Cynthia A. Fontanella, PhD, is interested in examining and improving quality of care for children and youth and studying how services are delivered in “real world” clinical settings. Her work primarily focuses on vulnerable children. The Fontanella Lab’s primary goal is to understand the relationship between suicide and health service use. Its focuses include

The relationship between youth suicide, service access and quality of care within boundaried settings (e.g., health care settings, Medicaid and child-serving systems).  Geographic disparities in suicide in the United States and contextual level factors associated with these disparities.  The epidemiology of youth suicide.  Suicide prevention interventions within health care settings including hospitals and primary care settings. 

Dr. Fontanella receives funding from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.  Current Projects

Suicide Risk in Public Child-Serving Systems

Youth involved with publicly funded systems of care like Medicaid, the child welfare system, the juvenile justice system and behavioral health care represent an especially large and important “boundaried population” at heightened risk of suicide and mental illness compared to youth in the general population. Unfortunately, despite the large numbers of vulnerable youth in publicly funded programs, little is known about the rates and predictors of suicide for this population. This population-based study, funded by an R01 grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), links data across multiple child-serving agencies in Ohio to identify periods of high risk and predictors of youth suicide.

Improving Quality and Outcomes for Low Income Children with Depression in the United States

Although reducing suicides and premature mortality among youth with depression is a national priority and an important goal for U.S. health systems, no studies have examined the impact of pediatric depression care meeting quality standards on important patient outcomes such as depression recurrence, deliberate self-harm, suicide and overall mortality in the United States. This study uses national Medicaid data linked to mortality data for youth 10 to 24 with a new episode of major depression to examine determinants and outcomes of guideline concordant depression care.

Stepped Approach to Reducing Risk of Youth Suicide in Primary Care (STARRS-PC)

In the year prior to death, 80% of youth who die by suicide are seen by their primary care clinicians (PCC), while only 20% have contact with a mental health professional. This indicates pediatric primary care is an ideal service setting for intervention research designed to rapidly reduce suicide and suicidal behaviors among U.S. youth. Despite the importance of identifying youth at risk for suicidal behavior, most PCC do not routinely screen for suicide. This hybrid 1 clinical effectiveness trial examines the effectiveness of a population-based quality improvement (QI) intervention, STARRS_PC, that implements a clinical pathway for youth identified by screening as being at elevated risk for suicide. The pathway is designed to promote the use of evidence-based suicide clinical care processes and includes three separate components: suicide risk screening, risk assessment and triage, and care management.

Past Projects and Selected Publications

Clinical Profile and Treatment Utilization Patterns Associated with Suicide Among Youth in Medicaid in the United States

This study, funded by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), examined the clinical profiles and health service utilization patterns of youth in Medicaid who died by suicide with those who did not die by suicide.

Selected Publications

Mortality and Cause of Death Among Youths Previously Incarcerated in the Juvenile Legal System Association of Cannabis Use With Self-harm and Mortality Risk Among Youths With Mood Disorders Association of Timely Outpatient Mental Health Services for Youths After Psychiatric Hospitalization With Risk of Death by Suicide Clinical Profiles and Health Services Patterns of Medicaid-Enrolled Youths Who Died by Suicide Contextual Factors Associated With County-Level Suicide Rates in the United States, 1999 to 2016

Lab Staff

Cynthia Fontanella, PhD Principal Investigator Cynthia.Fontanella@NationwideChildrens.org Cynthia A. Fontanella, PhD, is a mental health services researcher and principal investigator in the Center for Suicide Prevention and Research in the Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. She is a national expert in youth suicide, and her research has led to scholarly publications in leading academic journals and national media outlets including CNN, NPR and The New York Times. Her primary focus is research on child mental health services and youth suicide prevention. Dr. Fontanella aims to characterize demographic and clinical profiles of suicidal youth within “boundaried” settings (e.g., health care settings, Medicaid) and identify strategies for suicide prevention in those settings. She also aims to understand patterns and trends in utilization and quality of health and mental health care for suicidal youth and how those patterns affect outcomes.  Dr. Fontanella has extensive experience reviewing large administrative claims databases, hospital discharge datasets and other research databases to answer important national policy questions related to service use and quality of mental health care. Dr. Fontanella is also an associate professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health at The Ohio State University College of Medicine. She has a bachelor’s degree from Villanova University, a master’s degree from Bryn Mawr College and a doctorate in social work from the University of Maryland, Baltimore. 

