Members of the ADAPT Team
Abigail Gewirtz, Ph.D., LP, Principal Investigator
Abigail Gewirtz is Assistant Professor in the Department of Family Social Science and the Institute of Child Development at the University of Minnesota. Her research focuses on the development, evaluation, and implementation of evidence-based practices, especially those focusing on parenting in families affected by different types of stressful events. Dr. Gewirtz is the Director of Ambit Network, a SAMHSA/National Child Traumatic Stress Network Community Services and Treatment center focusing on the implementation throughout Minnesota of evidence-based interventions for children and families exposed to traumatic events. Dr. Gewirtz is co-investigator with Dr. Gerald August and colleagues on an NIMH-funded Developing Center for Personalized Prevention Research. She has provided consultation to the US. Department of Justice, OJJDP, the Minnesota Department of Human Services, school districts, police departments, and community agencies on effective ways to ameliorate and prevent children's exposure to violence. She has been the recipient of two early career awards and is involved in several professional organizations and journal editorial boards. Dr. Gewirtz has written and presented widely at both the local and national level on prevention and intervention for children under stress.
Sheila Hanson, ADAPT Project Manager
Sheila manages the day-to-day operations of the ADAPT project. She received her Ph.D. in Research Methodologies from the College of Education and Human Development at the University of North Dakota with a cognate in Business Administration. Sheila holds undergraduate degrees in marketing, psychology and German. She has a personal interest in military families, as her husband was deployed to Iraq in 2005 with the Navy Reserves.
Thad Shunkwiler, ADAPT Outreach Coordinator
Thad's role is to bring awareness to the project by connecting with families and service providers. You may have seen Thad at a Yellow Ribbon events as he frequently is asked to speak on parenting after deployment. Thad is a licensed professional counselor and marriage and family therapist. He is a eleven year veteran of the Minnesota Army National Guard and served overseas in 2003-2004 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. His research interest is in family reintegration after deployment. He is currently finishing his doctorate at Minnesota State University, Mankato in Counselor Education and Supervision. If you see Thad at an event, please take a moment to say hello!
Keri Pinna, Prevention Program Coordinator
Stephanie Morris, ADAPT Office Manager
Stephanie received her Bachelor's degree in Applied Psychology from St. Cloud State University and her Master's in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix. She is also excited to begin working toward a Master's in Social Work. Stephanie has a passion for helping children and is excited to provide support to such an amazing program focused on families. In her spare time, Stephanie enjoys running, reading, and, most of all, spending time with her daughter.
Julie Hoye, Interview Coordinator
Julie received her Bachelor's degree in Biology and French from Grinnell College in Grinnell, Iowa. She is interested in developing evidence based parenting programs for at-risk families. Specifically, she enjoys working with families of kids with developmental disabilities. Julie is an avid knitter and enjoys reading in her spare time.
Laurel Davis, ADAPT Data Manager
Laurel is a Doctoral Student in the Department of Family Social Science at the University of Minnesota. She received her bachelor's degree in music from Macalester College in Saint Paul, MN. Laurel's research focuses on family interactions. She is especially interested in how parents influence the way children understand and regulate their emotions. Laurel is also interested in evidence-based programs to support mindfulness in parenting. In her spare time, Laurel likes to garden, play ice hockey, and perform with the Macalester College Bagpipe Band.
Jessie Connell, ADAPT Graduate Assistant
Jessie is a MA/Doctoral student in the Department of Family Social Science at the University of Minnesota. She is interested in how technology can be used to strengthen family relationships and enhance resources for parents and youth. In her spare time, she enjoys working out and spending time with friends and family.
Yaliu He - ADAPT Graduate Assisstant
Yaliu He is a Doctoral student in the Department of Family Social Science at the University of Minnesota. She received her bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education from Beijing Normal University and a Master's degree in Applied Psychology from Tsinghua University in P.R. China. She is most interested in how mindful parenting interventions impact children's emotional regulation. She is also interested in supporting clinical interventions targeted at children and families recovering from traumatic events. She likes travelling around the world and chatting with people in her spare time.