Team
The Racism-based Violence Injury & Prevention Lab was founded in 2021 by Principal Investigator Robert O. Motley Jr.
The primary goal of the lab is to provide an interdisciplinary intellectual space in which faculty, masters level students, doctoral students, and postdocs can critically examine the intersection of racism, violence, and trauma and its impact on the well-being of Black emerging adults 18 to 29 years of age.
The lab is currently composed of faculty and master's and doctoral students.
Faculty serve as faculty affiliates, and master's and doctoral students serve as research assistants, project coordinators, and program assistants.
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Assistant Professor
Principal Investigator of the RB-VIP Lab
Assistant Professor Robert O. Motley Jr., PhD, MSW, joined Boston College School of Social Work in 2021. He obtained his PhD from Washington University in St. Louis Brown School of Social Work, where he was a National Institute of Mental Health (T-32) Pre-doctoral Fellow. His research examines the intersection of racism, violence, and trauma for Black emerging adults ages 18-29 and associated adverse mental and behavioral outcomes. Dr. Motley looks to identify risk and protective factors that can be targeted by behavioral and mental health preventive and intervention programs, and advance personal safety practices and policies in America that are respective of equity and human dignity for marginalized emerging adult populations.
Awanti Acharya
GIS Research Consultant
Awanti Acharya received her doctoral degree from The University of Connecticut and holds a graduate certificate in Geographic Information System (GIS). She served as a GIS Consultant at Research Services, Boston College. Her research interests are in spatial analysis and its applications in real estate, environmental studies, social issues, and community health. She specializes in cartography, GIS and spatial data analysis.
Kaycee Bills
Faculty Affiliate
Dr. Kaycee Bills is an Assistant Professor of Social Work at Fayetteville State University. Her research interests are bullying and violence experienced among marginalized populations such as people with disabilities and people of different ethnic groups.
Cassandra Chaney
Faculty Affiliate
Cassandra D Chaney, PhD is the J. Franklin Bayhi Endowed Professor in Child and Family Studies, School of Social Work, College of Human Sciences and Education at Louisiana State University (LSU). She is broadly interested in the experiences of African Americans in the United States. Under this umbrella, she examines the emotional closeness and intimacy narratives of African Americans in dating, cohabiting, and married relationships, with a particular interest in relationship formation, maintenance, and stability. She also examines Blacks' historical and contemporary relationship with law enforcement. Dr. Chaney has published nearly 100 manuscripts and book chapters and was co-author of the book Police Use of Excessive Force against African Americans: Historical Antecedents and Community Perceptions (Policing Perspectives and Challenges in the Twenty-First Century). She was also appointed by Interim President Tom Galligan to serve on Louisiana's Police Training and De-Escalation Task Force during 2020-2021.
Camille Quinn
Faculty Affiliate
Camille R. Quinn, PhD, AM, LCSW, LISW-S is an Associate Professor in Community Engagement Research in the Center for Equitable Family and Community Well-being in the School of Social Work at the University of Michigan. She is a health criminology scientist, and the goal of her research is to enhance and promote the health equity of adolescents and young adults, particularly Black girls, and young women at the intersection of race, health, crime, and the youth punishment system in the United States. Under this umbrella, she investigates the role of protective factors on health and mental health and well-being from school age to young adulthood. Dr. Quinn is a national youth expert and has published 50 manuscripts and book chapters. She is a Co-Principal Investigator of a MacArthur Foundation grant to further the mission of their Safety and Justice ChallengeInitiative, designed to rebuild equitable criminal justice systems and reduce jail incarceration. Dr. Quinn was appointed as a Senior Scholar at the Initiative on GenderJustice and Opportunity, at the Georgetown Law Center on Poverty and Inequality in 2021.
Dr. Betty L. Wilson
Faculty Affiliate
Dr. Betty L. Wilson is an Assistant Professor in the College of Social Work at the University of South Carolina (U of SC). As an activist scholar, Dr. Wilson employs community-engaged qualitative methods along with theories of historical and racial trauma (among many others) to explore how chronic exposure to police violence influences complex trauma and grief producing experiences for Black people and communities. Her research also focuses on justice-informed efforts to address policing disparities as well as the development and implementation of culturally-specific interventions to mitigate adverse health outcomes associated with police violence exposure. Dr. Wilson is a highly decorated scholar, with professional awards including the Society for Social Work and Research Outstanding Social Work Doctoral Dissertation Honoree Award, U of SC Breakthrough Graduate Scholar Award, Southern Regional Education Board Dissertation Fellow, and U of SC-College of Social Work Doctoral Student Award.