Danielle Steelesmith, PhD Senior Research Scientist Danielle.Steelesmith@NationwideChildrens.org Danielle L. Steelesmith, PhD, is a senior research scientist in the Center for Suicide Prevention and Research in the Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital.  Dr. Steelesmith is a skilled data analyst. She has extensive experience in mental health services research and using “big data.” Her research focuses on the epidemiology of suicide in rural areas, contextual level factors associated with county-level suicide rates and how associations vary across the rural/urban continuum.  Dr. Steelesmith has a bachelor’s degree from Campbellsville University and a master’s degree and doctorate in social work from The Ohio State University.

Austen Skopov-Normane
Research Assistant Austen.Skopov-Normane@NationwideChildrens.org Austen is a research assistant in the Fontanella Lab. She is pursuing her bachelor’s degree in Psychology at The Ohio State University and will be graduating in 2023. Austen is passionate about ending the stigma towards mental health, expanding the availability of mental health resources and decreasing the rate of suicide. In the future, Austen hopes to pursue her doctorate in Clinical Psychology to conduct evidence-based research and make a difference in the community.

Amanda Thompson, PhD Clinical Research Program Coordinator Amanda.Thompson@NationwideChildrens.org Amanda Thompson, PhD, is a developmental psychologist and postdoctoral scientist on the Fontanella Lab team. Dr. Thompson’s research focuses on the development of internalizing problems, like depression and anxiety, in children and the experience of children from low-income families who have internalizing problems. She uses complex longitudinal modeling to examine the psychobiological mechanisms that contribute to children’s development of psychopathology in the context of early-life adversities. Dr. Thompson’s work explores the neurobiological underpinnings of depression, dynamic family-processes, coping and emotion regulation, how children cope with the chronic stress related to poverty, and how to empower caregivers with meaningful tools to lessen the burden of internalizing problems and suicide for youth and their families. Dr. Thompson received a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Appalachian State University, a master’s in psychology from Pennsylvania State University, and master’s and doctoral degrees in psychology with a concentration in development from Georgia State University.

Em Sapp Clinical Research Program Coordinator Em.Sapp@NationwideChildrens.org Em is a clinical research program coordinator for the Fontanella Lab. Em is interested in research justice and ethics, mental health, and the intersections of marginalized identities. Em received their bachelor’s degree in Women and Gender Studies from Bowling Green State University and their master’s degree in Sociology from Ohio University.

Delaney Marsalek Research Assistant Delaney.Marsalek@NationwideChildrens.org Delaney is a research assistant in the Fontanella Lab interested in improving mental health resources and their accessibility. She previously served as a research assistant in Ohio University’s Psychology Department. Delaney received her bachelor’s degree from Ohio University in Psychology and minored in Sociology.

Join Our Team
Explore Job Openings in the Center for Suicide Prevention and Research

Cynthia A. Fontanella, PhD, is interested in examining and improving quality of care for children and youth and studying how services are delivered in “real world” clinical settings. Her work primarily focuses on vulnerable children.

The Fontanella Lab’s primary goal is to understand the relationship between suicide and health service use. Its focuses include

  • The relationship between youth suicide, service access and quality of care within boundaried settings (e.g., health care settings, Medicaid and child-serving systems).
  • Geographic disparities in suicide in the United States and contextual level factors associated with these disparities.
  • The epidemiology of youth suicide.
  • Suicide prevention interventions within health care settings including hospitals and primary care settings.

Dr. Fontanella receives funding from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. 

Current Projects

Suicide Risk in Public Child-Serving Systems

Youth involved with publicly funded systems of care like Medicaid, the child welfare system, the juvenile justice system and behavioral health care represent an especially large and important “boundaried population” at heightened risk of suicide and mental illness compared to youth in the general population. Unfortunately, despite the large numbers of vulnerable youth in publicly funded programs, little is known about the rates and predictors of suicide for this population. This population-based study, funded by an R01 grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), links data across multiple child-serving agencies in Ohio to identify periods of high risk and predictors of youth suicide.

Improving Quality and Outcomes for Low Income Children with Depression in the United States

Although reducing suicides and premature mortality among youth with depression is a national priority and an important goal for U.S. health systems, no studies have examined the impact of pediatric depression care meeting quality standards on important patient outcomes such as depression recurrence, deliberate self-harm, suicide and overall mortality in the United States. This study uses national Medicaid data linked to mortality data for youth 10 to 24 with a new episode of major depression to examine determinants and outcomes of guideline concordant depression care.

