Dr. Emily E. Virtue is an Associate Professor of Educational Research and Program Director for the doctorate in Educational Leadership at Western Carolina University's College of Education and Allied Professions. She specializes in faculty preparation, equity pedagogies, and supporting conditionally-enrolled students. Her prior roles include lecturer in English and Retention and Completion Advisor at WCU, with experience in student wellness and leadership development. Educational Background: PhD in Educational Leadership from Clemson University (2019) MA in English from University of North Carolina Wilmington (2008) BA in Writing from University of Mount Union (2006) Research focuses on bridging equity-driven practices with project-based learning, teacher training for marginalized student populations, and institutional policies to support academic success. Her recent work emphasizes asset-based pedagogies and collaborative frameworks to address systemic inequities in education. Publications consistently explore themes like equity in classroom practices, the impact of learning communities, and strategies for student retention. While no specific awards are listed, her work demonstrates sustained engagement with transformative educational equity initiatives. No grants or advising roles are explicitly detailed in the provided text, though her roles suggest involvement in program coordination and policy development. She has not been associated with specific labs or research teams in the available information.
Caroline M. Campbell is an Assistant Professor at Widener University, affiliated with both BSW and MSW programs. She holds an MSW from Temple University (2003) and a BA in Psychology from Millersville University (1998), and is pursuing a PhD in Social Work at Widener. Her research focuses on trauma healing models, transformative pedagogy, and culturally grounded interventions. She has taught at Eastern University for eight years and served as MSW Online Field Director. Professional practice experience includes work with vulnerable communities in maternal health, domestic violence, and Latino trauma contexts. Research emphasizes community-based healing, social work practitioner wellbeing, and mind-body interventions. Teaching philosophy incorporates experiential learning, relational pedagogy, and healing-centered engagement. Publications explore faith-based resilience frameworks and domestic violence among Latina adolescents. Active in the National Association of Social Workers.
Jessica S Henry is a Professor of Justice Studies at Montclair State University’s College of Humanities and Social Sciences. She holds a BA from Bucknell University and a JD from New York University School of Law. Prior to academia, she served as a public defender in NYC for nearly a decade. Her research focuses on wrongful convictions, severe sentencing (death penalty/life without parole), hate crimes, and criminal justice reform. She authored the award-winning book Smoke But No Fire (2020), exploring no-crime wrongful convictions. Key awards include the 2022 University Distinguished Scholar Award and 2015 Montclair Distinguished Teacher Award. Teaching specialties include Wrongful Convictions, Criminal Law/Procedure, Death Penalty Perspectives, and Hate Crimes. Her work appears in Journal of Criminal Law , Criminal Justice Policy Review , and media outlets like NPR, TEDx, and Crime Story Podcast . She frequently appears as a legal commentator on national TV/radio. Her advocacy spans public lectures at institutions like the Newkirk Center for Science & Society and the Texas RioGrande Legal Aide. Research emphasizes systemic flaws in criminal prosecutions, with focus on marginalized populations and procedural justice. Ongoing projects include studies on virtual life sentences and indigent defense reforms. She directs Montclair’s Justice Studies Department initiatives and co-founded the Just Justice Podcast to amplify criminal justice discourse.
Kathryn Jackson is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Community and Global Health at Lehigh University, affiliated with the College of Health. Her work bridges environmental justice, race, and health, with a focus on urban agriculture and community empowerment. She holds a PhD in Public Affairs and Community Development from Rutgers University-Camden, alongside advanced degrees in social work and policy. Educations: PhD in Public Affairs and Community Development, Rutgers University-Camden M.S.S. (Master of Social Service) & M.L.S.P. (Master of Liberal & Professional Studies), Bryn Mawr College B.A. in Sociology, Eastern University Research & Engagement: Dr. Jackson’s research investigates environmental justice through urban agriculture solutions, addressing food inaccessibility and pollution in marginalized communities. She currently serves as Environmental Justice Coordinator for the Center for Environmental Transformation in Camden, NJ, advocating for equity alongside residents. Her recent work appears in Environmental Justice journal. Teaching: She instructs courses on food justice, community health fieldwork, and participatory research methodologies. Professional Experience: Prior roles include Public Policy Director at Volunteers of America, Delaware Valley, where she shaped legislative strategies for underserved populations. Labs/Teams: Active in the Center for Environmental Transformation, collaborating on community-driven environmental equity initiatives.
