Doctoral Student Profiles

Jeffrey Albanese - Anthropology

BA, 2008, University of Rhode Island

Socio-cultural anthropology; charity and charitable exchange; anthropology of the state; visual culture and media

Adriana Aldana - Psychology

BA, 2007, California State University Northridge;
MSW, 2008, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

Elizabeth Armstrong - Sociology

MSW, 2007, University of Michigan;
BA, Simons Rock College Bard

social structural dimensions of violence against women; advocates and advocacy organizations; processes of social change

Jean Balestrery - Anthropology

BA, 1991, Brown University, Providence, RI;
MSW, 1997, University of Washington, Seattle

Aging: social support, intergenerational theory/programming and minority groups including LGBTQ and Alaska Natives; social work practice and mental health; cross-cultural communication and collaboration

Mary Ellen Block - Anthropology

BA, 2002, University of Notre Dame;
MSW, 2007, University of Michigan

AIDS orphans; Lesotho/Africa; HIV/AIDS; gender; qualitative methods; kinship and social organization; medical anthropology

Rafael Boglio Martinez - Anthropology

BA, 1998, University of Virginia;
MA, 2002, University of Chicago;
MSW, 2005, University of Michigan

Emily Bosk - Sociology

BA, 2003, Vassar College, Poughkeepsie, NY

Domestic violence, sociology of childhood, preventative intervention and socio-legal processes

Jennifer Bowles - Anthropology

BA, 1993, University of Texas Austin;
JD, 2000, University of Texas Austin;
MSW, 2006, University of Michigan

Social violence in Latin America; community and social movements; human rights perspectives and organizations; bereavement and spirituality

Elizabeth Bringewatt - Sociology

BA, 2005, Colgate University, Hamilton, NY

Children's mental health; poverty and inequality; child and family well-being; sociology of childhood; sociology of mental health

Elana Buch - Anthropology

BA, 2000, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor;
MSW, 2004, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor;
MA, 2005, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

Primary research interests include: intersections of gender, ethnicity and class in service labor; aging; long term care policy; home and community based care; cultural understandings of caregiving; kinship; qualitative and ethnographic methods

Viktor Burlaka - Psychology - Clinical

AB, 1995, Kyiv National Linguistic University;
MA, 2003, The National University (Ukraine)

Risk and protective factors for youth; family therapy and social systems; child welfare

Rosalyn Denise Campbell - Sociology

BA, 2001, University of Texas at Austin;
MSW, 2008, University of Michigan

Mental health, illness, and wellness; help-seeking and service utilization; interventions targeted at combating stigma and increasing service utilization in the African American community; depression and anxiety; suicidality and self-injury

Matthew Chin - Anthropology

BA, 2007, University of Toronto

Socio-cultural anthropology; people of race and mental health; participatory research; political theater

Sara Crider - Sociology

BA, 2005, University of Michigan;
MSW, 2008, University of Michigan

Social psychology; social identities; social inequalities; efficacy of different techniques for sensitivity training; sexualized violence; survivor status as a social identity

Haijing Dai - Sociology

BA, 2002, Peking University, China;
BA, 2002, Peking University, China;
MSW, 2004, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

Child welfare; criminal justice; youth culture; mass culture; social conflicts; survey and methodology;interpreting and solving social problems in China.

Mary Catherine Dennis - Sociology

BA, 2000, University of Illinois;
MA, 2001, University of Chicago, IL;
MSW, 2004, Washington University, St. Louis, MO

Issues of race, gender, ethnicity and ability found within American Indian people and tribes; quality of life and health of Native American elders, both in urban areas and on reservations; urban Native elder culture and well-being

Elizabeth Dunbar - Psychology - Developmental

BSW, 1999, Walla Walla University;
MSW, 2000, Andrews University

Stigma and barriers to mental health services for older adults; geriatric mental health; African American communities

Roxanna Duntley-Matos - Anthropology

BA, 1989, Michigan State University;
MA, 1996, Michigan State University;
MSW, 1998, University of Michigan

Kristen Elmore - Psychology

BA, 2006, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Cathryn Fabian - Psychology

BA, 2004, San Francisco State University, CA;
MSW, 2008, University of Michigan;
MS, 2008, University of Michigan

Asian-American community mental health; acculturation and experiences of immigrants; ethnic identity; family dynamics; perceived social support; culture stress and coping; effects of racism; personal empowerment and community activism; formation of identity within a group context; socio-cultural influences on individual behavior; multicultural community organizing; disparities in the delivery and utilization of mental health services among minority communities.

