RESEARCH TEAM MEMBERS

Dr. Lynn T. Singer, Ph.D

NIDA, BPD, MDMA

(216) 844-6212

Lynn.Singer@case.edu

Jill Baley, M.D.
BPD Grant

Jill.Baley@case.edu
844-3387

Carolyn Kerscmar
BPD Grant

Carolyn.Kerscmar@case.edu
844-3267

H. Lester Kirchner, Ph.D.
NIDA, BPD, and MDMA Grants

H. Lester Kirchner, Ph.D. received his Bachelor's of Science degree in Mathematics, from Central Michigan University in 1993. He went on to earn his Masters in 1996 and his Ph.D. in 1999 in Biostatistics from the University of Iowa.

After graduating from Iowa, Dr. Kirchner joined the Department of Pediatrics where he now directs the Division of Clinical Epidemiology's Database and Statistical Core. Dr. Kirchner is the senior Biostatistician on Dr. Singer's NIDA, BPD, and MDMA studies. He brings expertise in longitudinal data analysis.

Nancy Klein, Ph.D.
Consultant, NIDA and BPD Grants

Professor Emeritus, special education
Cleveland State University

N.Klein@csuohio.edu
687-4606

Barbara Lewis, Ph.D.
NIDA and BPD Grants

Associate professor of pediatrics

Pediatrics Genetics of learning disabilities; speech and language disorders; dyslexia

(216) 844-6204
Barbara.Lewis@case.edu

Sandra Russ, Ph.D.
NIDA Grant

Professor Department of Psychology

Her research has focused on understanding how pretend play is involved in child development and in child psychotherapy. I have worked with my students to develop a measure of pretend play that assesses both cognitive and affective processes. In addition, she has developed play intervention procedures to help children improve their play skills.

Next steps are to investigate play and the facilitation of play in clinical populations. We are also working on a brief behavior rating system that assesses play.

(216) 368-2814
Sandra.Russ@case.edu
http://www.case.edu/artsci/pscl/faculty/swr.html

Elizabeth Short, Ph.D.
NIDA and BPD Grants

Professor, Department of Psychology

Her primary research focus is to better understand the processes underlying cognitive development in preschoolers and school-aged children. Specifically, she is interested in cognitive, metacognitive, affective, and motivational factors that impact academic achievement.

(216) 368-2815
EJS3@case.edu

Dr. Meeyoung O. Min, M.S.W. Ph.D

NIDA, BPD, MDMA

Meeyoung Oh Min is a Research Associate and Biostatistician on the NIDA, BPD, and MDMA projects.  Meeyoung received her Ph.D. from Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio.  She collaborates in writing research publications, conference presentations, and grant applications and performs statistical analyses for all three projects.  Meeyoung develops appropriate statistical procedures/models in collaboration with other research team members, assumes responsibility for database design and maintenance and quality assurance monitoring, and provide statistical consultation.

(216) 844-6205
MXO7@case.edu

John M. Neely
NIDA, BPD, MDMA

John M. Neely is Systems Manager for the Division of Clinical Epidemiology.  John holds a Master’s degree in Computer Science and Software Engineering from Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, Ohio.  As Systems Manager for the NIDA, BPD, and MDMA projects, it is his responsibility to oversee the division’s central data systems, data processing, technical development, and network and technical support for all three projects.

Ms. Terri Lotz-Ganley

Research Secretary

NIDA, BPD, MDMA

Terri Lotz-Ganley is Dr. Lynn Singer’s secretary for the NIDA, BPD, and MDMA studies.  Terri’s main responsibilities include completion and timely submission of research grant applications, research manuscripts, abstracts for presentation at professional conferences, other duties as needed, and maintaining the smooth operation of the laboratory by supplying the research staff with continuous administrative support.  She is married with two grown children and a full-time grandmother.

