People: Family Science

Dr. George Askew

George L. Askew, MD, FAAP is the Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for Health, Human Services and Education for Prince George’s County, Maryland. He is responsible for oversight of the county’s Health Department, Department of Family Services, Department of Social Services, and the liaison relationships to the public schools, library system, and community college. He is former Deputy Commissioner of Health in the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene where he was responsible for overseeing and managing the Division of Family and Child Health. Prior to that, he was appointed by the Obama Administration to serve as the first Chief Medical Officer for the Administration for Children and Families at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Dr. Askew was born and raised in inner-city Cleveland, Ohio. He earned a BA in Psychology and Social Relations at Harvard University, is a graduate of the Case Western Reserve School of Medicine, and a member of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Class of 1992 Epidemic Intelligence Service, also known as the “Disease Detectives.”

Contact: glaskew1@co.pg.md.us

Dr. M. Bishop (they/them)

M. Bishop, PhD, is a postdoctoral research fellow in the department of Family Science at the University of Maryland, College Park. Their research leverages approaches at the nexus of developmental science, public health, and demography to understand the health and wellbeing of sexual and gender minority people across the life course. Dr. Bishop is interested in the developmental and intersectional contexts that shape relations between identity development, minority stress, and health among sexual and gender minority youth. Dr. Bishop’s current NIH-funded research examines developmental differences in alcohol use and misuse among youth at the intersection of gender, sexuality, and race/ethnicity. The goal of Dr. Bishop’s research is to inform programs and policies aimed at eliminating inequities experienced by sexual and gender minority people. Dr. Bishop holds a Ph.D. in Human Development and Family Science from the University of Texas at Austin.  

Contact: mbishop3@umd.edu

Dr. Joni Brown

Joni Brown is a President's Postdoctoral Fellow in the Department of Family Science. She earned her MA and PhD in Health Psychology from the University of California, Los Angeles, and a BA in Psychology from St. John’s University. Her research interest is in psychosocial and sociocultural factors affecting Black women’s reproductive health. In particular, Joni has a strong interest in topics of maternal health and family planning.

Contact: jbrown97@umd.edu

Dr. Chessa Lutter

Dr. Chessa Lutter has worked for more than 25 years on policies and programs to improve maternal and child nutrition in low- and middle-income countries, working with the World Health Organization (WHO), other United Nations Organizations and non-governmental organizations. 

Contact: cklutter@umd.edu

Alexandria DiOrio is a first-year doctoral student in the Maternal and Child Health program. Her research interests focus on restrictive reproductive policies and maternal mental health, morbidity, and mortality in the context of the U.S. political landscape. She serves as a research assistant with Dr. Julia Steinberg investigating the impact of the sociocultural context on unintended pregnancies in different states. Prior to beginning her doctoral studies, Ali worked in public health practice and higher education for 9 years and hopes to integrate these experiences into her approach to research. Ali holds a B.A. in psychology and an MPH in community health from Arcadia University. In the future she plans to work at the intersection of research and policy development to ensure access to the full range of reproductive health services for all individuals.

Anna Paden McCormick is a doctoral student in Maternal and Child Health. Prior to beginning her PhD, Anna spent 14 years working for mission-driven health and development organizations managing research and health development projects. She has worked to strengthen community, primary, and laboratory healthcare systems in more than 25 countries across Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Anna is interested in a range of public health issues including intimate partner violence and pregnancy outcomes, maternal mental health and child development, addressing gender based violence, and infertility care and treatment including the development sector’s role in facilitating infertility care and treatment in low and middle income countries. She has degrees from Georgetown University and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and grew up bi-culturally between the US and UK.

Becky Shasha is a doctoral candidate in Maternal and Child Health. Her research interests include family planning and abortion access, use, and decision making among women in Africa. She is the Women’s Health Lead for the Maternal and Child Health Bureau at the Maryland Department of Health. She also serves as a graduate teaching assistant for the Global Public Health Scholars program. Previously, she was a Program Officer at Jhpiego and interned for the Reproductive Health Project at the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine. Becky holds a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Public Health, both from the University of Pennsylvania.

Chinedu Obioha is a first-year doctoral student of Maternal and Child Health. She is interested in health determinants, experiences of intimate partner violence and pregnancy outcomes research in underserved populations. She is presently a teaching assistant for Dr. Donney’s Research methods in Family Science class (FMSC 302) and serves as a research assistant for Dr Barrie whose research work centers around gender roles in minority populations. She received her B.Sc. in Biochemistry from the Allied Medical Sciences department of the University of Calabar, Nigeria and an M.Sc. in Environmental Management from Coventry University, UK. Her MPH degree is from Adelphi University’s College of Nursing and Public Health, NY.