Kirsha Gordon, PhD, MS, is a Research Scientist, Biostatistician, and Epidemiologist at the Yale School of Medicine's Department of General Internal Medicine. She holds affiliations with the IMPOWR-YOU and PRIME Centers, focusing on chronic pain, opioid use disorder, and disparities in healthcare. Her research integrates large-scale health record analyses and survey data to address gender, racial, and LGBTQ+ disparities in treatment outcomes. Dr. Gordon earned her bachelor’s in Mathematics from Manhattan College and advanced degrees in Biostatistics and Epidemiology from Columbia University. She collaborates extensively with Yale and VA Connecticut researchers on projects involving veterans’ health, HIV/AIDS, and substance use disorders. Notable contributions include studies on opioid-related neurocognitive symptoms and disparities in MAT access during the pandemic. Her work has been supported by grants such as the NIH HEAL Initiative and a $11.8M NIH-funded center studying opioid use disorder and chronic pain. Dr. Gordon’s research also extends to liver cancer risk prediction and firearm safety screening disparities among marginalized groups.
Jessica Lewis, Ph.D., MFT is a Research Scientist at the Yale School of Medicine in the Department of General Internal Medicine. She also serves as Deputy Director for the Center for Community Engagement and Health Equity at the Yale Cancer Center and is a Board Member of the Dean's Advisory Council for LGBTQI+ Affairs at Yale University. Dr. Lewis has directed research on health behaviors, health equity, and women's sexual, reproductive, and mental health at Yale for more than 29 years. Her research investigates the interplay of complex biomedical, behavioral, social, and structural factors that influence individual, family, and community health, with a focus on marginalized populations. Dr. Lewis is co-founder of Expect With Me, a technology-enabled group model of prenatal care that has demonstrated significant improvements in maternal-child health outcomes. Her work spans multiple disciplines including women's health, maternal & child health, mental health, reproduction, poverty and economic security, perinatal/prenatal health, health equity, and social determinants of health. Dr. Lewis has authored 75 peer-reviewed publications focusing on group prenatal care, health disparities, and innovative healthcare models. Her recent work examines resilience factors, social support, food insecurity, and discrimination in relation to maternal and child health outcomes, with publications appearing in prestigious journals including the New England Journal of Medicine and Preventive Medicine. Board Member, Dean's Advisory Council for LGBTQI+ Affairs, Yale University Co-Founder, Expect With Me prenatal care model Deputy Director, Center for Community Engagement and Health Equity Dr. Lewis has extensive experience directing large multi-site research projects with methodological rigor and cultural sensitivity. She serves as an Editor for the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health and as an External Reviewer for PCORI (2024-2025).
Kathryn Thomas is an Instructor in Psychiatry and Core Faculty at the SEICHE Center for Health and Justice at Yale School of Medicine. She holds dual expertise as a licensed psychologist and attorney, focusing on the intersection of psychology and the criminal legal system. Her research addresses health disparities among incarcerated populations, including the psychological impacts of wrongful convictions and incarceration-related moral injury. She adapts evidence-based PTSD treatments for formerly incarcerated individuals and provides clinical services through Yale Law School’s clinics, including the Challenging Mass Incarceration Clinic. Education: PhD in Counseling Psychology (University of Wisconsin-Madison), JD (Loyola University Chicago School of Law), and postdoctoral research fellowships at Yale Law School’s Justice Collaboratory and the SEICHE Center. Research interests include legal epidemiology, health equity, forensic psychology, and mental health interventions for justice-involved populations. Notable work examines maternal mortality linked to substance use policies and the psychological trauma of wrongful convictions. Recent awards include the 2025 YCCI Scholar Award, supporting her project to develop trauma-informed treatments for formerly incarcerated individuals. She collaborates with interdisciplinary teams and community stakeholders to bridge clinical practice, legal advocacy, and policy reform.
