People

Project Staff and Partners

Janis Whitlock, Ph.D., MPH is the Director of the Cornell Research Program on Self-Injurious Behaviors. Janis has worked extensively in the area of adolescent and women's health and possesses formal training in Public Health and Human Development. She is particularly interested in the social, cultural, and contextual factors which influence adolescent development and identity formation. She has published in the areas of adolescent connectedness to school and community and, more recently, in self-injurious behavior in adolescents and young adults.

Amanda Purington, B.S. is the Study Coordinator for all studies undertaken as part of the Cornell Research Program on Self-Injurious Behaviors. Amanda is a graduate of Cornell University with a degree in Human Development. She also works as a research support specialist with the ACT for Youth initiative. Amanda is interested in the ways in which collaborative community initiatives can be used to foster adolescent well-being.

John Eckenrode, Ph.D. is a project partner and co-PI on several of the studies currently underway. He is Professor of Human Development and Director of the Family Life Development Center. He is also Director of the National Data Archive of Child Abuse and Neglect. His research concerns child abuse and neglect, the effects of preventive interventions, and stress and coping processes and he has authored numerous books and articles in this and related areas.

Jane Powers, Ph.D. is a project partner. She has a special interest in the role the Internet plays in adolescent well being and mental health. Jane is longtime member of the research faculty in the Family Life Development Center and has worked on numerous projects related to adolescent risk and well being. Jane is also the Project Director for the New York state ACT for Youth initiative.

Undergraduate Students.

Diana Ballesteros is a senior in the College of Human Ecology, majoring in Human Development, minoring in Latino Studies. She plans on attending graduate school and studying either adolescent psychology or education reform. Ultimately, Diana is interested in pursuing a career supporting underprivileged minority adolescents in their efforts to pursue quality educations. In the past, she worked on the Youtube project and currently, Diana is researching the potential role of cognitive behavioral therapies in treating self-injurious behaviors.

Kate Bubrick is a junior in the College of Arts in Sciences. She is majoring in psychology and hopes to pursue a career in youth development and mental health. Kate is currently researching the role of mindfulness in therapy.

Jackie Goodman is a junior at Cornell University, majoring in Human Development. She hopes to pursue a career that involves mental health and the law. Jackie is currently researching the role peers play in helping self-injurers and different factors affecting adolescent help-seeking behaviors.

Randi Pochtar is a senior at Cornell University, majoring in Human Development in the college of Human Ecology. She is interested in pursuing a career in clinical psychology and her primary interests are in child and adolescent mental health. Randi is currently working on a literature search related to help-seeking behaviors in adolescents who self-injure as well as the impact of peer-intervention within various areas of mental health.

Ashleigh Rio is a senior at Cornell University, majoring in Human Development with a minor in Feminist, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. After graduation, she hopes to teach or to work for a nonprofit advocating for women or children, but ultimately she hopes to attend graduate school for psychology. She is currently developing web presentations about therapies that may be effective for treating self-injury.

Miranda Sweet is a senior in the College of Human Ecology, majoring in Human Development. She plans to go to graduate school and study occupational therapy and is ultimately interested in pursuing a career in women's health. In the past, Miranda researched the role of parent relationships on adolescent self-injury. She is currently studying the experience of individual and family therapy.

Laura Transue is a junior Cornell Film major and College Scholar. With the College Scholars Program, she is studying media influence on and portrayal of women’s issues and adolescent issues, specifically in mainstream popular and teen film. She is interested in working to develop positive, supportive programming for teenage girls and marginalized women as well as working in British film and television. Laura is currently working on the Youtube Project and the development of the self-injury webpage.

Collaborators

Tim Marchel, Director of Mental Health Policy Initiatives, Cornell University

Greg Eells, Director of Counseling and Psychological Services, Gannett Health Services, Cornell University

Nina Cummings, Health Educator, Gannett Health Services

Janet Corson-Rikert, Director of Gannett Health Services

Daniel Silverman, Director of Princeton University Health Services

Gina Baral, Coordinator of Health Promotion Services at Princeton University Health Services

Paul Barreira, Associate Professor of Psychiatry & Director of Behavioral Health and Academic Counseling Harvard University Health Services

Kerry Knox, Associate Professor, Community and Preventive Medicine, University of Rochester