Doctoral Student Profiles

Graduates of the Doctoral Program are listed here.

All - Anthropology - Economics - Pol. Science - Psychology - Sociology - Graduates
Jeffrey Albanese - Anthropology
  • BA, 2008, University of Rhode Island
Research Interests: Socio-cultural anthropology; charity and charitable exchange; anthropology of the state; visual culture and media
 
Adriana Aldana - Psychology - Developmental  Candidate
  • MSW, 2009, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor;
  • BA, 2007, California State University Northridge
Research Interests: a social justice model of youth development; ethnic-racial consciousness development; youth empowerment theory and practice; critical multicultural education; intergroup relations; and the role of segregated context in youth development and socialization
 
Elizabeth Armstrong - Sociology   Candidate
  • MSW, 2007, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor;
  • BA, 2003, Bard College Simon Rock
Research Interests: social structural dimensions of violence against women; advocates and advocacy organizations; processes of social change
 
Jean Balestrery - Anthropology   Candidate
  • MSW, 1997, University of Washington, Seattle;
  • BA, 1991, Brown University, Providence, RI
Research Interests: 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   Candidate
  • MA, 2007, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor;
  • MSW, 2007, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor;
  • BA, 2002, University of Notre Dame
Research Interests: AIDS orphans; Lesotho/Africa; HIV/AIDS; gender; qualitative methods; kinship and social organization; medical anthropology
Dissertation Title: Infected Kin: AIDS, orphan care, and the family in Lesotho.
 
Emily Bosk - Sociology   Candidate
  • MSW, 2009, University of Michigan;
  • BA, 2003, Vassar College, Poughkeepsie, NY
Research Interests: Domestic violence, sociology of childhood, preventative intervention and socio-legal processes
 
Elizabeth Bringewatt - Sociology   Candidate
  • MSW, 2010, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor;
  • BA, 2005, Colgate University, Hamilton, NY
Research Interests: Children's mental health; poverty and inequality; child and family well-being; sociology of childhood; sociology of mental health
 
Renee Brown - Anthropology
  • MSW, 2008, University of Texas at Austin;
  • BA, 2003, University of Virginia, Charlottesville
 
Viktor Burlaka - Psychology - Clinical
  • MA, 2003, The National University (Ukraine);
  • AB, 1995, Kyiv National Linguistic University
Research Interests: Risk and protective factors for youth; family therapy and social systems; child welfare
 
Rosalyn Denise Campbell - Sociology   Candidate
  • MSW, 2008, University of Michigan;
  • BA, 2001, University of Texas at Austin
Research Interests: 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
Dissertation Title: : WHEN MONEY ISN?T THE ISSUE: An Examination of Socio-Cultural Factors Impacting Help-Seeking and Engagement in Mental Health Services among Black Americans with Depression
 
Matthew Chin - Anthropology
  • MSW, 2011, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor;
  • BA, 2007, University of Toronto
Research Interests: Socio-cultural anthropology; people of race and mental health; participatory research; political theater
 
Sara Crider - Sociology   Candidate
  • MSW, 2008, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor;
  • BA, 2005, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
Research Interests: Social psychology; social identities; social inequalities; efficacy of different techniques for sensitivity training; sexualized violence; survivor status as a social identity
 
Mary Catherine Dennis - Sociology   Candidate
  • MSW, 2004, Washington University, St. Louis, MO;
  • MA, 2001, University of Chicago, IL;
  • BA, 2000, University of Illinois
Research Interests: 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

Dissertation Title: Health insights of Native American older adults: From wellness to illness.
 
Elizabeth Dunbar - Psychology - Developmental
  • MSW, 2000, Andrews University;
  • BSW, 1999, Walla Walla University
Research Interests: Stigma and barriers to mental health services for older adults; geriatric mental health; African American communities
 
Kristen Elmore - Psychology   Candidate
  • MSW, 2010, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor;
  • BA, 2006, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
 
Cathryn Fabian - Psychology   Candidate
  • MS, 2008, University of Michigan;
  • MSW, 2008, University of Michigan;
  • BA, 2004, San Francisco State University, CA
Research Interests: 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.
Dissertation Title: Social justice motivations to pursue helping careers: the significance of social identity and perceived inequality
 
Vincent Fusaro - Political Science
  • MSW, 2005, Boston University;
  • BA, 2002, University of Rhode Island, Kingston
Research Interests: Economic inequality, American anti-poverty policy, effect of recession on poverty programs, evaluation of social welfare policy outcomes
 
Adrian Gale - Psychology
  • BA, 2009, Morehouse College, Atlanta, GA
Research Interests: Impact of family, neighborhood, and peer influence on children?s academic development
 