Stepped Approach to Reducing Risk of Youth Suicide in Primary Care (STARRS-PC)

In the year prior to death, 80% of youth who die by suicide are seen by their primary care clinicians (PCC), while only 20% have contact with a mental health professional. This indicates pediatric primary care is an ideal service setting for intervention research designed to rapidly reduce suicide and suicidal behaviors among U.S. youth. Despite the importance of identifying youth at risk for suicidal behavior, most PCC do not routinely screen for suicide. This hybrid 1 clinical effectiveness trial examines the effectiveness of a population-based quality improvement (QI) intervention, STARRS_PC, that implements a clinical pathway for youth identified by screening as being at elevated risk for suicide. The pathway is designed to promote the use of evidence-based suicide clinical care processes and includes three separate components: suicide risk screening, risk assessment and triage, and care management.

Past Projects and Selected Publications

Clinical Profile and Treatment Utilization Patterns Associated with Suicide Among Youth in Medicaid in the United States

This study, funded by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), examined the clinical profiles and health service utilization patterns of youth in Medicaid who died by suicide with those who did not die by suicide.

Selected Publications

Mortality and Cause of Death Among Youths Previously Incarcerated in the Juvenile Legal System Association of Cannabis Use With Self-harm and Mortality Risk Among Youths With Mood Disorders Association of Timely Outpatient Mental Health Services for Youths After Psychiatric Hospitalization With Risk of Death by Suicide Clinical Profiles and Health Services Patterns of Medicaid-Enrolled Youths Who Died by Suicide Contextual Factors Associated With County-Level Suicide Rates in the United States, 1999 to 2016

Lab Staff

Cynthia Fontanella, PhD Principal Investigator Cynthia.Fontanella@NationwideChildrens.org Cynthia A. Fontanella, PhD, is a mental health services researcher and principal investigator in the Center for Suicide Prevention and Research in the Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. She is a national expert in youth suicide, and her research has led to scholarly publications in leading academic journals and national media outlets including CNN, NPR and The New York Times. Her primary focus is research on child mental health services and youth suicide prevention. Dr. Fontanella aims to characterize demographic and clinical profiles of suicidal youth within “boundaried” settings (e.g., health care settings, Medicaid) and identify strategies for suicide prevention in those settings. She also aims to understand patterns and trends in utilization and quality of health and mental health care for suicidal youth and how those patterns affect outcomes.  Dr. Fontanella has extensive experience reviewing large administrative claims databases, hospital discharge datasets and other research databases to answer important national policy questions related to service use and quality of mental health care. Dr. Fontanella is also an associate professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health at The Ohio State University College of Medicine. She has a bachelor’s degree from Villanova University, a master’s degree from Bryn Mawr College and a doctorate in social work from the University of Maryland, Baltimore. 

Danielle Steelesmith, PhD Senior Research Scientist Danielle.Steelesmith@NationwideChildrens.org Danielle L. Steelesmith, PhD, is a senior research scientist in the Center for Suicide Prevention and Research in the Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital.  Dr. Steelesmith is a skilled data analyst. She has extensive experience in mental health services research and using “big data.” Her research focuses on the epidemiology of suicide in rural areas, contextual level factors associated with county-level suicide rates and how associations vary across the rural/urban continuum.  Dr. Steelesmith has a bachelor’s degree from Campbellsville University and a master’s degree and doctorate in social work from The Ohio State University.

Austen Skopov-Normane
Research Assistant Austen.Skopov-Normane@NationwideChildrens.org Austen is a research assistant in the Fontanella Lab. She is pursuing her bachelor’s degree in Psychology at The Ohio State University and will be graduating in 2023. Austen is passionate about ending the stigma towards mental health, expanding the availability of mental health resources and decreasing the rate of suicide. In the future, Austen hopes to pursue her doctorate in Clinical Psychology to conduct evidence-based research and make a difference in the community.

Amanda Thompson, PhD Clinical Research Program Coordinator Amanda.Thompson@NationwideChildrens.org Amanda Thompson, PhD, is a developmental psychologist and postdoctoral scientist on the Fontanella Lab team. Dr. Thompson’s research focuses on the development of internalizing problems, like depression and anxiety, in children and the experience of children from low-income families who have internalizing problems. She uses complex longitudinal modeling to examine the psychobiological mechanisms that contribute to children’s development of psychopathology in the context of early-life adversities. Dr. Thompson’s work explores the neurobiological underpinnings of depression, dynamic family-processes, coping and emotion regulation, how children cope with the chronic stress related to poverty, and how to empower caregivers with meaningful tools to lessen the burden of internalizing problems and suicide for youth and their families. Dr. Thompson received a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Appalachian State University, a master’s in psychology from Pennsylvania State University, and master’s and doctoral degrees in psychology with a concentration in development from Georgia State University.

