Allison is a Georgia native from Augusta, Georgia, and she has resided in Atlanta for many years. She is currently the Project Coordinator for a meditation and depression study known as the CALM study (Compassion Attention Longitudinal Meditation). Prior to joining Emory more than two years ago, she worked with the Department of Human Services as a Project Coordinator in a joint study with Emory University and foster care children. The study's focus was teaching children meditation techniques.