TRAIL Center Team
Biographies, professional materials, and ways to connect with our team.
Director
Dr. Lori L. Hall is the founder and director of the TRAIL Center. Her work brings together trauma research, advocacy, education, support, and systems change, with particular attention to the ways trauma shapes life-course pathways and institutional responses. She leads the Center’s strategic vision, branch development, partnerships, student mentorship, public scholarship, and trauma-responsive programming.
Manager, TRAIL Lab
Christian Tapia is a criminology researcher, advocate, and leader whose work focuses on mental health, trauma, and the experiences of justice-involved individuals. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Criminology from the University of South Florida, where he was recognized as a Man of Distinction by the Department of Criminology.
As Manager of TRAIL Lab, Christian oversees research projects, supports undergraduate research assistants, helps establish project goals and timelines, and contributes to trauma-responsive research initiatives. His interests include maladaptive coping, human trafficking, trauma, criminal justice system experiences, community outreach, program development, and project management.
Manager, TRAIL Academy
Emily Mejia is an undergraduate student at the University of South Florida St. Petersburg pursuing dual Bachelor of Arts degrees in Criminology and Political Science. Her interests center on trauma-informed practices, criminal justice, public service, law, community engagement, and programs that translate research into meaningful real-world impact.
Emily oversees the development and continued growth of TRAIL Academy’s trauma-informed educational initiatives. She leads fellows, sets priorities and timelines, and oversees facilitator guides, curricula, and educational resources. Her experience in research and student leadership informs her commitment to law, justice, trauma-responsive practice, policy, advocacy, and public service.
Manager, TRAIL Speaks
Leah is an undergraduate student at the University of South Florida St. Petersburg, majoring in Psychology with a minor in Criminology. She began with the Center as an Undergraduate Research Assistant before becoming Manager of TRAIL Speaks.
Leah leads the vision and growth of TRAIL Speaks, overseeing community programming, peer-support initiatives, outreach, resource development, partnerships, and team mentorship. Her interests focus on the relationship between trauma and behavior, child psychology, violence prevention, and how trauma-responsive approaches can support meaningful intervention and connection.
Instructional Design Consultant
Dr. Koichi Sato bridges cognitive science with modern learning technologies to design high-impact, evidence-based digital education. He specializes in translating complex pedagogical theory into scalable learning experiences—from cognitively optimized multimedia to strategic generative AI integration—while upholding rigorous Quality Matters standards.
Driven by a commitment to educational access and efficacy, Dr. Sato builds engaging, research-backed programs that empower educators and maximize learner retention.
Social Media Manager
Biography, headshot, resume, and direct contact information will be added soon.