Behavior Technology Laboratory: Health, Performance & Resilience
Faculty
Research Focus
The Behavior Technology Laboratory (BTL) at Pennington Biomedical is a leader in advancing translational science by designing, testing, and scaling innovative, technology-delivered assessments, prevention programs, and interventions. Through rigorous research and cross-disciplinary collaboration, the laboratory translates behavioral science into practical, accessible digital tools that promote health, optimize performance, and strengthen resilience. Serving diverse and high-impact populations—from U.S. military personnel to NCAA athletes and youth—the BTL is dedicated to bridging the gap between cutting-edge science and real-world application to improve lives on a broad scale.
Laboratory Members
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Dudley & Beverly Coates Endowed Professor Director, Behavior Technology Laboratory Licensed Clinical Psychologist LSU Athletics Consultant: Mental Health Task Force LSU Institute of the Health & Performance of Champions: Chair, Athlete Review Board Telephone (225)763-2554 |
Education
1996 | Florida State University | Bachelor of Science | Psychology | Minor: Women’s Studies
1999 | Louisiana State University | Master of Science | Clinical Psychology
2002 | Louisiana State University | Doctor of Philosophy | Clinical Psychology | Minor: Kinesiology/Exercise Physiology
Research Interests
Dr. Stewart is the Principal Investigator of the Behavior Technology Laboratory (BTL): Health, Performance, & Resilience, and she is a licensed clinical psychologist. She is dedicated to taking assessment, prevention, and treatment technologies from bench to bedside. Dr. Stewart has ongoing clinical consultation work with NCAA athletics departments and oversees multidisciplinary teams managing athlete eating disorders and mental resilience optimization.
View her faculty page here.
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Assistant Director Behavior Technology Laboratory & Athlete Program Telephone (225)763-2721 |
Education
2011 | Baylor University | Bachelor of Science | Neuroscience
2019 | Louisiana State University | Masters of Public Administration
Research Interests
Ms. Wesley is the assistant director of the BTL and serves as a project manager for all athlete studies. Her areas of focus include the optimization of health and performance.
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Clinical & Intervention Manager Telephone (225)763-3004 |
Education
1997 | Missouri Western State University | Bachelor of Science | Psychology
2001 | Emporia State University | Master of Science | Clinical Psychology
Research Interests
Ms. Brady is a project manager and behavioral intervention specialist who employs cognitive behavioral therapy and clinical assessment in the areas of eating disorders, obesity, and barriers to treatment success. Heather is the lead interventionist for the lab and clinic.
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Diabetes Clinic Manager/Nutrition Manager Telephone (225)763-2683 |
Education
2018 | Louisiana State University | Bachelor of Science | Dietetics
2019 | North Oaks Medical Center | Dietetic Internship
Research Interests
Catherine is a registered dietitian. She helps patients pursue better health through diet, exercise, improved body image, and stress reduction. Catherine serves as the lead dietitian in the lab and clinic.
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Project Manager Major, Louisiana Army National Guard Telephone (225)763-2922 |
Education
2002 | Southeastern Louisiana University | Bachelor of Science | Communication
Research Interests
Mr. Switzer is a Major in the Louisiana Army National Guard (LANG) and is also a Pennington Biomedical project manager. He serves as project manager for the Army H.E.A.L.T.H. program and is the principal liaison with the LANG associated CMPR Army projects. His areas of focus are health (nutrition, fitness, sleep), performance and mental resilience in the military.
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Research Scientist |
Education
2015 | University of Massachusetts Amherst | Bachelor of Science | Sport Psychology
2017 | Boston University | Master of Education | Counseling Psychology
2023 | The Ohio State University | Doctor of Philosophy | Educational Studies
Research Interests
Dr. Varzeas is a research scientist with the Behavior Technology Laboratory and a licensed psychologist. Kelsey’s research and clinical practice center on exploration and support for individuals navigating eating disorders/disordered eating, body image, RED-S, mental health, and performance.
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Research Scientist Telephone (225)763-2944 |
Education
2017 | Louisiana State University | Bachelor of Science | Psychology
2017 | Louisiana State University | Bachelor of Arts | Sociology | Concentration: Criminology
2021 | Louisiana State University | Master of Science| Psychology
2024 | Louisiana State University | Doctor of Philosophy | Psychology | Concentration: Cognitive & Brain Sciences
Research Interests
Dr. Chaisson is a Research Scientist and United States Marine Corps veteran with the Behavior Technology Laboratory. Her research centers on the influence of stress on cognition and behavior, with specific interest in using psychophysiology to better understand and support performance and resilience.
