MEET OUR TEAM

Marina Tolou-Shams, PhD

Director

Professor/PI (not the detective kind), committed to all things social justice, kids and families. Ascribes to philosophy of “work hard, play hard.”

Johanna Folk, PhD

Associate Director

Assistant Professor, coffee fanatic, data nerd, and support human to a rambunctious mini aussie.

Lauren Haack, PhD

Clinical Psychologist

Associate Clinical Professor and Attending Psychologist; avid sports fan (go Green Bay Packers, Clemson Tigers, and Golden State Warriors!) and musical theater aficionado.

Juliet Yonek, PhD, MPH

Assistant Professional Researcher

Trail runner, globally inspired cook, cat mama.

Margareth Del Cid, PhD

Assistant Professor

Postdoc, loves talking about culture #keepingthingshumble, feelings doctor, and aspiring cafelier.

Evan Holloway, PhD

NIDA T32 Postdoctoral Fellow

Mixed methods researcher, clinician, and streetfood enthusiast by day. Passionate about service delivery systems, oysters, and my cat's Instagram.

Jocelyn I. Meza, PhD

Assistant Professor at UCLA

Postdoc studying the intersection of ADHD and self-harm among justice-involved youth; coffee aficionado and Great Dane paw-parent!

Megan Ramaiya

Postdoctoral Fellow

Suicide researcher, culture and global health enthusiast, questionable home chef. Cares a lot about reducing the mental health treatment gap.

Jon Farrell, MSW, ASW

Clinical Social Worker

A "we were all young once," trauma-informed youth advocate and clinical social worker. Believes the pursuit of happiness begins with relentless self-discovery, patience, and a 12 oz. Americano (black, please).

Alison Czopp, LCSW

Clinical Research Supervisor

Social Worker. Cat mom. Explorer of nature and the unknown

Megan Irgens

Clinical Fellow

Juvenile justice advocate researching intervention and optimization; amateur baker & runner; lover of food, sunsets and books with a twist.

Cynthia Valencia-Ayala

Postdoctoral Fellow

First-Gen researcher of youth serving systems and carceral experiences. Clinician, advocate, and lover of the outdoors, food, and all things spooky.

Alex Rodas

Clinical Research Supervisor, BCBA

Family man who loves to eat all types of cuisine. I am from Colombia and a coffee enthusiast. Huge sports fan: Favorite Teams are Oakland Athletics, San Francisco Forty Niners and Golden State Warriors!

Isis Alvarez

Case Manager

Savory over sweet, water is life, coffee is always black, and always exploring life with a dog. Learning to share, sharing to learn.

Joseline Delgadillo

Clinical Research Coordinator

Bay Area burrito lover, dog mom, and social rights activist.

Ifunanya (Ify) Ezimora

Clinical Research Coordinator

Inspired and motivated by kids, cats, and creating change. Unironic treehugger and eternal yearbook nerd. Jollof enthusiast.

Jannet Lara

Clinical Research Coordinator

Passionate about making a difference and improving the quality of life for youth and families. Barista in-training, who appreciates a good cup of coffee, nature, and music.

Salam Ayana

Clinical Research Coordinator

Passionate about policing alternatives. A chef or food critic in a past life and can always be found at a concert or out on the dance floor!

Alejandra Rubio

Clinical Research Coordinator

Artist and community advocate proud to call San Francisco home. Astrology enthusiast, cat mother to an orange tabby, and playlist curator. Always wants to take a nap or talk about printmaking.

Sarah Anvar

Clinical Research Coordinator

Fish out of water without swimming, food palette of my inner child, favorite holiday is April Fools. An occasional 3-5 min rockstar thanks to karaoke.

Jarschire Dennis

Clinical Research Coordinator

Jarschire aspires to one day obtain his Doctorate in clinical psychology to better help underserved and at-risk youth to learn healthy healing and coping mechanisms to help combat the trauma caused by the many adverse experiences children are prone to experiencing.

Elizabeth (Libby) McBride

Clinical Research Coordinator

Aspiring rock climber, mediocre pianist, and happiest when by the water. Energized by kids and communities and believes all weather is ice cream weather.

Astrid Herrera

Social Work Associate

Aspires to play Encanto's Mirabel in the live action and still makes an L with left hand just in case.

Jose Vazquez

Social Work Associate

Casual Aquarius, home cook enthusiast, immigrant rights activist, and most likely to memorize random rap lyrics.

Ashley Papias

Project Policy Analyst

Foster Youth advocate, podcast connoisseur, extremely mediocre at riding a skateboard, very confused about how to use a semicolon; deciding whether or not I want to download letterbox to rate movies, always internally fangirling about music, and binge watching shows from edits I see on TikTok. 

Jeruel (JJ) Tujeque

Project Policy Analyst

Aspiring filmmaker and writer stoked on life! There’s usually always a skateboard in my hand or below my feet. Committed to sharing happiness and spreading compassion everywhere. 

Dylan Miars

Project Policy Analyst

Political Scientist and Conflict Mediator by day, Wine and Spirits Sommelier by night. Lover of all things based in empathy and altruism. Worships mini schnauzers.

Tylia Lundberg

Project Policy Analyst

Enjoys baking, watercolors, collaging, lavender-themed drinks, collecting candles, cooking, and dabbling in film photography. 

Yaneth Hurtado

Project Policy Analyst

Passionate about helping and motivating the community. Mother of an 18-year-old son and a four-legged, furry son Mambo (our lovely Husky). Case Manager and services provider.

FORMER MEMBERS & WHERE THEY ARE NOW

Lili Ramos

Clinical Psychology Doctoral Student at John Jay College of Criminal Justice

Sarah Velez

Medical Student at Northeast Ohio Medical University

Catalina Ordorica

Clinical Psychology Doctoral Student at University of Illinois Chicago

Cristina Teran

Adelaide Bell

Undergraduate Student at Washington and Lee University

Heman Gill

Christopher Rodriguez

Lakshmi Gopalakrishnan

Jamie Salas, LMFT

Clinical Social Worker

Brandi Ginn

Clinical Research Coordinator

Priyanka Kulkarni

Clinical Research Coordinator