Helena Addison, PhD, RN, is a Research Fellow in the Department of Internal Medicine at Yale School of Medicine. She holds a PhD in Nursing Science from the University of Pennsylvania (2024), a Master of Science in Nursing from Johns Hopkins School of Nursing (2019), and a BA in Psychology from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. Her research focuses on mental health outcomes in marginalized populations, particularly formerly incarcerated Black men, veterans with criminal-legal involvement, and individuals affected by intimate partner violence. Her work integrates qualitative and quantitative methods to address systemic inequities and inform healthcare interventions. Her articles explore themes such as the lasting mental health impacts of incarceration, the intersection of criminal justice involvement and veteran health, and the development of health promotion programs targeting vulnerable communities. Notable contributions include studies on racial disparities in mental health access and the moderating roles of trauma in substance use behaviors. Addison's expertise extends to cultural humility frameworks in nursing education, aiming to prepare practitioners for diverse patient populations. She is affiliated with the NCSP (likely a research program or initiative at Yale).
Wenona Giles is a Professor Emerita of Anthropology at York University and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada (FRSC). She retired from teaching in 2018 but continues research on gender, migration, forced migration, refugee issues, and access to education for marginalized populations. Her work focuses on protracted refugee situations, particularly in Africa and the Middle East, and she co-led projects like the Borderless Higher Education for Refugees (BHER) initiative in Kenya’s Dadaab camps. Giles holds a PhD in Anthropology from the University of Toronto and has authored numerous books, including Refugees in Extended Exile (2017) and Sites of Violence: Gender and Conflict Zones (2004). Education: Ph.D. Anthropology, University of Toronto M.A. Anthropology, University of Toronto B.A. Liberal Arts (English and French Literature), University of Santa Clara Diplôme de Langue et des Lettres Françaises, Université d'Aix-Marseille Research Interests: Gender relations in migration, refugee education, protracted displacement, militarization, and the intersection of gender and nationalism. She has conducted fieldwork in Iran, Kenya, and post-Yugoslav states, emphasizing the lived experiences of refugees and marginalized groups. Awards: Officer of the Order of Canada (O.C.) Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada (FRSC) Grants & Projects: Co-investigator of the SSHRC-funded Canadian Refugee Research Network and founder of the Women in Conflict Zones Research Network. She led initiatives to provide higher education access to refugees in Dadaab through partnerships with Kenyan and Canadian universities. Labs/Teams: Centre for Refugee Studies at York University, where she served as a Resident Research Associate.
Bastien Quirion is a Full Professor in the Department of Criminology at the University of Ottawa. His research focuses on risk assessment, rehabilitation, harm reduction, and critical criminology. He holds a PhD in Sociology from Université du Québec à Montréal (2001), an M.Sc. in Criminology from Université de Montréal (1993), and a Bachelor’s degree in Criminology from the same institution (1990). Current teaching includes courses on criminological intervention theories, individual interventions, risk management, and ethics in criminology. His work emphasizes sociological perspectives on addiction treatment and penology, with a focus on marginalized populations and systemic challenges in judicial and clinical settings. Publications highlight interdisciplinary approaches to criminological challenges, including historical analyses of penal systems and critiques of professionalization in the field. His research bridges theoretical frameworks with practical interventions, addressing contemporary issues in correctional policies and community reintegration. No scientific awards are explicitly listed, though his extensive publication record reflects scholarly contributions. Advising and grant details are not provided in the source material. He contributes to academic discourse through multiple peer-reviewed journals and edited volumes.
