TRF Team - Trauma Research Foundation

Trauma Research Foundation

Team Members

Laura Babala, MSW, LCSW, CYT - Transition CEO

has worked in the health care industry for over 25 years spanning work in health care policy, public health, disease management, quality improvement, strategic planning and marketing, and direct care. She has experience in a range of venues including community mental health, urban public health, managed care, start-up entrepreneurial ventures, and the pharmaceutical industry. She has always been called to be a healer and left management to work directly with people who have suffered from trauma.

Currently, she serves in the role of trauma and attachment therapist, trauma-sensitive yoga teacher, and educator. She frequently speaks about trauma and trauma-informed care to the legal industry, schools and communities as well as hosting training and retreats on healing trauma through embodiment for professionals as well as individuals who have experienced trauma.

Wendy D'Andrea, PhD - Chief Science Officer

Wendy's research focuses on the psychobiological alterations associated with exposure to complex trauma. This work has focused on changes in factors such as affect recognition and regulation, attention and cognition, relationship, and identity, with an eye towards using lab-based and physiological methodologies for assessment.

Her work also attempts to unpack the contributions of marginalization to ways in which individuals adapt to adversity. This research unfolds both the lab as well as in the field, in psychosocial intervention settings. Dr. D'Andrea received her doctorate in clinical psychology at the University of Michigan and completed her postdoctoral training at the Trauma Center at Justice Resource Institute. She is an associate professor of psychology and director of clinical training at The New School in New York, NY. When not working, she loves to dance and cook (sometimes at the same time).

Carrie Cyrus - Chief Programs Officer

Carrie has held numerous leadership positions in the behavioral healthcare field, including developing continuing educational programs and managing national and international conferences. She is inspired by the opportunity to bring together researchers, clinicians, thought leaders and the greater community to grow the collective impact of the Trauma Research Foundation.

Mary Frangie - Community Engagement Manager

Mary is a natural project manager who brings warmth, insight, and keen attention to detail to her work. Mary's EQ and roll-up-your-sleeves style show up in her team collaborations and problem-solving abilities, leading her growth from Executive Assistant to Program Specialist to TRF's Community Engagement Manager. She possesses a refreshing combination of grounded wisdom, diligence, compassion, and fun.

Mary is an Integral Coach®, bodyworker, and lifelong learner. She earned a BA in Psychology/Women's Studies, an MA in Critical and Creative Thinking, and is a graduate of New Ventures West, Professional Coaching Certification, providing form and focus to years of teaching and facilitating for HR, the spa industry, and non-profits. She's dedicated to personal growth and body-based therapies, and you will find her assisting Licia Sky and Bessel van der Kolk in their private workshops.

Liz Coda - Program Assistant Manager

Liz holds master's degrees in both Secondary Education and Community and Trauma Counseling. After graduating from Northwestern University, she began her career as an 8th grade math teacher in Philadelphia as a Teach For America corps member. Her three years in a middle school classroom sparked her interest in trauma-informed care and creating trauma-informed environments for all. Liz also has experience working in prevention education with a domestic violence agency, a role that deepened her understanding of trauma and its impact on individuals.

Liz lives in Philadelphia, where she enjoys practicing yoga, cooking, spending time outdoors, and snuggling with her cats, Button and Rico. In addition to her work with TRF, she also works part time as a one-on-one running coach through Wellness in Motion, and trains and races competitively for long distance road races.

Conor McCann - Media Specialist

Conor has been working in various forms of media production for over a decade, with a strong focus on social media engagement and narrative. When not working on video projects, he spends his time writing music and enjoying the company of his rescue pup.

He hopes one day to return home to his country of birth, Ireland.

Tammy Cassidy - Organizational Administrative Assistant

Tammy specializes in attention to detail, organization, and problem-solving. She values getting the job done with efficiency and expediency. She enjoys working as part of a team and looks forward to future collaborations as her role shifts from TRF’s Business Specialist to Organizational Administrative Assistant, where she will provide essential administrative and organizational support.

Tammy’s passion for organization and administration also shines in her personal life, where she home-educated her three sons and is currently the office administrator of her family’s kitchen cabinet business. Her love and compassion for those in need are put into practice as she helps coordinate and serve with her church’s food distribution. In her free time, Tammy enjoys visiting with family and friends, walking on the beaches of Cape Cod, and savoring a perfect cup of coffee or tea!

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