Deborah Quint Shelef is a PhD candidate in Maternal and Child Health. Her research focuses on risk and resilience factors for women’s and children’s health, and on strategies to improve health outcomes across the lifespan. Her recent projects have focused on women’s mental health, prenatal and postpartum support, infant mortality, and parental stress. At the University of Maryland, Debbie has taught FMSC 302: Research Methods in Family Science and FMSC 332: Children in Families, and was a teaching assistant for FMSC 310: Maternal, Child and Family Health.
Debbie currently works as a public health analyst in the Division of Research at the HRSA Maternal and Child Health Bureau. Previously, she spent 15 years at Children’s National Hospital as the program director of IMPACT DC (“Improving Pediatric Asthma Care in the District of Columbia”). Debbie studied anthropology at Harvard and received an MPH from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

Isha Chawla began the Family Science Ph.D. Program in the family finance area of specialization in 2020. Her primary research interest is in family financial behaviors. She received her M.S. in Human Development and Family Studies (focus: Financial Counseling and Planning) from Iowa State University, U.S., in 2020 and an M.B.A in Finance from Bharati Vidyapeeth University, India, in 2016. Prior to pursuing the Ph.D., Isha worked at The Bank of New York Mellon, a corporate investment banking company, as a Process Associate, and at the IndusInd Bank, a commercial banking company, as a Deputy Manager in Pune, India. Currently, she is a lead instructor for FMSC 341- Personal and Family Finance. In addition, she is an Accredited Financial Counselor® certified by the Association for Financial Counseling & Planning Education. Recently, she has been elected as an editor for Consumer Interest Annual and served as a graduate student representative in the ACCI annual conference planning committee 2020-2022. She may be reached at isha@umd.edu and LinkedIn.

Janay Johnson is a PhD candidate in Maternal and Child Health. Johnson earned her BA in Psychology and Religion from Kalamazoo College and earned her MPH in Maternal and Child Health from the George Washington University School of Public Health. After graduating from undergrad, Johnson worked at the Michigan State University Division of Public Health, helping to lead research projects focused on African American men's mental health and diabetes management. During her master's degree, Johnson worked as a research specialist, conducting numerous projects on international maternal, infant and young child nutrition. At UMD, she has served on the School of Public Health Graduate Advisory Council and is currently a graduate instructor for the Global Public Health Scholars program.

Jasmine Lusane is a Maternal and Child Health doctoral student. Broadly, her research focuses on minority health equity, reproductive/sexual health, and maternal and perinatal health. Professionally, she served as a Project Manager in the non-profit sector and Research Assistant at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Jasmine received her BS in Health Services Administration from Auburn University and her MPH in Epidemiology and Biostatistics from Florida A&M University. After receiving her MPH, Jasmine was in the 2019-2020 cohort of Planned Parenthood of Metro Washington D.C Developing Leaders Program and an inaugural Data Science Fellow of Correlation One Data Science for All. She currently is a University of Maryland institutional Southern Regional Education Board Doctoral Scholar and student research affiliate of the Maryland Population Research Center.

Jessica Moore-Solorzano is a Family Science PhD student.

Kerra Mercon is a doctoral student in Maternal and Child Health. Her research interests include promoting reproductive justice and equal access to reproductive care for all. She is also interested in developing and evaluating interventions to increase social support and improve health outcomes for birthing people and their infants. She works as a research assistant studying resilience factors that support desistance for formerly incarcerated people with Dr. Amy Morgan. She also is a teaching assistant for Dr. Amy Lewin’s course Sex, Drugs, and Social Media: Adolescent Health and Development (FMSC 270). Her prior work experiences include conducting economic evaluations of pediatric public health interventions and promoting inclusion of the patient perspective in medical decision-making to inform federal health policy. Kerra received her master’s degree in biomedical engineering from George Washington University and her bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Bucknell University.