Alix Gould-Werth - Sociology
  • BA, 2007, Swarthmore College
Research Interests: Job loss, Unemployment Insurance, Economic mobility in poor communities, Policy Evaluation
 
Charles Graham - Psychology   Candidate
  • MSW, 1994, University of Michigan
 
Shayla Griffin - Anthropology   Candidate
  • MA, 2008, University of Michigan;
  • MSW, 2007, University of Michigan;
  • BA, 2005, Spelman College
Research Interests: Anthropology of education; race and ethnicity; class and socioeconomic status; intersections of race, class and gender; children and youth; teacher/student relationships; intergroup dialogue; critical and culturally relevant pedagogy; community organizing; ethnographic and qualitative research methods
Dissertation Title: When the Black Kids Moved In: An Exurban High School's Struggle to Negotiate Race and Class in a 'Post Racial' Era of Accountability and the Promise of Ingergroup Dialogue"
 
David Grillo - Psychology - Social
  • MSW, 2007, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor;
  • BA, 2006, Grand Valley State University, Allendale, MI
 
Claudette Grinnell-Davis - Psychology - Personality  Candidate
  • MSW, 2003, Western Michigan University, Grand Rapids;
  • MTS, 1995, Calvin Theological Seminary, Grand Rapids, MI;
  • BS, 1992, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
Research Interests: child welfare assessment and intervention with parents; ecological systems modeling of parental neglectful behavior; community capital, pervasive poverty, and child neglect (both domestic and cross-national); personal spirituality as risk and resilience factor; uses of latent variable modeling in child maltreatment research
 
Ashley Hajski - Psychology
  • BA, 2007, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
Research Interests: Risk and resilience in the context of poverty, parenting and family, marginalized groups and identities, the role of social support, the effect of stigma on functioning
 
Samantha Hallman - Psychology   Candidate
  • MS, 2010, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor;
  • MSW, 2008, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor;
  • BA, 2006, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
 
Yoonsun Han - Sociology   Candidate
  • MSW, 2010, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor;
  • MA, 2009, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor;
  • MPP, 2006, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA;
  • BA, 2002, Wesleyan University, Middletown, Connecticut
Research Interests: 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
 
Jaclynn Hawkins - Sociology
  • MSW, 2009, University of California, Berkeley;
  • BSW, 2007, University of California, Berkeley
Research Interests: Racial and economic health disparities, particularly diabetes; health care coverage; culture, social networks and health
 
Elise Hernandez - Psychology - Developmental
  • BS, 2011, University of Central Florida, Orlando
 
Charity Hoffman - Sociology
  • BA, 2006, Queens College, Flushing, NY
Research Interests: oral history; youth empowerment through creative expression; intergroup dialogue; race & ethnicity; photography as a sociological tool
 
Leah James - Psychology - Social  Candidate
  • MS, 2010, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor;
  • MSW, 2007, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor;
  • BA, 2004, University of California, Los Angeles
Research Interests: 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
 
Babe Kawaii-Bogue - Psychology - Personality
  • MA, 2011, Columbia University, New York, NY;
  • BA, 2007, University of California, Berkeley
Research Interests: Influence of culture on human development, how psychosocial factors (e.g., ethnic pride, exposure to community violence) influence the achievements, resilience, and mental health of ethnic minorities
 
Hyun Jee Kim - Economics   Candidate
  • MSW, 2006, University of Chicago, IL;
  • BBA, 2004, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, South Korea
Research Interests: Long-term care and aging; health care policy; health economics
 
Isok Kim - Psychology - Social  Candidate
  • MSW, 2000, University of Washington, Seattle;
  • BS, 1996, University of Washington, Seattle
Research Interests: Minority mental health and substance use disorder; culturally and linguistically competent counseling; integration of mental health and substance use disorder treatment; motivational interviewing
Dissertation Title: Coping with Racial Discrimination: Coping Strategies, Critical Ethnic Awareness, and Psychosocial Resources for Asian Americans
 
Min Hee Kim - Sociology
  • MSW, 2009, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea;
  • BA, 2006, Chung Ang University, Seoul, South Korea
 
Antonette King - Psychology - Personality  Candidate
  • MS, 2010, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor;
  • MSW, 2007, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor;
  • BA, 2006, San Francisco State University, CA
Research Interests: 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   Candidate
  • MA, 2011, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI;
  • MSW, 2006, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI;
  • MA, 2002, Golden Gate Seminary, Mill Valley, CA;
  • BA, 2000, Skidmore College, Saratoga Springs, NY
Research Interests: International Social Work, human rights, displaced populations, war and natural disasters, insurgency, locus of control, post traumatic stress disorder
 
Elizabeth Koomson - Anthropology
  • MSW, 2010, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor;
  • BS, 1989, University of Ghana, Accra
Research Interests: Capacity building in Ghana; rural development, social welfare programs for Ghanaians
 