Selected Publications
Stewart, T.M., Allen, H.R., Han, H., & Williamson, D.A. (2009). Development of the Body Morph Assessment Version 2.0 (BMA 2.0): Tests of Reliability and Validity. Body Image, 6(2), 67-94. PMCID:PMC2743122
Stewart, T.M., Bachand, A., Han, H., Ryan, D., Bray, G.A., & Williamson, D.A. (2010). Body image changes associated with participation in an intensive lifestyle weight loss intervention. Obesity. NIHMSID: NIHMS250514
Stewart, T.M., Han, H., Ryan, D.H., Newton, R.L.Jr., & Williamson, D.A. (2011). Efficacy of an Internet/Population-based Behavioral Weight Management Program for the U.S. Army. Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology, 5, 178-187. PMCID: PMC 3045224
Stewart, T.M., Bhapkar, M., Das, S., Galan, K., Martin, C.K., McAdams, L., Pieper, C., Redman, L., Roberts, S., Stein, R.I., Rochon, J., & Williamson, D.A., for the CALERIE Study Group (2013). Comprehensive assessment of Long-Term effects of reducing intake of energy Phase 2 (CALERIE Phase 2): Screening and Recruitment: Methods and Results. Contemporary Clinical Trials, 34 (1), 10-20. PMCID: PMC3525758
Teyhen, D.S., McClain, J., Stewart, T.M., Neal, D.N., Thorndike, F., Aldag, M., Edinborough, E., Levine, B., Ghanadian, J., Kinn, J., Parramore, D., Trabosh, V., Haught, A., & Kunkler, K. (2014). Leveraging technology: Creating & sustaining changes for health, Telemedicine and e-Health, 20(9). 1-15. PMID: 24978152
Stewart, T.M., Plasencia, M., Han, H., Jackson, H., & Becker, C.B. (2014). Moderators and predictors of response to eating disorder risk factor reduction programs in collegiate female athletes. Psychology of Sport & Exercise (special issue: Eating Disorders in Sport), 15 (6), 713-720. PMID: 25400505
Stewart, T.M., Beyl, R., Pollard, T., Wesley, N., Kilpela, L.S., & Becker, C.B. (2017) The Female Athlete Body (FAB) Study: Rationale, Design, and Baseline Characteristics. Contemporary Clinical Trials, 60, 63-71.
Stewart, T.M. (2018). Why Thinking We Are Fat Won’t Help Us Improve Our Health: Finding the Middle Ground. A Commentary in Obesity, 26(7): 1115-1116, doi.org/10.1002/oby.22241.
Chapa, D.A.N., Hagan, K.T., Perko, V.L., Sorokina, D.A., Alasmar, A., Becker, C.B., Thompson, R.A., Sherman, R.T., Farrell, J.G., Stewart, T.M. (2018). Development of the Athletes Relationships with Training Scale. International Journal of Eating Disorders. DOI: 10.1002/eat.22960
Stewart, T.M., Pollard, T., Hildebrandt, T., Kilpela, L.S., & Becker, C.B. (2019). The Female Athlete Body Project (FAB) Study: 18-Month Outcomes in Eating Disorder Symptoms and Risk Factors. International Journal of Eating Disorders.
Stewart, T.M., Martin, C.K., & Williamson, D.A. (2022). The Complicated Relationship between Dieting, Dietary Restraint, Caloric Restriction, and Eating Disorders: Is a Shift in Public Health Messaging Warranted? International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(1), 491.
Stewart, T.M., Wesley, N.Y., Hazzard, V.M., Varzeas, K., Rowan, M., & Becker, C.B. (2025). Resilience and mental health in female athletes: Identification of associations needed for future longitudinal research. Exercise Sport & Movement, 3(2), e00042.
Rowan, M., Stewart, T.M., Hazzard, V.M., Wesley, N.Y., Varzeas, K., & Becker, C.B. (2025). Modifiable Risk Factors of Female Athlete Psychological Resilience and Mental Health: A Longitudinal Investigation. Under Review by Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology.
Wesley, N.Y., Varzeas, K.A., Spielmann, G., Johannsen, N.M., Calvert, D., & Stewart, T.M. (2025). Resilience & Coping of Collegiate Athletes: A Pilot Study. Under Review by Work: A Journal of Prevention, Assessment and Rehabilitation.
Matheson, E.L., Varzeas, K.A., Wesley, N.Y., Rowan, M., Becker, C.B., & Stewart, T.M. (2025) "We're forced to be resilient": Exploration of prospective risk and protective factors of resilience among women athletes. Under Review by Psychology of Sport & Exercise.
