Matthew Meisel is an Assistant Professor working on the project. He received his PhD from the University of Georgia, where he researched social networks and addiction. His primary research areas are: 1) the theory and application of social network analysis, 2) the effects of social influence and social selection on alcohol use, and 3) developmental transitions among emerging adults not in four-year college. Matthew loves to watch and play sports, specifically football (Go dawgs!), basketball, and soccer. In his free time, he likes to go to the beach, watch television shows, and travel.
Nancy Barnett is a Professor in the Brown School of Public Health. Her primary research interest is understanding friendship social networks and how friends are influential in decisions young adults make about drugs and alcohol. She uses different technologies in her research, including smartphones and wearable sensors, to study behavior and develop interventions that improve health. She loves to ride her motor scooter, play with her Boston Terriers, and work on her house.
Jennifer Merrill has primarily focused on investigating the drinking experiences of young adults. She is particularly interested in drinking patterns, alcohol-related consequences, and blackouts. She has current interests in qualitative methods, ecological momentary assessment, alcohol biosensors, advanced data analysis, and intervention development. When she is not working, Dr. Merrill enjoys traveling, hiking, the beach, crafting, shopping, and her cat.
Suzanne Colby is a Co-Investigator on the project. She is a Professor of Behavioral and Social Sciences and Deputy Director of the Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies at Brown University. She received her PhD in experimental psychology from the University of Rhode Island where she studied quantitative methods (data analysis) and health behavior change interventions. She studies factors underlying changes in alcohol, tobacco, and other substance use during important life transitions, such as high school graduation. Outside of work, Suzanne is happiest spending time with her family and friends, especially in and around the beaches in Rhode Island. She enjoys swimming, boogie boarding, and paddle boarding, despite her fear of sharks. She also loves reading, listening to podcasts and audiobooks, going to movies in an actual movie theater, painting and drawing, yoga, and weight training.
Tim Janssen is an Assistant Professor working on the project. He is originally from the Netherlands, and received his PhD from the Universiteit van Amsterdam, where he researched when adolescents start using alcohol and cannabis. After marrying his American wife, he moved to Rhode Island in 2015 and became a citizen in 2021. Currently residing in Houston, Texas, he works remotely as he struggles his way through the summer heat! His primary research areas are: 1) adolescent development and milestones in life experiences and drinking behavior, 2) the effects of impulsive behavior on alcohol use and vice versa, and 3) the effects of social media alcohol exposure on adolescent behavior. Tim loves to do yoga and play PC games, specifically Path of Exile, indie games, and Persona games. As a Dutchman, he is deeply immersed in soccer culture, which is how he finds common ground with other immigrants to the US.
Katie Yetter is a Senior Research Assistant in the Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences at Brown. She received her Master of Public Health from Brown University, where she was inducted into the Delta Omega Honor Society. A Marine Corps veteran, Katie’s research has focused on mental health, substance use, and how transitional periods, particularly for veterans, contribute to the risk of incarceration. Her past projects also include exploring perceptions of cannabis and its influence on use. Katie is particularly interested in understanding the role of mental health and substance use during life transitions and how this influences behavior. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, spending time outdoors, playing with her two cats, working with animals, and discovering new local farms and markets.
Soniya Chawla is an undergraduate research assistant working on project ASCEND. She is currently a sophomore studying Neuroscience and Public Health at Brown University. She is largely interested in researching topics related to mental health and substance use prevention. When not working, Soniya can be found trying out new cafes and drinking matcha. She also loves to dance, spend time outside, and listen to diverse genres of music.
Amos Darius is a senior at Brown University concentrating in Health and Human Biology on the Mind, Brain and Behavior pathway. His extracurricular activities
Ashley Nguyen is one of the research assistants for Project ASCEND and is a senior at Brown University concentrating in Health and Human Biology. She has worked with professors at the Brown University School of Public Health’s Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies for more than 3 years to examine the impact of social media concerning alcohol exposure, specifically for the youth. In her free time, Ashley likes to work out, explore new cafes, build her collection of small figurines, and go for long walks around the neighborhood.
Christopher Martins is a graduate research assistant working on project ASCEND. He is currently a first-year Master of Public Health student at Brown University. His past research includes assisting with an HIV harm reduction intervention targeting intravenous drug users and exploring factors that contribute to HIV infection among transgender women. In his free time, Christopher enjoys fishing, lifting weights, and listening to music.