Amy Krings - Political Science
  • MSW, 2003, University of Michigan;
  • BSW, 2002, Xavier University
Research Interests: urban politics, race and politics, community organization, social movements, and multicultural education
 
Min Young Kwak - Sociology   Candidate
  • MA, 2007, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea;
  • BA, 2004, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
Research Interests: Developmental disabilities; interpersonal violence; family caregiving; long-term care
 
Ha Yeon Lee - Anthropology
  • MA, 2010, American University of Beirut, Lebanon;
  • BS, 2004, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
 
Na Na Lee - Sociology   Candidate
  • MSW, 2002, Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea;
  • BA, 2000, Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea
Research Interests: 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.
Dissertation Title: Women's employment & childbirth in Korea
 
Na Youn Lee - Political Science   Candidate
  • MSW, 2007, Columbia University, New York;
  • MA, 2007, Columbia University, New York;
  • BSW, 2004, Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea
Research Interests: Child welfare policy; human rights; poverty and family well-being
 
Colin Lim - Anthropology
  • MSW, 2011, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor;
  • MA, 2010, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY;
  • BS, 2007, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
Research Interests: cultural constructions, cognition, identity, resilience, achievement gap, motivation, wellbeing, life satisfaction, intervention, emotion regulation, semiotics, trauma, memory, mental health, at-risk youth, adolescents
 
L. Taylor Long - Political Science
  • MA, 2008, American University of Beirut, Lebanon;
  • BA, 2006, New York University
Research Interests: International development, poverty and social welfare, ideas and beliefs, childhood, survey research, the Middle East, borders, refugees, safety, political violence and international social work
 
Kristina Lopez - Psychology - Developmental  Candidate
  • MSW, 2010, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor;
  • MA, 2007, California State University Northridge;
  • BA, 2005, California State University Northridge
Research Interests: 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
Research Interests: 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  Candidate
  • MSW, 2008, University of Michigan;
  • BA, 2002, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
Research Interests: Developmental and social psychology; community and cultural influence on emotional and intellectual development, disposition, and beliefs about self
 
Lamia Moghnie - Anthropology   Candidate
  • MSW, 2011, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor;
  • MA, 2008, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon;
  • MA, 2006, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Research Interests: Formal and informal community mental health services for underserved populations; impact of war related stress on mental health
 
Orion Mowbray - Psychology   Candidate
  • MSW, 2010, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor;
  • MA, 2008, Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti;
  • BA, 2004, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
Research Interests: Co-occurring mental health and substance use; Mental health service use; Intergroup relations; Social interactions and social networks; Sustaining evidence-based practices

Website:
http://sitemaker.umich.edu/orion.mowbray/home

 
Tova Neugut - Psychology - Clinical  Candidate
  • MSW, 2009, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor;
  • BA, 2001, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA
Research Interests: *Promotion of positive parenting and positive partnering
*Infant mental health
*Impact of and prevention of abuse during pregnancy
*Prevention of child abuse and neglect
*Prevention of intimate partner violence
*Family support and child development programs

 
Ann Nguyen - Psychology
  • BA, 2008, University of Texas, Austin
Research Interests: Understanding how individuals are shaped by social factors and contexts; development of interventions at individual, family and community levels
 
Kerri Nicoll - Political Science   Candidate
  • MSW, 2007, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia;
  • MDiv, 2001, Princeton Theological Seminary, Princeton, NJ;
  • BA, 1998, Connecticut College, New London
Research Interests: participation in U.S. anti-poverty programs, the politics of U.S. poverty, public opinion about poverty, legal/rights consciousness of those living in poverty
 
Anne Nordberg (Bain) - Anthropology   Candidate
  • MSW, 2010, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor;
  • BA, 2004, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario CANADA;
  • BA, 1994, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario CANADA;
  • BA, 1992, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario CANADA
Research Interests: mental health of Rwandan diaspora population, medical anthropology, mixed methods research, practices of memory and healing, international networks of violence
 
Lisa O'Donnell - Psychology
  • MSW, 2005, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor;
  • BA, 1999, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
Research Interests: Development of mental health interventions for under-served populations
 
Sojung Park - Psychology - Developmental
  • MSW, 2003, University of Chicago;
  • BA, 1997, Hankuk University
Research Interests: Long term care for the elderly; program development
 
Jessuina Perez-Teran - Political Science   Candidate
  • MSW, 2001, San Francisco State University, CA;
  • BA, 1997, San Francisco State University, CA;
  • BSW, 1992 , San Francisco State University, CA;
  • ASSOC, 1989, Skyline College, San Bruno, CA
Research Interests: Community building, empowerment and systematic change through mulitcultural organization
 
Tam Perry - Anthropology   Candidate
  • MA, 2007, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor;
  • MSW, 1998, University of Texas, Austin;
  • BA, 1993, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN
Research Interests: Older persons, discursive practices in nursing homes between residents and caregivers, financial well-being of older persons, housing transitions faced by older persons
Dissertation Title: The role of possessions in the transition to long-term care--the older adult moving study.
 
