Scarlett Gransee is a first-year student in the MAPR Program at Texas State University. Scarlett graduated from Tulane University with a BS in Psychology and Neuroscience. Prior to her work as a graduate research assistant for the FESTA Program, she worked as a research assistant in substance use clinical trials at UT Health San Antonio and as a crisis counselor for Oregon’s 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Her research interests include substance use, suicide, and help-seeking. After graduating from Texas State University, Scarlett plans to pursue a doctoral degree in clinical psychology.
David James: After retiring from a 30 year career as a teacher and coach in Texas, I knew that I still had much to offer. I joined Cenikor in September of 2023 and began presenting prevention curriculum in classrooms across the Austin area.
Hannah Johnson is a second-year graduate student in the Psychological Research master’s program at Texas State University. Her research interests center on clinical geropsychology, with a particular emphasis on suicide prevention and the impact of healthcare practices on mental health outcomes in older adults. After completing her master’s degree, she intends to pursue a PhD in clinical psychology, continuing to focus on suicide prevention among aging populations.
Katelyn started with UTHealth in October 2023 and is a Community Health Liaison at the Center for Behavioral Emergency and Addiction Research. She is responsible for our efforts in Hays & Comal County as part of the Texas Integrated Community Opioid Network (ICON). Katelyn is a first-generation college graduate who holds a bachelor’s degree in public health and is pursuing a master’s in social work. She is passionate about promoting well-being and fostering healthy communities.
Sahaj Kaur is a graduate student in the MAPR program at Texas State University. Sahaj graduated from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago with a Bachelor of Fine Arts before she received a certificate in Pre-Clinical Psychology at Northwestern University. Prior to joining the FESTA team, Sahaj helped to create, implement, and teach safety procedures at the McGaw YMCA in Evanston. Her work in this space reflects her passion for facilitating healthy and safe communities, with a focus on supporting children, adolescents, and young adults. After graduating from Texas State, Sahaj plans to pursue a PhD in Developmental Psychology.
Taylur Loera is a graduate student in the MAPR program at Texas State University. Taylur has been a research assistant with The FESTA Program since its launch in Fall 2025. Her work with FESTA has deepened her interest in substance use, community-based interventions, and expanding resources in underserved populations.
Madison is currently a second year Master’s student in the department of psychology at Texas State University. Her current research focuses on mental health, substance use, and suicide, with plans to expand on these topics during her clinical PhD program.
Kendal Parkhurst is a senior at Texas State University majoring in Psychology with a minor in English. She has experience in psychological research pertaining to suicide prevention and intervention and is passionate about spreading awareness on substance use/misuse as it is commonly co-occurring within suicidology. In the fall of this year, Kendal will continue her studies at Texas State University to pursue a Masters of Arts in Psychological Research.
Lauren Pischinger is a current senior pursuing her Bachelor of Science in Psychology at Texas State University. She plans to seek a master’s degree in clinical psychology after graduation. Her research interests include neuropsychology and traumatic brain injury (TBI) effects on typical functioning.
Cora Roper is an undergraduate student in her final semester at Texas State University in the School of Social Work. She plans to pursue a master’s degree in social work at Texas State after graduation. Cora’s research interests include substance misuse and recovery. She plans to continue to explore these areas as a graduate student as well as pursue a career in school social work.
Cassie Smith holds both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Social Work from Texas State University and is a now-retired Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor (LCDC). With over a decade of experience in and around the addiction recovery field, she has served diverse communities through her work in residential living facilities. Cassie also served as an Assistant Professor of Instruction in the School of Social Work at Texas State University, where she educated and inspired future social workers, focusing on the insidious impact of addiction across all people groups. Cassie has also worked closely with survivors of domestic violence, helping them find healing, connection, and lasting breakthrough from abuse and trauma.
Olivia D. Teasdale is a graduate student in the Masters in Psychological Research program at Texas State University, where she focuses on suicide prevention and intervention research. Prior to her graduate studies, Olivia earned her dual bachelor’s in science degree in psychology and criminology from Florida State University. In 2022, Olivia joined addiction research at Michigan Medicine. Here, she has contributed to several studies addressing opioid misuse and alcohol use disorders. Olivia is passionate about clinical research and plans to continue working in this field after her graduate studies.
Victoria Torres is the Lead Prevention Specialist at Cenikor Foundation, focused on promoting behavioral health and preventing substance use among youth and families. With eight years in education, she holds a Bachelor’s in Health and Wellness Promotion for K-12 and a Master’s in Public Health Education and Promotion, and is a Certified Health Education Specialist (C.H.E.S.®). She designed health promotion programs for male mental health during her graduate studies and now specializes in behavioral health, teaching health and wellness in recovery, and substance use prevention. Her dedication earned her the Graduate Student of the Year 2023 award for the Public Health Division at Texas State University and the Helen Haag Health Educator Scholarship.
Madeline Wootan is an undergraduate studying Psychology and Criminal Justice. She works in a research lab that studies prevention and intervention in suicide. Her research interests include interpersonal needs, rumination, and interpersonal violence.