Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Students in Mental Health

Year Entered: 2024
Previous Degrees: MPH, Mental & Behavioral Health;  Washington University in St Louis, Missouri – 2023
PgDiploma, HIV/AIDS Management;  University of Stellenbosch, South Africa – 2020
MSc, Global Mental Health; University of Glasgow, Scotland, UK –  2014
BSc, Psychology;  University of Cape Coast, Ghana,  2012
Advisor: Pamela Collins, MD, MPH
Research Interests: My research interests encompass global mental health, HIV-mental health integration, humanitarian mental health, and the development and scaling-up of culturally-responsive (such as Afrocentric approaches) mental health interventions and measures for underserved populations such as adolescents with adversity backgrounds.  
Email: bboahen2@jh.edu

Select Publications: 

1. Lateef, H., Azasu, E. K., Boahen-Boaten, B. B., Szlyk, H. S., Frempong, M. K., & Cavazos- Rehg, P. (2024). Afrocentric norms and substance use behaviors among Black young adults. Social Work in Public Health, 1-13. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/19371918.2024.2376834 
2. Meyer, S. R., Gillespie, A., Seff, I., Bennouna, C., Qushua, N., Tothezan, I., Boahen-Boaten, B. B., Allaf, C. & Stark, L. (2024). A Relational Approach to Understanding Psychosocial Wellbeing, Including Suicidal Ideation, among MENA-background Adolescents. Society and Mental Health, 1-17 https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/epub/10.1177/21568693231218264 
3. Boahen-Boaten B.B, White, R.G. & O’Connor, R.C. (2017). Suicide in low-and middle-income countries. In R.G. White, S. Jain, D.M.R. Orr and U.M. Read (Eds.) The Palgrave Handbook of Sociocultural Perspectives of Global Mental Health (pp. 351–382). UK: Palgrave Macmillan. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1057/978-1-137-39510-8_17

Year Entered: 2024
Previous Degrees: Bachelor of Dental Surgery, Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences
Master of Public Health, Boston University School of Public Health
Advisors: Kenneth Feder, PhD, and Renee M. Johnson, PhD
Research Interests: My research interests include psychosocial and structural-level risk and protective factors that influence substance use and substance use disorders (SUD),  mental and substance use disorder comorbidity, and methodologies for evaluating SUD treatment programs to broaden access and service utilization among vulnerable populations, such as racial and ethnic minorities, women, and persons with co-occurring mental and substance use disorders.
Email: hbyrego1@jhu.edu

Select Publications:

1. Byregowda H, Tomko C, Renfro Z, Thomson A, Schneider K, Parnham T, Susukida R, 
   Johnson RM, Russell E, Park JN. Disruptions to naloxone training among lay and 
   professional responders in Maryland during the emergence of COVID-19: early impacts, 
   recovery, and lessons learned. Drug and Alcohol Dependence Reports. 2023; 100173.
   Link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10271935/
2. Byregowda H, Alinsky RH, Wang X, Johnson RM. Non-medical prescription opioid use 
   among high school students in 38 U.S. states. Addictive Behaviors Reports. 2023; 
   17:100498.
   Link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10234833/
3. Byregowda H, Flynn A, Knight JR, Harris SK. Perceived risk of harm mediates the effects 
   of primary care alcohol use screening and brief advice in adolescents. Journal of 
   Adolescent Health. 2021; 70(3):442-449. 
   Link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9116331/

Year Entered: 2022
Previous Degrees: BSc, Biology of Global Health, Georgetown University
MHS, Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
Advisor: Leslie Adams, PhD
Research Interests: My research focuses on the impact of social and environmental factors, including racial discrimination and access to mental health care, on depression outcomes among adolescents. I apply advanced methods like machine learning and structural equation modeling to explore these relationships, with a particular emphasis on marginalized communities. I am committed to advancing mental health equity and understanding how social determinants shape mental health disparities.
Email: mcampb76@jh.edu

Select Publications: 

1. Adams, L. B., Watts, T., DeVinney, A., Haroz, E. E., Thrul, J., Stephens, J. B., ... & Thorpe Jr, R. J. (2024). Acceptability and feasibility of a smartphone-based real-time assessment of suicide among Black men: mixed methods pilot study. JMIR formative research, 8, e48992.
2. Kaur, N., Adkins-Jackson, P. B., Joseph, V., Campbell, M. N., & Keyes, K. M. (2024). Assessing trends in internalizing symptoms among racialized and minoritized adolescents: results from the Monitoring the Future Study 2005-2020. American Journal of Epidemiology, kwae024.

