Institute for Translational Research Education in Adolescent Substance Use (ITRE)

Miracle Macias Burgos is currently in her first year for a Psychological Sciences Masters at Northern Arizona University. She is a first generation college student from Ecuadorian immigrants which has influenced her research interests to focus on marginalized groups in the U.S, specifically Latin American groups. In her undergraduate career, she worked in a neuroscience lab for two years and found her passion to be in researching addiction/substance use disorders. This program has given her a chance to explore the public health field in those topics specifically. Her research style has also moved from traditional to translational research seeing that it is more catered to helping these marginalized groups directly. Her current plan is to pursue a clinical PhD in psychology and contribute to the translational research done at the National Institute on Drug Abuse.

Dr. Yasmin Fucci has over 12 years of experience at the Florida Department of Health in the areas of demographic analysis and quantitative research. She graduated with a doctoral degree from the USF COPH. Previously, she earned her Master of Public Health from the University of North Florida. Yasmin is currently the Program Administrator at the Bureau of Vital Statistics where she directs and coordinates comprehensive trainings and data quality improvement projects that seek to implement meaningful strategies for current users and future public health professionals utilizing the statewide Electronic Birth and Death Registration Systems. Yasmin’s research interests include improving anomalies in health indicator data, researching statewide statistical trends and their subsequent impact on data driven decisions relating
to the underdevelopment of community health education programs in Florida, and conducting statistical analyses that impact legislative bills.

Jacqueline Houston is a first-year graduate student at USF in the Master of Public Health degree program, with a concentration in Behavioral Health. She earned her Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) while completing her field practicum at the United States Agency for International Development, where she managed the Social Service Workforce Group in support of the Advancing Protection and Care for Children in Adversity Strategy. Jacqueline is a McKnight Junior Scholar in the USF Social Work Interdisciplinary Research Lab where she is working on several manuscripts analyzing Gender-Based Violence and Adverse Childhood Experiences in Cité Soleil, Haiti. In her current role, Jacqueline serves as the Domestic Violence Child Welfare Advocate at The Spring of Tampa Bay, where she supports the Child Protection Investigations Project. Jacqueline’s primary research interest is the Troubled Teen Industry. She recently established the National Youth Rights Association Tampa Node and is energized to advocate for the protection of youth rights in Florida. Following graduation, Jacqueline will pursue a Ph.D. in psychiatric epidemiology.

Tajhah Kittling earned a Master’s Degree in Child and Adolescent Behavioral Health from USF and has over 10 years of experience with community-based initiatives. Most of her educational and employment history focuses on behavioral health within a community. Direct engagement with children, adolescents, young adults, and adult families spurred her interest in improvement science, blending dissemination with implementation and sustainability. Her current practices actively implement evidence-based treatments on a local level with community professionals, where the focus is on providing direct services and cultivating program intrapreneurship. She aims to structure her practices and leadership around neuro-inclusion, traumainformed
management, system of care, values, principles, and equity. Her goal is to focus on the integration of new culturally responsive policies while developing employee personal and professional skills through a supervision/ coaching model.

Greg Levitt is a first year Master of Social Work Student at USF. After earning a Bachelor of Science in Physics, Greg spent 6 years as a middle and high school STEM instructor. During his time as a teacher, he found greater meaning in lending an ear to students experiencing emotional distress than teaching about math and science. Since that realization, he has worked in a domestic violence shelter and in a program for adolescents and young adults overcoming dual diagnoses. Presently, he is working as a research assistant in a lab examining complementary therapies for Veterans experiencing symptoms of Post- Traumatic Stress Disorder and is completing his field placement with Lifepath Hospice in South Tampa. His primary research interest is to examine the training and support systems for direct service providers in the behavioral health field.

Manuel “Manny” Mayor graduated the USF COPH MPH degree program in public health administration. He has more than 12 years of public health experience, which includes research and prevention efforts in the fields of Human Immunodeficiency viruses, colorectal cancer, Alzheimer’s Disease, and tobacco cessation. He is currently working at Premier Community HealthCare to create connections with community members, collaborate with community organizations, and coordinate events aiming to improve community access and health. As the Community Engagement Manager, he manages a team that helps the community in gaining health care access, health education, and social resources. A focus of his efforts is underserved communities such as migrant seasonal agricultural workers, people experiencing homelessness, and public housing residents among others. He is also currently working to complete his doctoral degree in public health at USF COPH.

Joshua Mincey is a first-year graduate student in the Social Marketing Concentration pursuing a Master’s Degree in Public Health at USF. He earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Public Health from Florida State University. Throughout his life, Joshua has frequently volunteered with community events, community organizations, and non-profit organizations. Joshua hopes to understand the roles of different psychological and neurological factors that spur decisionmaking. Currently, Joshua is involved with several localand statewide organizations focusing on substance abuse.He hopes to graduate from the ITRE program with thetools to successfully and effectively champion behavioral health interventions and promoting preventative health
within communities.

Arielis Perez is a first-year student in the Master of Science in Child and Adolescent Behavioral Health Degree program at USF. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Albizu University, where she received the Outstanding Student Medal for graduating with the highest GPA (4.0) in her class. In 2019, she began her Undergraduate Post-Baccalaureate in Science at Florida International University. Arielis has received training on child exposure to substances and trauma from the National Child Traumatic Stress Network and a certification in the Challenges of Global Health from Duke University. Before starting graduate school, she was a lab research assistant where she worked on projects focused on innovative ways to teach procedural knowledge to undergraduate students through primary scientific literature. Arielis is interested in child cognitive development, including both the biological and social bases. She joined the ITRE to learn more about community-level projects to improve the well-being of multicultural children and adolescents.