Khiara (Makayla) Lee is a first-year doctoral student in the Maternal and Child Health program. Her research interests include adverse pregnancy outcomes, specifically maternal mortality, and breastfeeding rates of Black women. She is currently in the process of submitting her paper on breastfeeding rates for publication. Makayla is working under Chair Dr. Mia Smith-Bynum as a Research Assistant doing work around racial socialization and Black adolescents. She is also a Teaching Assistant for Research Methods in Family Science (FMSC 302) under the professorship of Dr. Julie Fife Donney. Through this assistantship, she is afforded the chance to practice and refine her teaching skills and mentor students. Makayla has a bachelor’s in Biology with a minor is Psychology from Tougaloo College and a Master’s in Public Health concentrating in Maternal and Child Health from Brown University.

Lindsay Mallick began her Ph.D. in Maternal and Child Health in 2020. Her research in both international and domestic settings spans equity in, access to, and quality of health care for family planning and perinatal services. Before starting her doctoral program, Ms. Mallick served as a Community Health Agent in the Peace Corps in Mauritania, West Africa, and earned an M.P.H. in International Health and Development from Tulane University. She fulfilled two ORISE epidemiology fellowships with the United States Air Force and Army before working as a Lead Research Analyst seconded to The Demographic and Health Surveys Program through Avenir Health. She is currently an Instructor of Record for FMSC310 Maternal, Child and Family Health and is a student affiliate of the Maryland Population Research Center. Feel free to reach out to her: lmallick@umd.edu.

Martha Yumiseva-Lackenbacher is originally from Quito - Ecuador. She is currently a PhD candidate in Family Science at the University of Maryland’s School of Public Health. She earned her M.S.Ed. in Human Development at the University of Pennsylvania’s Graduate School of Education and her B.S. in Education and Psychology at the Universidad San Francisco de Quito. She is a passionate researcher, investigating family practices and dynamics in the context of health as the baseline of children’s optimal cognitive, social, and emotional development. Her main work has focused on Latino families in the US and the implications of immigration on family separation, family reunification, and mental health. Currently, she is part of the following research projects: El Camino, a collaborative sexual health promotion program for Latino youths, the TOGETHER Program, a financial and relationship education program offered to couples in the area, and the Galápagos Education and Research Alliance from the University of Pennsylvania geared toward community science initiatives at the intersection of poverty, ecology, conservation, health inequalities, and educational inequality. In addition, she was recognized as an Outstanding Research Assistant by the Graduate School. Feel free to contact her on Twitter: @titayumiseva and Linkedin: Martha Yumiseva.

Naomi Whitaker is a doctoral student in Family Science. Naomi earned her BS in Public Health from East Carolina University and earned her MPH in Behavioral, Social, and Health Education Sciences from the Emory University Rollins School of Public Health. Naomi is very interested in adverse childhood experiences in black youth such as poverty and community violence, and how this impacts youth development especially as it relates to educational outcomes. During her master's degree, Naomi worked as a graduate research assistant helping to advance projects related to hospital based and community-based violence programs. She also was very involved in supporting the Rollins graduate community as a program assistant for the Peer to Peer Mentoring Program and Equity and Engagement team. She currently serves as a graduate assistant at The Consortium for Race, Gender, and Ethnicity at The University of Maryland; and Dr. Rabiatu Barrie’s research lab focused largely on trauma and violence in the black community. Naomi has been very involved with the School of Public Health community by founding the first Association of Black Public Health Student group at The University of Maryland to help foster community at the school.

Pond Ezra is a doctoral student in Family Science who’s research focuses on transgender parenting. Specifically, they wish to explore how transgender parents, specifically seahorse dads, navigate parenting roles after birth; in what contexts does gender dysphoria show up in transmasculine parenthood; and what socialization messages are transgender parents sending to their children about gender. Pond is a research assistant in Dr. Jessica Fish’s SOGI health lab, working on multiple projects that investigate socialization messages communicated among heterosexual parents and sexual minority youth. Pond holds a B.A. and M.S. from Texas State University.

Raya Francis is a first-year doctoral student in the Family Science program. Her research interests include fostering health and well-being among children and youth in underserved communities through community-engaged, family-based interventions. She works as a research assistant with Dr. Ghaffar Ali Hurtado Choque on national and international community-engaged research projects. Their collective focus is on promoting the physical and mental well-being of Latinx youth, acknowledging the unique challenges and opportunities within this community. Through this collaborative effort, she is gaining valuable insights into community engagement strategies that can drive positive change and enhance the overall quality of life for youth and their families. She also serves as a teaching assistant to Dr. Christine Schull’s Children in Families course (FMSC 332). This role allows her to impart knowledge, guide students, and further refine her understanding of the diverse dynamics within families. She is originally from Beirut, Lebanon. She holds a bachelor's and master's degree in speech-language pathology from Saint Joseph University of Beirut. Her academic background instilled a deep-rooted interest in understanding and addressing the diverse needs of individuals and families. She envisions a future where her research and educational contributions will make a tangible difference in the lives of underserved children, youth, and their families, ensuring they have access to the support and resources necessary for optimal health and overall well-being.