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Danielle Walker
Graduate Research Assistant
Danielle Walker is currently a second year PhD student at the Boston College Connell School of Nursing. After graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing, Danielle worked in outpatient and inpatient mental health in the Boston area. In 2013, she returned to Boston College to obtain her Master’s degree and currently works part-time as a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner. In 2020, she returned to Boston College again to pursue her doctorate with an interest in the impact of community and gang violence on Black emerging adults. In her free time, Danielle enjoys spending time with family and trying new restaurants.
Eric Williamson
Graduate Research Assistant
After graduating from Loyola University of Chicago, Eric taught Algebra I at MATCH Charter High School, enrolling in Boston College's Master's in Measurement, Evaluation, Statistics, and Assessment program after three years in the classroom. Eric is currently a doctoral candidate and hopes to leverage social science research towards a more equitable world through his work at the RB-VIP Lab. In his free time, Eric enjoys writing poliscifi (political science fiction).
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Priti Patel
Graduate Research Assistant
Before beginning her master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling at Boston College, Priti graduated with a bachelor of science in neuroscience and a bachelor of arts degree in psychology from Regis College. As an undergraduate student, Priti was a research assistant for a clinical study funded by the National Institute of Health at the Regis Neuroscience Department, studying the pathology and treatment intervention of rodents diagnosed with hypoxic-ischemic brain injury. Along with her research background, she has spent two years counseling childhood trauma survivors through various positions at Boston Children’s Hospital, Justice Resource Institute, and the Italian Home for Children.
As an aspiring psychotherapist, Priti has developed a passion for studying how cultural systems in place directly impact mental health outcomes, marital and family relationships, particularly across the South Asian diaspora. One of Priti’s long-term goals as a South Asian psychotherapist is to be a conduit for her clients to breach past cultural containers that they may feel restricted to, explore their individuality, and move towards self-acceptance by embodying their intersectionality. Furthermore, Priti intends to create a safe space for South Asian couples of intersecting, bicultural, and/or interfaith identities to heal from the cultural barriers hindering their relational and self-development.
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HeeJoo Roh
Graduate Research Assistant
HeeJoo is currently a first-year master's student at David Lynch School of Education, studying mental health and counseling. Before pursuing a master’s degree, they completed a BA in Psychology and a BA in Fine Arts at Pepperdine University, where they published their first research paper regarding coloring mandala’s impact on death anxiety in individuals over the age of 50. Their current interest lies in examining the underrepresented population in research.
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Bridget Silveira
Graduate Research Assistant
Bridget grew up in the suburbs of Chicago and completed her undergraduate degree at Swarthmore College, with a double major in Psychology and Political Science. She is now enrolled in Boston College’s dual Juris Doctor/Master of Social Work (JD/MSW) program, with a desire to work in the criminal legal and prison systems to reform policies and practices such that these systems are refocused with a lens of rehabilitation.
Prior to coming to Boston College, Bridget worked as an Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) case manager in Washington, DC, and conducted evaluation research on policies aimed at addressing housing instability and homelessness. Bridget also volunteered with a re-entry non-profit as a co-facilitator for a family support group created as a space for individuals who have a loved one currently or formerly incarcerated.
Maya Ingram
Graduate Research Assistant
Maya is a first year Masters student in the Boston College School of Social Work with a clinical concentration and a field of practice in mental health. She completed her undergraduate degree at Clark University with a BA in Psychology and a Concentration in Comparative Race and Ethnic Studies. Prior to enrolling at Boston college, Maya worked as a Research Project Director at UMass Chan Medical School, studying employment and education interventions for emerging adults with mental health conditions. She is passionate about community based participatory action research. Her goal is to become a licensed clinical social worker and continue her career in mental health research. In her free time, Maya enjoys reading, hiking, and spending time with her dog, Blueberry.