Year Entered: 2023
Previous Degrees: MPH, Health Behavior & Health Promotion, The Ohio State University, 2018
MSW, Substance Abuse & Mental Health, The Ohio State University, 2018
BA Biological Sciences, Cornell University, 2013
Advisor: Sachini Bandara, PhD
Research Interests: Neighborhood-level influences on substance use; systems-level interventions; implementation science; Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
Email: lcarson7@jh.edu

Select Publications:

1. Carson, L.M., Marsh, S.M., Brown, M.M., Elkins, K.L., & Tiesman, H.M. (2023, April). An analysis of suicides among first responders – findings from the National Violent Death Reporting System, 2015-2017. Journal of Safety Research, 85, 361-370. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsr.2023.04.003 
2. Mishkin, K., Perera, U., Olaniyan, A. & Carson, L. (2022, May). Investing in the next generation of maternal and child health leaders: The APHA Maternal and Child Health Section Student Fellows Program. Maternal and Child Health Journal. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-022-03415-4 
3. Reish, L., Carson, L.M., & Ray, A.F. (2021, March). Associations between social drinking events and pedestrian behavior - An observational study. Journal of Transport & Health, 20(2021,101026). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jth.2021.101026

Year Entered: 2024
Previous Degrees: MPH, Epidemiology, Columbia University 
BS, Neuroscience, the University of Texas at Dallas
Advisors: Judy Bass, PhD, and Emily Haroz, PhD
Research Interests: My research interests focus on using data science to address global mental health challenges through prevention strategies and the implementation of complementary approaches to improve life course outcomes in low-resource settings.
Email: schowd34@jh.edu

Select Publications:

1. “Breaking the silence” suicide Prevention media campaign in Oregon: Evaluation of impact on help-seeking and suicide mortality. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/sltb.13047
2. Perceived Impact of COVID-19 Among Callers to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10549872/
3. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline crisis chat interventions: Evaluation of chatters’ perceptions of effectiveness.
   https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9292033/

Year Entered: 2021
Previous Degrees: MPH
Advisor: Joe Gallo, MD, MPH
Research Interests: I am interested in suicide-related behaviors, the intersection of physical and mental health, geospatial methods, and social determinants of health. I also have a special interest in the mental health of Asian Americans. 
Email: tfaller2@jhu.edu

Select Publications: 

1. Carreno-Davidson, J. T., Faller, T. N., Richardson, M. D., & Roy, T. C. (2023). Behavioral Health–related Reasons for Permanent Duty Limitation Profiles in the US Army: Population-Based Data from 2017 to 2019. Military medicine, 188(Supplement_6), 444-449.
2. Carreno-Davidson, J. T., Faller, T. N., Richardson, M., & Roy, T. C. (2023). Diagnosed behavioral health disorders, related duty limitations, and return to duty time in the US Army: population-based data, from 2017 to 2019. Military medicine, 188(9-10), e3167-e3172.

Year Entered: 2021
Previous Degrees: MPH, Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 2015
BS, Physiology, Seattle Pacific University, 2011
Advisor: Renee Johnson, PhD
Research Interests: Emancipatory research methodologies that support grassroots’ organizing around restorative structural solutions to address adverse drug outcomes. My dissertation research is focused on harnessing racial justice stakeholder perspectives and applying innovative latent variable measurement techniques to elicit context specific structural and cultural understandings of the overdose epidemic in Baltimore City. 
Email: nflath2@jhu.edu

Select Publications:

1. Flath N, Marr., J., Sizemore, L., Pichon, L., Brantley M. (2023). HIV and Hepatitis C among people who inject drugs in Memphis, Tennessee: An intersectional risk environment analysis of the social determinants of health. Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities.
2. Flath, N., Tobin, K., King., K., Lee, A., Latkin, C. Enduring Consequences from the War on Drugs: How policing practices impact HIV risk among people who inject drugs in Baltimore City. Substance use and misuse. 2017 Jul 3; 52(8):1003-1010.
3. Flath, N., Tobin, K., White, J., and Latkin, C. Criminal Justice Involvement, Structural Vulnerability, and Social Safety Net Services among People Living with HIV in Baltimore. Crime, Law and Social Change. 2023 Sep; 8 (1-5).