(216) 488-844 6201 
tal15@case.edu

Dr. Sonia Minnes, Ph.D

Principal Investigator of NIDA

Sonia Minnes, Ph.D. is an Assistant Professor at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in the Department of General Medical Sciences.  Dr. Minnes has coordinated the National Institute on Drug Abuse Study (NIDA) since it began in 1994.  Her special area of research interest is the behavioral and mental health outcomes of prenatally drug-exposed children.

(216) 844-2138
Sonia.Minnes@case.edu

AnnaMaria Aguirre

NIDA

AnnaMaria Aguirre, M.A. is the recent recipient of a minority supplement on the NIDA grant investigating the effects of prenatal cocaine exposure on school-aged children. On the grant she is currently examining behavioral outcomes at 9 years as well as the relationship between risk-taking behaviors and self-regulation in early adolescence.

After completing her undergraduate degrees in Psychology and Spanish from Miami University (Ohio) in May 2002, she began her graduate studies in Case Western Reserve University’s Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology. She completed a Masters degree in Jaunary 2006 and is currently a fourth year doctoral candidate. In her free time she enjoys spending time with family and friends and reading.

(216) 844-2558
AVA5@case.edu

Alette Coulter R.N.

NIDA

Arlette M. Coulter is a Research Assistant II for the NIDA study.  She administers standardized assessments to mothers and caregivers.  Arlette identifies subjects in need of case management and makes referrals for ongoing problems.  Arlette received her Bachelor of Arts in Biology from Fisk University and her R.N. from Huron Road School of Nursing

(216) 844-6206
Arlette.Coulter@case.edu

Laurie Ellison

NIDA

Laurie Ellison is a social worker for the NIDA study. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from Cleveland State University in 1989 and her MSSA from Case Western Reserve University in 1992.  She also holds an LISW. Laurie has worked on the NIDA research project for the past 11 years maintaining the study’s cohort, constantly developing creative ways to contact difficult to reach families, and also coordinating with the CCDCFS to ensure the ability to follow children who have been removed from their homes. On a personal note, Laurie is the proud mother of a beautiful nine-year-old daughter.

LJS7@case.edu

Rashida Humphrey-Wall

NIDA

Rashida-Humphrey-Wall graduated from Hampton University in Washington, D.C. with a degree in Biology/Pre-Med. Following graduation she accepted an offer from NIDA to participate in a summer research internship with Project Newborn in Dr. Singer's laboratory. While enjoying her summer intership and learning a lot about research she had a change of heart regarding her career path and applied to the Nursing Doctorate Program at Case Western Reserve University. After being accepted to the program she began work on a grant application in order to be eligible as a graduate research assistant for Project Newborn. After receiving approval for the grant, Rashida began working on the Masters and Doctorate portion of the program simultaneously while still working as a research assistant for Dr. Singer's Project Newborn. Ms. Humphrety-Wall's specialty is pediatrics and family.

(216) 844-6223
RXH90@case.edu

Adelaide Lang

NIDA

Adelaide M. Lang, Ph.D. is a licensed clinical psychologist for the NIDA study.  She holds a Ph.D. in clinical child psychology from Loyola University of Chicago.  Dr. Lang assists in the development of research assessment protocols and trains and supervises staff in the reliable assessment of research subjects.  Dr. Lang assesses child research subjects, provides feedback to parents, and makes referrals for clinical services. 

(216) 844-6211
AML25@case.edu

Sarah F. Moore

NIDA

Sarah Moore is a Research Assistant II for the NIDA study.  She administers and scores standardized assessment measures and assists in other areas when needed.  Sarah enjoys reading, watching movies, and spending time with her family

Sarah.F.Moore@case.edu

Nicole Nall

NIDA

Nicole Nall is a Maternal Research Interviewer for the NIDA study. She interviews mothers and caregivers, administering standardized assessments regarding substance use, mental health, physical health, parenting practices, lifestyle, and relationships. Ms. Nall has been with Case Western Reserve University since 1996.  She received her Bachelor’s degree from Case Western Reserve University in 2000.  She resides in the Northeast Ohio area and has hobbies that include traveling and tennis, and is currently taking golf lessons.    