Rebecca Foss is a Family Science doctoral student, whose research focuses on mental health and innovative communication and dissemination methods, particularly in the use of online interventions, social media, and transmedia storytelling. Rebecca has nearly two decades of experience in marketing and communications resulting in a working knowledge of multiple media executions and communication delivery methods. She aims to draw from her past experience and present research to transform public health communication using mixed-media methods based on what resonates most with specific populations. Rebecca has been involved in multiple capacities with the TOGETHER Program at UMD, including marketing and recruitment, research, data management, and case management. Feel free to reach out to Rebecca on LinkedIn.

Salwa Shan is a doctoral candidate in the Family Science Program with research interests in Muslim Americans' mental health. Having completed her undergraduate and master's degrees at UMD, she is very familiar with the campus and the surrounding area. Her involvement with the Muslim community, experience as a high school teacher, and educational background in Couple and Family Therapy, allowed her to build a strong foundation in mental health and explore meaningful relationships. Her master's thesis focused on Black families and racial socialization. Salwa is very passionate about tying together her clinical and research experience to serve marginalized communities and to increase awareness about mental health and accessibility to mental health services in diverse communities.

Samantha Moran (she/her)  a Doctoral Student in the Family Science program. Broadly, her research interests include the experience of sexual and gender minority youth (SGMY) in the context of the school system, and the importance of creating safer environments, inclusive curricula, and supportive measures that empower teachers and staff to affirm students. Samantha is a member of Dr. Jessica Fish's SOGI Health Research Group and is currently involved in several projects exploring associations between youth/school policies and SGMY mental health and other outcomes such as bullying and school safety. Samantha holds an M.S.W from the University of Maryland School of Social Work and a B.S. in Family Science and Sociology from Towson University. She is also a Project Manager in the Psychology Department at UMBC working in the Home Visiting Training Center sponsored by the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting division at the Maryland Department of Health. Twitter: @SamanthaMoran__ || email: smoran12@umd.edu

Sara Murry is a doctoral student in Family Science whose research focuses on mental health and substance use disorder treatment design, implementation, and evaluation for LGBTQIA+ peoples, especially for those with gender minority identities. Sara is partnering with Dr. Mariana Falconier on the TOGETHER Program as a Research Assistant (RA) and works with Dr. Jessica Fish's Sexual Orientation Gender Identity Health Lab. They have also served as a RA for Dr. Amy Morgan's Post Incarceration Resilience Lab and are currently serving as a Teaching Assistant for Mental Health and Healing for Families (FMSC 340). Prior to beginning their doctoral studies, they worked as a licensed social worker for over 9 years providing outpatient mental health treatment and substance use disorder treatment. Sara is currently offering telehealth therapy to LGBTQIA+ community members as an Licensed Certified Clinical Social Worker (LCSW-C) with Chesapeake Behavioral Health, LLC, and is a board-certified supervisor for both mental health and substance use disorder clinicians. Sara holds A.A.S. in Human Services from Anne Arundel Community College, B.S. in Social Work from UMBC, and M.S. in Social Work from University of Maryland, Baltimore.

Sun Cho is a second-year Ph.D. student in Family Science. Her research focuses on men's health and masculinities in men of color. She is passionate about exploring how the structural inequities shape their masculinities, how masculinities are transmitted from generation to generation in families, how masculinities impact men's health and family relationships, and how masculinities can shift in a positive, healthy way. She has been a teaching assistant for FMSC 190 Man Up! Masculinities, Health, Families, & Inequality and a research assistant for Dr. Kevin Roy. She is originally from Seoul, South Korea. She earned her M.S. in Human Development and Family Studies at Kyunghee University in 2018 and her B.S. in HDFS and Psychology at Duksung Women's University in 2016. After graduating from her master's program, she worked as a research assistant in the family policy research center at Seoul Women's Foundation. She likes hiking, listening to Bossanova, 6-hours driving, and COFFEE.

