Elizabeth Thompson, PhD, Lab Director
Dr. Thompson earned her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. She completed her clinical internship and postdoctoral fellowship (Child Mental Health T32) in the Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior at Brown University's Alpert Medical School. She is now an assistant professor at Brown, a research scientist at Rhode Island Hospital, and a licensed psychologist at Bradley Hospital . Dr. Thompson is also the clinic co-director for Bradley Hospital's Stride Clinic, an early psychosis assessment and consultation service.
Dr. Thompson's career goals are focused on improving understanding of emerging psychosis to inform effective early intervention, which has the potential to prevent illness progression and disability. She is committed to conducting clinically meaningful research that not only enriches and informs the scientific community, but also translates to clinical practice in order to improve early psychosis services. |
Katherine Visser, PhD, Clinical Psychologist
Dr. Visser earned her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Georgia. She then completed her clinical internship at the VA Connecticut Healthcare System and her postdoctoral fellowship in psychosocial rehabilitation and recovery at Providence VA Medical Center/Alpert Medical School. During her postdoctoral fellowship, Dr. Visser completed her research placement in the SPARK Lab. Dr. Visser is now a clinical instructor at Alpert Medical School and a staff psychologist with the Lifespan Physician Group.
Dr. Visser's research interests focus on the development and maintenance of emotion regulation deficits in individuals at risk for psychosis, as well as the contribution of perceived stress to symptom exacerbation. Dr. Visser also has an interest in exploring how emotion regulation deficits in early psychosis may increase the risk for suicide and self injury in this population, in service of developing tailored interventions. |
Emily Olenik, BS, Research Assistant
Emily graduated from Union College with a degree in Psychology and Sociology in June of 2023, earning departmental honors in both majors. She is working as a Clinical Research Assistant with Dr. Thompson on her sleep pilot study about psychosis, sleep, and stress. She also works with Drs. Sarah Thomas and Samuel Meisel on their respective studies. Emily is interested in pursuing a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology. In her spare time, she enjoys working on art for her small business and traveling. |
Syd Velotta, BS, Research Assistant
Syd Velotta graduated from The Ohio State University in May 2021 with a B.S. in Psychology and a minor in Spanish. She primarily works as a Clinical Research Assistant with Dr. Anthony Spirito and Dr. Jennifer Wolff on their respective studies, and she has helped part-time with Dr. Thompson's Safety Net Study. She plans on pursuing a PhD in Clinical Psychology, and has a particular interest in suicidal thoughts and behaviors (STBs) in adolescents and young adults who identify as LGBTQ+.
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Danae Papadea, MA, Research Coordinator
Danae Papadea graduated from American University in May 2023 with a M.A. in Psychology. Danae joined the SPARK Lab in June 2023 as a clinical research coordinator and research clinician. Danae leads with empathy and care as she recruits and conducts various research assessments with parents and teens. Danae plans to pursue a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology with research interests centered on early psychosis.
Danae Papadea graduated from American University in May 2023 with a M.A. in Psychology. Danae joined the SPARK Lab in June 2023 as a clinical research coordinator and research clinician. Danae leads with empathy and care as she recruits and conducts various research assessments with parents and teens. Danae plans to pursue a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology with research interests centered on early psychosis.
Brynn Chouinard BA, Research Assistant
Brynn Chouinard graduated from Mount Holyoke College in May 2022 with a BA in neuroscience and behavior, as well as a minor in psychology. She joined the SPARK Lab in July 2022. Brynn works for the LINC and Safety Net studies helping with recruitment and teen assessments. Brynn is incredibly organized and hard-working, and she is particularly helpful with coordinating multiple studies and interfacing with various PIs in the Adolescent Mental Health Collaborative.
Avery Beatty, MA, Practicum Student and Research Clinician
Avery is a current PhD student in the clinical psychology program at the University of Rhode Island. Avery joined the Stride Clinic as a practicum student in August 2023; she is currently completing in-depth training psychosis assessment and treatment. Avery has a natural ability to connect with teens experiencing psychosis, and she is particularly skilled at helping teens understand their symptoms and work towards mutually-identified treatment goals.
Caroline Goodwin, BA, Clinical Assistant
Caroline Goodwin graduated from Wheaton College in May 2021 with a BA in public health (psychology) and women’s and gender studies. She joined the SPARK Lab in July 2022. Caroline works for CLARITY and other studies within the Juvenile Justice System, and she was the clinic assistant for Dr. Thompson's Stride Clinic from 2022-2023. Caroline is interested in research related to child and adolescent mental health, violence prevention, and the relationship between social media and victimization. Caroline aspires to earn her Ph.D. in clinical psychology in the future.
SPARK Lab Alumni.
Bobby Schattle is an undergraduate student at Fairfield University planning to major in psychology. Bobby was a hard-working volunteer in the SPARK Lab during the summer of 2023, and we hope he returns again in the future!
