Meet our Team!
Core Research Team
Silvia L. Vilches, Ph. D.Primary Investigator, Associate Professor and Extension Specialist
Dr. Vilches is the state specialist for early childhood, and supports and leads the development of parenting education programs for the state, particularly for early childhood. In her prior career she was a community advocate for families in need, particularly single parent families. Her education focused on policy and community analysis, and she holds a degree in urban planning (social planning).
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Terra Jackson, MS-MFT
Ph. D. Candidate - Graduate Research Assistant
Terra Lashay Jackson is a PhD Student in the department of Human Development and Family Studies (HDFS). Terra’s interests and passions include developing others and strengthening families. After obtaining a Bachelor's degree in HDFS, she decided to further her interests by pursuing a Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of Alabama and attending Alabama Military Academy. Currently, her aim is to develop a more informed stance in the prevention of child abuse and neglect.
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Allie MerrittMSW Student - GRA/Lab Manager
Allie recently graduated with her Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Studies and has a special interest in trauma and how that affects the mind, body, and socialization of individuals. Her focus is on children who have experienced abuse, neglect, and/or exploitation, and she is planning on becoming a licensed clinical social worker following the completion of her master's degree.
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Peace ElimimianNursing Student
My name is Peace Elimimian, and I'm a senior in Nursing. I will be working mainly with the SaPHIRE project, which is currently in its early stages. As a health care professional, I know that prevention is always better than cure, which endears me to the SaPHIRE project and the lives that it will touch. I intend to get a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree in the near future, so as to keep helping people on a larger scale.
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Jenna WettsteinPsychology Student
My name is Jenna Wettstein and I am a junior majoring in psychology with a minor in counseling. In this lab, I work with Tuning into Kids and Extension. Tuning into Kids works with parents to help them better develop their child's emotional intelligence and Extension produces publications on parent education. I am very interested in working with children and adolescents in my career as a clinical psychologist. This lab has emphasized the role parents play in a child's development and mental health. It has deepened my passion to work with children and stressed the importance of incorporating the parent(s) as well. I am excited to continue my journey in this lab and I am so thankful for the many opportunities it has provided!
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