MIRECC / CoE
Research Core Staff | Rocky Mountain MIRECC
 |
|||
 |
 |
 |
 |
Our Mission & Vision
The mission of the Rocky Mountain MIRECC is to study suicide with the goal of reducing suicidal ideation and behaviors in the Veteran population. Towards this end, the work of the Rocky Mountain MIRECC is focused on promising clinical interventions, as well as the cognitive and neurobiological underpinnings of suicidal thoughts and behaviors that may lead to innovative prevention strategies.
The vision of the Rocky Mountain MIRECC is to increase information and treatment options available to Veterans, their families and the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) so that care decisions and care provided are aimed at decreasing suicide risk.
Contact Us
If you have questions or comments, please reach out to us via email: RockyMountainMIRECC@va.gov.
Staff
Research Core
Research Director
Nazanin Bahraini, PhD (she/her)
Clinical Research Psychologist and Acting Director, Rocky Mountain MIRECC
Department of Veterans Affairs, Rocky Mountain Regional VAMC
Aurora, CO
Email: Nazanin.Bahraini@va.gov
Publications: PUBMED | Google Scholar
Principal Investigators
Rachel Sayko Adams, PhD, MPH (she/her)
Health Services Researcher, Rocky Mountain MIRECC
Department of Veterans Affairs, Rocky Mountain Regional VAMC
Aurora, CO
Email: Rachel.Adams6@va.gov
Publications: PUBMED
Sean Barnes, PhD (he/him)
Clinical Research Psychologist, Rocky Mountain MIRECC
Department of Veterans Affairs, Rocky Mountain Regional VAMC
Aurora, CO
Phone: 720-723-6560
Email: Sean.Barnes2@va.gov
Publications: PUBMED | Google Scholar
Lauren M. Borges, PhD (she/her)
Clinical Research Psychologist, Rocky Mountain MIRECC
Department of Veterans Affairs, Rocky Mountain Regional VAMC
Aurora, CO
Phone: 303-916-0128
Email: Lauren.Borges2@va.gov
Publications: PUBMED | Google Scholar
Diana Brostow, PhD, MPH, RDN (she/her)
Clinical Research Nutritionist, Rocky Mountain MIRECC
Department of Veterans Affairs, Rocky Mountain Regional VAMC
Aurora, CO
Email: Diana.Brostow@va.gov
Publications: PUBMED | Google Scholar
Bryann DeBeer, PhD (she/her)
Director of VA Patient Safety Center of Inquiry - Suicide Prevention Collaborative & Clinical Research Psychologist, Rocky Mountain MIRECC
Department of Veterans Affairs, Rocky Mountain Regional VAMC
Aurora, CO
Phone: 254-297-3108
Email: Bryann.Debeer@va.gov
Publications: PUBMED | Google Scholar
Claire A. Hoffmire, PhD (she/her)
Epidemiologist, Rocky Mountain MIRECC
Department of Veterans Affairs, Rocky Mountain Regional VAMC
Aurora, CO
Email: Claire.Hoffmire@va.gov
Publications: PUBMED
Ryan Holliday, PhD (he/him)
Clinical Research Psychologist, Director of Training, Rocky Mountain MIRECC
Department of Veterans Affairs, Rocky Mountain Regional VAMC
Aurora, CO
Phone: 720-723-6573
Email: Ryan.Holliday@va.gov
Publications: PUBMED | Google Scholar
Adam Kinney, PhD, OTR/L (he/him)
Research Health Science Specialist, Rocky Mountain MIRECC
Department of Veterans Affairs, Rocky Mountain Regional VAMC
Aurora, CO
Email: Adam.Kinney@va.gov
Publications: PUBMED | Google Scholar
Julie Kittel-Moseley, PhD (she/they)
Epidemiologist, Rocky Mountain MIRECC
Department of Veterans Affairs, Rocky Mountain Regional VAMC
Aurora, CO
Email: Julie.Kittel-Moseley@va.gov
Publications: PUBMED | Google Scholar
I am an epidemiologist and health science specialist with over 10 years of experience in suicide prevention research and research with Veterans. My research primarily focuses on identifying non-mental health risk factors for suicide, particularly suicide prevention among those with serious medical conditions, such as cancer, as well as sexual and gender diverse Veterans. Identifying these risk factors can help to inform upstream suicide prevention efforts.
