Andrea is the Director of Programs and Operations at the Hassenfeld Child Health Innovation Institute. She has extensive experience as a project coordinator and has managed complex portfolios of federally-funded community-based research projects. As a Latina woman, she is drawn to the intersectionality between culture and mental health service use. Her research interests include disparities in behavioral health outcomes for low-income children, screening and early detection of autism, and the impact of state-level policies on the provision of services for children with developmental delays. Andrea received her BA in Psychology and Sociology from Boston University and her Masters in Public Health from Boston University School of Public Health.

Jocelyn Antonio is the Director of Program Implementation and Policy at the Hassenfeld Child Health Innovation Institute. She earned her Master of Public Health degree with a concentration in Health Policy and Law and a sub-concentration in Global Health from Boston University School of Public Health. She completed her undergraduate degree at Duke University where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Evolutionary Anthropology. Jocelyn’s experience ranges from database development to project coordination and implementation to community organizing. Her research interests include health disparities and inequities in maternal mental health outcomes, maternal depression prevention and screening, child maltreatment, community delivered interventions and food security. She has worked on research projects for Boston Medical Center, RTI International, UNC, Chapel Hill Carolina Survey Research Lab, and Duke University Center for Child and Family Policy. Additionally, Jocelyn has been involved in various political campaigns in North Carolina and Massachusetts. As a bilingual Mexican-American woman, Jocelyn is interested in reducing health inequities and disparities in populations that have been systemically marginalized by advancing evidence -informed policymaking through a health equity lens.

Toyin Akinjisola is a research assistant, who grew up in Providence, RI and graduated from the University of Rhode Island with a degree in Biology and a minor in Psychology. She is passionate about addressing mental health as a public health issue and emphasizing the value of preventative measures crucial to improving the lives of people within our communities. During her free time, you might find her taking a paint class, watching inspiring movies, attending a play, or admiring artwork at the RISD Museum. 

Veronica is a bilingual research assistant. She has 15 years of research experience and has worked on projects for Brown University, Women & Infants Hospital, Hasbro Hospital and the University of Washington. Her interests are in children’s health and their pathways to growth. In her free time, Veronica enjoys sailing across the Narragansett Bay and traveling abroad to visit family and friends.

Katherine Lashway, LICSW is a senior research associate at the Hassenfeld Child Health Innovation Institute, working with Dr. Tracy Gladstone on several research projects, including Mood Check, PATH 2 Purpose, and the B.E.S.T. Study.  Prior to working at Hassenfeld, Katherine worked at Wellesley Centers for Women as a research associate, as well as at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center as a clinical social worker. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, with a double minor in Spanish and Italian, from Rutgers University, and a Master of Social Work from Boston College. She is independently licensed as a clinical social worker in both Massachusetts and Rhode Island. 

Holiday Liu is currently a clinician and research associate with a keen interest in adolescent mental health, based in Dr. Tracy Gladstone's lab. She earned her master's degree in social work from Columbia University and holds bachelor's degrees in psychology and biology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. With over 1000 hours of clinical experience, Holiday honed her clinical skills in conducting assessments and implementing treatment plans, utilizing modalities such as CBT, DBT,  trauma and grief-focused therapy. Outside of work, she enjoys fitness, outdoor activities, and reading.

Megan Miller earned her Master of Public Health degree with a concentration in behavioral science and health communication from Tufts University School of Medicine. She completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Pittsburgh where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Cell and Developmental Biology. Her research interests include disparities in health related to social determinants. In her free time, Megan enjoys playing with her Ragdoll cat, Luna, and exploring new dining spots. 

Pia Montenegro is a research assistant under Dr. Tracy Gladstone. She earned a B.S. in Psychology with Highest Honors from Emory University. Since 2021, Pia has worked in 3 different labs all focused on adolescent mental health and plans to pursue a Clinical Psychology Ph.D. on the topic. Outside of work, Pia enjoys creating art and playing video games.

Jhery is the Project Director for the Hassenfeld Child Health Innovation Institute's ENRICHED project. She is a graduate of Boston University with a degree in Biology and 8 years’ experience in clinical research. Over time her research career has been focused on Human Research Protection, making her our regulatory expert. Jhery also helps coordinate various studies as well as develop and implement standard operating procedures to maintain regulatory compliance at the institute.

Erica Plunkett is a Project Manager with Dr. Tracy’s Gladstone’s team at the Hassenfeld Child Health Innovation Institute.  She works on projects related to adolescent depression prevention, both at the research and clinical level and directly in schools, conducting universal mental health screenings.  Prior to Hassenfeld, Erica was at the Wellesley Centers for Women for 26 years, where she worked on a multitude of projects, including a comprehensive evaluation of a middle school sex education curriculum, and quality standards for out-of-school time programs. Erica is a graduate of Bates College with a B.A. in Psychology and the University of Pennsylvania, where she has an M.S. in Psychology in Education.  She is married with one grown daughter, and outside of work, likes to bike, read, cook, and travel.

Tia Ebony Sanders is a graduate of Grinnell College with a degree in history and psychology. She enjoys spending time with water, caring friends, and family. She loves learning about the African diaspora and trying new recipes.

Matthew Scarpaci is a data analyst with experience in clustered and multilevel modelling, spatial data analysis, data harmonization techniques, and database management and development. His primary expertise is in creating and maintaining longitudinal research databases and in modelling statistical outcomes for a variety of study types. Mr. Scarpaci has substantial experience in SAS, R, ArcGIS, and the RedCAP data capture system. His research interests include early childhood health and educational development, chronic disease, and the effect of environmental conditions on child health.

Lauren Schlichting is an epidemiologist with experience in statistical analysis, complex data management, database design, and data visualization. Dr. Schlichting's research interests include pregnancy complications, birth defects, perinatal exposures, early childhood development, maternal mental health, and life course epidemiology.

Kelsey Taylor, MS, LMHC, Clinical Project Director, works with Tracy Gladstone, Ph.D., on depression prevention projects. She coordinates and implements Mood Check, a school-based mental health screening and intervention program. Prior to working with Dr. Gladstone, Kelsey worked for non-profit agencies treating mental health concerns, addressing complex trauma and supporting resilience in children, youth and families through direct clinical work, clinical supervision, training and initiatives. Kelsey is an experienced therapist and administrator with expansive knowledge of the behavioral health, child welfare, and juvenile justice systems in Massachusetts. She has a Bachelor’s degree from the University of New England in Psychology and Social Relations and a Master of Science in Counseling Psychology and Graduate Certificate in Women’s Studies from Northeastern University. Kelsey is also a part-time faculty member at Boston College School of Social Work.

Tatiana is a bilingual research assistant. She is a graduate of Rhode Island College with a degree in public health and a focus in community health and wellness. Outside of work, she enjoys serving in her local Church, shopping, and traveling with her family!

Natacha is the study coordinator for the prospective cohorts. She is a graduate of Quinnipiac University with over 5 years of research experience. Natacha is responsible for all coordination with the Institutional Review Board, assures study compliance, quality control, and coordinates interdepartmental research components. Her interests include health & fitness and traveling all over the world.