Dr. Grayson Holmbeck, Director
Virginia Commonwealth University, Ph.D. (1987)
Brown University, B.S. (1980)
We asked Dr. Holmbeck, the director of CHATS, a few questions so that you can learn more about him and our project.
Q:What kind of work do you do and where?
A: I'm a professor of psychology. I teach college students about children and families.
I also do research on children to try to figure out why some kids have problems and why others don't have any problems.
Q: Why did you choose to study the transition into adolescence?
A: Adolescence is a big event in a child's life and a big event for parents too. It is a time when kids are preparing to be adults. As a result, it's a time when kids can have a lot of successes and when the decisions they make are very important. I also like children and teenagers--they are lots of fun.
Q: What do you like most about being involved in CHATS?
A: I like learning more about how families can help their children be successful and happy.
Q: If a famous guest were coming to your house, who would you want this guest to be?
A: I'd love to have dinner with Thom Yorke!
Q:What do you like to do in your free time?
A: I play a lot of tennis. I also like to travel to new places and I love to listen to music.
Co-Investigator
Dr. Monique Ridosh
Hometown: Miami, FL
Status: Associate Professor in the School of Nursing
Studied: PhD from University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (2014)
Research Interests: Exploration of self-management behaviors associated with complications of chronic conditions; promotion of successful transition; parent depressive symptoms; family quality of life in families of children with chronic conditions
Goals: Developing a program of research in families living with chronic conditions
Hobbies: Traveling, cooking, and reading
Collaborators
Dr. Zoe Smith
Hometown: Wheaton, IL
Status: Assistant Professor of Psychology, Clinical Program
Studied: Clinical Psychology, concentration in Child and Adolescent Psychology
Research Interests: Creating community-based, culturally responsive assessments and interventions for adolescents from systemically oppressed backgrounds.
Goals: To be a leading community-based interventionist and to serve my community with kindness, flexibility, and good humor.
Hobbies: I love listening to books on “tape,” going for walks, eating delicious food (particularly pizza), and exercising (particularly pickleball and basketball).
Dr. Zoe Smith
Dr. Zoe Smith
Dr. Kezia Shirkey
Coming Soon!
Dr. Tessa Kritikos
Hometown: Berwyn, Pennsylvania
Status: Assistant Professor at University of Houston Clear Lake
Studied: Clinical Psychology at Boston University
Research Interests: Benefit-finding and posttraumatic growth among pediatric populations; parents of youth with chronic health conditions; family stress and resilience
Goals: To teach and mentor psychology students, to share my love of pediatric and clinical psychology with others; to conduct meaningful research that will benefit others
Hobbies: Reading,traveling, baking, and lots of toddler activities (with my son and daughter)
Dr. Colleen Stiles-Shields
Hometown: LaGrange, IL
Status: Assistant Professor at Rush University Medical Center
Studied: Psychology (DePaul BA '03), Social Work (University of Chicago MA '09), Clinical Psychology (Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine MS '13, PhD '17)
Research Interests: Increasing access to evidence-based care for pediatric patients and their families
Goals: Conduct clinical research that has a positive impact for pediatric patients and their families--particularly those who have disproportionately faced barriers to care and support
Hobbies: Chasing after my kiddos, enjoying dried mango or nachos
Graduate Students
Olivia Clark
Hometown: Point Pleasant, NJ
Status: 5th year graduate student in the Clinical Psychology program
Studying: Clinical psychology specializing in children and families; B.A. in Psychology, Art History and Neuroscience from Williams College (2017)
Research Interests: Psychosocial and neurocognitive outcomes for children who experience early life medical challenges
Goals: To work as a pediatric psychologist in an academic medical center, providing clinical care for children and their families, conducting research, and teaching.
Hobbies: Trying new exercise classes, exploring restaurants, and going to the beach
Allison (del Castillo) Payne
Hometown: Miami, FL
Status: 4th year graduate student in the Clinical Psychology program
Studying: Clinical psychology, specializing in children & families and neuropsychology; B.A. in Psychology (minors in Philosophy & Bioethics and Cognitive Science) from Georgetown University (2018)
Research Interests: Neuropsychological correlates of pediatric chronic illness; impacts of neuropsychological function, family relations, and culture on medical self-management and adjustment in children with chronic health conditions
Goals: To be a pediatric neuropsychologist in an academic medical center; conducting research, providing clinical care, and teaching.