Em Sapp Clinical Research Program Coordinator Em.Sapp@NationwideChildrens.org Em is a clinical research program coordinator for the Fontanella Lab. Em is interested in research justice and ethics, mental health, and the intersections of marginalized identities. Em received their bachelor’s degree in Women and Gender Studies from Bowling Green State University and their master’s degree in Sociology from Ohio University.

Delaney Marsalek Research Assistant Delaney.Marsalek@NationwideChildrens.org Delaney is a research assistant in the Fontanella Lab interested in improving mental health resources and their accessibility. She previously served as a research assistant in Ohio University’s Psychology Department. Delaney received her bachelor’s degree from Ohio University in Psychology and minored in Sociology.

Suicide Risk in Public Child-Serving Systems

Youth involved with publicly funded systems of care like Medicaid, the child welfare system, the juvenile justice system and behavioral health care represent an especially large and important “boundaried population” at heightened risk of suicide and mental illness compared to youth in the general population. Unfortunately, despite the large numbers of vulnerable youth in publicly funded programs, little is known about the rates and predictors of suicide for this population. This population-based study, funded by an R01 grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), links data across multiple child-serving agencies in Ohio to identify periods of high risk and predictors of youth suicide.

Improving Quality and Outcomes for Low Income Children with Depression in the United States

Although reducing suicides and premature mortality among youth with depression is a national priority and an important goal for U.S. health systems, no studies have examined the impact of pediatric depression care meeting quality standards on important patient outcomes such as depression recurrence, deliberate self-harm, suicide and overall mortality in the United States. This study uses national Medicaid data linked to mortality data for youth 10 to 24 with a new episode of major depression to examine determinants and outcomes of guideline concordant depression care.

Stepped Approach to Reducing Risk of Youth Suicide in Primary Care (STARRS-PC)

In the year prior to death, 80% of youth who die by suicide are seen by their primary care clinicians (PCC), while only 20% have contact with a mental health professional. This indicates pediatric primary care is an ideal service setting for intervention research designed to rapidly reduce suicide and suicidal behaviors among U.S. youth. Despite the importance of identifying youth at risk for suicidal behavior, most PCC do not routinely screen for suicide. This hybrid 1 clinical effectiveness trial examines the effectiveness of a population-based quality improvement (QI) intervention, STARRS_PC, that implements a clinical pathway for youth identified by screening as being at elevated risk for suicide. The pathway is designed to promote the use of evidence-based suicide clinical care processes and includes three separate components: suicide risk screening, risk assessment and triage, and care management.

Youth involved with publicly funded systems of care like Medicaid, the child welfare system, the juvenile justice system and behavioral health care represent an especially large and important “boundaried population” at heightened risk of suicide and mental illness compared to youth in the general population. Unfortunately, despite the large numbers of vulnerable youth in publicly funded programs, little is known about the rates and predictors of suicide for this population. This population-based study, funded by an R01 grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), links data across multiple child-serving agencies in Ohio to identify periods of high risk and predictors of youth suicide.

Youth involved with publicly funded systems of care like Medicaid, the child welfare system, the juvenile justice system and behavioral health care represent an especially large and important “boundaried population” at heightened risk of suicide and mental illness compared to youth in the general population.

Unfortunately, despite the large numbers of vulnerable youth in publicly funded programs, little is known about the rates and predictors of suicide for this population. This population-based study, funded by an R01 grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), links data across multiple child-serving agencies in Ohio to identify periods of high risk and predictors of youth suicide.

Although reducing suicides and premature mortality among youth with depression is a national priority and an important goal for U.S. health systems, no studies have examined the impact of pediatric depression care meeting quality standards on important patient outcomes such as depression recurrence, deliberate self-harm, suicide and overall mortality in the United States. This study uses national Medicaid data linked to mortality data for youth 10 to 24 with a new episode of major depression to examine determinants and outcomes of guideline concordant depression care.

Although reducing suicides and premature mortality among youth with depression is a national priority and an important goal for U.S. health systems, no studies have examined the impact of pediatric depression care meeting quality standards on important patient outcomes such as depression recurrence, deliberate self-harm, suicide and overall mortality in the United States.

This study uses national Medicaid data linked to mortality data for youth 10 to 24 with a new episode of major depression to examine determinants and outcomes of guideline concordant depression care.

