People

Jenny received a Master’s Degree in Computer Science from the University of Missouri – Rolla in 2004. She has worked in the Washington University psychiatry department as a statistical data analyst since 2009. She is responsible for database management in the EEDP.

Danielle Kelly received a B.A. in Psychology from University of Missouri – St. Louis. She currently conducts EEGs and MRIs with preschoolers for the PCIT-ED study. Danielle also works in Deanna Barch’s lab doing recruitment and data entry for adults with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. She has prior experience working at UMSL’s Center for Trauma Recovery.

Mackenzie graduated from Washington University in St. Louis with a B.A. in Psychological and Brain Sciences. During her time as a student, she worked as a research assistant for Dr. Thompson’s Emotion and Mental Health Lab and as an intern for WashU’s Psychological Service Center. She has experience working with children and adults affected by mental health struggles. In the EEDP, she assists with the THRIVE study and NOA study, conducting EEG assessments and clinical interviews. 

Elena grew up in Beijing, China before coming to Wisconsin for high school. She graduated from Grinnell College with a B.A in psychology and a concentration in neuroscience in 2023. As an undergraduate, she worked as a research assistant at Dr. Ann Ellis’s lab at Grinnell College and as a summer research intern at Dr. Kathryn Humphreys’ Stress and Early Adversity Lab at Vanderbilt University. In the EEDP, Elena will be working on participant scheduling, administering interviews, and conducting MRIs on the SLEEP study and the NeuCORE studies.

Melinda graduated from Valparaiso University with a B.S. in biology and chemistry and from Washington University with a Masters in Social Work. Melinda has worked as a therapist with children and families in a variety of settings including a family preservation model, foster care and at an adolescent group home. She has also worked as a parent educator for Parents as Teachers and as an early childhood educator. In the EEDP, Melinda administers parent interviews for the Neurodevelopment of Over Control and Anxiety (NOA) and PED-SI studies.

Lisa graduated with a B.S. in Psychology from the University of Pittsburgh. She also majored in Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies. Before attending Pitt, Lisa interned in the Personality Measurement and Development Lab with Dr. Josh Jackson and the Optimism Study with Dr. Laura Hennefield, both at WashU. At Pitt, she was an Undergraduate Research Assistant with Dr. Jana Iverson at the Infant Communication Lab and the Pitt Parents and Children Lab with Dr. Daniel Shaw and Dr. Leah Hunter. She also was a social work intern at the Allegheny Department of Children, Youth, and Families. At the EEDP, she conducts STARK assessments, assists with measurements for THRIVE and running assessments, and is on the Affiliative Tenor Coding Team.

Jennifer is responsible for the training and supervision of all PCIT-ED therapists. She also functions as a therapist for families participating in the Parent Child Interaction Therapy – Emotion Development Study. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor who earned a Master’s Degree from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Prior to her work at the Early Emotional Development Program she worked for an agency providing mental health services for homeless women with children. She has also worked with adults in a private practice setting. Jennifer joined the EEDP in October of 2004 and has enjoyed many roles since that time including a parent interviewer for Dr. Luby’s longitudinal study of preschool depression, co-author of the PCIT-ED manual, and a coordinator and therapist for an earlier phase of PCIT-ED.

Teresa graduated from Fontbonne University, where she studied Human Services with a minor in Sociology. As an undergraduate, she contributed to Dr. Luby’s Preschool Depression Study. She later worked as a Parents As Teachers parent educator, providing crisis intervention services to immigrant and refugee families through the Head Start program. Since rejoining the Early Emotional Development Program (EEDP), Teresa has worked on a range of research studies and currently serves as the Lab Manager. Individuals interested in employment or student opportunities within the EEDP are encouraged to contact Teresa directly.

Mary Grace is a therapist for families participating in the Parent Child Interaction Therapy – Emotion Development Study. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor who earned a Master’s degree in Counseling and Family Therapy from Saint Louis University. Mary Grace has over 8 years of clinical experience working with children and families in both a research and private practice setting. Her previous research experience includes substance abuse and its prevalence in families. Mary Grace joined the EEDP in February 2008 and has served many roles, including study coordinator for the Preschool Depression Study and as a therapist in earlier phases of PCIT-ED. She also collaborated with Dr. Luby and colleagues in the development of the Parent Child Interaction Therapy-Emotion Development treatment.

Ashna graduated from Washington University in St. Louis with a B.A. in Philosophy-Neuroscience-Psychology: Cognitive Neuroscience and a minor in Children’s Studies. She was an undergraduate research assistant in the Cognition and Development Lab and WAVE Lab before joining the EEDP full-time. She now works on both the GLO and NeuCorE+ studies where she conducts fMRI and EEG scans as well as clinical diagnostic interviews.