Year Entered: 2023
Previous Degrees: MSW, Bachelor's
Advisors: Michelle Carlson, PhD, and Adam Spira, PhD
Research Interests: My main research interest is cognitive aging, including dementia risk reduction intervention design using accessible technology for dementia prevention and understanding the role of neighborhood characteristics on cognitive health. In addition to dementia, I am interested in the relationship between life-course risk factors, mental health, and neurodegenerative diseases, with an emphasis on older adults who live alone and individuals with intellectual and developmental disorders. My research is focuses on identifying accessible interventions for low-resource settings to advance global public health research.
Email: kgordo20@jh.edu

Select Publications:

1. Analysis of evidence based health promotion and disease prevention review process
   Administration for Community Living · Sep 6, 2023 - https://acl.gov/sites/default/files/programs/2023-10/ACLEBPFinalReport.pdf
2. Promising Programs and Services for People Living Alone with Dementia
   Prepared by the National Alzheimer’s and Dementia Resource Center for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration on Aging. · Aug 23, 2023
   https://pblob1storage.blob.core.windows.net/public/nadrc/docs/2023-Promising-Programs-Living-Alone-Dementia-08232023.pdf
3. Filling the gaps in dementia-capable home and community-based services: Report on Completed Administration for Community Living ADI-SSS grants to communities and states.
   Prepared by the National Alzheimer’s and Dementia Resource Center for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration on Aging. · Oct 26, 2021
   https://nadrc.acl.gov/details?search1=20211025044313#result

Year Entered: 2021
Previous Degrees: MHS
Advisor: Sachini Bandara, PhD, Elizabeth Stuart, PhD
Research Interests: I'm interested in using mixed methods to inform and evaluate behavioral health policies and services. My specific research interests include community-based services for adults with disabilities (e.g., serious mental illness), prenatal substance use policy and access to medications for opioid use disorder.
Email: vgreen18@jhmi.edu

Select Publications:

1. Green VR, Kennedy-Hendricks A, Saloner B, Bandara S. Substance use and treatment characteristics among pregnant and non-pregnant females, 2015-2019. Drug Alcohol Depend. 2024;254:111041. doi:10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2023.111041
2. McCourt AD, White SA, Green VR, McGinty EE. Medicare Changes in Response to COVID-19: Unintended Effects for Beneficiaries With Mental Illness or Substance Use Disorders. Psychiatr Serv. 2023;74(12):1285-1288. doi:10.1176/appi.ps.20220502

Year Entered: 2024
Previous Degrees: B.S., Public Health, George Washington University
MPH, Columbia University
Advisor: Renee Johnson, PhD
Research Interests: Substance use, overdose prevention, conflict and health, global mental health, implementation science. Specifically, I am interesting in how trauma and distress experienced during humanitarian emergencies impact substance use and how implementation science can be used to develop evidence-based programs to prevent and treat substance use disorders.
Email: shadda10@jh.edu

Select Publications: 

1. Haddad, S., Shawa, M., Kane, J. C., Bwalya, B., Sienkiewicz, M., Kilbane, G., Chibemba, V., Chiluba, P., Mtongo, N., Metz, K., Chibwe, M., Mushabati, N., Zulu, A., Paul, R., Banda, Z., Loongo, H., Kamanga, M., & Greene, M. C. (2023). Alcohol and other drug use patterns and services in an integrated refugee settlement in Northern Zambia: a formative research study. Conflict and health, 17(1), 40. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13031-023-00538-5 
2. Greene, M. C., Haddad, S., Busse, A., Ezard, N., Ventevogel, P., Demis, L., Inoue, S., Gumm, J. C., Campello, G., Tol, W. A., & Kane, J. C. (2021). Priorities for addressing substance use disorder in humanitarian settings. Conflict and health, 15(1), 71. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13031-021-00407-z
3. Wisdom, A., Haddad, S., Govindu, M. et al. Overdose prevention activities led by local public health departments, 2019–2023. Subst Abuse Treat Prev Policy 19, 29 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13011-024-00612-y

Year Entered: 2021
Previous Degrees: MA, Psychology in Education
Advisor: Heather Volk, PhD
Research Interests: Life course perspective on cognitive aging and dementia risk in population with developmental and intellectual disabilities, using neuroimaging measures.
Email: ahahn10@jhu.edu 

Select Publications:

1. Kim, S.E.*, Kim, Y. J. *, Hahn, A.*, Jang, H., Kim, J. P., Kim, H. J., Na, D. L., Chin, J., & Seo, S. W. (2023). Classification and Prediction of Cognitive Trajectories of Cognitively Unimpaired Individuals. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, 15, 1122927.
2. Kim, Y.J.*, Hahn, A.*, Park, Y.H., Na, D.L., Chin, J., & Seo, S.W. (2022). Longitudinal amyloid cognitive composite in preclinical Alzheimer’s disease. European journal of neurology, 29(4), 980–989.
3. Hahn, A. *, Kim, Y.J.*, Kim, H.J., Jang, H., Cho, H., Choi, S.H., Kim, B.C., Park, K.W., Na, D.L., Chin, J., & Seo, S.W. (2020). The preclinical amyloid sensitive composite to determine subtle cognitive differences in preclinical Alzheimer's disease. Scientific Reports. 10(1):13583.

Year Entered: 2023
Previous Degrees: MHS in Public Health; MA in Applied Behavior Analysis; BA in Psychology
Advisor: Calliope Holingue, PhD
Research Interests: I am interested in exploring the co-occurrence of autism spectrum disorder and eating disorders from the life course perspective. I hope to integrate my research with the lessons learned from my clinical experience to further support the development of collaborative care for autistic individuals experiencing other co-occurring conditions. 
Email: akim148@jh.edu

Select Publications:

1. Kim, A.A., Holingue, C. Co-occurring Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Eating Disorders (ED): Understanding the Heterogeneity of Study Populations. Rev J Autism Dev Disord (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40489-024-00466-x 
2. Kim, A., Zisman, C.R., Holingue, C. (2022). Influences of the Immune System and Microbiome on the Etiology of ASD and GI Symptomology of Autistic Individuals. In: Savitz, J., Yolken, R.H. (eds) Microorganisms and Mental Health. Current Topics in Behavioral Neurosciences, vol 61. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/7854_2022_371 

Year Entered: 2022
Previous Degrees: MHS, Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 2018
BA, Forensic Psychology, Florida Institute of Technology, 2015
Advisor: Rebecca Fix, PhD, and Elizabeth Letourneau, PhD
Research Interests: My research interests include the prevention of child maltreatment, intimate partner violence, adverse mental and physical health, and promotion of wellbeing/flourishing. 
Email: tlhaksa1@jhu.edu

Select Publications:

1. Lhaksampa, T. C., Grant, B., & Fix, R. L. (2024). The impact of early violence exposure on adolescent flourishing: is there light at the end of the tunnel?. Journal of Prevention, 45(2), 269-285. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10935-024-00765-3 
2. Lhaksampa, T. C., Kelly-Hedrick, M., Suchanek, M., Chisolm, M. S., & Miller, L. R. (2024). A brief review of flourishing among adolescents and young adults with Mood and anxiety disorders. Adolescent Psychiatry, 14(1), 9-17. https://doi.org/10.2174/0122106766256854231011064239
3. Kelly-Hedrick, M., Lhaksampa, T. C., Chisolm, M. S., & Miller, L. (2023). What does it mean to flourish? Piloting the flourishing measure with adolescents and young adults with mood and anxiety disorders. Clinical child psychology and psychiatry, 28(4), 1612-1622. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10935-024-00765-3 

Year Entered: 2023
Previous Degrees: BS(Med), Preventive Medicine, Peking University, 2021
BS, Psychology, Peking University, 2021
MS, Epidemiology and Health Statistics, Peking University, 2023
Advisor: Brion Maher, PhD, and Adam Spira, PhD
Research Interests: I am interested in gene-environmental interaction on cognitive aging and biological aging, with a particular focus on understanding the roles of sleep and multi-omics factors in this process.
Email: cliu220@jh.edu

Year Entered: 2023
Previous Degrees: MPH, Behavioral Sciences and Health Education, Emory University Rollins School of Public Health
BA, Neuroscience and Global Development Studies (Global Public Health), University of Virginia
Advisor: Pamela Collins, MD, MPH
Research Interests: I am passionate about addressing gaps in health equity and improving mental health care, with a focus on expanding access to quality health services in low-resourced settings. My research interests center on youth global mental health, leveraging implementation science and mixed-methods approaches. My dissertation explores the relationship between urban environments and adolescent mental health on both a global and local scale.
Email: amensak1@jh.edu

Select Publications:

1. Collins PY, Sinha M, Concepcion T, Patton G, Way T, McCay L, Mensa-Kwao A, Herrman H, de Leeuw E, Anand N, Atwoli L. Making cities mental health friendly for adolescents and young adults. Nature. 2024 Mar 7;627(8002):137-48. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10917657/
2. Mensa-Kwao A, Sub Cuc I, Concepcion T, Kemp CG, Hughsam M, Sinha M, Collins PY. A mixed methods analysis of youth mental health intervention feasibility and acceptability in a North American city: perspectives from Seattle, Washington. PLoS one. 2024 Mar 14;19(3):e0288214. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38483880/
3. Moitra M, Owens S, Hailemariam M, Wilson KS, Mensa-Kwao A, Gonese G, Kamamia CK, White B, Young DM, Collins PY. Global mental health: Where we are and where we are going. Current psychiatry reports. 2023 Jul;25(7):301-11. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37256471/ 

Year Entered: 2021
Previous Degrees: MA, Psychology; BA, Biological Basis of Behavior
Advisor: Elizabeth Letourneau, PhD
Research Interests: I am interested in studying childhood victimization prevention, the prevention of child sexual abuse, and causal inference methodology. My thesis project explores how firearm policy can affect rates of child maltreatment.  
Email: anewma28@jhu.edu 

Year Entered: 2022
Previous Degrees: MPH, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
BA, Macalester College
Advisor: Rashelle Musci, PhD
Research Interests: Causal Inference Methodology, Risk Prediction Modeling, Suicide Prevention, Global Mental Health
Email: prebman1@jh.edu

Select Publications:

1. Allison-Burbank, J. D., Ingalls, A., Rebman, P., Chambers, R., Begay, R., Grass, R., Tsosie, A., Archuleta, S., Barlow, A., Larzelere, F., Hammitt, L., Tingey, L., & Haroz, E. (2022). Measuring the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on Diné and White Mountain Apache school personnel, families, and students: Protocol for a prospective longitudinal cohort study. BMC Public Health, 22(1), 1481. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-022-13208-7
2. Ingalls, A., Rebman, P., Martin, L., Kushman, E., Leonard, A., Cisler, A., Gschwind, I., Brayak, A., Amsler, A. M., & Haroz, E. E. (2022). Towards precision home visiting: Results at six months postpartum from a randomized pilot implementation trial to assess the feasibility of a precision approach to Family Spirit. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 22(1), 725. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-022-05057-4
3. Rebman, P.A., Caines, M.C., & Harrison, P.A. (2018). In-Hospital Paternity Establishment: Experiences and Meaning Perceived by Unmarried Parents. Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved 29(1), 497-508. https://dx.doi.org/10.1353/hpu.2018.0033

Year Entered: 2023
Previous Degrees: BA, Psychology; Sogang University, 2017
MHS, Mental Health; Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 2018
MSc, Advanced Neuroimaging; University College London, 2021 
Advisors: Heather Volk, PhD, and Calliope Holingue, PhD
Research Interests: My research focuses on unraveling the complexities of brain development in autism and its developmental trajectories through the integration of genetic, neuroimaging, and behavioral data. I am also dedicated to exploring the interplay between mental and physical health to enhance well-being in individuals and families affected by neurodevelopmental disorders.
Email: dsong13@jhmi.edu

Select Publications:

1. Kim, J. H., Koh, I. G., Lee, H., Lee, G. H., Song, D. Y., Kim, S. W., Kim, Y., Han, J. H., Bong, G., Lee, J., Byun, H., Son, J. H., Kim, Y. R., Lee, Y., Kim, J. J., Park, J. W., Kim, I. B., Choi, J. K., Jang, J. H., Trost, B., … An, J. Y. (2024). Short tandem repeat expansions in cortical layer-specific genes implicate in phenotypic severity and adaptability of autism spectrum disorder. Psychiatry and clinical neurosciences, 78(7), 405–415. https://doi.org/10.1111/pcn.13676
2. Koehler, J. C., Dong, M. S., Song, D. Y., Bong, G., Koutsouleris, N., Yoo, H., & Falter-Wagner, C. M. (2024). Classifying autism in a clinical population based on motion synchrony: a proof-of-concept study using real-life diagnostic interviews. Scientific reports, 14(1), 5663. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-56098-y
3. Song, D. Y., Topriceanu, C. C., Ilie-Ablachim, D. C., Kinali, M., & Bisdas, S. (2021). Machine learning with neuroimaging data to identify autism spectrum disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Neuroradiology, 63(12), 2057–2072. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00234-021-02774-z 