Meredith Mealer, PhD
Investigator/Regulatory Liaison, Rocky Mountain MIRECC
Department of Veterans Affairs, Rocky Mountain Regional VAMC
Aurora, CO
Phone: 720-723-4864
Email: Meredith.Mealer@ucdenver.edu
Lindsey L. Monteith, PhD (she/her)
Clinical Research Psychologist, Rocky Mountain MIRECC
Department of Veterans Affairs, Rocky Mountain Regional VAMC
Aurora, CO
Email: Lindsey.Monteith@va.gov
Publications: PUBMED | Google Scholar
My research focuses on understanding how to prevent Veteran suicide, especially among women Veterans, trauma survivors, and Veterans who do not use VHA care. I believe it is critical to obtain Veterans’ perspectives and understand their experiences and preferences when developing suicide prevention initiatives. I am honored to co-lead the ASPIRE lab and look forward to learning from the Veterans we survey and interview to understand how we can prevent suicide among Veterans who have less commonly been included in previous suicide prevention research.
Teodor T. Postolache, MD
Visiting Clinical Research Psychiatrist, Rocky Mountain MIRECC, Baltimore MIRECC
Department of Veterans Affairs
Baltimore, MD
Email: TPostola@psych.umaryland.edu
Daniel Reis, PhD (he/him)
Clinical Research Psychologist, Rocky Mountain MIRECC
Department of Veterans Affairs, Rocky Mountain Regional VAMC
Aurora, CO
Phone: 720-857-5770
Email: Daniel.Reis2@va.gov
Publications:PUBMED
Joseph Simonetti, MD, MPH (he/him)
Clinician Investigator, Rocky Mountain MIRECC
Department of Veterans Affairs, Rocky Mountain Regional VAMC
Aurora, CO
Email: Joseph.Simonetti@va.gov
Publications: PUBMED | Google Scholar
Postdoctoral Fellows
Ashley Griffith, PhD (she/her)
Postdoctoral Fellow, Rocky Mountain MIRECC
Department of Veterans Affairs, Rocky Mountain Regional VAMC
Aurora, CO
Email: Ashley.Griffith2@va.gov
Publications: PUBMED | Google Scholar
I am an Advanced Psychology Postdoctoral Fellow, and my research interests have centered around understanding barriers and facilitators to accessing mental health care among service members and Veterans for almost 10 years. In the ASPIRE Lab, I am exploring barriers and facilitators to engaging in suicide prevention strategies among LGBTQ+ Veterans, with an emphasis on transgender and gender diverse Veterans. I also bring an interest in understanding how rurality, region, and safety behaviors influence firearm ownership and suicide risk and prevention. As a researcher and spouse of a service member, I am committed to understanding how we can adapt suicide prevention programming to meet the needs of LGBTQ+ Veterans.
Research Clinicians, Staff and Other Investigators
Tabitha Alverio, MA (she/her)
Professional Research Assistant, Rocky Mountain MIRECC
Department of Veterans Affairs, Rocky Mountain Regional VAMC
Aurora, CO
Phone:720-298-5022
Email: Tabitha.Alverio@va.gov
Meghan Barnhart, MS
Health Science Specialist, Rocky Mountain MIRECC
Department of Veterans Affairs, Rocky Mountain Regional VAMC
Aurora, CO
Phone: 720-648-1722
Email: Meghan.Barnhart@va.gov
Eve Casiano (she/her)
Research Assistant, Rocky Mountain MIRECC
Department of Veterans Affairs, Rocky Mountain Regional VAMC
Aurora, CO
Phone: 720-723-3522
Email: Evelyn.Casiano@va.gov
Hope Gill, BA
Research Assistant, Rocky Mountain MIRECC
Department of Veterans Affairs, Rocky Mountain Regional VAMC
Aurora, CO
Phone: 720-857-5626
Email: Hope.Gill@va.gov
Christe'An Iglesias, MA (she/her)
Health Science Specialist, Rocky Mountain MIRECC
Department of Veterans Affairs, Rocky Mountain Regional VAMC
Aurora, CO
Phone: 720-723-6556
Email: Christean.Iglesias@va.gov
Jacob Johnson, BA (he/him)
Program Specialist, Rocky Mountain MIRECC
Department of Veterans Affairs, Rocky Mountain Regional VAMC
Aurora, CO
Phone: 720-229-4746
Email: Jacob.Johnson4@va.gov
Joseph Mignogna, PhD
Clinical Research Psychologist, Rocky Mountain MIRECC
Department of Veterans Affairs, Rocky Mountain Regional VAMC
Aurora, CO
Phone: 405-269-6866
Email: Joseph.Mignogna@va.gov
Publications: PUBMED | Google Scholar
Theresa Morano, MS (she/her)
Health Science Specialist, Rocky Mountain MIRECC
Department of Veterans Affairs, Rocky Mountain Regional VAMC
Aurora, CO
Email: Theresa.Morano@va.gov
I have been working for the VA for eight years in various research capacities. Having the privilege of working within several different research locations, my personal aim is to listen, learn, and validate the experiences of each and every Veteran with whom I have contact. I am honored to be working at the Rocky Mountain MIRECC within the ASPIRE lab, which focuses on suicide prevention among underrepresented or underserved Veterans.
