Welcome to the
MEND2 Lab!

Scott Langenecker, PhD (he/him/his)

Professor, The Ohio State University

Adjunct Professor, University of Utah

Dr. Langenecker is a Professor, Neuropsychologist, and Vice Chair of Research within the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health at The Ohio State University. He received his PhD in Clinical Psychology from Marquette University and has spent decades investigating neurobiological mechanisms of mood disorders in adolescents and adults. He works on multiple studies including RuMe, ReSIST, and SOAR at both The Ohio State University and Nationwide Children’s Hospital. In his free time, he likes to hike, bike, cook, and spend time with his two cats Bowie and Mushu.

Dr. Langenecker’s CV

Mindy Westlund Schreiner, PhD (she/her/hers)

Psychologist & Clinical Scholar, Nationwide Children’s Hospital

Assistant Professor, The Ohio State University

Dr. Westlund Schreiner is an Assistant Professor and Psychologist at Nationwide Children’s Hospital with a joint appointment at The Ohio State University. She received her PhD in Clinical Psychology from the University of Minnesota. Her work focuses on the neurobiological mechanisms of self-injurious thoughts and behaviors and interventions in adolescents. She primarily works on the ReSIST and RuMe studies. She has fostered many kittens and is the proud cat mom of two (mostly) sweet felines.

Dr. Westlund Schreiner’s CV

Erin Kaufman, PhD

Assistant Professor, University of Utah

Dr. Kaufman is an Assistant Professor and Psychologist within the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Utah. She received her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Utah. Dr. Kaufman’s program of research focuses on interrupting pathogenic factors that contribute to self-inflicted injury (SII), borderline personality disorder (BPD), and suicide.

Dr. Kaufman’s CV

Maci Jacobson, BS

Graduate Student

Maci Jacobson graduated with a BS in Neuroscience from Brigham Young University. Her interests in reward and motivation pathways has driven her to pursue a Ph.D. in Neuroscience at the University of Utah and to join the MEND2 Lab. Her motto is “I study how we work in order to maximize that work!” When she is not studying or in the lab, Maci loves watching and playing sports, reading Harry Potter with her husband, and spending time in the mountains.

Myah Pazdera, MS (she/her/hers)

Research Associate

Myah is a Research Associate in the MEND2 Lab where she is involved in running and maintaining all lab studies. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee with a M.S. in Cognitive and Developmental Science. Myah is interested in prevention science, especially as it relates to development, trauma, and cognitive neuroscience among at-risk youth. In her free time, she enjoys being outside with her dogs.

Matthew Thompson, MPhil (he/him/his)

Research Associate

Matthew is a Research Associate in the MEND2 lab where he is involved in running and managing data for multiple lab studies, including RuMe and SOAR. He graduated from the University of Oslo with a MPhil in Cognitive Neuroscience. Matthew is interested in the neurobiological mechanisms of affect, especially in the context of mood disorders.

Ava Alexander, BA (she/her/hers)

Independent Evaluator

After graduating with a B.A. in psychology from Bowdoin College, Ava spent three years working for an integrated mental health team in the juvenile justice system in New York City. Her interest in trauma and mental health among at-risk youth then led her to pursue a PhD in clinical psychology at the University of Utah, where she matriculated in 2021. Her current research is focused on reciprocal links between trauma, incarceration, and gang involvement among adolescents. Ava grew up in the city The Office takes place in!

Leah Thomas, MS (she/her/hers)

Senior Research Associate, Independent Evaluator

Ohio State University

Leah joined the MEND2 Lab in 2019. She graduated with a Master’s in psychology from the University of Utah after obtaining a Bachelor’s in Psychology from California Polytechnic University San Luis Obispo. Leah’s research interests focus on the underlying risk and protective mechanisms in the development of mood disorders. She works primarily on the RuMe and SOAR studies. Leah comes from a cute fairytale-like village in Germany.

Hannah Ollech, BA (she/her/hers)

Clinical Research Coordinator

Hannah graduated with a Bachelors in Neuroscience from the College of Wooster (2024) with minors in Biology and Public Health. She is currently a Clinical Research Coordinator for the MEND2 lab at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, working primarily on the RuMe and ReSIST studies. She has an interest in clinical treatments for suicidality/self-injurious behavior and health equity and hopes to pursue these topics in graduate school. In her free time, she enjoys attending concerts and playing with her kitten, Soup.

Leo Kalotihos, BA (he/him/his)

Clinical Research Coordinator

Leo earned a BA from Sarah Lawrence College (2024), where he studied psychology and neuroscience. His primary research interests include suicide and self-injurious behaviors in at-risk populations. He is particularly interested the identification, development, and interaction of risk/protective factors — especially social connectedness. Leo aspires to pursue a PhD in clinical psychology and continue to dedicate his career to suicide prevention. He primarily works on ReSIST and RuMe. Leo enjoys running, drinking coffee, and mixed media arts (leokalotihos.com).

Chuck Kingston, BA (he/him/they)

Clinical Research Assistant

Chuck earned a Bachelors in Neuroscience with minors in Clinical Psychology and Philosophy from The Ohio State University (2023). His research interests include intergenerational transmission of depression/trauma and developing efficient and culturally appropriate psychological assessment strategies for low- and middle- income countries. He primarily works on RuMe and SOAR. Chuck is also a giant (latin -> old french) etymology (latin -> greek -> old french again) fan (latin, fanaticus).

University of Utah (2020-2024)

Brian was a Research Associate in the MEND2 Lab, who graduated from Brigham Young University with a B.S. in Psychology and a minor in Spanish. He was involved in running and maintaining multiple lab studies. He is primarily interested in suicide prevention, symptomology of mood disorders, and executive function. Brian is currently pursuing a PhD in Clinical Psychology at the University of Southern Mississippi. In his free time, Brian enjoys woodworking and playing with his corgi.