In the year prior to death, 80% of youth who die by suicide are seen by their primary care clinicians (PCC), while only 20% have contact with a mental health professional. This indicates pediatric primary care is an ideal service setting for intervention research designed to rapidly reduce suicide and suicidal behaviors among U.S. youth. Despite the importance of identifying youth at risk for suicidal behavior, most PCC do not routinely screen for suicide. This hybrid 1 clinical effectiveness trial examines the effectiveness of a population-based quality improvement (QI) intervention, STARRS_PC, that implements a clinical pathway for youth identified by screening as being at elevated risk for suicide. The pathway is designed to promote the use of evidence-based suicide clinical care processes and includes three separate components: suicide risk screening, risk assessment and triage, and care management.

In the year prior to death, 80% of youth who die by suicide are seen by their primary care clinicians (PCC), while only 20% have contact with a mental health professional. This indicates pediatric primary care is an ideal service setting for intervention research designed to rapidly reduce suicide and suicidal behaviors among U.S. youth.

Despite the importance of identifying youth at risk for suicidal behavior, most PCC do not routinely screen for suicide. This hybrid 1 clinical effectiveness trial examines the effectiveness of a population-based quality improvement (QI) intervention, STARRS_PC, that implements a clinical pathway for youth identified by screening as being at elevated risk for suicide. The pathway is designed to promote the use of evidence-based suicide clinical care processes and includes three separate components: suicide risk screening, risk assessment and triage, and care management.

Past Projects and Selected Publications

Clinical Profile and Treatment Utilization Patterns Associated with Suicide Among Youth in Medicaid in the United States

This study, funded by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), examined the clinical profiles and health service utilization patterns of youth in Medicaid who died by suicide with those who did not die by suicide.

Selected Publications

Mortality and Cause of Death Among Youths Previously Incarcerated in the Juvenile Legal System Association of Cannabis Use With Self-harm and Mortality Risk Among Youths With Mood Disorders Association of Timely Outpatient Mental Health Services for Youths After Psychiatric Hospitalization With Risk of Death by Suicide Clinical Profiles and Health Services Patterns of Medicaid-Enrolled Youths Who Died by Suicide Contextual Factors Associated With County-Level Suicide Rates in the United States, 1999 to 2016

This study, funded by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), examined the clinical profiles and health service utilization patterns of youth in Medicaid who died by suicide with those who did not die by suicide.

This study, funded by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), examined the clinical profiles and health service utilization patterns of youth in Medicaid who died by suicide with those who did not die by suicide.

Mortality and Cause of Death Among Youths Previously Incarcerated in the Juvenile Legal System Association of Cannabis Use With Self-harm and Mortality Risk Among Youths With Mood Disorders Association of Timely Outpatient Mental Health Services for Youths After Psychiatric Hospitalization With Risk of Death by Suicide Clinical Profiles and Health Services Patterns of Medicaid-Enrolled Youths Who Died by Suicide Contextual Factors Associated With County-Level Suicide Rates in the United States, 1999 to 2016

  • Mortality and Cause of Death Among Youths Previously Incarcerated in the Juvenile Legal System
  • Association of Cannabis Use With Self-harm and Mortality Risk Among Youths With Mood Disorders
  • Association of Timely Outpatient Mental Health Services for Youths After Psychiatric Hospitalization With Risk of Death by Suicide
  • Clinical Profiles and Health Services Patterns of Medicaid-Enrolled Youths Who Died by Suicide
  • Contextual Factors Associated With County-Level Suicide Rates in the United States, 1999 to 2016

Lab Staff

Cynthia Fontanella, PhD Principal Investigator Cynthia.Fontanella@NationwideChildrens.org Cynthia A. Fontanella, PhD, is a mental health services researcher and principal investigator in the Center for Suicide Prevention and Research in the Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. She is a national expert in youth suicide, and her research has led to scholarly publications in leading academic journals and national media outlets including CNN, NPR and The New York Times. Her primary focus is research on child mental health services and youth suicide prevention. Dr. Fontanella aims to characterize demographic and clinical profiles of suicidal youth within “boundaried” settings (e.g., health care settings, Medicaid) and identify strategies for suicide prevention in those settings. She also aims to understand patterns and trends in utilization and quality of health and mental health care for suicidal youth and how those patterns affect outcomes.  Dr. Fontanella has extensive experience reviewing large administrative claims databases, hospital discharge datasets and other research databases to answer important national policy questions related to service use and quality of mental health care. Dr. Fontanella is also an associate professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health at The Ohio State University College of Medicine. She has a bachelor’s degree from Villanova University, a master’s degree from Bryn Mawr College and a doctorate in social work from the University of Maryland, Baltimore. 

