Project Staff
The majority of the staff at the Shaw Center are grant-funded and support specific research projects. Staff responsibilities include project management, home-visitation intervention, data collection and assessment, and data management.
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Melissa Denney
Project Support Specialist
Melissa provides support for the Pregnant Moms Empowerment Program and the EP4 study. She provides coordination and support for the research projects that include: conducting surveys, participating in outreach activities and completing assessments.
Email: mdenney2@nd.edu
Phone: (574) 631-8153 -
Elle Fox
Lab Manager
Elle manages the Breakthrough Research on Autism & Inclusive Neurodevelopment (BRAIN) Lab. She helps lead the TREAT Study by coordinating visits, connecting with families, and supporting participants throughout the research process.
Email: efox5@nd.edu
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Becki Fulmer
Project Coordinator
Becki manages the Pregnant Moms’ Empowerment Program. She coordinates all assessment visits, small group interventions and recruits research participants. Becki has been working with the PMEP project since 2017 and provides support in the EP4 study.
Email: bfulmer1@nd.edu
Phone: (574) 631-0958 -
Matthew Martinez
Project Coordinator
Matt manages the Revolutionary App-Based Care for Teen Health Program. He is responsible for scheduling and coordinating study visits, recruiting research participants, and leading families through the REACH study.
Email: mmarti78@nd.edu
Phone: 574-334-9083 -
Jessica Mejia-Abrajan
MSW Intern
Jessica Mejia-Abrajan is a **St. Mary's College MSW intern** at the **Shaw Center** for her final, clinical practicum year. She is assisting with three research projects: the REACH program, Vivimos Unidos, and the EP4 program.
Email: jmejiaa2@nd.edu
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Heidi Miller
Assistant Director for staff management and operations for the Veldman Family Psychology Clinic
Heidi is a social worker with 20 years of University experience in participant recruitment, project management, and training. She coordinates research and is actively involved in the South Bend community to enhance services for under-resourced families.
Email: hmiller1@nd.edu
Phone: (574) 631-0952 -
Asma Rassem
Assessment Coordinator
Asma supports the REACH Project, a clinical study on youth suicide prevention. She conducts assessments with adolescents and parents, assists with family visits, and contributes to research promoting youth mental health and well-being.
Email: arassem2@nd.edu
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Starla Ross
Parent Facilitator/Family Coach
Starla has utilized her skills as a family coach in the community on a variety of projects at the Shaw Center for over 21 years. Her current role in the EP4 study uses all of her experience and expertise to benefit families.
Email: Starla.Ross.72@nd.edu
Phone: (574) 631-0953 -
Rosemary Salinas
Parent Facilitator/Family Coach
Rose is currently a Family Coach for the EP4 study. Rose has successfully promoted and engaged families in a variety of projects for 20 years. Her ability to communicate in English or Spanish has been a valuable asset to the Shaw Center.
Email: Rosemary.Salinas.14@nd.edu
Phone: (574) 631-2854 -
Alex Sanchez
Project Coordinator for the Universal Wellness Project
Alex coordinates all aspects of the Universal Wellness Project (UWP), which trains providers on implementing single session interventions for youths in St. Joe Co. that are experiencing a mental health crisis.
Email: asanch37@nd.edu
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Victoria Ward
Pre-Doctoral Research Associate
Victoria graduated from Loyola University Chicago (‘23) with a BS in Psychology and a minor in the Psychology of Crime and Justice. She works with Drs. Miller-Graff and Valentino as an assessment coordinator for EP4 and lab manager for the BRAVE Lab.
Email: vward2@nd.edu