Ginger Ross, Hampton, NH, is the founder of Choices Peer Recovery Coach Training. Ginger has worked in the peer recovery field since 2015 and is a grassroots pioneer in developing the movement in NH. Choices Recovery Training is nationally recognized and approved by National Association of Drug Addiction Counselors. Ginger has designed a library of peer recoveryrelated training and addiction/recovery-related training for community partners, family court workers/child welfare, family members, and first responders. Ginger has been an interim program manager programs and companies where peer coaching has been an integral part of the service delivery. Ginger has consulted with the University of New Hampshire Institute on Disability in creating fidelity tools for Alternative Peer Groups, the Benzodiazepine Action Work Group through the University of Colorado to develop Peer Support for Benzodiazepine training, and the New Hampshire Problem Gambling Council. Ginger earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Southern New Hampshire University. She holds the Certified Recovery Support Worker license in New Hampshire and the National Peer Credential. Ginger has lived experience with domestic violence, recovery, and working with child welfare.

Erin Sadowski is a Master of Public Health student at USF COPH in the Behavioral Health Concentration. She completed her bachelor’s degrees in Human Biology and Clinical Psychology at the University of California San Diego in 2020. Following the completion of her undergraduate work, Erin returned to Florida to work as a case manager for the Community Action Treatment team in Hendry and Glades counties. Through her work with this program, she developed a passion for working with children, adolescents, and young adults in crises related to behavioral health concerns. Her decision to pursue an advanced degree in public health was influenced by a desire to created system-level change for more equitable access to behavioral health services for all. Currently, Erin acts as a case manager for Gracepoint Wellness’s adult emergency services facility. Erin is grateful for and honored by the opportunity to work alongside colleagues in USF ITRE.

Elzbieta Wiedbusch is a second-year doctoral student in the Behavioral and Community Sciences program at USF. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Criminal Justice/Criminology from Loyola University Chicago. Elzbieta has assisted in research projects regarding youth community violence exposure, recovery from substance misuse and addiction, and the criminal justice system’s impact on marginalized communities. Her efforts resulted in poster presentations at regional and national conferences and published manuscripts on recovery from substance use disorders. Her current research focuses on the intersection of substance misuse and addiction, trauma, and attention deficit disorder among girls in the juvenile justice system. Elzbieta is also interested in diagnostic procedures and assessments used in juvenile justice systems and their validity for female and non-White youth. Her professional goal is to promote and disseminate evidence-based prevention and intervention programs for youth at risk for criminal justice involvement. She plans to work with community-based agencies to prevent local youth from justice involvement and provide them with needed behavioral health services.

Ling Zhang graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chinese Medicine from Gansu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. During her undergraduate education, she participated in a research project assisting families with using herbal and western medicines to lower the cost of treatment. Ling started her master’s program in Public Health Promotion in 2022 at NAU. She is currently a Graduate Research Assistant of Southwest Health Equity Research Collaborative at NAU working on promoting recreation time among Individuals incarcerated in jail sponsored by the National Institutes of Health. She is also facilitating an employee-wellness research study at Twin Arrows Project serving the Navajo population. Her research interests have centered on family and children well-being, adolescent substance use, and primary and second prevention for mental disorders among underserved populations. She is honored to be a scholar for USF ITRE.

Michelle Bollum is a doctoral student in the Occupational Therapy Program at Northern Arizona University (NAU) Phoenix Biosciences Campus. She earned a B.A. in Psychology from Arizona State University-West, where she worked in the Stress and Coping Research Lab, interned for The New Song Center for Grieving Children, and volunteered as a Court Appointed Special Advocate for children in foster care. Michelle has spent over a decade in community mental health services. The majority of Michelle’s professional work has centered on trauma-informed care and behavior modification within high-risk populations. Michelle’s research interests lie in the power of play throughout the lifespan, positive neuropsychology, and community engagement. Her goal is to develop and implement a model of care centered on fostering a strong sense of purpose and meaning in people’s lives.

Ansley Davis is currently a graduate student at USF pursuing her Ph.D. in Communication Sciences and Disorders. She earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Central Florida and a Master of Science from the University of Hawaii at Manoa, both in Communication Sciences and Disorders. Ansley has worked in the public school system as a Speech-Language Pathologist. She worked on a research project that looked at the effects of a social communication intervention on students’ language skills and presented the results in the 2020 American Speech and Hearing Association conference. Her primary research interests include pragmatic language deficits, literacy, and the impact that executive function deficits (e.g., emotional regulation, self-monitoring, etc.) have on communication in children and adolescents. She is also interested in studying the impact of trauma on youth’s social communication skills. Ansley’s goal is to contribute to the dissemination of evidence-based interventions for practicing speech-language pathologists.

Tara Indar is a Guyanese American that grew up in the Tampa Bay area. She is a first-year doctoral student in the Educational Leadership program at USF. In 2020, she completed her master’s degree in Educational Leadership at the University of North Florida. Tara also earned her B.S in biology from the Stony Brook University of New York in 2016. She has taught grade levels 3rd-8th for the past five years. Because of her experience, she has generated intense interest in making the classroom a better place, specifically in teacher retention.

