Staff

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.

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.

Caroline graduated from the University of Michigan in the spring of 2022, where she earned her B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Spanish. As an undergraduate, she worked in the Social Minds Lab under Dr. Felix Warneken, studying the development of cognition, reward processing, and altruism in adolescents. She completed her honors thesis on the development of ritual learning in adolescents. In the EEDP, Caroline will work on the Development of Reward study (Big Doors), conducting EEGs and recruitment.

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, earning a B.A. in Human Services with a minor in Sociology.  As an undergraduate, she worked on Dr. Luby’s Preschool Depression Study.  She then worked as a Parent As Teachers parent educator and focused on crisis intervention with immigrant and refugee families for the Head Start program.  Since rejoining the EEDP she works on the Families First study and the MESY study, administering interviews and assisting with EEGs.

Katherine Pope is a Licensed Professional Counselor and earned her Master’s Degree from The University of Missouri – St. Louis. At the EEDP, she currently works on the continuation of the PCIT-ED Therapy study and the Early Development of Over-Control Study.  She also is a volunteer group therapist for grief programs in the St. Louis area and has worked with families in pediatric hospice in the past.

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.

Maddie graduated from Missouri State University, earning a Bachelor of Music Education degree with a focus in Vocal Music. In addition, she earned an Instrumental Music Certification. She then spent 6 years as an elementary school music educator working with children in Kindergarten through 5th grade and served as the choral music director for 6th grade students. Maddie then began working for WashU in the Department of Oncology before transferring to the EEDP where she uses her experience in education to assist with clinical research involving children. She works on the NOA team under Kirsten Gilbert, where she also coordinates for other pilot studies and projects.