NRN@case.edu

Sudtida Satayathum

NIDA

Sudtida Satayathum is the Data Manager and Statistical Analyst for the NIDA project.  Sudtida holds a Master’s in Epidemiology from Case Western Reserve University.  She supervises and manages the longitudinal data from the study as well as performs biostatistical analyses of child and maternal outcome data.

(216) 844-6283
SAS30@case.edu

Paul Weishampel

Paul Weishampel, M.A. is a Research Assistant for the NIDA project. He works with the children in the project, conducting various assessment including language development, motor skills, scholastic achievement, cognitive abilities and attention. He also handles some of the financial aspects of the projects. He has been with the NIDA project since the children were 4 years old.

NIDA

(216) 844-6224
PRW4@case.edu

Sarah Fulton

PBD & MDMA Projects Coordinator

Sarah Fulton, MA, CCC-SLP earned her MA at Case Western Reserve University in Communication Disorders (1992), and her BA from Oberlin College. She began her work with the Infant Follow-up Project (now Growth Learning and Development) while she was a student at Case, and when the project was refunded, came back to do the child testing in 1998.

She became project coordinator in 1999, and continues her work on the project currently. Her interest in other prenatal child development risk factors, such as drug exposure, was expanded when she also assumed the coordinator position for the MDMA-Ecstasy project in 2001. Her specific interests in research lie in the effect of prenatal risk factors and speech-language outcomes of children.

(216) 844-6200
Sarah.Fulton@case.edu

George Asaad

Graduate Assistant

George Asaad is a graduate of Case Western Reserve University with a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology. He is a child tester for the BPD study.

BPD

(216) 844-6209
GXA22@case.edu

José Coenraads

BPD

José Coenraads is a child tester for the BPD study.  José holds a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from the Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, The Netherlands. She administers the psychosocial tests to the children in the study, as well as scoring these tests, and writes summary reports of the results for the child’s caregiver(s). José arrived in Cleveland from The Netherlands in April, 2005 to work on a gang intervention research project at the Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences. She joined the BPD Project in March, 2006.

(216) 844-6225
JXC189@case.edu

Sheri Eisengart

BPD

Sheri Eisengart, Ph.D. is a Research Associate in the Department of Pediatrics at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, working on the NIDA and BPD grants to investigate ways that mothers’ coping affects both maternal and child well-being. She has identified specific maternal coping strategies that may reduce mothers’ psychological distress and parenting stress, and may improve children’s emotional, behavioral, academic, cognitive, and language outcomes. Dr. Eisengart also has a clinical practice in Beachwood, Ohio, where she provides psychotherapy for children, adolescents, and adults.

(216) 844-2558
SPE2@case.edu

Nicole Herbst

BPD

Nicole Herbst is a research assistant for the BPD study.  She is responsible for sending recruitment letters to families and following up with them regarding study participation.  Nicole schedules subjects for testing which includes coordinating with physicians on the study for subjects' physicals as well as with the pulmonary function lab for lung tests.  Other responsibilities include obtaining informed consent from study participants, interviewing primary caregivers, escorting subjects to the hospital for testing, and ensuring full completion of questionnaires.  Nicole received her Bachelor’s of Arts degree in psychology in 2000 from the University of Akron and is currently an instructor in the U.S. Army Reserve. 

(216) 844-6222
Nicole.Herbst@case.edu

Sarah Wishnek

BPD

Sarah Wishnek is Project Coordinator  and Research Assistant for the Oral Health and Behavior Study under the supervision of Suchitra Nelson, Ph.D.  Sarah collects, manages and analyzes data through interviewing subjects and caregivers.  Sarah is also a maternal tester for the BPD study and takes care of all the follow up data including teacher evaluations.  Sarah received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Brandeis University in Boston, Massachusetts and will be attending Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health in the fall of 2006 with a focus in Epidemiology

(216) 844-2557
Sarah.Wishnek@case.edu