Transitions ACR Staff Directory
Our staff work in the collaborative, team-based environment at Transitions ACR and come from a variety of disciplines. They work as researchers, interviewers, statisticians, project directors, program developers, and administrative support. One thing they have in common is a passion for the work they do, with the ultimate goal of improving the lives of people who live with mental illness, their families, and providers.
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Rachel DeCola
Academic Role: Project Assistant
Professional Responsibilities: Manages the administrative responsibilities for the iSPARC Communications Team. Member of the iSPARC Operations team.
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Samantha Hersh
Academic Role: Clinical Research Coordinator I
Professional Responsibilities: supports the Learning & Working RRTC Directed Training Program and Helping Youth on the Path to Employment (HYPE), at Transitions ACR
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Maya Ingram, B.A.
Academic Role: Research Project Director
Professional Responsibilities: directs the HYPE, HYPE Anthem, and FSST at Work projects at Transitions ACR
Research Interests: Young adult social-emotional learning and mental health services; comparative race and ethnic studies; intersectionality in mental health care for BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and other marginalized groups.
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Jonathan Lerew
Professional Responsibilities: graphic designer for the Communications Team. Member of the CP RRTC project.
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Deirdre Logan, B.A.
Academic Role: Project Manager III
Professional Responsibilities: Responsible for the completion of all iSPARC Communications activities, L&W RRTC TA, Training, and Dissemination activities, CP RRTC Dissemination activities.
Research Interests: Dissemination and presentation of research findings and materials, Informed Consent, research ethics, and youth, young adult, and family mental health.
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Vanessa Mitchell-Wagner
Academic Role: Training Coordinator
vanessa.mitchellwagner@umassmed.edu
Professional Responsibilities: trainer for the FSST and HYPE on Campus programs, Learning & Working RRTC at Transitions ACR
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Emma Narkewicz, M.P.A.
Academic Role: Clinical Research Coordinator III
Professional Responsibilities: supports various projects on the Learning & Working RRTC, Transitions ACR
Research Interests: Improving education and employment outcomes for young adults with mental health conditions and disabilities, Social policy, Health equity for BIPOC and LGBTQ+ populations, Sexual violence, Community-engaged public health
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Tracy Neville, B.A.
Academic Role: Research Coordinator II
Professional Responsibilities: supports various research projects for Transitions ACR; co-facilitates the Young Adult Advisory Board
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Debbie Nicolellis, MS, CRC, CPRP
Academic Role: Training Director
debbie.nicolellis@umassmed.edu
Professional Responsibilities: Learning & Working RRTC Directed Training Program and Helping Youth on the Path to Employment (HYPE)
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Mei Pearlstein
Academic Role: Research Coordinator I
Professional Responsibilities: S.T.A.Y. Tuned Podcast co-host. Supports various Learning & Working RRTC projects at Transitions ACR
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Kristen Roy-Bujnowski, M.A.
Academic Role: Research Program Manager II
kristen.roy-bujnowski@umassmed.edu
Professional responsibilities: Project director for the CP RRTC at Transitions ACR
Research interests: The intersection of the criminal justice and mental health systems; Race, gender, and class disparities in the criminal justice system; physical health disparities and mental illness, program implementation & evaluation, and suicide prevention.
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Gillian Simons
Academic Role: Research Assistant Technician
Professional Responsibilities: Member of the Communications Team. Provides project support for the Learning & Working RRTC and CP RRTC.
Research Interests: Young adult consumer advocacy, integration of physical and behavioral health, mental health policy/system changes, education, and employment of young adults with mental health conditions.
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Emily Sudbrock, M.A.
Academic Role: Project Assistant
Professional Responsibilities: Member of the Communications Team. Supports the RRTC Toolkit and Comic, S.T.A.Y. Tuned Podcast co-host, Stakeholder Engagement Program, and HYPE DTP/T4 projects.
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Robin Tasca
Academic Role: Communication Specialist
Professional Responsibilities: multimedia content producer for the iSPARC Communications Team. Manages the websites for Transitions ACR. Provides backup support for digital marketing. Liaison to the UMass Chan Office of Communications (OOC).
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Jean Wnuk, M.B.A.
Academic Role: Digital/Social Media Manager
Professional Responsibilities: Member of the Communications Team. Manages our social media platforms and communications channels