Tocara Jackson is currently a student in the Master of Social Work (MSW) degree program at USF. Tocara has worked with youth in various roles including as a pediatric nurse, teacher, and youth leader. In these roles, she became intrigued with how certain aspects of an adverse childhood created barriers for children and affected them in multiple areas of their lives. Currently, she is employed at the Tampa Bay Community and Family Development DBA Bethesda Ministries as a Trauma Informed Specialist/Case Manager. In this role, Tocara helps families identify stressors or traumas in their home and life and provides resources and purposeful practices to them. Her research interests include the safety and support of children and the correlation between their behavior when there is stress and trauma. Her long-term goal is to engage in philanthropy and establish a youthfocused nonprofit entity.

Kelsie King is currently completing a Psychological Sciences Master’s program at NAU. During her undergraduate education, she also studied abroad for a semester in Austria, served as a student health liaison, peer mentored first-generation students, and assisted in several research labs on campus. Kelsie has assisted in various research projects including translational research on betrayal trauma experienced by Neo-Natal Crisis Unit mothers and has presented a poster at the Western Psychological Association Conference on trauma-focused therapy for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in children and adolescents. These experiences illustrate her research interests in child and adolescent trauma as well as others including risk and protective factors for serious mental illness and positive parenting interventions. After completing her master’s at NAU, Kelsie plans to pursue a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology and hopes to work directly with children and adolescents. Her goal is to promote early recognition of trauma and mental illness to provide younger generations with a strong emotional foundation for healthy development.

Taylor E. Stringer is a graduate student at NAU pursuing her doctoral degree in Occupational Therapy at the Phoenix Biomedical Campus. Taylor earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Nutrition and Food, with a double minor in Psychology and Biology from NAU. She has a long history of working with youth of varying ages and continues that passion for focusing on youth in the pursuit of her doctoral degree. Taylor aspires to work in pediatrics and help bring healing through trauma-informed care. She aspires to play a part in helping to bridge the gap between foster care and occupational therapy as well as bring awareness to this emerging practice setting. Taylor hopes to gain the experience and knowledge to further this dream and continue to develop her research skills through this incredible opportunity to learn from her teammates and faculty at USF ITRE.

B. Michelle Beekman - Michelle graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology from the University of South Florida in 2014. During her time in the Psychology Department, she participated in the Psychology Honors Program in which she developed her honors thesis on the topic of intrasexual competition among college women and how it affects body image thoughts and behaviors. She is currently a second-year graduate student in USF’s College of Behavioral and Community Sciences Ph.D. Program. While at USF she has worked in various labs entering data and transcribing sensitive interviews. Currently, she is a TA for a course on Behavioral Health & the Family in the Department of Mental Health Law & Policy with plans to teach the course over the summer. Her main research interests include discovering ways to teach self-regulation to children with behavioral disorders and implementing innovative ways to increase mental health literacy and reduce mental health stigma. She is honored to be a scholar in the Institute for Translational Research Education.

Casey Blaesing - Casey is a second-year doctoral student in the Department of Occupational Therapy at Northern Arizona University, College of Health and Human Services. Casey has research experience in analyzing the effectiveness of transition programs for youth aging out of the foster care system. Her current research interests include pediatric oncology and neurodevelopmental disabilities, and how these affect individuals’ overall mental and behavioral health; foster care youth; and the impact of practicing therapy with and without a language barrier. Casey also has interest in the importance of motivational interviewing. She has volunteered at the Boys and Girls Club and Opportunity, Community, & Justice for kids, which serves foster care youth in Arizona. She graduated with her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Health and Human Physiology with minors in Spanish, Psychology, and Aging Studies from the University of Iowa in spring 2017.

Tessa Burt - Tessa is a second-year doctoral student in the Department of Occupational Therapy at Northern Arizona University. Tessa graduated with her Bachelor’s Degree in Kinesiology from Arizona State University in 2008 and her Master’s Degree in Teaching from Northern Arizona University in 2013. Tessa taught high school science for 5 years before starting her doctoral program. Tessa is currently part of a research project looking at transition services for youth who are aging out of foster care. Tessa’s research interests include cognitive development, foster care youth, and resilience.

James-Angelo DeLeon Suarez - James graduated with his Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and a Minor in Public Health at the University of South Florida in 2011.  He moved on to finish his Master in Public Health with a concentration in Behavioral Health at USF in 2014. He is currently an after-school teacher for students with learning disabilities, and is in his first semester as a member of the 6th Cohort of the Institute of Translational Research Education at USF.  His research interests include determining Social Marketing mechanisms that can be beneficial to reducing stigma and increasing awareness of adolescent mental health and substance use issues. James is also interested in Translational Research and Dissemination/Implementation Science in the Behavioral Health field.  He intends to combine his research interests in the pursuit of a doctoral degree program.

Mayra Elsherbeiny - Mayra Elsherbeiny received her Bachelor of Arts Degree from Georgia State University.  She is a graduate student in the Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling program at the University of South Florida, College of Behavioral and Community Sciences.  As a second-year student, Mayra is an intern with TrueCore Behavioral Solutions at Palmetto Youth Academy, a residential facility where she works with adolescent males in the juvenile justice system with substance use disorders, mood disorders, conduct disorders, anxiety, and ADHD.  Her research interests lie in drawing connections between trauma, the healing of trauma, and mental wellness.  Her future career goals include working with individuals and couples experiencing issues with substance abuse and sexual compulsivity, mood disorders, dissociative disorders, and early trauma experiences.  She is also interested in working with the at-risk adolescent community, specifically in supporting and promoting wellness and making a positive difference in an effort to affect change.  Mayra is honored to represent the University of South Florida as a Scholar for the Institute for Translational Research Education in Adolescent Drug Abuse.