Hobbies: Cooking, exercising and dancing, exploring cities, and convincing others that Cuban food is the greatest (trust me!)
Breana Bryant
Hometown: Clearwater, FL
Status: 2nd year graduate student in the Clinical Psychology program
Studying: Clinical psychology specializing in children and families; B.S. in Psychology from The University of North Florida (2020)
Research Interests: How social determinants of health affect psychosocial outcomes in youth with chronic illness, adherence to medical regimens, and protective factors in children with chronic health conditions.
Goals: To be a pediatric psychologist in an academic medical center; conducting research, providing clinical care, and teaching.
Hobbies: Exploring the city, kayaking, reading, going for walks and finding the best gluten free bakeries!
Research Assistants
Taylor Hilderbrand
Hometown: Grand Island, NE
Status: Lab Manager
Studied: B.S. in Biology from Loyola University Chicago
Research Interests: Developmental and Clinical Psychology
Goals: Pursuing a law degree
Hobbies: I love traveling with my friends and family, pilates, and trying new restaurants around the city.
Fabiola Magana
Hometown: Milwaukee, WI
Status: Post-Baccalaureate Research Assistant
Studying: PhD Student in the Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing
Research Interests: Alcoholism in the Latinx community.
Goals: Become a professor, Work with the Latinx Community, Build my own home
Hobbies: Dancing, reading, and watching scary movies!
Maddie Suhs
Hometown: Tampa, FL
Status: Senior Undergraduate at Loyola University Chicago
Studying: Psychology Major, Minor in Business Administration
Research Interests: Clinical Psychology and Developmental Psychology
Goals: Get into graduate school and obtain my Ph.D in Clinical Psychology.
Hobbies: I like to ride my bike, do yoga, read, and dance.
Esther Yun
Hometown: Camas, WA
Status: Post-Bacc Research Assistant
Studying: Biblical Studies M.A. at Moody Bible Institute; Psychology B.S. at Washington State University
Research Interests: Impact of childhood trauma, stress, and poverty on health outcomes. Risk and protective factors that promote resiliency within families and the education system.
Goals: To become a psychologist and support the health, wellness, and educational outcomes of youth by conducting research, providing clinical care, and teaching.
Hobbies: Exercising, listening to music, doing nothing.
Victoria Valentine
Hometown: Chicago, IL
Status: Post-Bacc Research Assistant
Studying: I'm currently studying psychology through the City Colleges of Chicago. I am also currently a high school self-contained special education teacher. My undergraduate degree is in special education.
Research Interests: I am interested in mental health support for adolescents and young adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities (IDD). I also am interested in protective factors for Down syndrome regression disorder.
Goals: I aim to be a clinician and researcher to improve the lives of young people with IDD and their families.
Hobbies: Seeing live music, cooking and baking, doing yoga, going to the gym, road trips, and spending time with family and friends.
CHATS Lab Alumni
Diana Ohanian
Hometown: Birmingham, MI
Status: Pediatric neuropsychology and rehabilitation psychology postdoc at the University of Michigan
Studying: Clinical psychology specializing in children and families; M.A. in History from The University of Chicago (2013), B.A. in History from The College of William and Mary (2012)
Research Interests: Coping strategies for children with chronic illnesses; individual and family management of chronic pain, health and identity formation
Goals: To be a pediatric clinical psychologist in a medical center; researching, providing clinical services, and teaching
Hobbies: Baking, yoga, theater, and constantly defending Detroit
Elicia Wartman
Hometown: St. Louis, MO
Status: Post-doctoral Fellow at Children's Hospital of Orange County
Studying: Clinical psychology specializing in children and families; B.A. Psychology from Ithaca College
Research Interests: Pediatric psychology, social and family functioning in children with chronic illness, medication adherence
Goals: To be a researcher, clinician and teacher working with pediatric populations
Hobbies: Traveling, enjoying live music, going to the beach, ice skating, and exploring new restaurants
Adrien Winning
Hometown: Cincinnati, OH
Status: Post-doctoral Fellow at Nationwide Children's Hospital
Studying: Clinical psychology specializing in children and families; B.S. in Psychology and Neuroscience from The Ohio State University (2015)
Research Interests: Neurocognitive and family processes that promote risk or resilience in children with chronic health conditions over the course of development
Goals: To be a pediatric psychologist in an academic medical center conducting research and providing evidence-based care for families
Hobbies: Running, yoga, concerts with friends, and eating as much Chicago food as is socially acceptable