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Priya Sashti
Research Communications Coordinator
Priya (she/her) is a first year Masters student at Boston College’s School of Social Work with a clinical concentration and focus in Children, Families, and Youth. She recently graduated from Brandeis University with a Bachelors in Psychology and Sociology. She hopes to become a licensed clinical social worker and work with families, children, and young adults. Priya is very passionate about anti-violence work as well and is excited to support the lab in their important research on the intersection between mental health and the adverse effects of racism. In her free time, Priya enjoys baking, exploring Boston, and spending time with her friends :)
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Alioune Diba
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Alioune Diba is a fourth-year undergraduate student at the Boston College Lynch School of Education double majoring in Applied Psychology and African and African Diaspora Studies. He is entering his third year working as an office intern for the African and African Diaspora Studies Office while also beginning his service as a wellness coach in the Center for Student Wellness. His studies are tailored to his aspirations of becoming a licensed mental health counselor with aspecialization in Black and Afro-Diasporic mental health services.
Anthony Delgado
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Anthony Delgado is a second-year undergraduate student at the Boston College Lynch School of Education and Human Development. He double majors in applied psychology and communication with a minor in management and leadership and is currently looking to pursue business with a specialization in cybersecurity sales. He enjoys working out and spending time with friends and family.
Jamelia Willock
Graduate Research Assistant
Before coming to Boston College, Jamelia graduated from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where she majored in psychology with a minor in African American studies. Currently, she is a second-year student in the School of Social Work and on the clinical track with a concentration in Afrocentric social work. Jamelia is a part of the initial cohort of students belonging to the Black Leadership Initiative, where students are trained as Master's level social workers to address issues affecting the Black community.
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Madelyn Harris
Graduate Research Assistant
Madelyn (she/her/hers) is a doctoral student in the counseling psychology program at Boston College. Before pursuing her Ph.D. at BC, she completed her B.S. in psychology at the University of Maryland, College Park, where she conducted research in the Counseling Psychology Research Center and worked as a crisis hotline counselor for the Trevor Project and the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. She seeks to center the wisdom of communities historically excluded from and exploited by psychological science and practice through her studies of racism-based violence racial trauma, and community healing. In her free time, Madelyn enjoys playing music and practicing yoga.
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Lily Crossman-Sexton
Research Communications Assistant
Lily is a first-year Master of Social Work student at Boston College on the macro tract with a concentration in health. Before coming to Boston College, Lily worked in childhood cancer research at Dana Farber Clinical Institute and Boston Children’s Hospital, where she discovered an interest in the impact of social determinants of health on medical care, treatment, and outcome. Lily had previously completed her undergraduate degree in Biology at Dartmouth College.
In the future, Lily hopes to combine her passion for health disparity research with her MSW degree in a career dedicated to the pursuit of health equity. Lily aspires to contribute to this field through the development and implementation of evidence-based interventions, programs, and policies within larger communities and organizations that help advance equitable health care and health outcomes.
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Iris Evans
Research Communications Coordinator
Iris Evans is a student in the School of Social Work on a clinical track with a global practice concentration. After obtaining a bachelor's degree in English from Tufts University as well as two associate degrees in sociology and psychology, Iris worked as a paralegal and then as a program coordinator for a biotech start-up. With increased awareness of how social determinants and systemic racism affect marginalized populations, Iris pivoted careers and became a National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach and trauma-informed yoga therapist, working with BIPOC, immigrant, and marginalized communities. Concurrently, Iris interned with organizations focused on Black mental wellness, affordable housing, and youth development, creating content for various campaigns and projects. Iris is passionate about the intersection of social justice, mental health, and the arts. Iris also developed two grant-funded programs focused on movement and art for both youth and adults in Boston, one of which is in its second year.
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Christopher Baidoo
Lab Manager
Christopher Baidoo is a first-year social work Ph.D. student. Holding degrees in both social work and law, he has worked with social justice organizations, higher education institutions, and government agencies. He most recently served as Chief of Staff and Director of Institutional Research at California Western School of Law. Inspired by his experience in social work, law, and data analysis, he is interested in research at the intersection of racial justice and criminal law and procedure, including examining the effect of colorism and skin tone in the criminal process.