Chyrell D. Bellamy, PhD, MSW is Professor of Psychiatry at Yale University's Department of Psychiatry and Director of the Yale Program for Recovery and Community Health (PRCH). She also serves as Director of Peer Support Services & Research and Director of the Yale Lived Experience Transformational Leadership Academy (LET(s)Lead). Additionally, Dr. Bellamy functions as a Senior Policy Adviser for the Office of the Commissioner for the State of Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS). Yale School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry Yale Program for Recovery and Community Health (PRCH) Yale Lived Experience Transformational Leadership Academy (LET(s)Lead) Connecticut Mental Health Center Center for Brain & Mind Health Dr. Bellamy's research expertise centers on community-based participatory research and co-design with communities of color and individuals living with psychiatric illness, substance use disorders, HIV, homelessness, and incarceration histories. Her work focuses on healthcare disparities, sociocultural pathways of recovery, development of culturally responsive interventions, qualitative research methods, and community/clinic-based psychosocial and wellness interventions. She brings personal and professional expertise as a frontline service provider, clinician, social worker, and community organizer, openly identifying as a person with lived experience of multiple marginalized identities including mental illness, trauma, and addictions. Dr. Bellamy's publication record demonstrates significant contributions to mental health equity, with a focus on culturally responsive interventions for marginalized populations. Her research trends show a consistent emphasis on community-driven approaches, particularly through initiatives like Harambee (a wellness intervention for serious mental illness) and Imani Breakthrough (a faith-based opioid recovery program). Her recent publications increasingly incorporate technology and AI considerations in mental healthcare while maintaining strong community engagement principles. The breadth of her work spans from local Connecticut implementations to international collaborations in Brazil. PCORI award for co-located primary care for people with mental illness NIMH R34 award for whole health intervention mechanisms CT DMHAS/SAMHSA State Opioid Recovery funds for Imani Breakthrough program NIH Common Fund/NIDA grant for culturally responsive substance use recovery NIH R34 grant for peer support implementation in Brazil NIH NIMHD grant for Recovery Finance study Dr. Bellamy actively mentors researchers through her leadership roles and directs multiple federally funded research initiatives. Her work with the Yale Program for Recovery and Community Health has secured substantial grant funding from NIH, PCORI, NIMH, and state agencies, focusing on innovative approaches to mental health and substance use recovery. Her research portfolio demonstrates strong community partnerships and a commitment to translating research into practice through programs like LET(s)LEAD, which provides leadership training for people with lived experiences. Dr. Bellamy leads the Yale Program for Recovery and Community Health, which operates through a collaborative network of researchers, community members, and practitioners. Her work with the Lived Experience Transformational Leadership Academy (LET(s)LEAD) represents a significant team-based approach that centers lived experience in research and service delivery. She collaborates extensively with community organizations, particularly faith-based institutions serving Black and Latinx communities, and maintains international partnerships in Brazil for mental health system transformation.
Shykina Brown, PsyD, is an Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychiatry at the Yale University School of Medicine and Program Director of the Yale Behavioral Health-Juvenile Justice Mental Health Program. She provides clinical oversight for mental health services across Hartford and Bridgeport Residential Centers and community REGIONS Programs. Her expertise spans psychotherapy for individuals with serious mental illness, trauma-informed care, and culturally competent service delivery for marginalized populations. Education & Training: PsyD, University of Hartford (2017) Postdoctoral Fellowship, Yale University School of Medicine (2018) Pre-doctoral Fellowship, Yale University School of Medicine (2017) Clinical Psychology Internship, Connecticut Valley Hospital (2016) Research & Clinical Focus: Dr. Brown’s work emphasizes multicultural approaches to cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), advocacy for Spanish-speaking clients, and reducing disparities in mental health outcomes for minority groups. Her dissertation proposed guidelines for mental health professionals working with men of color, presented to psychiatry residents and colleagues. Professional Activities: Member, American Psychological Association Member, Connecticut Psychological Association Member, National Commission on Correctional Health Care Reviewer, American Psychological Association's Psychological Services Journal Key Contributions: Co-developed trauma-focused treatment programs in federal prisons, including DBT and CPT interventions. Leads interdisciplinary teams in juvenile justice settings to improve academic and behavioral outcomes for youth in state care.