Lauren Reed - Psychology
  • MSW, 2011, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor;
  • BA, 2009, University of Michigan, Dearborn
Research Interests: adolescent romantic relationships and sexual socialization; dating violence; the role of media in adolescent sexuality and dating violence; intimate partner violence and family violence; parenting and family systems; intimate partner violence prevention and intervention
 
Katharine Rendle - Anthropology   Candidate
  • MA, 2008, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor;
  • MSW, 2007, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor;
  • BA, 2004, University of California, Berkeley
Research Interests: Medical Anthropology; Health Social Movements; Feminist Ethnography; Women's Health
 
Elizabeth Rhodes - Political Science   Candidate
  • MSW, 2008, University of Michigan;
  • BA, 2003, Georgetown University, Washington, D.C.
Research Interests: 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
Research Interests: Environment and children?s quality of life; African American women; community practice
 
Richard Rodems - Sociology
  • MSW, 2011, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor;
  • BA, 2006, Vassar College, Poughkeepsie, NY
 
Violet Saad-Souweidane - Psychology - Social  Candidate
  • MSW, 1986, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor;
  • BA, 1985, University of Michigan
Research Interests: 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.
Dissertation Title: An Initial test of an intervention designed to help youth question their negative ethnic stereotypes.
 
Marcy Safyer - Psychology
  • MSW, 1978, University of Michigan
 
Ninive Sanchez - Psychology - Personality
  • MSW, 2007, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI;
  • BA, 2006, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
Research Interests: Interactions of identity; social environment and behavior; racial discrimination and psycho social functioning; gender and culture
 
Guillermo Sanhueza - Sociology
  • MSW, 2007, Pontifica Universidad Catolica de Chile;
  • BSW, 2003, Pontifica Universidad Catolica de Chile
Research Interests: Substance abuse; juvenile delinquency; criminology; community leadership
 
Jonah Siegel - Sociology   Candidate
  • MSW, 2009, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor;
  • BA, 2004, Middlebury College, Middlebury, VT
Research Interests: 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  Candidate
  • Certificate, 2007, Merrill-Palmer Institute, Detroit;
  • MSW, 2003, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI;
  • BA, 1999, University of Michigan, Dearborn
Research Interests: Women and depression; infant mental health
 
Heather Tidrick - Anthropology   Candidate
  • MSW, 2008, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor;
  • BA, 1998, University of California, Santa Cruz
Research Interests: 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   Candidate
  • MSW, 2010, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor;
  • MA, 1985, University of California, Los Angeles;
  • BA, 1977, SUNY Fredonia, New York;
  • AA, 1977, Jamestown Community College, NY
Research Interests: the role of race and gender in social policy formulation and implementation; social understandings about poverty; nonprofit administration and management; social policy history; durable disparities in advanced industrial societies; and the intersection of law and social policy
 
Michelangelo Trujillo - Sociology
  • BA, 2008, University of California, Berkeley;
  • AA, 2001, Pasadena City College
Research Interests: Historical development of the state; community responses to violence; individual and community narratives
 
Jennifer Tucker - Anthropology
  • MSW, 2011, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor;
  • MA, 2007, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA;
  • BA, 1996, Wheaton College, Wheaton, IL
 
Maria Wathen - Sociology   Candidate
  • MSW, 2010, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor;
  • MA, 1996, Northen Illinois University, Dekalb;
  • BA, 1987, Wheaton College, Wheaton, Illinois
 
Jessica Wiederspan - Sociology - Social  Candidate
  • MSW, 2008, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor;
  • BS, 2001, Nebraska Wesleyan, Lincoln, NE
Research Interests: Poverty, race, social welfare programs, program evaluation, and how people make sense of economic opportunity and the "American Dream."
 
Abigail Williams - Psychology - Developmental
  • MSW, 2010, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign;
  • BA, 2008, Illinois Wesleyan University
Research Interests: juvenile justice systems, access of youth with multisystem involvement to mental health and substance abuse services
 
Irene Yeh - Psychology - Social
  • MA, 2005, Stanford;
  • BA, 2003, Stanford
Research Interests: Intergroup dialogue models and processes; social contexts of privilege and oppression; collaborative action for social justice
 
Jiaan Zhang - Political Science   Candidate
  • MSW, 2009, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor;
  • BL, 2001, Fudan University
Research Interests: Comparative social welfare policy; service and support of elderly; aging; community-based research.