Vyoma Shah

Research Coordinator, Project SELF

vyomas@uw.edu

I manage the day-to-day operations which include coordinating communications between the study team and outside parties, helping to prepare study protocols and materials, and supervising undergraduate research assistants. The objective of Project SELF is to evaluate the impact of brief writing interventions on hazardous drinking habits in young adults. If you have questions about this study, please contact me by e-mail.

Before joining TRI, I graduated from the University of Hartford with an MS in Organizational Psychology. I was drawn to Project SELF’s mission to improve health outcomes for young adults and am excited to take on the challenges provided by an in-depth longitudinal study.

After this project, I hope to remain in research and am considering pursuing a PhD in social psychology. Outside of work, I enjoy reading, cooking, going to museums, and hiking.

Sophie Balint

Research Study Assistant, Project THRIVE

sbalint@uw.edu

I support the THRIVE team with data management and study management assignments.

I was originally drawn to project THRIVE due to my interest in studying PTSD. This work provides better context on the implications and nuances of PTSD in a clinical population. Eventually, I plan to successfully incorporate our research findings into a computational PTSD model. After this project, my goal is to pursue a PhD in either cognitive and/or clinical psychology. I’ll also seek opportunities to spend some time researching abroad.

I graduated from UW with my BSc in Psychology in June of 2023. In addition to working on the THRIVE team, I volunteer in UW’s Cognition and Cortical Dynamics Lab where I help with research in cognitive psychiatry and memory modeling. Beyond campus, I love to snowboard, cook, bake, and read.

Carolina Ibarra

Research Assistant, Project CARE, Project THRIVE, Sexual Minority Women (SMW) study

ccibarra@uw.edu

I assist the project CARE team with participant screening and communication and supervise the undergraduate research assistants. Active or aspiring CARE participants can contact me with any questions. I am also helping the THRIVE and SMW studies as they prepare for launch. Mental health professionals interested in a paid opportunity to be part of the SMW advisory board can contact me to discuss.

I am a UW graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. When I’m not working with TRI, you’ll likely find me swimming, traveling, or attending concerts and musicals.

Molly Joseph

Research Coordinator, Project SARAH (Sexual Assault, Recovery, and Hope)

projectsarah@uw.edu
mollykj@uw.edu

I assist the project leads with all aspects related to coordinating Project SARAH, including recruiting, screening, participant communication, and scheduling. In this role, I supervise undergraduate research assistants, handle payments, and coordinate data entry and cleaning. I was drawn to this project to help TRI evaluate the effectiveness of different treatments, and to better understand what treatments work better, for who, and why. I value this opportunity to support female-identifying individuals who have recently experienced a sexual assault.

Prior to joining this team, I graduated from the University of Washington with a BS in Psychology and a minor in Education, Learning, and Society. I have spent the past couple years coordinating several different research projects at the UW. I hope to earn a PhD in child clinical psychology; while I explore specialities, I’m leaning toward childhood trauma and neurodevelopmental disorders.

Beyond work at the University, you’ll find me training for half marathons, trying new dinner recipes, baking various goodies, and attending local concerts.

Angela Simler

Research Assistant

asimler@UW.edu (Monday-Thursday)

I contribute to the development of TRI research papers and conduct dyadic clinical sessions in English or Spanish with recent sexual-assault survivors and their supporters. To fulfill our mission of making studies welcoming, safe and inclusive places, I review and edit Spanish translations of study materials, including intervention materials and screening procedures, with the use of inclusive language. As studies progress, I assist with lab management and efforts to cultivate a positive lab environment.

To help ensure studies are well-populated, I manage lab community referrals and the resources database. At a local partner recruitment site, I conduct in-person screenings in English or Spanish of potential participants to determine eligibility for the study.

Beyond work, I enjoy traveling, spending time with family and friends, morning power walks, skiing, and volunteering at the Crisis Connections.

Mai Pham 

Research Study Coordinator, Project Better

mpham24@uw.edu 

I coordinate Project Better, a randomized controlled study testing the efficacy of a brief text-based intervention to provide support or healthy coping skills for problem drinking and PTSD. In this role, I supervise undergraduate students and assist PIs with all aspects related to Project Better including participant recruitment, IRB submission, participant payment, etc. I was drawn to this project to better understand the integration of social and cognitive psychology theories into therapeutic interventions and the implementation of digital technology to address traditional barriers to care and improve psychological and health outcomes.

Before joining TRI, I graduate from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in May 2023 with a BA in Psychology and Philosophy. I have spent the past two years volunteering and working in different clinical psychology and neuroscience labs as research assistant and lab coordinator.

In my personal time, I enjoy reading non-fiction books, reading news, listening to podcasts/audiobooks, visiting museums, and making coffee.