Angela Garza - Angela is completing her final semester as a Master of Social Work Degree student at the University of South Florida.  She is an intern at Pasco Kids First Trauma Treatment Program, serving children ages 3-18 (and their families) who have experienced sexual and physical abuse, domestic violence, traumatic grief and community violence.  She currently works for WestBridge Dual Diagnosis Treatment Center as a part of the Assertive Community Treatment team, supporting the sobriety, wellness and overall health of men who are in recovery for co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders.  Her research interests include the impact of childhood trauma on individuals, families and the community, resilience, neuroplasticity, and evidence-based trauma treatments and interventions.  After graduating, Angela hopes to pursue a PhD Degree and earn certification as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker.  Angela earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Legal Studies in 2009 from Florida Gulf Coast University.

John "JJ" Jackson, III - JJ is currently a Master’s Degree Candidate at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. JJ’s current research interests are centered on evidence-based interventions in counseling queer youth of color, communities most impacted by HIV/AIDS through a mental health context, syndemic factors and social determinants of health that influence the sexual behaviors of gay, bisexual, and men who have sex with men (MSM). JJ also has interests in vicarious trauma and how that affects help-seeking behaviors for queer persons of color, as well as the concept of resilience as a coping mechanism for individuals of color. JJ currently works as a Care Coordinator at a non-profit LGBTQ safe space, engaging youth living with HIV/AIDS back into care as well as maintaining a current caseload of young people living with HIV/AIDS to monitor for adherence. JJ earned their Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology with a Double Minor is Social Work and Psychology from the GREAT Bethune-Cookman University. JJ plans to pursue their Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology.

Terrell Jackson - Terrell Jackson grew up in the nation’s oldest city of Saint Augustine, Fl. He received his Bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences from Florida Atlantic University. Mr. Jackson serves as the Care Coordinator for PrEP at JASMYN (Jacksonville Area Sexual Minority Youth Network), a non-profit located in Jacksonville, Fl., where he coordinates the sexual health clinic; providing testing and treatment services, linkage to PrEP: The HIV Preventative Pill; and, provides personalized cognitive counseling for LGBT minority youth ages 13-29. He is also an intern with Equality Florida, a Civil Rights organization, where he works as part of the HIV advocacy project speaking to legislators about modernizing HIV laws in hopes of reducing transmission vulnerability, especially in young men who have sex with men (YMSM) and Trans Youth Communities. Mr. Jackson has a passion for social justice and public health, especially as it pertains to biomedical research and youth cognitive development. He has been a guest speaker on the Society and Culture Podcast “DckAndDaBox” and a Speaker at the United States Conference On AIDS for the “Act Up! Turning Your Narrative Into Initiative” Youth Panel. He serves as a 2018 BABI (Build A Brother Institute) institute scholar, which focuses on professional leadership development of Black gay and bisexual men in the U.S. South. Mr. Jackson is also the founder of The RootED Initiative, a social media-based campaign focused on promoting self-care practices and advocating its importance in LGBT mental and sexual health. He has an interest in conducting research on how religion informs cultural and social norms, like masculinity and gender expectations, and affects identity development in LGBTQ black youth. In spring 2020, he plans to get Masters in Public Health with a focus in Epidemiology and Health Policy.

Tara Kemp - Tara Kemp is a student at Northern Arizona University studying in the Interdisciplinary Health PhD program with an emphasis in psychosocial health. She is a graduate assistant researcher with the PRANDIAL lab, where she is working with a longitudinal study on plant-based nutrition, health outcomes, and behavior change in adult women. Her dissertation is exploring the role of nutrition and nutrition education in early addiction recovery outcomes. She is particularly interested in the inner self-work of forming self-compassion and resiliency.

Natasha Kurji - Natasha Kurji is a doctoral student pursuing her PhD at the University of South Florida’s College of Public Health with a concentration in health services research. Natasha has her Bachelor of Science degree in neuroscience and behavioral biology from Emory University and her Master’s in Public Health (MPH) from University of South Florida (USF). Her research interests center around access and quality of behavioral health care. Natasha serves as the project coordinator for Depression Army, an international campaign aiming to address the stigma surrounding mental illness and promote a safe haven for those silently suffering. She also works as a Graduate Research Assistant and Teaching Assistant at USF and is a mentor for both Tampa Bay Tech High School and the Maternal and Child Health Pipeline program. She has recently served as Vice President for National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Hillsborough chapter and hopes to continue serving her community through her research.

Claire Lipton - Claire graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Art Therapy at The University of Tampa in 2015. After several years of engaging in creative and holistic practices in health care, she decided to continue her education in pursuit of serving patients with chronic illness at an advanced capacity. Claire is a concurrent degree-seeking student pursuing a Master’s in Public Health and a Master’s in Social Work at the University of South Florida. As a first-year student, Claire is an intern at Tampa General Hospital where she works with adults suffering from complex medical diagnoses. Her main research interests include health disparities among populations at risk, specifically adolescents and improving best practices among practitioners within health care systems.

