she also teaches Tibetan language. She is a founder and board member of the Contemplative Studies program at the University of Padua and co-directs the Italian Buddhist Union Research Center. She advanced her studies at Sera Monastic University, UMA Institute, and the University of Hamburg, and has worked as a Tibetan translator. Her research focuses on the Indo-Tibetan contemplative tradition, especially on consciousness and mind training.
Dr. Natalie Gruber holds a doctorate degree in Educational Leadership and Innovation (EdD,
Arizona State University), a master’s degree in clinical social work (LCSW, University of Michigan) and a bachelor’s degree in psychology (University of Michigan). She is a certified mindfulness teacher (University of California Los Angeles) and art therapist (Northwestern University). Over the last few years, Dr. Gruber’s research, teaching, and program development has focused on mindfulness for the promotion of emotional health and relational connection, addressing a variety of issues connected to the mental health crisis and loneliness epidemic within elementary and higher education. She has received multiple awards and recognition for her research and teaching on the role of mindfulness in supporting parent and child emotion regulation and the parent-child relationship. To support this and other related work, she has received grants from the Teachers Colleges at Arizona State University and Columbia University and the John Templeton Foundation.
As a licensed clinical social worker, Natalie is experienced in working with children, adolescents, and parents on a variety of emotional, behavioral,and relational challenges. Dr. Gruber has co-authored several publications in peer-reviewed academic journals and book chapters, on mindfulness and arts-based methods for healing as conduits for mental and relational health and flourishing. Many of these publications, including a forthcoming book chapter, have focused on aspects of mindfulness practice and implementation within the Balsz School District.
Natalie’s website: https://nataliegruber.com/
Sarah Hite is the Social Media Officer at the Mind & Life Institute. She holds a BFA in Graphic Design from James Madison University and brings a passion for creating compelling visual content to amplify nonprofit missions. With experience in social media strategy and graphic design, she has helped enhance online engagement through impactful storytelling and design. Outside of her role in social media, Sarah enjoys photography, freelance design projects, and exploring new creative techniques.
KT is Executive Assistant of the Mind & Life Institute, assuming her role in July 2024. Her background includes over 15 years of program management, event planning, and leadership level assistance within non-profit organizations. Prior to joining Mind & Life, she was Assistant Director Development & Stewardship at the University of Virginia, Alumni Association, where she managed high-level donor events, implemented and executed a yearly stewardship plan, tracked donor giving, and supported and collaborated with senior leadership, board members, the Chief of Staff, and the President & CEO. She has a BA in Linguistics and Phonetics (with a minor in Psychology) from the University of Leeds.
Over the course of her life KT has had the privilege of living for extensive periods of time in both the United States and the United Kingdom. She enjoys traveling and other cultures and hopes to broaden her experiences beyond Europe, South America, the Caribbean, and Canada. She has lived in Charlottesville VA for over 24 years and loves the vibe that a college town community provides. She enjoys the outdoors, scenic vistas, football, game nights, rooftop restaurants, the beach (in all seasons!), relaxing on her back patio, an eclectic taste in music, salsa and bachata dancing, a good margarita, laughing, and most of all spending time with friends and her two boys. She has a passion for health and wellness and is focusing on leading an Ayurvedic lifestyle.
Anna is the Grants Coordinator at Mind & Life. She has previously worked at UVA’s Contemplative Sciences Center, and is currently a doctoral candidate in the philosophy department at UVA researching attention mechanisms and moral transformation. Outside of work and school, Anna loves running in the mountains, doing most kinds of art, and puttering around in her yard.
Chase Bryer is a doctoral candidate in Behavioral and Social Health Sciences at the Brown University School of Public Health. His dissertation research is focused on Two-Spirit and Indigenous LGBTQ+ aging with HIV. Prior to Brown, Chase was selected as a Kathryn M. Buder Scholar at the Buder Center for American Indian Studies where he focused on understanding the historical and contemporary issues facing Native communities from cultural, policy, and practice perspectives. Chase holds an MSW from Washington University in St. Louis and a BA in Human Rights and Media from the University of Oklahoma.
Jacob Cousin, a Pine Ridge Indian Reservation native and 2016 Valedictorian of Mahpiya Luta (formerly Red Cloud), pursued his studies at Brown University as a Bill and Melinda Gates Millennium Scholar, earning a BA in Science, Technology, and Society with a focus on Culture and Health, particularly Alternative Medicine. In 2024 he achieved a Masters of Public Health with a focus on Health Behavior. He is currently a Research Assistant at the Brown University School of Public Health, as well as a Policy Analyst/Political Advisor for the Oglala Sioux Tribe Vice President. Jacob’s work centers on preserving Native dance traditions and integrating them into health interventions. He manages study preparation, recruitment, and survey creation, emphasizing the incorporation of Indigenous art into scientific discourse. Jacob’s journey underscores the belief that the fusion of Culture and Health, embodied in Dance and Movement, is not merely academic but a lifelong dedication to enhancing community well-being.
Cristina Fuentes Antoniazzi, PhD in Drama Theatre and Performance at the
University of Huddersfield, UK, actor-researcher, mindfulness expert and
communications consultant.
On a professional level, Cristina combines knowledge from different disciplines
(theatre, psychology and meditation). She uses cutting-edge techniques to improve
individuals’ and groups’ communicational skills in her workshops and individual
sessions.
In her PhD she researched how mindfulness can enhance presence, developing a
Mindfulness-Based Performer Training (MBPT) model which synthesizes the
dynamic and multilayered phenomena of applying mindfulness onstage.
Cristina has experience working with a broad range of individuals and
organizations in Chile and the UK. For further information please visit
www.cristinafuentes.cl
Agustina is from Buenos Aires, Argentina. She is a clinical psychologist specialized in cognitive and contemplative therapeutic approaches, and working within a team focused on the treatment of those suffering from substance-abuse and addiction. She is trained in Compassion Focused Therapy and Mindfulness. She is currently participating in a research project in a school in Buenos Aires, creating a program of contemplative practices based on the Healthy Minds Program, with 11-year-old children.
