Wellness Center Professional Staff
Emily Dexter Page, Director
Emily Dexter Page has been the Director of the Wellness Center at Rice University for 8 years. She is a graduate of Missouri State University with a BFA in Dance Performance and an MS in Health Promotion and Wellness Management. Emily is a member of the American College Health Association and the American Association for Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists . She is an active volunteer with the American Cancer Society and advises the Rice Chapter of Colleges Against Cancer (CAC) . Emily enjoys trying new restaurants, watching old movies, reading a good thriller and spending time with her growing family.
Marissa Howat, Assistant Director
Marissa Howat is a Certified Health Education Specialist with a BS in Community Health. She has enjoyed working six years at Rice, particularly in her role as advisor for the Rice Health Advisors. Marissa is a member of the American College Health Association and both a certified Mental Health First Aid instructor and Wellness Coach (WM360). One of her favorite things is finding new places to go running and meeting new people to run with! She is entering in her fourth year as an RA at Jones College where she lives with her handsome Australian Shepherd, Jack.
Maria Tsakalis, Nutrition & Body Image Specialist
Maria Tsakalis MS, RD, LD is a Registered/Licensed Dietitian. She has over 6 years experience in the fitness field where she instructed for The Ohio State University, while earning her Bachelors degree in Dietetics with minors in Exercise Science and Integrative Health. She was also an active club sport athlete as a member of the Equestrian, Triathlon, and Masters Swim teams. She earned her Masters in Nutrition from Kent State University, where she developed corporate wellness programs for her thesis work. Maria also has experience in weight management, working as the dietitian for a top weight loss resort and currently facilitates online behavioral weight management programs for the University of Vermont. Maria utilizes a mindful eating approach with her consultations, which encompasses not only nutrition but the mind and body as well. Maria is a member of the Houston Eating Disorder Specialists, Houston Area Dietetic Association, and the American Dietetic Association. Maria is also beginning her first full year as Martel College Resident Associate.
Patrick Lukingbeal, Program Specialist
Patrick Lukingbeal has been at Rice University since April 2011. He is a graduate of Texas A&M University with a Bachelor’s in Environmental Studies and an MS in Student Affairs Administration in Higher Education. Before coming to Rice, he worked at Georgetown University and Texas A&M University in residence life, student activities and wellness capacities. He has several areas of interest including: alcohol education, sexual assault and relationship violence prevention, student development and social justice education – with a focus in LGBTQI inclusion and support. He currently is serving as the national co-chair elect of the GLBT Knowledge Community of the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA), where he will assist in supporting national research and best practices, and strive to support LGBTQI-identified faculty and staff across the country. He is a seventh generation Texan and a Duncan College Associate!
Patricia Canales, Office Assistant
Patricia Canales is one of the newest members of the Wellness Center team. She is a graduate of the University of Houston with a BA in History. Her previous experience includes working for the Houston Public Library and volunteering with the Houston Holocaust Museum. Patricia is very excited about her new position and being able to work at such a great place as Rice University. She is an avid reader and a newlywed!
Contract Staff
Samuel Leong, Licensed Acupuncturist
Samuel Leong is committed to providing acupuncture and oriental medicine care to the greater Houston and Rice community. He is a Licensed Acupuncturist, a Diplomat in Oriental Medicine and is a Registered Dietitian certified in Adult Weight Management. In addition to treating patients at his officer in the Houston Heights, Mr. Leong is a Lecturer and Adjuct Clinical Instructor at the American College of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.
Susan Underwood, Licensed Acupuncturist
Susan Underwood, LAc, holds a BS in Biology, a Masters in Social Work and a Masters in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. In addition to practicing Traditional Chinese Medicine at her office in Midtown, she teaches Vinyasa Yoga at Joy Yoga Center on Washington Ave. She is excited to be joining the team at Rice University Wellness Center.
Artie Jo Wilson, Licensed Massage Therapist
Artie Jo Wilson has been a licensed massage therapist for 11 years and specializes in Deep Tissue, Swedish, Reflexology, Sports, Pre-Natal, and Medical Massage as well as Myofascial Release. She completed the massage therapy program at Alvin College in 1999 and has experience working with chiropractors, disabled individuals, and patients. In addition, Artie Jo has provided massage therapy for community events such as the MS150 as well as other charitable organizations.
Student Staff
Christina Barrera, Body Image Intern
Cristina Barrera is a junior at Sid Richardson College studying Health Sciences and Sociology. Her health interests lie in health promotion, adolescent health, and maternal and infant health. After Rice, she plans on attending graduate school to obtain her Masters in Public Health. In addition to working as the nutrition and body image intern at the Wellness Center, Cristina is also the campus-wide Student Director of Academic Advising, Leadership Rice alumnus, and an associate justice at Sid. She loves to explore Houston restaurants and watch reality TV!
Melody Yee, Mental Health Intern
Melody Yee is a native Houstonian, proud Martelian, and a current Rice student. Majoring in health sciences, Melody hopes to pursue a graduate degree in pubic health focusing health education and health promotion. She is a current Rice Health Advisor and the mental health intern at the Wellness Center. When she's not facilitating Nirvana Sessions, you can find her singing her own Taylor Swift concert and watching Modern Family in her room.
Vinita Israni, Graphic Design Assistant
Vinita Israni is a junior studying psychology and studio art at Rice. Aspiring to go into medical illustration for graduate school, she is currently the graphic designer for the Rice Visual and Dramatic Arts department and the Co-Director of Design for Catalyst, an undergraduate research publication. With a background in advertising, she hopes to put her skills in communication and illustration to raising awareness for the Wellness Center!
Daniel Burns, Student Office Assistant
Daniel Burns has been working at the Wellness Center since September, 2011. He is a sophomore at McMurtry college and a Rice Health Advisor. Daniel also is a Head Caregiver at his college, as well as a director for the O-Week Wellness Documentary. In his free time, Daniel enjoys writing novels and climbing mountains, and he currently holds the record for being the only student at Rice to do a backflip in every building on campus.
Breanna Chachere, Student Office Assistant
Breanna Chachere is currently a Junior at Wiess College. She is a Psychology major and a Poverty, Justice, and Human Capabilities Minor. After graduating, she plans to pursue a Clinical Psychology Ph. D. with a focus on children. She enjoys working at the Wellness Center and being involved in their Public Health/Wellness initiatives including the Rice Health Advisors Program, Love Your Body Month Celebration, and the Wellness Lecture Series.
Stephanie Marten-Ellis, Student Office Assistant
Stephanie is a native Texan from the small town of Killeen. She plans on graduating from Rice with the class of 2013 with a major in Cognitive Science and a minor in Biochemistry and Cell Biology. She is a proud Martelian and serves the best college ever as a Rice Health Advisor. She enjoys writing for the Rice Standard, a good spin class or tennis session, and exploring Houston's many coffee shops.