Suzanne McWilliams - Sue is an Assistant Clinical Professor at Northern Arizona University School of Nursing where she teaches a Geriatric/Palliative Care Practicum, Nursing Preceptorship and Introduction to Nursing as a Profession. She is currently pursuing her Doctorate in Nursing. Her doctoral project is on Compassion Fatigue in Family Caregivers of an Adolescent with a Mental Health Disorder. The project focus is to implement and disseminate current research on compassion fatigue in family caregivers in a Residential Treatment Center.  She is a co-investigator in a longitudinal research project “Differences in self-compassion and compassion for others among nursing and physical therapy students, faculty and instructors”.

Lindsey Noland - Lindsey is currently pursuing a Master’s in Public Health Degree in the Behavioral Health Concentration at the University of South Florida, College of Public Health. She earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Biomedical Sciences from the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of South Florida in 2017. Her work in behavioral health has focused primarily in substance abuse and addictions research within the Health Outcomes and Behavior Division of Moffitt Cancer Center. For the past several years, she worked on a smoking cessation clinical trial testing the effectiveness of two evidence-based cessation interventions for smokers of different racial and ethnic backgrounds. Her current research interests include substance abuse treatment and comorbid mental and physical disorders, particularly in the chronic illness population. Her future plans after the completion of her degree include pursing a professional degree in Physician Assistant Studies, where she hopes to become a healthcare practitioner, specializing in psychiatric and mental health. She is honored to represent the University of South Florida as a Scholar for the Institute for Translational Research Education in Adolescent Drug Abuse.

Vesna Pepic - Vesna is a doctoral student in the Combined Counseling/School Psychology PhD Degree program at Northern Arizona University. She recently earned her Bachelor’s in Science Education from The University of Arizona in 2017 where she explored her passion for teaching. She has prior research experience working with young adults in assessing student learning at the college level within the state of Arizona. She has interests in translational research and implementation sciences within the context of education. Her current research interests include assessing self-care, positive discipline, and mindfulness and the implementation of these practices within the school system. She hopes to become a licensed psychologist working primarily with children and adolescents within schools and through community based programs.

Sarah Shahady - Sarah is a Master of Public Health student at the University of South Florida. Her concentration is in behavioral health. She received her Bachelor of Science in Public Health with a minor in Infection Control from the University of South Florida in 2017. She is currently working for the Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough County while attending school. Her interests are in behavioral health, adolescent health and reducing the stigma surrounding mental health issues. From a young age, she found that she was passionate about working with children. After graduating, she hopes to stay in the Tampa Bay area and work for a non-profit organization and implement programs to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health.

Shaylynne Shuler - Shaylynne is completing her final semester as Master’s student in Anthropology and her first year as doctoral student in Interdisciplinary Health at Northern Arizona University. Her research interests include minority stress, health equity, LGBTQ+ health and access to health care, religion and symbolism. Currently, her Master’s Thesis in Anthropology focuses on minority stress and the impact participation in conservative Christianity has on the mental health outcomes of sexual gender minorities. Shaylynne is also interested in suicide and suicide behaviors in LGBTQ youth and is currently working on her dissertation proposal with the hopes of creating an effective intervention for LGBTQ+ youth contemplating suicide who live in a highly religious or conservative area of the United States. She is currently a graduate assistant with Dr. Sean Gregory examining the relationship between religiosity and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Shaylynne graduated with two Bachelor of Science degrees in 2013 in Microbiology and Anthropology, and a Bachelor of Integrated Studies degree in Chemistry, Neuroscience, and Psychology.

Amanda Weston - Amanda is a second year PhD student in the Behavioral and Community Sciences program at the University of South Florida. She earned her Master of Arts in Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling. Her research interests include technology addiction with a concentration in video games and how technology affects developmental, social, and behavioral processes for children and adolescents. She is currently a Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern (RMHCI) working at Rogers Behavioral Health where she specifically works with children, adolescents, and adults with mood disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, eating disorders, autism spectrum disorder, and dual diagnosis. She is also a graduate research assistant with the Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling program working on two federal grants aimed at implementing services to assist individuals with disabilities gain competitive employment. She hopes to continue working within community-based organizations providing treatment as a clinician and to complete a post doctorate exploring evidence-based treatment interventions to treat gaming disorder on a global scale.

Amanda Armstrong - Amanda is currently pursuing two Master's Degrees in Child & Adolescent Behavioral Health as well as Criminology at the University of South Florida. Her research interests include how parenting practices affect child and adolescent behavioral health outcomes. Currently, her Master's Thesis in Criminology focuses on the impact parenting practices have on truant adolescents' drug use and symptoms of depression and Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Amanda is also interested in program evaluation, translational research, and implementation sciences within the context of behavioral health. She currently assists researchers evaluating the Medication-Assisted Drug Court Treatment (MADCT) Program for offenders with prescription drug issues. Additionally, Amanda is the Editorial Associate for the Journal of Behavioral Health Services & Research, and tutors student-athletes in a variety of courses within the academic fields of social and behavioral sciences. She was recently accepted into USF's doctoral program in Behavioral & Community Science, and hopes to combine her passion for research, teaching, and community service into a professional career upon graduation.

Amy Armstrong-Heimsoth - Amy is an Assistant Clinical Professor in the Department of Occupational Therapy at Northern Arizona University on the Phoenix Biomedical Campus. Amy graduated with a doctoral degree from Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions in the spring of 2014. She earned her Bachelor's Degree in Human Development & Family Studies from the University of Missouri in 1992 and her Master's Degree in Occupational Therapy from the University of Southern California in 1997. Amy has 20 years clinical pediatric occupational therapy experience. Her research interests include neurodevelopmental disabilities, influences of trauma on development, empowerment through health literacy, and foster care youth. Amy currently serves as President of the Arizona Occupational Therapy Association. She is also a board member for Opportunity, Community, & Justice for Kids, which serves foster care youth in Arizona.