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Anthony Easter
Graduate Research Assistant
Anthony is a second-year social work student on the clinical track with a concentration in Afrocentric Social Work Practice. He graduated from the University of California, Davis with a degree in Psychology and a minor in Human Development. He is on the Addictions Consult Team at Massachusetts General Hospital as an intern.
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JoDeanne Francis
Media Coordinator
JoDeanne Francis is a final year School of Social Work clinical student with a concentration on mental health. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology as well as in sexuality, women, and gender studies. After graduating from Amherst College, she worked on creating contextualized programming for Black college students and subsequently completed a Master’s degree in theological studies. JoDeanne’s research interests center on the intersection of mental health, ethnicity, faith, and intimate relationships. She has a passion for person-centered research that focuses on communities of color, women, and immigrants. As an intern in an adult outpatient clinic of a community mental health agency, JoDeanne has gained insight into the many disparities in mental health centers. She aspires to do trauma-informed faith and justice-oriented work centered on holistic healing, community education, and advocacy. In her free time, she enjoys discovering new places through traveling.
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Mattie Harris
Media Coordinator
Hailing from Louisiana, Mattie Harris is pursuing her Master’s of Social Work at Boston College, focusing on policy and organizations. Mattie has centered her life around the mantra “service through action.” Her work within the realms of public health, environmental racism, reproductive justice, mass incarceration, diversity, equity, inclusion, and more has contributed to the well-being and advancement of communities nationwide. Mattie is an avid learner and constantly seeks new opportunities to enhance communities and develop professionally.
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Martín Rangel
Graduate Research Assistant
Martín Rangel (he/him/his) is a first-generation Latino clinical social work student within Boston College’s Latinx Leadership Initiative. After graduating from San Diego State University with a Bachelors of Arts in psychology and a minor in counseling and social change, Martín worked at the Nicholas Academic Centers, where he empowered underserved high school students to achieve their full academic and social potential in their pursuit of fulfilling a multigenerational dream of being the first in their family to obtain a post-secondary education. Serving at-risk, currently, or formerly incarcerated youth via intervention, prevention, rehabilitation, and reintegration have been the cornerstones of his professional interests and passions. Martín hopes to deconstruct the disparities of the juvenile justice system and disseminate the impact of youth incarceration. In his free time, Martín enjoys getting lost in nature, practicing mindfulness, and photography, and focusing on his health and fitness. He believes that having patience with ourselves, trusting in time, and maintaining our faith will welcome opportunities to become better versions of ourselves.
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Rebekah Siddiqi
Graduate Research Assistant
After graduating from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2012 with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Sociology, Bekah spent several years in the outdoor field working with diverse youth around the country. In 2020, she began attending Boston College School of Social Work and is currently a second-year student specializing in clinical work with children, youth, and families. Bekah’s past work with diverse youth and her desire to help make society more equitable led to her interest in working with the RB-VIP lab. One interesting fact about Bekah is that she walked all 2,190 miles of the Appalachian Trail in 2018.
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Erik Simmons
Research Statistician
Erik Simmons, PhD is currently a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Research Program on Children and Adversity, Boston College School of Social Work. His current work seeks to investigate the implementation science strategies that enable evidence-based programs to scale efficiently and thrive in Africa. His research broadly explores the interdisciplinary nexus of behavioral sciences, health, technology, design, and the environment. He is also an Honorary Fellow at the School of Psychology, University of Queensland. He has formerly held lead research roles on international World Bank projects and a Senior Science Advisor role with the behavior science company Evidn. Dr. Simmons is interested in exploring how his expertise in behavioral science can be used to promote social justice and improve the health, wellbeing, and experience of marginalized communities. Dr. Simmons is a lifelong martial artist. Prior to academia, he had a career competing and coaching mixed martial artists professionally around the world.
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Rosa Vitti
Graduate Research Assistant
Rosa is a Master of Social Work student with a clinical track and focuses on children, youth, and families. Before moving to Boston, Rosa graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Policy Analysis and Management from Cornell University, specifically focusing on education and gun violence prevention policy. Upon graduating, Rosa spent three years in Memphis, Tennessee working as an elementary school teacher and community college/technical school advisor. Her work with students highlighted her passion for the social and emotional health of children, their families, and communities, ultimately leading to the pursuit of her master's in clinical social work.
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