Zack Berman is a doctoral candidate in Family Science whose research focuses on the sexual and mental health of individuals and partners. Specifically, his work explores unique clinical considerations for providing efficacious therapy to individuals and partners in kinky, polyamorous, and/or other non-traditional relationships. Zack is an investigator in Dr. Jessica Fish's SOGI Health Lab. As a clinician, he has over a decade of experience in the mental health field and has worked with clients from a diverse array of backgrounds and lifestyles, including extensive experience working with clientele in the LGBTQ+, consensually non-monogamous, and kink communities. He currently provides individual, couple, family, and sex therapy as a Licensed Clinical Marriage and Family Therapist in Bethesda, MD. Since 2018, he has been a TA and instructor of record for courses in couple relationships, adult development and aging, and Family Science internship analysis. Zack holds a B.A. and M.S. from the University of Maryland, College Park. He is also a clinical supervisor for the couple and family therapy master’s students in the Center for Healthy Families.

Zeinab Azizi is a first-year Family Science PhD student at the University of Maryland’s School of Public Health. Originally from Tehran, Iran, Zeinab received their B.A. in Counseling and Guidance in 2018, and M.A. in Family counseling in 2022 from the University of Tehran. Having done an externship in Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy and an internship in a pre-divorce counseling center, Zeinab became passionate about researching couples’ relationships through the lens of romantic attachment, particularly in the couples facing adverse circumstances like chronic diseases. Their master’s thesis focused on relationship satisfaction, empathy, and forgiveness of couples with cardiovascular disease. Currently, Zeinab is part of the TOGETHER program. Feel free to contact them at znbazizi@umd.edu.

Adam Hedelund (he/him) is from Newbury Park, California. He graduated from Brigham Young University with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a minor in Family Life. As an undergraduate he worked as a peer mentor in the Office of First Year Experience where he met with first year students and counseled them through their transition from high school to college. He volunteered at the Family Academy where he served as a court appointed supervisor for families struggling through the effects of divorce. This job granted him insight into the complex family dynamics as well as the struggles surrounding male mental health. After graduation Adam worked as a data base coordinator for Project M.E.D.I.A looking at the role of technology in the development of children. Adam also worked a Character Development Coordinator at American Preparatory Academy where he had the chance to facilitate activities and lessons that encouraged mental, emotional, and social resilience in high school students. Adam’s research interests include men’s wellness and dismantling the stigma around men’s mental health and therapy. During his free time Adam likes going to the movies, singing, museums, and good food. 

Azure Zheng (she/her) is from Guangzhou, China. She graduated from New York University Shanghai with a B.A. in Social Science. After graduation, she worked as a Customer Experience Associate specializing in customer PR, crisis intervention, and de-escalation training in a bilingual setting. Prior to joining the University of Maryland. Azure was actively engaged in programs and campaigns that promote mental health in China. As a Peer Counseling Volunteer, Death Cafe Organizer, and a Suicide Prevention Training participant, she is passionate about raising awareness of mental health care and cultivating communities that support one another. Azure’s research interests include masculinity and depression, the domestic division of labor in East Asian culture, and culturally sensitive therapy. During her free time, she enjoys exploring new podcasts, solving sudokus, making Kung-fu Tea, and trying out new sports (bouldering, surf skating, and the list is growing!)  

Janynea Hutchinson (she/her) is a bubbly and welcoming individual from Baltimore, Maryland. She graduated from Bowie State University with a Bachelor of Science in Sociology and is currently pursuing a Master’s in Couples and Family Therapy from the University of Maryland. Her clinical areas of interest include couple’s relational work through her training in Emotionally Focused Therapy. Janynea’s aspiration to be a certified sex therapist fuels her intimacy and sexual-based research interest. She has worked for several years within the Prince George's County Public School system, where she creates a safe environment for students to further their academic knowledge and knowledge of self. She is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, and utilizes the platform to elevate young women of color. Janynea is an active leader in her mentor the upcoming generations. Her primary goal is to destigmatize therapy within communities of color. In her free time, she loves music and crafting. Janynea believes she can make anything she sets her mind to, but her favorite thing to make is someone's day.

