The Team — Kids and Communities Lab

Julia Felton, PhD -
Lab Director

Dr. Felton is a licensed clinical psychologist and researcher focused on characterizing the role of environment on the development of addiction and related mental health problems across adolescence as well as developing treatments to reduce and prevent substance use disorders in youth and adults. Dr. Felton is also interested in understanding early family/neighborhood environments and parenting practices that place youth at higher rate for engaging in risky behaviors. She has served as an investigator on a number of federally-funded trials aimed at improving access to evidence-based services among individuals from historically disadvantaged communities that often face significant barriers to accessing care. As part of this work, Dr. Felton examines integrating mental and behavioral health care services into existing community and primary care settings. She collaborates with a number of community partners in Detroit and Flint, MI and across health care settings in these cities.
**Click here to view Dr. Felton’s current CV.**

Research Assistants

Jacki Johnson — Research Assistant
Jacki is a Michigan State University alumna, earning a Bachelor of Science in Social Science in 2020, and a Master of Public Health Degree in 2023. Jacki has a passion for advancing health equity and researching new ways to minimize health disparities among the community. She is a research coordinator in Dr. Felton's lab, primarily assisting in her parenting projects.

Mariam Souweidane — Research Assistant

Mariam's research examines how stigma and perceptions shape individuals’ identities and influence substance-related behaviors, including help-seeking. She investigates systemic and social forces that create barriers to treatment, emphasizing solutions for minoritized and historically underrepresented populations. Her work focuses on advancing the accessibility of interventions and care to better support individuals within these populations.

Zunaira Tirmizi — Research Assistant
Zunaira Tirmizi is an alumna of the University of Michigan, where she graduated with honors, earning a double major in Biology and Chemistry, along with a minor in Physics. She also holds a master’s degree in Addiction Counseling from the University of Detroit Mercy. Currently, Zunaira is pursuing a doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology with a concentration in Neuropsychology. Her clinical and research interests center on the intersection of substance use disorders and neuropsychological functioning, with a particular focus on understanding how cognitive and emotional processes impact recovery. Zunaira is passionately committed to supporting individuals struggling with addiction, especially those with co-occurring neuropsychological challenges.

Graduate Students

Wendy Wang — Graduate Student
Wendy is a Clinical Psychology graduate student at Wayne State University. Her research interests focus on understanding how substance use and misuse influence delay discounting and other cognitive functions in adolescents, specifically in underserved populations. Outside of her academic work, she enjoys baking, Pilates, photography, and arts and crafts.

Aanandita Bali — Graduate Student
Aanandita is a Clinical Psychology graduate student at Wayne State. Her research interests include understanding impulsivity and resilience factors in traumatized adolescents, as well as exploring adolescents’ social media use. She’s also an avid Survivor fan, enjoys weightlifting and has been knitting the same scarf over 2 years.

Site Coordinators

Sara Hom — Site Coordinator for Train Your Brain & AI-EFT Study
Sara is a Wayne State University alum who graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology and a minor in Asian Studies in 2025. She is on the Pre-Physician’s Assistant track and is interested in pursuing a career as a pediatric Physician’s Assistant. Some of her interests include pediatric mental and physical health, parenting styles, and substance misuse.

Quentin Todd — Site Coordinator for Train your Brain
Quentin is a third-year neuroscience major, minoring in Communication Sciences and Disorders following the pre-medical track at Wayne State University. He has been fascinated with the brain for several years, and appreciates the psychology aspect of studying human behavior, often as it pertains to decision-making and memory, both of which involve understanding the brain in some way. He is most active in two main projects: Train Your Brain, involving youth in Highland Park, and Peer Activate, which uses a behavioral intervention for those who battle substance misuse.

Volunteers

Bennett Gleneski — Volunteer
Bennett is a sophomore at Wayne State University pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences with minors in Health Psychology and Medical Humanities. He plans to attend medical school and is interested in cardiology, with a possible focus in Med-Peds. His interests include the connection between mental health, substance use, and physical health, particularly in youth and underserved communities, and how community-based research can inform better patient care.

Julia Yakibchuk — Volunteer
Julia is currently a second year at Wayne State University Majoring in Psychology and Minoring is Forensic Investigation. She is currently working as a BCBA for kids with autism and striving to one day become a Forenisc Psychologist. Some of her interest include detective work, mental health, and substance abuse.

Sira Sowe — Volunteer
Sira is an undergraduate student at Wayne State University majoring in Neuroscience with a minor in Psychology on the pre-medical track. She is interested in pursuing a career in neurology. Her interests include adult mental health and neurological conditions that influence behaviors.

Sharon Punnoose — Volunteer
Sharon is a fourth-year undergraduate student at Wayne State University double majoring in Biological Sciences and Neuroscience. She is on the pre-medical track and is interested in oncology and neurology. Some of her interests include child and adolescent development and understanding how social environments and stressors shape health and behavior.

Rachel Hakim — Volunteer
Rachel is an alumna of Wayne State University (WSU). She has worked in the environmental science industry for over 10 years and is returning to WSU to pursue a degree in social work. When she is not volunteering, she enjoys outdoor activities and spending time with family and friends.

Lizet Perez — Volunteer

Lizet graduated from Wayne State in the winter of 2023 with her bachelor's in science and minor in Exercise Sport's Science. She is currently on the pre-med track. She came back to Wayne to complete a few pre-requisites for medical school. She loves to serve in kids ministry at her church, loves to sing, play guitar and loves to hike in nature.