Erica LaFata, PhD, is a Research Scientist at ORI and a licensed clinical psychologist in the state of Pennsylvania. Her research focuses on the addictive and reinforcing properties of ultra-processed foods and their role in overeating and obesity. She applies a biobehavioral framework to understand which foods or food attributes are most likely to promote compulsive consumption, whether core mechanisms of addiction (such as withdrawal) contribute to eating-related problems, and how these insights can inform novel interventions to improve eating behavior and health. In recognition of her contributions to the field, Dr. LaFata was named a Rising Star by the Association for Psychological Science.

Her program of research uses a multi-method approach, integrating neuroimaging, behavioral paradigms, ecological assessment, and technology-based intervention development. Her work has been continuously supported by the National Institutes of Health and other extramural funders. She is the Principal Investigator of an NIH-funded K23 Career Development Award examining biobehavioral reward responses to ultra-processed foods and serves as a Co-Investigator on several clinical trials evaluating digital and AI-assisted weight management interventions.