Dany Olivares is an undergraduate student at American University majoring in psychology and public health. Dany was a research assistant on the LINC and Safety Net studies in the summer of 2023. She is currently applying to clinical psychology PhD programs and plans to pursue research focused on intervention and implementation science aimed at addressing mental health and treatment disparities in youth.
Maggie Nail, BS was the project coordinator for the LINC and Safety Net studies from 2021-2023. Maggie is now a graduate student in the MSW program at University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.
Zaharah Zaidi, BS worked part-time on the Safety Net Study from 2022-2023. Zaharah is now a graduate student at Penn State University pursuing a PhD in Clinical Psychology.
Joseph Casamassima, MA, LMHC worked as a research clinician for the Clarity and LINC Studies from 2018-2023. Joe has moved on to be the research coordinator for another research lab within the Brown system.
Briana Paulo, MA was a practicum student at the Stride Clinic and a research clinician for the LINC Study. Briana is a Ph.D. Candidate in Counseling Psychology at Northeastern University.
Michael Chandler was an undergraduate research volunteer and independent study student during the spring of 2022. Michael helped to transcribe and analyze qualitative data for the Safety Net study.
Sheiry Soriano, MA was a research assistant for several studies from 2019-2022. Sheiry coordinated the CLARITY project with juvenile justice involved youth and families.
Astarrian Timbo was an undergraduate research volunteer during the summer of 2021. Starr joined the Bradley Hospital staff in September '21.
Katherine Visser, PhD was a postdoctoral fellow in the SPARK Lab for the '20-21 training year. Dr. Visser completed her postdoc in September '21 and joined the Lifespan faculty as a staff psychologist. Dr. Visser continues to be a valued member of our SPARK team!
Kara Fox, BA was the first research assistant for the CLARITY project from 2018-2020 and helped Dr. Thompson to get the SPARK Lab off the ground. Kara is now a graduate student in the clinical psychology program at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.
Dany Olivares is an undergraduate student at American University majoring in psychology and public health. Dany was a research assistant on the LINC and Safety Net studies in the summer of 2023. She is currently applying to clinical psychology PhD programs and plans to pursue research focused on intervention and implementation science aimed at addressing mental health and treatment disparities in youth.
Maggie Nail, BS was the project coordinator for the LINC and Safety Net studies from 2021-2023. Maggie is now a graduate student in the MSW program at University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.
Zaharah Zaidi, BS worked part-time on the Safety Net Study from 2022-2023. Zaharah is now a graduate student at Penn State University pursuing a PhD in Clinical Psychology.
Joseph Casamassima, MA, LMHC worked as a research clinician for the Clarity and LINC Studies from 2018-2023. Joe has moved on to be the research coordinator for another research lab within the Brown system.
Briana Paulo, MA was a practicum student at the Stride Clinic and a research clinician for the LINC Study. Briana is a Ph.D. Candidate in Counseling Psychology at Northeastern University.
Michael Chandler was an undergraduate research volunteer and independent study student during the spring of 2022. Michael helped to transcribe and analyze qualitative data for the Safety Net study.
Sheiry Soriano, MA was a research assistant for several studies from 2019-2022. Sheiry coordinated the CLARITY project with juvenile justice involved youth and families.
Astarrian Timbo was an undergraduate research volunteer during the summer of 2021. Starr joined the Bradley Hospital staff in September '21.
Katherine Visser, PhD was a postdoctoral fellow in the SPARK Lab for the '20-21 training year. Dr. Visser completed her postdoc in September '21 and joined the Lifespan faculty as a staff psychologist. Dr. Visser continues to be a valued member of our SPARK team!
Kara Fox, BA was the first research assistant for the CLARITY project from 2018-2020 and helped Dr. Thompson to get the SPARK Lab off the ground. Kara is now a graduate student in the clinical psychology program at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.
SPARK Lab Mentors.
Dr. Thompson has an incredible team of mentors at Brown and Lifespan, all of whom support the SPARK Lab in various ways:
Anthony Spirito, PhD, ABPP
Jennifer Wolff, PhD
Brandon Gaudiano, PhD
Shirley Yen, PhD
Kate Guthrie, PhD
Rich Jones, ScD
Jeff Hunt, MD
Jason Schiffman, PhD was Dr. Thompson's graduate school mentor at UMBC, and he continues to provide invaluable mentorship and support to the SPARK Lab.
Anthony Spirito, PhD, ABPP
Jennifer Wolff, PhD
Brandon Gaudiano, PhD
Shirley Yen, PhD
Kate Guthrie, PhD
Rich Jones, ScD
Jeff Hunt, MD
Jason Schiffman, PhD was Dr. Thompson's graduate school mentor at UMBC, and he continues to provide invaluable mentorship and support to the SPARK Lab.