Research Personnel
Postdoctoral Fellows
Jay. T. Carreno, Ph.D.
Dr. Carreno received her Bachelors degree in psychology and religious studies at Wagner College in her hometown of New York City. She earned both a masters and doctoral degree in clinical psychology from the University of Maryland at College Park. Her pre-doctoral externship and APA accredited internship were completed at the Baltimore VA medical center and the Syracuse VA medical center respectively. She has contributed to NIH funded longitudinal research projects and has developed new programs within the VA system for Veterans including recent veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. Dr. Carreno's primary research interests include predictive and protective factors for the development of severe mental illness including suicidal ideation and attempts in military personnel and veterans. She is currently engaged in clinical research trials of cognitive interventions for suicide prevention in active duty service members and their families. Dr. Carreno is also a consultant in private practice in Washington, DC and writes essays on the psychology of religion.
Email: jaime.carreno.ctr@usuhs.mil
Patricia Spangler, Ph.D.
Dr. Patricia Spangler is a first year postdoctoral fellow. She earned her Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from the University of Maryland in 2010, where she has also served as a postdoctoral researcher and clinician at the Maryland Psychotherapy Clinic and Research Lab, and an instructor in the Department of Psychology. Currently, Dr. Spangler is leading a team that is updating the Air Force Guide to Managing Suicidal Behaviors. Her research interests include the relationship between nightmares and suicide, the treatment of nightmares and insomnia related to PTSD, and the impact of therapist-patient alliance on therapy process and outcome.
Email: patricia.spangler.ctr@usuhs.mil
Program Manager
Lauren Testa, B.S.
Lauren earned her B.S. in Psychology with a focus in biological and evolutionary science from The Pennsylvania State University in 2008. After graduation, Lauren spent two years as a Post-Baccalaureate IRTA Fellow at the NIMH, where she studied prefrontal cortical neuronal inefficiency as a primary deficit in schizophrenia. Currently, Lauren is interested in the development, implementation, and evaluation of health promotion programs.She is specifically concerned with worldwide, publicly-funded suicide prevention programs. Lauren plans to obtain an advanced degree in public health with a concentration in global health epidemiology.
Email: lauren.testa.ctr@usuhs.mil
Biostatistician
Kanchana Perera, M.Sc
Kanchana completed her B.Sc in Statistics, and M.Sc in Medical Statistics at the University of Auckland, New Zealand in 2003. Previously, Kanchana has worked as a Biostatistician in Perth, Western Australia (emphasis on genetic events leading to Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in children), in New Zealand for the Cardiovascular Research Group at Auckland University (emphasis on large meta-analysis with the purpose of examining mortality rates and clinical determinants of survival in patients with heart failure), and in the United States at a private pharmaceutical company providing statistical advice to the microbiology laboratory. In 2010, she commenced working for USUHS in the Department of Preventative Medicine and Biometrics on projects related to colon cancer. Most recently, she has joined the Laboratory for the Treatment of Suicide-Related Ideation and Behavior where she serves as the primary data manager and biostatistician for various suicide prevention projects. In addition, Kanchana provides mentorship and biostatistical consultation as well as training workshops for students and research personnel. Her free time is occupied by volunteering at the local dog rescue and at the gym, where she teaches children and adults the art of indoor rock-climbing and competitive squash.
Email: Kanchana.perera.ctr@usuhs.mil
Clinical Coordinators
John Dennis, Ph.D.
Dr. Dennis received his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Saint Louis University. He completed his clinical internship at the Boston Consortium/VA Boston Healthcare System and his postdoctoral research fellowship at the University of Pennsylvania under the supervision of Greg Brown, Ph.D. and Aaron T. Beck, M.D. Dr. Dennis' primary research interests are identifying mechanisms of change in cognitive behavioral interventions, with a particular emphasis on exploring the role of cognitive flexibility. His clinical interests include providing safety planning and cognitive behavioral interventions for suicidal patients. Currently, he serves as the Clinical Coordinator for the SAFEMIL randomized controlled trial which involves the delivery of a brief Safety Planning intervention to psychiatrically hospitalized suicidal service members.
Email: john.dennis.ctr@usuhs.mil
Laura Neely, Psy.D.