Jazmine Diggs (she/her) was born and raised in Maryland. She graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park with a B.S in Community Health, Certificate in Women’s Studies, and Specialty in Health Risk Behaviors. During her undergraduate years, she served as the Indigenous Community Outreach Student Intern for the Office of Multicultural Involvement & Community Advocacy where she planned and facilitated Native American Heritage Month and aided the university in developing their Land Acknowledgement statement in honor of the Piscataway Conoy tribe. Jazmine helped provide mental health resources to UMD’s minority community through the Multi-Ethnic Mental Health Organization founded in 2020 amidst the pandemic as an avenue to educate the university’s minority population on resources reflective of their specific needs. She also taught introductory medical summer courses to high school students across the U.S through the National Youth Leadership Forum on Medicine. Through this, she went on to mentor twenty-five of her former students and aid them throughout their application processes and transitions to four-year universities. In 2022, Jazmine completed her undergraduate capstone internship at the University of Maryland’s health center through Health Promotion & Wellness Services where she served as both their mental health and sexual health student advocate. In her free time, she enjoys writing poetry, traveling, and modeling to promote diversity in the fashion industry.

Mansi Dougall (she/her) was born and raised in New Delhi, India. She graduated from Jesus and Mary college, University of Delhi with a degree in Psychology (Hons). During that period, she served as vice president of the psychology department, organized department events and set up an online and offline campaign under a mental health initiative. Her first thesis investigated how parents of juvenile delinquents cope with the absence of their offspring and the implications for the child’s reintegration back to society. Thereafter, she completed her master’s degree in applied psychology- specialization in counselling psychology from Tata institute of social sciences, Mumbai and gained experience in counselling, ranging from shelter homes for women, to working with children and adolescents in schools and NGOs. At the end of two years, she was awarded the shield prize for the best student at fieldwork in her university. As a part of her master’s thesis, she explored the nature of romantic relationships and resilience among committed emerging adults in romantic relationships. Her work experience began in 2020 with an employee assistance program that offered teletherapy to employees for concerns related to self development, relationship and work. Post this, she worked as a part time role counsellor at the Delhi commission for protection of child rights. Additionally, she was empaneled as a psychologist in a pioneering pilot project by the Health department and Hans foundation. In the project, she was placed in a government school for a period of 6 months to offer counseling to children and adolescents. Through the completion of the CFT program she intends to enhance her skills in working with a systemic lens to understand different cultural nuances and dynamics impacting families, and to consolidate her past learnings of working with children and adults. During her free time, she enjoys exploring new places, traveling, yoga and dancing has been a major part of her life in school and college.

Mia Lemus (she/her) grew up in Arlington, Virginia. She graduated from Rhode Island College with a B.A. in Psychology and B.S. in Chemical Dependency Addiction Studies in 2021. She began studying Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling at the University of Wisconsin-Madison post grad from 2021-22, where she focused on experimental research techniques and methodology and applied it to various areas of psychology. Mia has worked in a clinical setting advocating for teenagers and young adults with behavioral, emotional and developmental disorders. Prior to joining the University of Maryland, College Park, she interned at Bradley Hospital in East Providence, Rhode Island facilitating social skills groups for adolescents with autism while collecting behavioral data. She was trained in Dialectical Behavior Therapy- Adolescents (DBT-A), an empirically validated treatment model used to teach and reinforce emotion regulation and distress tolerance skills. She applied these skills to address relationships with family and peers and was helpful in implementing individual treatment programs. Mia's research interests include mindfulness-based relapse prevention, intergenerational and collective trauma, parent-child relationships in immigrant families, loss, and grief. In her free time, Mia enjoys reading, road trips and trying new Italian recipes.

Nicole Gerber (she/her) is from Silver Lake, Kansas. She graduated from Kansas State university in May of 2022 with a B.S. in Education Studies and a minor in Conflict Analysis and Trauma Studies. Prior to college graduation, she worked at a community mental health center in Manhattan, Kansas, where she worked with an underserved population of school-aged children and their families to provide mental health resources and advocate for their success in schools. Her current interests are addiction and its effects on the family and mental health issues for teen girls and young women. In her free time, she enjoys reading, quality time with friends and family, exercising, and trying new foods. 

Sonia Villatoro-Ramos (she/her) was born in El Salvador but has lived in Maryland most of her life. She graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park, with a double major in Sociology and Family Science. Sonia is an active member of her local parish as a volunteer and worker, which has allowed her to interact with members of her community, particularly Spanish-speaking families, and low-income individuals. She aims to provide therapy services to minority groups who may view therapy as taboo and create a safe space for those seeking therapy services. Sonia also hopes to raise awareness of mental health concerns in marginalized communities and reduce the stigma associated with it. Presently, as a Therapist Intern for the Center for Healthy Families and Greenbelt CARES, she offers bilingual therapy services to individuals, families, and couples. She also serves as a Couples Facilitator for the TOGETHER Program, where she leads Spanish workshops to help couples decrease stress, enhance their financial knowledge and communication skills. Her interests include promoting mental health awareness, early childhood intervention, immigrant family resilience, and family relationships after separation. During her free time, Sonia enjoys spending quality time with her family and friends, engaging in outdoor activities, and reading.