Tracy Bales - Tracy is pursuing a Master's in Public Health Degree in the Behavioral Health Concentration at the University of South Florida College of Public Health. She earned her Bachelor of Design from the College of Architecture at the University of Florida and after a career in interior architecture, went on to complete her post bachelorette degree in psychology at USF. Her psychology honors thesis focused on the effects of priming and implicit thought on health decision making and goal setting behaviors. She worked to develop a children's safety program with the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office and has lectured about child safety issues. Her primary research interests include health decision-making; depression, including treatment effects of mindfulness-based cognitive behavior therapy and art therapy; the effect of visual arts-based learning on health care providers as a means of developing communication; teamwork and empathy skills; and issues related to girls' self-esteem and female objectification.

Dylan Bilyeu - Dylan graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology from Western Illinois University (WIU) in 2014. During his time at WIU, he participated in a Social Psychology lab in which he developed his honors thesis on the topic of Terror Management Theory and Gender Role Stereotypes. He is currently a 2nd year graduate student at Northern Arizona University (NAU) and is finishing his Master of Arts Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. While at NAU, he has been conducting research on wellness and resilience. Currently, his research interests include adverse childhood experiences and resilience. His future goals are to pursue a PhD Degree in Counselor Education and Supervision and to earn his LPC.

Julie Cheney - Julie is a first-year master's student in the Criminology and Criminal Justice Department at Northern Arizona University. Her main research interests are to analyze crime patterns, study violent homicides, and investigate sociopathic behavior. She hopes to eventually become an agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Julie is interested in researching women in prisons or interviewing exonerees for her master's thesis. She is honored to represent Northern Arizona University as a Scholar for the Institute for Translational Research Education in Adolescent Drug Abuse. Julie earned her Bachelor of Science Degree at the University of Arizona... "Bear Down"!

Joshua Zaris Goldman - Joshua is completing his final semester as a Master of Social Work Degree student and Graduate Student Success Fellow at the University of South Florida. He previously worked on multiple social work and public health research studies as a USF Graduate Assistant, and continues to assist in a voluntary role. At last year's American Public Health Association Annual Meeting, Joshua presented the initial findings of an exploratory study about the impact of the Swamp Apes, a program taking veterans into the Everglades National Park on service projects, with data suggesting it promotes healing from trauma and helps the transition back to civilian life. Joshua currently interns at Suncoast Hospice doing grief counseling. He plans on one day pursuing his PhD, with interests in trauma, mindfulness, and children and family counseling.

Molly Hahn-Floyd - Molly is a second-year doctoral student in the Department of Occupational Therapy at Northern Arizona University, College of Health and Human Services. Molly's current research interests include the effects of sensory integration on mental and behavioral health and the effects of the foster care system on mental and behavioral health of children and adolescents. She wants to establish a future career in research and policy serving marginalized populations. Molly is currently a Graduate Research Assistant in developing an executive skills assessment for middle and high school students with autism. She has also volunteered at the Boys and Girls Club and OCJ Kids, a nonprofit organization that provides services including mentorships to children and adolescents in foster care. She graduated with her Bachelor of Science Degree in Health Sciences with an emphasis in Sports Conditioning and Training from the University of Colorado-Colorado Springs in 2012.

Jade Heffern - Jade is a doctoral student in the combined Counseling/School Psychology PhD Degree program at Northern Arizona University. She has prior research experience working with at-risk rural, low socioeconomic status families through community-based parent interventions within the state of Arizona, which is an area that is dear to her heart and that she would like to continue researching. Her current research interests include mindfulness, health psychology, and effective treatments for childhood disorders. She hopes to become a licensed psychologist working primarily with children and adolescents. She recently earned her Master of Counseling Degree in August 2017, and she graduated with her Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology from The University of Arizona in 2014.

Rebecca Liller - Rebecca is a first year master's student in the Department of Community and Family Health (Behavioral Health Concentration) at the University of South Florida, College of Public Health after earning her Bachelors of Science Degree in Psychology at Saint Leo University in Dade City, Florida. She is currently working for the Center for Urban Transportation Research as a Graduate Assistant with the ITS traffic and operations safety team. Her main research interests are traumatic brain injury and cognitive development in children and adolescents, the epidemiology of mental disorders in individuals within the juvenile justice system, and education of drug impact on brain development. She has a passion for working with children and adolescents and preventing new injuries or illness through education. She has volunteered at the Rothman Center for Pediatric Neuropsychiatry, where she worked on a variety of research projects with children and adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder. She has also volunteered at Suncoast Kids Place, where she worked with children and families grieving after the loss of a loved one.

John Martin - John is a first-year doctoral degree student in the College of Behavioral and Community Sciences, He is currently working is a Graduate Assistant for a course in behavioral health policy and comorbidities. He is originally from Columbia, South Carolina where he completed his undergraduate studies and had his first research experiences in coding and data entry as well as working with black families on positive aspiration and motivation research in the African American Youth Development Lab (AAYDL) at the University of South Carolina.