Dr. Neely earned her doctorate in clinical psychology from Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, FL. She completed her APA accredited pre-doctoral internship at Saint Elizabeths Hospital in Washington, D.C. Dr. Neely has primarily worked in the inpatient setting employing Dialectical Behavior Therapy techniques to treat individuals who are suicidal or suffering from severe mental illness. Her research interests include effective and standardized treatment interventions for the inpatient setting. Dr. Neely is currently serving as one of the primary therapists for the delivery of Post Admission Cognitive Therapy to suicidal service members. She is completing her first year of a postdoctoral fellowship and in this capacity serves as the Clinical Coordinator for a newly funded multi-site randomized controlled trial of a cognitive intervention for military inpatients admitted for psychiatric care with a history of at least one lifetime suicide attempt.
Email: laura.neely.ctr@usuhs.mil
Christina Schendel, Ph.D.
Dr. Schendel received her B.A. in Psychology from Villanova University, her M.S. in Clinical Psychology from Loyola University in Maryland, her Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from Penn State University, and completed her APA accredited internship at the University of Delaware Counseling Center. Dr. Schendel joined our team in 2010 and completed a 1-year postdoctoral fellowship under the mentorship of Dr. Holloway. Dr. Schendel is currently serving as one of the Clinical Coordinators for two funded pilot studies that involve a randomized controlled trial on Post Admission Cognitive Therapy for the treatment of service members hospitalized for a suicide related event. Dr. Schendel's primary areas of interest include interpersonal processes of psychotherapy, protective factors for suicide, and mental health policy. Dr. Schendel is a licensed psychologist with a private practice in Bethesda, Maryland where she sees clients for individual and couples therapy. http://www.drchristinaschendel.com
Email: christina.schendel.ctr@usuhs.mil
Research Staff
Cara Blevins, B.A. - Research Assistant
Cara earned her B.A. in Psychology at George Mason University in 2009. As a full-time staff member in the lab, her primary activities focus on research tasks associated with a randomized controlled trial on Safety Planning and a US Navy program evaluation study. In addition, Cara volunteers at the George Mason University Laboratory for Social Anxiety and Character Strength Research where she works on three projects involving romantic rejection, humor, and self-compassion. Cara is planning to enter graduate school to earn her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology.
Email: cara.blevins.ctr@usuhs.mil
Katherine Brazaitis, B.A.- Research Assistant
Katie earned her B.A. in Psychology at New York University (NYU). After NYU, Katie was employed through the Henry M. Jackson Foundation. She was a Research Coordinator and Psychometrist for the Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. She is currently in a Clinical Psychology Ph.D. program at The Catholic University of America, under the mentorship of Dr. David A. Jobes. As a part-time Research Assistant in our lab, Katie is responsible for consenting study participants and conducting follow-up phone evaluations. Most recently, she has led the efforts in the development of a comprehensive measure of lethality.
Email: katherine.brazaitis.ctr@usuhs.mil
Kathryn DeYoung, B.A.. - Research Coordinator
Katie earned her B.A. in Psychology at the University of Tennessee. She joined our lab in 2010 as a full-time staff member. She is currently serving as the Research Coordinator for a retrospective chart review study aimed at better understanding the characteristics of individuals hospitalized for suicide related events at a military hospital. Within the past several months, Katie has served as the Consenting and Follow-Up Coordinator for our clinical trials. Additionally, she is currently overseeing the transcription of our taped therapy sessions with suicidal service members for the purposes of training, treatment development, and supervision. Katie aims to enter a graduate program to earn her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology.
Email: kathryn.deyoung.ctr@usuhs.mil
Elisabeth Fritz, M.A., Research Assistant
Lisa is a 6th year Ph.D. student in Clinical Psychology at American University in Washington, D.C. She earned a B.A. in psychology from Cornell University in Ithaca, NY. Lisa has assisted in research on PTSD in active-duty Iraq war veterans at Ft. Stewart, GA, and has four years of experience working with survivors of sexual assault. Lisa joined our lab in 2009 and over the past several years, she has contributed to a number of different research projects. Most recently, Lisa has served as the primary researcher of clinical assessment tools to be utilized in our various clinical trials. She has currently transitioned to full-time status in the lab. In this capacity, Lisa is assisting with the treatment development of Post Admission Cognitive Therapy, consenting of study participants, data management, and follow-up evaluations. Furthermore, Lisa is completing her dissertation study under the guidance of her American University advisor, Dr. Anthony Ahrens as well as Dr. Holloway - utilizing the data collected during her work in our lab.