Sydney Bristol (she/her) is from San Diego, CA. She graduated from the University of California, Santa Cruz in 2019 with a BA in Psychology (intensive track) and honors in the major. While in undergrad, Sydney interned at Corporacion de Ayuda al Paciente Mental (CORPAM) in Santiago, Chile, an adult residential facility, and at 7th Avenue Center in Santa Cruz, CA, a 99-bed adult inpatient psychiatric facility. After graduating, Sydney has worked in adult and children inpatient and outpatient facilities and found her passion in children and family crisis work. Sydney's research interests include suicidality in youths and young adults, sexually exploited children, life after domestic violence, holistic wellness, and trauma in family systems. Sydney is currently a Graduate Assistant in the Behavioral and Social Sciences Advising office in the Feller Center at the University of Maryland. Sydney is also Couples Expert Facilitator at the TOGETHER Program where she provides education on how to promote healthy family relationships, personal well-being, and employment and financial stability in our communities. In her free time, Sydney enjoys playing with her Australian Shepherd, hiking, reading, playing volleyball, and exploring the DMV.

Adrian Cortez (he/him) was born and raised in Washington, DC and now lives in Maryland. He graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park with a B.S. in Family Science. Throughout undergrad Adrian worked in a bilingual DCPS school with second graders, fostering their overall well-being and comfort. After graduating he worked for over two years as a CI/CT for the Colorado Department of Public Health. Adrian worked primarily in regard to COVID-19 but also helped the state and local public health departments in other areas such as avian influenza and food/water-borne illnesses. Through this work he provided emotional support while connecting diverse and underserved communities/families to information and resources in Spanish and English. Adrian has since volunteered in hospice, visiting and sharing connections with patients. Adrian is also a Trevor chat/text volunteer crisis counselor for the Trevor Project supporting LGBTQ+ youth. His areas of interest are gender identity in youth and their families and is passionate about finding ways to provide specified support for the LGBTQ+ community regarding IPV. During his free time Adrian loves to connect with nature, rollerblade, bike, hike, find new music, do B&W photography, share moments with friends, and spend time with his pets.

Isaiah Myers (he/him) was born in Washington DC and raised in Upper Marlboro Maryland. He is a graduate of the University of Maryland College Park and obtained a Bachelor of Science in Family Science with a minor in Human Development. He has had the privilege of working with the non-profit organization Community of Hope DC where he has served in family shelters, gaining invaluable experience. Other professional roles have included working as an Optometrist Technician, an Academic Advisor for the Office of Letters and Science at the University of Maryland College Park, and contributing to various volunteer initiatives. This range of experiences has honed his communication skills and underscored the value of privacy and discretion when dealing with families and individuals. When he's not working, he can be found exploring new places, engaging in a game of tennis, refining his culinary skills, indulging in the serene beauty of aquarium keeping, or enjoying a ride on his motorcycle.

Janae Freemen (she/her) graduated from Morgan State University in 2021 with a B.S in Psychology. She has completed 24 hours of Masters level Marriage and Family Therapy courses at Pfeiffer University. She currently resides in Columbia, South Carolina and enjoys the beach, and outdoor activities. Janae has a passion for music, she was a devoted member of the illustrious Morgan State University choir. Janae's career goal is to own a family counseling practice with a focus in play art, music and other alternative therapies.

Leilani Chavez (she/her) is from Hyattsville, MD. She graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park, with a Bachelor of Science in Community Health and a specialization in Health Risk Behavior. After graduating, she has worked as a Community Health Worker and Lifestyle Coach at Holy Cross Health (HCH), assisting community members in Montgomery and Prince George’s counties by offering bilingual health education, informal counseling, and social support. Through community outreach and health education, Leilani has had the privilege to assist and interact with diverse communities needing resources such as food, housing assistance, car seat assistance, and so much more. As a Diabetes Prevention Program Lifestyle Coach, she has led multiple groups of participants through a year-long CDC-recognized lifestyle change program to reduce the risk of diabetes in individuals with prediabetes or at high risk for developing type 2 diabetes. Leilani enjoys encouraging and supporting her participants to pursue a healthy lifestyle by giving them tips and advice on eating healthy, being physically active, and reducing stress. She sees the best in her participants and cheers them on as they make small changes that lead to significant accomplishments. Leilani’s interests include grief and loss, children and divorce, and the impact of substance abuse on families. She enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, walking, and caring for her plants.