Amanda Sharp - Amanda is a first year PhD Degree student in the College of Behavioral and Community Sciences at the University of South Florida. She earned her Master of Public Health Degree from Boston University and is a member of the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers (MINT). Her research interests include the utilization of patient-centered care and therapeutic alliance for behavior change, particularly in the field of substance abuse treatment and harm reduction. She previously worked in opioid overdose prevention in Boston and has consulted nationally to integrate patient-centered communication approaches in health care settings. She is currently involved in the intervention arm (as a recovery coach) on implementation research studies focused on patient engagement and activation. She is a graduate assistant at ACTS where she is performing a program evaluation of their medication assisted treatment program and working to implement a naloxone utilization tracking project. She hopes to continue working in behavioral health community-based organizations where she can contribute to improving care and empowering patients.

Lacey Tucker - Lacey is a dual degree student pursuing a Master's in Public Health and a Master's in Social Work Degrees at the University of South Florida. As a second-year student, Lacey is an intern at Roger's Behavioral Health where she specifically works with children and adolescents with obsessive-compulsive disorders, anxiety, eating disorders, depression, and autism spectrum disorders. Her main research interests include behavioral health prevention programming through the education system of k-12 schools, in addition to increasing behavioral health services in rural communities. After graduating, Lacey hopes to pursue a PhD Degree in Public Health and earn a certification as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Lacey earned her Bachelor's Degree in Behavioral Healthcare (Concentration in Applied Behavior Analysis) in 2015 from the University of South Florida.

Renee Wallace - Renee is a first-year Master of Public Health student at the University of South Florida, College of Public Health. With a Concentration in Public Health Education, Renee's interests include translational research, community planning and engagement, behavioral health, and youth empowerment. She currently works as a Graduate Research Assistant in the Champions for Children - USF Alliance. In this role, she assesses organizational and participant characteristics that affect the success of the family-focused Triple P intervention. She plans to serve as an advocate for minority and underserved populations, promoting social justice, eliminating health disparities, and creating awareness around behavioral health. In 2015, Renée earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Exercise Science at Florida State University with Concentrations in Chemistry and Child Development.

Andre Clark - Andre earned his bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of South Florida and currently works as a social emotional program specialist for Frameworks, a non-profit organization.

Nicole Crawford - Nicole is a licensed clinical social worker and works as the clinic coordinator for the USF Memory Disorders Clinic. She is a DrPH student and previously earned her Bachelor of Arts in Gerontology, Master of Social Work, Master of Public Health, and Certification in Public Health at the University of South Florida.

Caitlin Hill - Caitlin is pursuing her master's degree in psychology at the University of South Florida-Saint Petersburg and plans to pursue a doctorate in public health. She completed her undergraduate studies in psychology at Kent State University.

Amanda (Jennings) Farris - Amanda is a master's student in the School of Social Work at the University of South Florida, College of Behavioral and Community Sciences. She is currently an MSW intern with Pasco County Schools and volunteers with Suncoast Kids Place, an agency dedicated to providing peer support groups and activities for children, teens and their families following the death of a loved one.

Lauren Julian - Lauren works as a research support specialist with the Department of Child and Family Studies in the College of Behavioral and Community Sciences at the University of South Florida. She earned her bachelor of science in criminology at the University of South Florida in 2009.

Jason Kora - Jason currently works for a large managed care organization in Tampa and is aiming to eventually attain a master's degree in public health. He earned a bachelor of arts in economics from the University of South Florida in 2011.

Jana Leyrer - Jana is a master's student in the Department of Community and Family Health at the University of South Florida, College of Public Health. She graduated from the University of California, Irvine with a bachelor of arts in cognitive psychology.

Alexis McKinley - Alexis recently graduated with a bachelor's in public health at Northern Arizona University. She plans on going to the University of Arizona for a master's in public health and aspires to become a certified health education specialist.

Monica Rousseau - Monica is a DrPH student at the University of South Florida, College of Public Health. She earned her master of public health at the University of South Florida in 2012, is certified in public health, and is a certified health education specialist.

Sarah Sheffield - Sarah is a master's student in the Department of Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling at the University of South Florida, College of Behavioral and Community Sciences. She earned a bachelor of arts in psychology with a minor in behavioral health at the University of South Florida and Hillsborough Community College Honors Institute.

Vanessa Tate - Vanessa is pursuing a master's in public health with a concentration in behavioral health. She earned her bachelor's degree in 2007 from the University of South Florida in women's studies and sociology.

Enya Vroom - Enya is a master's student in the Department of Child and Family Studies at the University of South Florida, College of Behavioral and Community Sciences. She earned her bachelor of arts at USF, where she majored in psychology and minored in history.

Monica Chambers - Monica recently graduated with a master of arts in rehabilitation and mental health counseling at USF. She earned a bachelor of arts in philosophy and has a desire to serve the community.

Melody Chavez - Melody is a national registered dietitian and currently works at the James A. Haley Veterans Hospital and Clinics. She earned her master of public health from USF in 2015 and bachelor of science in human nutrition and food service from New Mexico State University in 2004.

Ericka Duncan - Ericka is a master's student at USF in the Department of Community and Family Health with a concentration in health education. Ericka has research experience as an AmeriCorps volunteer with the Illinois Public Health Association at the University of Illinois, Chicago.

Elizabeth "Lee" Dunn-Gader - Lee is a master of public health student with a behavioral health concentration in the College of Public Health, Department of Community and Family Health at the University of South Florida. She also earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from USF.

Aldenise Ewing - Aldenise is a doctoral student in the Department of Community and Family Health at the University of South Florida, College of Public Health. In 2011, she earned her master of public health in behavioral science and health education at Emory University's Rollins School of Public Health and earned her bachelor of arts from Vanderbilt University in Spanish and medicine, health and society in 2009.