Email: lisa.fritz@american.edu
Joseph Grammer, B.S., B.A. - Research Coordinator
Joseph Grammer received a B.S. in Psychology and a B.A. in Russian Language and Literature from the University of Maryland, College Park in May, 2011. He served as a research assistant under a UMD clinical psychology graduate student studying the motives behind revenge-seeking behavior, and was a crisis counselor at UMD's Help Center hotline. As a research coordinator, Joseph oversees the conduct of a newly funded US Air Force study on behavioral health utilization and career related implications. Most recently, he has conducted a preliminary investigation of hopelessness, perceived burdensomeness, and thwarted belongingness in a sample of USAF suicide decedents. Joseph is particularly interested in cultural factors in relation to suicide prevention and hopes to earn a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology.
Email: joseph.grammer@usuhs.mil
Rene' Lento, B.A. - Research Assistant
Rene' earned her B.A. in Psychology at Boston College where she worked as a Research Assistant in the Adolescent Development and Neurochemical Labs. Her current interests in psychotherapy for depression and suicide prevention largely stem from her time at Samaritans in Boston, where she worked first as a Suicide Prevention Hotline Volunteer and later as a Grief Support Services Coordinator for survivors of suicide loss. After BC, Rene' moved to Washington, DC and began her doctoral work at the Catholic University of America's Clinical Psychology program under the mentorship of Dr. David Jobes. She joined our lab in early 2011 as a part-time Research Assistant and in this capacity, she assists with the consenting of study participants and their follow-up evaluations. In addition, she contributes to the daily research activities of the lab.
Email: rene.lento.ctr@usuhs.mil
Heather Rodney, B.A.- Research Assistant
Heather earned her B.A. in Psychology from the University of Maryland, College Park. She joined our lab in early 2011 as a part-time staff member. Heather has contributed to a number of research activities including all the funded psychotherapy clinical trials. Most recently, she is assisting on a study on behavioral health utilization and career related implications in Air Force service members. Heather also volunteers at the Center for Addiction, Personality, and Emotion Research Laboratory, and the Social, Decisions, Organizational, Sciences Laboratory at the University of Maryland. She plans on attending graduate school to earn a Ph.D in Clinical Psychology.
Email: heather.rodney.ctr@usuhs.mil
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Katheryn Ryan, MPH - Research Assistant
Katheryn received her B.A. in Psychology from the University of Virginia. She also holds a Master's in Public Health from the George Washington University. Currently, she is a 3rd year Ph.D. student in Clinical Psychology at American University. Katheryn's primary research area is in cost effectiveness and program evaluation. Her previous work experience included six years of contract work for The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, where her research focused on national mental health treatment costs and access to care policy. She also volunteers weekly with the National Suicide Hotline. In her part-time position with the lab, Katheryn assists with the daily research activities of a number of clinical trials investigating suicide prevention outcomes, recruits and consents study participants, and conducts baseline as well as follow-up assessments.
Email: katheryn.ryan.ctr@usuhs.mil
Joanna Zuercher, B.A.- Research Coordinator
Born and raised in and around Washington, DC, Joanna worked in political and non-profit fundraising for five years. Prior to that, she performed paralegal work at Hunton and Williams, LLP. In 2003, she graduated from Duke University with a major in political science and a minor in psychology. Joanna's primary duty in the lab is to oversee an evaluation study designed to measure changes from pre-training to post-training following the administration of the Assessing and Managing Suicide Risk program to U.S. Navy and Marine Corps behavioral health providers. Joanna plans to attend graduate school to pursue her dream of studying and practicing psychology.
Email: joanna.zurcher.ctr@usuhs.mil
Volunteers
Nevia Pavletic, B.A.
Nevia earned her Sociology B.A. from the University of Maryland in 2009, where she graduated with summa cum laude distinction. In the near future, Nevia plans to pursue an MPH with a concentration in global mental health. As a lab volunteer, Nevia is gaining experience in clinical research activities focused on suicide prevention and military mental health.
Email: nevia.pavletic@usuhs.mil
Contact Information
Department of Medical and Clinical Psychology
Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences
4301 Jones Bridge Road
Bethesda, Maryland 20814-4799