Alice Gates - Sociology

BA, 1997, Grinnell College;
Certificate, 2004, Portland Community College;
MSW, 2007, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

Social movements, labor and unions, immigration, multiracial organizing

Megan Gilster - Sociology

BA, 1999, Lawrence University, Appleton, WI;
MSW, 2003, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

Demography of inequality, race, and ethnicity, and urban communities. Other interests are child and adolescent well-being and program evaluation. Her research has focused on the effects of neighborhoods on individual and community well-being, particularly how policy and practices in neighborhoods act to exacerbate social inequality; practice experience has been mainly in the area of program evaluation and community organizing

Peter Gluck - American Culture

BA, 1975, Northwestern University;
MAHL, 1995, Hebrew Union College;
MSW, 1995, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor;
MA, 1998, University of Michigan

Primary research interests: religion and community formation, interfaith and bi-cultural marriages and families, Jews and Judaism as a minority culture, values and spirituality in social work domain, the church and synagogue as human service organizations.

Alix Gould-Werth - Sociology

BA, 2007, Swarthmore College

Poverty policy and community development; mobility in economically disadvantaged communities; social policy

Marguerite Grabarek - Political Science

MA, 2002, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI;
MSW, 1981, Fordham University, New York;
BS, 1973, Adelphi University, Garden City, New York

Charles Graham - Psychology

MSW, 1994, University of Michigan

M. Teresa Granillo - Psychology - Social

BA, 2004, University of Arizona;
MSW, 2006, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

Eating disorders; substance abuse; cultural influences; multiculturalism; mental health issues among adolescents; correlation between risky behaviors, relationships, and cultrual environmental influences; motivation and self-regulation

Shayla Griffin - Anthropology

BA, 2005, Spelman College;
MSW, 2007, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

sociocultural anthropology; qualitative and ethnographical research; popular culture, racial social movements, race, class, and gender effects on youth; empowerment through learning inside and outside the classroom

Claudette Grinnell-Davis - Psychology - Personality

BS, 1992, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor;
MTS, 1995, Calvin Theological Seminary, Grand Rapids, MI;
MSW, 2003, Western Michigan University, Grand Rapids

Child welfare, faith based services; family support services, program evaluation, community and organizational leadership

Samantha Hallman - Psychology

BA, 2006, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor;
MSW, 2008, University of Michigan School of Social Work, Ann

Yoonsun Han - Sociology

BA, 2002, Wesleyan University, Middletown, Connecticut;
MPP, 2006, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA

Designing social policies for countries that have advanced economically, but not socially; relationships between macroeconomic shocks and family structure, and it's impact on poverty mobility for borderline families; finding the link between educational opportunities and socioeconomic advancement for urban high school students; health and class mobility

Carrie Hartwell - Psychology

BS, 1994, James Madison University;
MSW, 1998, University of Michigan;
MA, 2001, University of Michigan

Jaclynn Hawkins - Sociology

BSW, 2007, UC Berkeley;
MSW, 2009, UC Berkeley

Racial and economic health disparities, particularly diabetes; health care coverage; culture, social networks and health

Laura Heinemann - Anthropology

BA, 1998, Creighton University;
MSW, 2004, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor;
MA, 2006, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

Health care; hospital social work; family and social support in health and illness; Science & Technology Studies and social work; illness experience and narrative; qualitative methodologies; organ transplantation; Social Work and genetic diagnoses

Pilar Horner - Sociology

AB, 1995, University of Michigan;
MSW, 2003, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

Social Welfare Policy, Women and Work, Sexuality, Labor Control, Qualitative Methods, Race, Ethnicity, Women in Prison, Disciplinary Boundary Making