Matthew Alvarez (he/him) is from Miami, Florida and graduated from the University of Florida with his B.A. degree in psychology. In his undergraduate career, he has spent his time serving his local communities as well as those abroad while gaining skills necessary to be equipped to help others such as being certified in CPR as well as an emergency medical responder. Matthew worked in a psychiatric rehabilitation center in Rockville, MD that helps adults learn life skills and gain a more solid grasp on independence as well as a helping hand when needed. Matthew’s research interest includes building better communication between others, helping manage expectations and breaking down barriers and stigmas surrounding mental health. During his free time, Matthew enjoys playing board games, going on hikes, singing and having a laugh with friends.

Max Frankel (he/him) was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area. He graduated from San Diego State with honors, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a minor in communications. As an undergraduate, he worked as a crisis hotline respondent, also actively contributing to the hotline's outreach team, which worked to destigmatize seeking help and support. Max further played a pivotal role as a member of a research lab focused on developing innovative tools to measure early language acquisition as well as assess the impact COVID-19 had on children's language learning. His journey extends beyond academics and research as he engaged in the campus community. He worked with a food bank and a center for displaced children, along with serving as a teaching assistant and tutor for subjects including rhetoric, communications, and math. These experiences have all strengthened his interest in the therapeutic field with emphases on LGBTQ+ care, sex therapy, relational communication, and non-traditional family/relationship structures. Max finds joy in journaling, thrifting, jogging to his favorite music, and spending time with friends and family.

Nisha Patel (she/her) is from Ocala, FL. She graduated from the University of Florida in May 2023 with a B.S. in Psychology and a B.A. in Sociology. While in undergrad, she volunteered at the Alachua County Crisis Center, where she completed training to become a Phone Counselor. As a crisis line phone counselor, she spoke with callers experiencing a variety of circumstances like crisis situations, grief, and trauma. Through this position, she was able to learn how to be a compassionate and active listener who understood the importance of being a listening ear. Nisha also interned at the Health Education and Training Center in Gainesville, FL, a non-profit organization focused on health education and wellness. As an intern for HEAT, she reached out to the local community about the health-focused classes and other resources available through the center. In addition, Nisha worked on a group research project which explored the role of adverse and positive childhood experiences on adulthood sexual behavior. Nisha’s interests include breaking down the stigma around mental health and understanding the impact of incarceration on familial relationships and identity. In her free time, Nisha enjoys listening to music, reading, taking walks, and catching up with her friends. 

Ola Elwakeel (she/her) is from Cairo, Egypt. She graduated from the American University in Cairo (AUC) in 2018 with a B.A. in psychology (highest honors). Her undergraduate thesis focused on analyzing, through a socio-cultural lens, the manifestation of depression amongst Egyptian women. She recognizes the significance of socio-cultural dynamics, and aims to develop culturally-sensitive therapeutic approaches and interventions. Shortly after graduation, she had the opportunity to train at a reputable psychiatric hospital in Egypt -Al Mashfa- where she further developed her understanding of different disorders, therapeutic treatments, and psychological assessments. After that, for a period of 5 years, she was able to gain extensive experience in working with children and adolescents with special needs and neurodevelopmental disorders, in both specialized centers and international school settings. As a cognitive therapist and later a learning support teacher, she provided interventions for clients/students with very diverse profiles and varying abilities (ADHD, LDs, ASD, and CP to name a few). She empowered and supported them to reach their maximum potential, and also provided their parents with guidance and strategies to assist them in best supporting their children. Prior to joining the University of Maryland, she also became an accredited executive functioning (EF) coach through the Connections in Mind foundation in the UK. Ola was then able to take initiative, propose a plan, and have the honor of introducing and teaching executive functioning classes at her school, making it the first school in Egypt to offer such classes. She aims to have EF interventions complement and enrich her therapeutic approaches, so as to better serve her clients, specifically those who have neurodivergent brains. Her research interests include, but are not limited to, personality disorders in couples/families, the impact of neurodiversity on couples/families, intimate partner violence, and intergenerational trauma. She also hopes to be able to serve Muslim and Arab communities, as well as historically underrepresented communities, and those for whom therapeutic access has been limited or challenging. In her free time, Ola enjoys working out, exploring new places, reading, and spending time with loved ones.