Morgan Nance, MA (she/her)
Senior Professional Research Assistant, Rocky Mountain MIRECC
Department of Veterans Affairs, Rocky Mountain Regional VAMC
Aurora, CO
Phone: 720-723-4868
Email: Morgan.Nance@va.gov
Carly Rohs, MPH (she/her)
Health Science Specialist, Rocky Mountain MIRECC
Department of Veterans Affairs, Rocky Mountain Regional VAMC
Aurora, CO
Email: Carly.Rohs@va.gov
Phone: 720-202-3475
I am a trained qualitative analyst, working within the VA for the last five years. I am continuously humbled and honored to learn from Veterans and to use that information to influence suicide prevention interventions. I am interested in informing the gaps in care and research from the lived history and experiences of all Veterans who participate in our studies. I am honored to be part of the Rocky Mountain MIRECC, specifically the ASPIRE Lab.
Emerald Saldyt, BS (she/her)
Professional Research Assistant, Rocky Mountain MIRECC
Department of Veterans Affairs, Rocky Mountain Regional VAMC
Aurora, CO
Email: Emerald.Saldyt@va.gov
Phone: 720-723-6554
Joanna R. Sells, PhD
Project Director and Clinical Research Psychologist, Rocky Mountain MIRECC
Department of Veterans Affairs, Rocky Mountain Regional VAMC
Aurora, CO
Email: Joanna.Sells@va.gov
Shalomi Shelton, MS
Research Assistant, Rocky Mountain MIRECC
Department of Veterans Affairs, Rocky Mountain Regional VAMC
Aurora, CO
Email: Shalomi.Shelton@va.gov
Christopher Stamper, PhD (he/him)
Health Science Specialist, Rocky Mountain MIRECC
Department of Veterans Affairs, Rocky Mountain Regional VAMC
Aurora, CO
Phone:720-723-6552
Email: Christopher.Stamper@va.gov
Publications: PUBMED | Google Scholar
Jane Stanton, LCSW (she/her)
Clinical Social Worker, Rocky Mountain MIRECC
Department of Veterans Affairs, Rocky Mountain Regional VAMC
Aurora, CO
Email: Jane.Stanton@va.gov
Kelly A. Stearns-Yoder, MS (she/her)
Laboratory & Research Program Director, Rocky Mountain MIRECC
Department of Veterans Affairs, Rocky Mountain Regional VAMC
Aurora, CO
Phone: 720-415-1717
Email: Kelly.Stearns@va.gov
Publications: PUBMED
Suzanne Thomas, MA (she/her)
Health Science Specialist, Rocky Mountain MIRECC
Department of Veterans Affairs, Rocky Mountain Regional VAMC
Aurora, CO
Phone: 720-723-6555
Email: Suzanne.Thomas4@va.gov
I am a health science specialist who has worked with Veterans in research studies within the MIRECC for the past 7 years. I am grateful for the opportunity to listen to, learn from, and support Veterans in this research. In doing this, the intent is to enhance Veteran mental health and safety, and ultimately end Veteran suicide. I believe that this research will help to implement better care and support for all Veterans, and I am thrilled to be a part of it.
Last Updated 27 June 2024