Leah James - Psychology - Social

BA, 2004, University of California, Los Angeles;
MSW, 2007, University of Michigan

Intervention development for the treatment of trauma-related distress; how culture contributes to resiliency to trauma; PTSD in veteran populations; disaster response; adolescent self-regulation, goal pursuit and self-destructive behavior choice; behavioral effects of uncertainty about the future; risk-taking; substance abuse

Christopher Jarman - Psychology - Developmental

BS, 1999, United States Military Academy, West Point, NY;
BA, 2005, University of Arkansas, Little Rock;
MSW, 2007, University of Arkansas, Little Rock

Infant mental health, personality disorders; community mental health

Sarah Jirek - Sociology

BA, 2001, Westmont College;
MSW, 2005, University of Michigan

Qualitative Research Methods, Sociology of Accounts, Trauma and Post-Trauma Outcomes, Posttraumatic Growth, Vicarious Traumatization, Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, Grieving and Healing, Criminology and Deviance, Criminal Justice System and Policies, Prison Re-Entry, Emotion and Care Work, Gender and Sexuality, Sociology of Sport, Crisis Counseling, Social Work Practice

Rebecca Karb - Sociology

BA, 2002, Hailton College;
MSW, 2006, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

Dynamics between individuals, communities, social service and social policy; social psychology; examining the relationship between care providers and clients; economic sociology and organization; interpretation of economic actions as a reflection of culture.

Hyun Jee Kim - Economics

BBA, 2004, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, South Korea;
MSW, 2006, University of Chicago, IL

Long-term care and aging; health care policy; health economics

Isok Kim - Psychology - Social

BS, 1996, University of Washington, Seattle;
MSW, 2000, University of Washington, Seattle

Minority mental health and substance use disorder; culturally and linguistically competent counseling; integration of mental health and substance use disorder treatment; motivational interviewing

Antonette King - Psychology - Personality

BA, 2006, San Francisco State University, CA;
MSW, 2007, University of Michigan

Strategies of prevention, intervention, and remidiations to help underrepresented minorities develop effective coping skills and responses to their environment; mental health disparities that affect the African American population and how these discrepancies may be eliminated by research strategems for program development and evaluation

Athena Kolbe - Political Science

BA, 2000, Skidmore College, Saratoga Springs, NY;
MA, 2002, Golden Gate Seminary, Mill Valley, CA;
MSW, 2006, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI

Social justice, human rights, empowerment of marginalized populations

Amy Krings - Political Science

BSW, 2002, Xavier University;
MSW, 2003, University of Michigan

Development of community based strategies to enhance disadvantaged communities; developing social capitol

Min Young Kwak - Sociology

BA, 2004, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea;
MA, 2007, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea

Developmental disabilities; interpersonal violence; family caregiving; long-term care

Na Na Lee - Sociology

BA, 2000, Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea;
MSW, 2002, Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea

Comparative welfare states; labor market policy and social welfare policy; public assistance; social policy focusing on the issues of family and women; social welfare system in which women's participation work activities and child caring can be compatible; improving well-being of children with working parents; approaching these issues with an international perspective.

Na Youn Lee - Political Science

BSW, 2004, Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea;
MA, 2007, Columbia University, New York;
MSW, 2007, Columbia University, New York

Child welfare policy; human rights; poverty and family well-being

Dana Levin - Psychology - Developmental

BA, 1995, Rutgers College, NJ;
MA, 2000, New York University, New York;
MSW, 2005, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

Adolescent gender and sexual socialization, including messages young people receive about sexuality and abstinence, how these messages affect attitudes and behaviors, communication about sexuality, and unwanted sexual experiences; promoting healthy relationships and prevention/intervention implications; arts interventions, particularly theatrer and drama; cross-cultural work (specifically in Israel)

Shijian Li - Political Science

BA, 1998, Foreign Affairs College, Beijing, China;
MSW, 2007, University of Michigan;
MA, 2007, University of Michigan

Racial and ethnic disparities in health in the United States; quantitative methods; social capital, racial/ethnic identities and socioeconomic status as determinants of health and well being; international social work; labor laws and labor dispute resolution in China