Richard Jankowsky is a Professor in the Department of Music at Tufts University, part of the School of Arts and Sciences. He previously served as a faculty member at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London. His research focuses on the intersection of music, ritual, and power in North Africa, particularly exploring music’s role in healing, preserving marginalized histories, and fostering transcendent experiences. He holds a BA in Anthropology and Music from Tufts University (1995) and a PhD in Ethnomusicology from the University of Chicago (2004). His work includes seminal publications like Ambient Sufism (2021), which received the Alan Merriam Book Prize, and Stambeli (2010), recognized with multiple honors. He has been a two-time National Endowment for the Humanities Fellow and has received grants from the American Institute for Maghreb Studies and the Fulbright Program. His research integrates fieldwork-based methods, examining cyclicity, density, and transformation in trance rituals. Professional activities include organizing events like the Noor Ensemble Mawlid Concerts and serving on academic committees such as the Analytical Approaches to World Music Conference Program Committee. He teaches courses like Music, Trance, & Consciousness and Soundworlds of North Africa , reflecting his interdisciplinary approach to music studies. His awards also include the L. Carl Brown Book Prize Honorable Mention and a Finalist placement in the American Academy of Religion Book Prize on Religion and the Arts. He has contributed to encyclopedic volumes and peer-reviewed journals, advancing global understanding of North African and Middle Eastern musical traditions.
Dr. Eugenia Nijgh de Sampayo Garrido is a Research Fellow at the University of Queensland 's School of the Environment within the Faculty of Science . Her research focuses on coral reef ecology , particularly the symbiotic relationships between corals and Symbiodinium algae, and how these associations influence reef resilience under climate change . Education : PhD in Coral Symbiosis (University of Queensland, 2008) Key Research Areas : Symbiotic flexibility in climate-stressed corals Latitudinal range dynamics of coral communities Larval recruitment and settlement ecology Microbial community interactions in reef systems Publication Trends show consistent focus on coral-Symbiodinium interactions (2008-2023), with recent work on marine heatwave impacts (2023), microbiome plasticity (2020), and adaptive mechanisms in marginal reef populations (2017). She collaborates extensively with Prof. John Pandolfi 's lab and contributes to PeerJ consensus studies (2023). Supervision : Available for supervision, with completed roles as associate advisor for three PhD projects (2019-2022) examining coral range dynamics , early life history interactions , and maternal investment trade-offs .
LCDR Kezia Edmonson is an Assistant Professor and Director of the Health Administration and Policy program at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS) School of Medicine. She holds a PhD in Health Services Research (George Mason University) and an MHAP from USUHS. With 20 years of military service, she combines clinical experience as a Hospital Corpsman with academic leadership in healthcare administration. Her research focuses on mental health disparities in military families, care continuity, and telehealth policy. Education: PhD, Health Services Research (George Mason University, 2021-2024) M.S., Health Administration and Policy (USUHS, 2011-2013) B.S., Business Administration (University of Maryland, 2008-2010) Research Interests: Dr. Edmonson investigates mental health challenges in military-connected populations, including suicidality and care continuity across military health systems. Her recent work explores telehealth access disparities in Medicaid and their impact on marginalized communities. She emphasizes translating research into actionable policy for improving healthcare equity. Grants & Collaborations: Co-Investigator on a NIHCM grant ($54,919) analyzing Medicaid telehealth policy (2022-2024). Active in military health systems research, including large-scale patient evacuation operations during wildfires and pandemic response coordination in Okinawa. Labs/Teams: Leads USUHS's Health Administration and Policy program, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration between healthcare administration and public health policy.