Year Entered: 2022
Previous Degrees: MPH
Advisor: Johannes Thrul, PhD
Research Interests: Tobacco and substance use, harm reduction, mobile health technology, and ecological momentary assessment
Email: jwaring3@jhu.edu

Select Publications:

1. Kendzor DE, Businelle MS, Frank-Pearce SG, Waring JJC, Chen S, Hébert ET, Swartz MD, Alexander AC, Sifat MS, Boozary LK, Wetter DW. Financial Incentives for Smoking Cessation Among Socioeconomically Disadvantaged Adults: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Netw Open. 2024 Jul 1;7(7):e2418821. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.18821. PMID: 38954415; PMCID: PMC11220567.
2. Nolan M, Waring JJC, Noble B, Bradley D, Olurotimi O, Fronheiser J, Sifat M, Boozary LK, McQuoid J, Kendzor DE, Alexander AC. The Association of Cultural Identification with Obesity among African Americans. J Racial Ethn Health Disparities. 2024 Jun;11(3):1385-1393. doi: 10.1007/s40615-023-01615-4. Epub 2023 May 1. PMID: 37126155; PMCID: PMC10725277.
3. Waring JJC, Nguyen N, Ling PM, Thrul J. Quantity of cigarettes smoked when co-used with alcohol and cannabis: Consideration of different definitions of co-use based on daily diary data. Drug Alcohol Depend. 2024 May 1;258:111264. doi: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2024.111264. Epub 2024 Mar 12. PMID: 38547786; PMCID: PMC11163876.

Year Entered: 2023
Previous Degrees: MPH, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
Advisor: Holly Wilcox, PhD
Research Interests: My research focuses on suicide prevention and college mental health. I employ quantitative and qualitative methods to understand the epidemiology of suicidal behaviors among college students and evaluate programs’ effectiveness in improving access to care for high-risk students, with an emphasis on marginalized students. My goal is to provide data-driven insights for improving campus-based suicide prevention programs that account for students' diverse identities.
Email: awitmer2@jh.edu

Select Publications:

1. Witmer, A.M., Deng, Y., Lewis, S. et al. The Relationship between Race, Ethnicity, and Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors among Students at Institutions of Higher Education in the U.S. Curr Psychiatry Rep (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-024-01530-3
2. Mihaljevic, M., Chang, Y. H., Witmer, A. M., Coughlin, J. M., Schretlen, D. J., Barker, P. B., Yang, K., & Sawa, A. (2024). Reduction of N-acetyl aspartate (NAA) in association with relapse in early-stage psychosis: a 7-Tesla MRS study. Schizophrenia (Heidelberg, Germany), 10(1), 29. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41537-024-00451-7
3. Bienvenu, O. J., Nestadt, P. S., Witmer, A., Prince, E. J., Gerstenblith, T. A., Carroll, C. P., & Triplett, P. T. (2024). Proactive versus traditional psychiatric consults in a large urban academic medical center. General hospital psychiatry, 87, 155–156. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.genhosppsych.2023.11.006 

Year Entered: 2021
Previous Degrees: MSW
Advisor: Rashelle Musci, PhD; Sarah Murray, PhD; Judy Bass, PhD
Research Interests: My work explores how governments and institutions can support the well-being of displaced people and their "host" communities around the world. I enjoy using diverse methodological approaches including qualitative analysis, statistical causal inference, and latent variable modeling to better understand populations' and policymakers' experiences. My dissertation research explores social determinants of mental health among displaced Syrians living in Jordan.
Email: lfisch10@jh.edu

Select Publications:

1. Yan L, Durham E, Chentsova Y (2024). Unstable states and the biologization of mental illness. SSM - Mental Health, 6. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssmmh.2024.100348
2. Qaddour A, Yan L, Spiegel P. The Humanitarian-Development-peace Nexus (HDpN) and Applications to Family Planning, Reproductive Health, and Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health (FP/RH/MNCH) Interventions in Fragile Settings: A Case Study from South Sudan. 2024. Washington, DC: USAID MOMENTUM.
3. Fischer L, Zarate A, Mozumder K, Elshazly M, & Rosenbaum S (2021). Barriers, Attitudes, Confidence and Knowledge of Mental Health and Psychosocial Humanitarian Staff in Cox’s Bazar in Responding to Suicide Risk. Intervention, 19(2), 242-248.