Kristina Lopez - Psychology - Developmental

BA, 2005, California State University Northridge;
MA, 2007, California State University Northridge

Ecological and socio-cultural perspectives on developmental disabilities; racial and ethnic disparities in child mental health

John Mathias - Anthropology

BA, 2002, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

Construction and employment of notions of altruism in advocacy for and against neoliberal reform in Kerala, India; participatory research on the strategy of activists from Kerala's new social movements; documentary filmmaking

Laura Maurizi - Psychology - Developmental

BA, 2002, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia;
MSW, 2008, University of Michigan

Developmental and social psychology; community and cultural influence on emotional and intellectual development, disposition, and beliefs about self

Elizabeth Meier - Psychology - BioPsych

BA, 1999, Fort Lewis College, Durango, Co;
MSW, 2003, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

Video research; intergroup dialogue; engaged learning; communication processes

Lamia Moghnie - Anthropology

MA, 2006, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL;
MA, 2008, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon

Formal and informal community mental health services for underserved populations; impact of war related stress on mental health

Orion Mowbray - Psychology

BA, 2004, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor;
MA, 2008, Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti

Solo status, stereotyping, and experiences of first generation college students

Tova Neugut - Psychology - Clinical

BA, 2001, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA;
MSW, 2009, University of Michigan

Families living in poverty; interpersonal violence; trauma

Kerri Nicoll - Political Science

BA, 1998, Connecticut College, New London;
MDiv, 2001, Princeton Theological Seminary, Princeton, NJ;
MSW, 2007, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia

Anti-poverty policy, public opinion about poverty, legal/rights consciousness of
the poor

Anne Nordberg (Bain) - Anthropology

BA, 1992, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario CANADA;
BA, 1994, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario CANADA;
BA, 2004, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario CANADA;
MA, 2007, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario CANADA

HIV/AIDS intervention in sub-Saharan Africa; gender inequality; use of media; policy analysis

Sojung Park - Sociology

BA, 1997, Hankuk University;
MSW, 2003, University of Chicago

Long term care for the elderly; program development

Jessuina Perez-Teran - Political Science

ASSOC, 1989, Skyline College, San Bruno, CA;
BSW, 1992 , San Francisco State University, CA;
BA, 1997, San Francisco State University, CA;
MSW, 2001, San Francisco State University, CA

Community building, empowerment and systematic change through mulitcultural organization

Tam Perry - Anthropology

BA, 1993, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN;
MSW, 1998, University of Texas, Austin;
MA, 2007, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

Older persons, discursive practices in nursing homes between residents and caregivers, financial well-being of older persons, housing transitions faced by older persons

Stephen Rassi - Psychology - General

BA, 1995, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor;
MSW, 1997, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor;
MA, 2004, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

Primary research interests include operational definitions and theory of gender, gender identity and sexual orientation; inclusion and accuracy of course content on gender identity in clinical social work courses; and gender identity development. Other interests include outcome measures on the effectiveness of interventions to reduce the unwanted effects of trauma; in particular, the treatment of PTSD using the "Power Therapies" (Traumatic Incident Reduction [TIR], EMDR, TFT and V/KD), and the intersection of poverty/minority/oppressed status with trauma symptomatology.

Lauren Reed - Psychology

BA, 2009, University of Michigan Dearborn

adolescent sexuality; interpersonal and community violence; community based health prevention and promotion; ecological perspectives on adolescent behavior

Elizabeth Rhodes - Political Science

BA, 2003, Georgetown University, Washington, D.C.;
MSW, 2008, University of Michigan

Social policy, international social welfare, community development; policies affecting women and their effects on children, families, communities, and social development indicators

Latasha Robinson - Sociology

BA, 2008, University of Michigan

Environment and children?s quality of life; African American women; community practice

Violet Saad-Souweidane - Psychology - Social

BA, 1985, University of Michigan;
MSW, 1986, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

Primary research interests: youth and violence and the effect religion and culture may play. Also interested in issues relating to culture, religion and women, self-esteem and coping strategies, issues relating to assimilation and coping strategies.