Sarah (Lokey) Gonzalez - Sarah is a graduate student in social work at the University of South Florida and aspires to study public health in the future. She earned a bachelor of science with honors in legal studies and a certificate in victim advocacy from the University of Central Florida.

Shalay Jackson - Shalay is a school social worker for the Citrus County School Board and an adjunct professor at Saint Leo University, serving human services and social work students. She earned a bachelor of social work from Florida State University and a master of social work at the University of Michigan.

Gina-Maria Roca - Gina-Maria is a master of science in public health student in the Department of Community and Family Health the University of South Florida. She earned a bachelor of arts in psychology from the University of Tampa.

Christine Rollins - Christine is an art therapist and social worker in the Tampa Bay area, and is a master of public health student with a concentration in behavioral health at the University of South Florida. She earned a master of social work from the University of South Florida in 2014, and a master of arts in art therapy from George Washington University in 2001.

Vinita Sharma - Vinita is a doctoral student in the Department of Community and Family Health at the University of South Florida, College of Public Health. Vinita earned a bachelor of public health from Pokhara University and a master of public health at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and is a certified trainer of community oriented primary care (COPC).

Mariana Stavig - Mariana earned her bachelor of arts in anthropology and gender and sexuality studies from Swarthmore College in Pennsylvania. While applying for a PhD in counseling psychology, Mariana pursued two graduate certificates: translational research in adolescent behavioral health and children's mental health.

Ashley Walker - Ashley earned a bachelor of science degree in public health and currently works for a non-profit organization, Frameworks of Tampa Bay. Ashley plans to pursue a master of science in public health with a concentration in public health education.

Shawna Green - Shawna is currently pursuing a PhD at USF in public health with a focus on adolescent behavioral health. She previously earned her master of social work and master of arts in public policy and management.

Jessica Koelsch - Jessica earned her master of public health with a concentration in behavioral health and is certified in public health. She is also a certified health education specialist.

Kristen McCallum - Kristen earned her master of science in mental health counseling and is currently practicing as a licensed mental health counselor.

Lauren Nieder - Lauren is currently pursuing a master of science in public health with a focus in behavioral health. Florence "Flossie" Parsley - Flossie earned her master of social work and is a school social work services coordinator for Hillsborough County Public Schools.

Sharlene Smith - Sharlene recently earned her doctor of nursing practice at USF and is an assistant professor in the College of Nursing at USF. She is also an advanced registered nurse practitioner and a certified pediatric nurse practitioner.

Ashley Souza - Ashley recently earned her master of public health with a concentration in behavioral health from USF. She is currently working at the University of Tampa.

Bailey Thompson - Bailey earned her bachelor of science in public health from USF and was a peer health educator at USF's Wellness Center. She plans to pursue a degree in nursing.

Jessica Vazquez - Jessica earned her education specialist degree in school psychology and a master of science in school psychology from USF. She is currently a school psychologist intern in Cleveland.

Heather Walders - Heather earned her master of public health (concentration in behavioral health) and master of social work at USF and is certified in public health. She currently works as a clinician with a health care agency in Tampa.

Alexandra Albizu-Rivera - Alex earned her master of public health with a concentration in behavioral health from USF and is currently working as a technical assistance liaison on a SAMHSA grant and as a research coordinator at Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute.

Nichole (Snyder) Fintel - Nichole earned her master of science in public health from USF and is currently a technical assistance liaison for a SAMHSA grant.

Shivani Gogna - Shivani earned her master of public health with a concentration in global health from USF and is certified in public health.
Chanelle Henderson - Chanelle earned her master of arts in rehabilitation and mental health counseling at USF and is a certified rehabilitation counselor. She is a licensed professional counselor resident in Roanoke, Va.

Humberto Lopez Castillo - Humberto is a postdoctoral research fellow at USF in Mental Health Law & Policy and earned his PhD in public health with a focus in behavioral health. He has also earned a doctor of medicine from the University of Panama, a master of education from Latin American University for Science and Technology, and a master of clinical sciences with a concentration in pediatrics from the University of Panama.

Mathew Lynch - Mathew earned his PhD in criminology from USF. He also holds a master of science in education in community, agency, and mental health counseling from Duquesne University and a bachelor of arts in psychology and English from Washington and Jefferson College.

Vickie Lynn - Vickie is a doctoral student and adjunct professor at USF in the College of Public Health with a focus in behavioral health. Vickie previously earned her master of public health (concentration in behavioral health) and master of social work.

Andrew McFarlane - Andrew earned his master of arts in counseling and is a certified addictions professional. He is the director for Prevention and Health Services for a community-based health care agency in Tampa.

Kimberly Menendez - Kimberly earned her master of science in educational leadership and is a certified prevention specialist. She is the senior curriculum writer for a non-profit focused on preventing adolescent substance use.

Catherine "Cat" Randall - Cat earned her PhD in social work from USF and is a licensed clinical social worker for Hillsborough County Public Schools.

Tommi Lynn Rivers - Tommi earned her bachelor of arts in psychology and works as a senior quality improvement analyst for a large managed care organization.

Monica (Solomon) Simmonds - Monica earned her master of science in public health with a focus in behavioral health from USF and is a certified health education specialist.

Kristina Soderstrom - Kristina earned her master of social work from USF. She currently works with adolescent girls as a counselor for a non-profit agency.

Sara Beth Wolicki - Sara earned her master of public health with a concentration in health education at USF. She is certified in public health and is a public health grand rounds fellow for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.