Ninive Sanchez -

BA, 2006, University of Southern California;
MSW, 2008, University of Michigan

Interactions of identity; social environment and behavior; racial discrimination and psycho social functioning; gender and culture

Guillermo Sanhueza - Sociology

BSW, 2003, Pontifica Universidad Catolica de Chile;
MSW, 2007, Pontifica Universidad Catolica de Chile

Substance abuse; juvenile delinquency; criminology; community leadership

Kristin Scherrer - Sociology

BA, 2002, University of Colorado;
MSW, 2006, Unviersity of Michigan, Ann Arbor;
MA, 2007, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

Sexualities, gender, the lifecourse, aging, childhood and adolescence, families, qualitative methods

Katharine Sheets - Anthropology

BA, 2004, University of California, Berkeley;
MSW, 2007, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor;
MA, 2008, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

Medical Anthropology; Health Social Movements; Feminist Ethnography; Women's Health

Huei-Wern Shen - Political Science

BA, 1997, Fu-Jen Catholic University, Taipei, Taiwan;
MSW, 2001, Washington University, St. Louis, MO;
IMSW, 2002, Gothenburg University, Sweden;

Welfare policy and welfare reform; poverty reduction, income redistribution, and asset accumlation through Individual Development Accounts; empowerment of the poorest of the poor; interaction of social, economic, and political systems, especially regarding social needs and human dignity, service delivery, social dynamics, and social structure

J. Ash Siegel - Sociology

BA, 2004, Middlebury College, Middlebury, VT;
MSW, 2009, University of Michigan

Deviance and punishment, criminal justice, community effects of mass incarceration, spatial distribution of crime, felon disenfranchisement, poverty and social welfare policy

Elizabeth Thomason - Psychology - Developmental

BA, 1999, University of Michigan, Dearborn;
MSW, 2006, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI;
Certificate, 2007, Merrill-Palmer Institute, Detroit

Women and depression; infant mental health

Heather Tidrick - Anthropology

BA, 1998, University of California, Santa Cruz;
MSW, 2008, University of Michigan

Influence on shifting state policies on individuals and ethnic communities; Romani education and assimilation/integration issues in Hungary; Hungarian child welfare policy and the development of Romani children in state institutions

Amanda Tillotson - Political Science

AA, 1977, Jamestown Community College, NY;
BA, 1977, SUNY Fredonia, New York;
MA, 1985, University of California, Los Angeles

Social construction of poverty, need, and "homelessness"; relationship between past sexual abuse, addiction, mental health issues, and family dysfunction and poverty and/or homelessness; international/comparative perspectives on poverty and need

Jennifer Tucker - Anthropology

BA, 1996, Wheaton College, Wheaton, IL;
MA, 2007, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA

Maria Wathen - Sociology

BA, 1987, Wheaton College, Wheaton, Illinois;
MA, 1996, Northen Illinois University, Dekalb

Laura Wernick - Political Science

BA, 1991, University of California, Berkeley;
MSW, MPA, 1998, Columbia University, New York, NY;
Certificate, 2002, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor;
MA, 2003, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

Examining effective roles people with power and privilege can play in supporting movements that address the root causes of social and economic injustices; philanthropy, class, democracy and power; community organizing among people with power and privilege; cross-race, cross-class coalition building; collaboration among nonprofit organizations, government, and community stakeholders; diversity, power, and learning in organizations; and community-university research partnerships

Jessica Wiederspan - Sociology - Social

BS, 2001, Nebraska Wesleyan, Lincoln, NE;
MSW, 2008, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

Poverty and inequality in the United States, social policy, perceptions, and attitudes toward poverty and inequality and how they impact social policy; work and labor issues; social movements and collective action; social psychology; the "American Dream."

Liyun Wu - Economics

BA, 1998, Renmin University of China;
MA, 2002, Renmin University of China;
MS, 2003, London School of Economics;
MSW, 2007, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

Social work development in transition economy, pension fund management, social security reform, nonprofit foundation, volunteerism, behavior response of tax policy and its impact at the community level, applied econometrics

Jiaan Zhang - Political Science

BL, 2001, Fudan University;
MSW, 2009, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

Comparative social welfare policy; service and support of elderly; aging; community-based research.