Cynthia Fontanella, PhD Principal Investigator Cynthia.Fontanella@NationwideChildrens.org

Cynthia A. Fontanella, PhD, is a mental health services researcher and principal investigator in the Center for Suicide Prevention and Research in the Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. She is a national expert in youth suicide, and her research has led to scholarly publications in leading academic journals and national media outlets including CNN, NPR and The New York Times. Her primary focus is research on child mental health services and youth suicide prevention.

Dr. Fontanella aims to characterize demographic and clinical profiles of suicidal youth within “boundaried” settings (e.g., health care settings, Medicaid) and identify strategies for suicide prevention in those settings. She also aims to understand patterns and trends in utilization and quality of health and mental health care for suicidal youth and how those patterns affect outcomes. 

Dr. Fontanella has extensive experience reviewing large administrative claims databases, hospital discharge datasets and other research databases to answer important national policy questions related to service use and quality of mental health care.

Dr. Fontanella is also an associate professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health at The Ohio State University College of Medicine. She has a bachelor’s degree from Villanova University, a master’s degree from Bryn Mawr College and a doctorate in social work from the University of Maryland, Baltimore. 

Danielle Steelesmith, PhD Senior Research Scientist Danielle.Steelesmith@NationwideChildrens.org Danielle L. Steelesmith, PhD, is a senior research scientist in the Center for Suicide Prevention and Research in the Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital.  Dr. Steelesmith is a skilled data analyst. She has extensive experience in mental health services research and using “big data.” Her research focuses on the epidemiology of suicide in rural areas, contextual level factors associated with county-level suicide rates and how associations vary across the rural/urban continuum.  Dr. Steelesmith has a bachelor’s degree from Campbellsville University and a master’s degree and doctorate in social work from The Ohio State University.

Austen Skopov-Normane
Research Assistant Austen.Skopov-Normane@NationwideChildrens.org Austen is a research assistant in the Fontanella Lab. She is pursuing her bachelor’s degree in Psychology at The Ohio State University and will be graduating in 2023. Austen is passionate about ending the stigma towards mental health, expanding the availability of mental health resources and decreasing the rate of suicide. In the future, Austen hopes to pursue her doctorate in Clinical Psychology to conduct evidence-based research and make a difference in the community.

Amanda Thompson, PhD Clinical Research Program Coordinator Amanda.Thompson@NationwideChildrens.org Amanda Thompson, PhD, is a developmental psychologist and postdoctoral scientist on the Fontanella Lab team. Dr. Thompson’s research focuses on the development of internalizing problems, like depression and anxiety, in children and the experience of children from low-income families who have internalizing problems. She uses complex longitudinal modeling to examine the psychobiological mechanisms that contribute to children’s development of psychopathology in the context of early-life adversities. Dr. Thompson’s work explores the neurobiological underpinnings of depression, dynamic family-processes, coping and emotion regulation, how children cope with the chronic stress related to poverty, and how to empower caregivers with meaningful tools to lessen the burden of internalizing problems and suicide for youth and their families. Dr. Thompson received a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Appalachian State University, a master’s in psychology from Pennsylvania State University, and master’s and doctoral degrees in psychology with a concentration in development from Georgia State University.

Em Sapp Clinical Research Program Coordinator Em.Sapp@NationwideChildrens.org Em is a clinical research program coordinator for the Fontanella Lab. Em is interested in research justice and ethics, mental health, and the intersections of marginalized identities. Em received their bachelor’s degree in Women and Gender Studies from Bowling Green State University and their master’s degree in Sociology from Ohio University.

Delaney Marsalek Research Assistant Delaney.Marsalek@NationwideChildrens.org Delaney is a research assistant in the Fontanella Lab interested in improving mental health resources and their accessibility. She previously served as a research assistant in Ohio University’s Psychology Department. Delaney received her bachelor’s degree from Ohio University in Psychology and minored in Sociology.

Danielle Steelesmith, PhD Senior Research Scientist Danielle.Steelesmith@NationwideChildrens.org Danielle L. Steelesmith, PhD, is a senior research scientist in the Center for Suicide Prevention and Research in the Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital.  Dr. Steelesmith is a skilled data analyst. She has extensive experience in mental health services research and using “big data.” Her research focuses on the epidemiology of suicide in rural areas, contextual level factors associated with county-level suicide rates and how associations vary across the rural/urban continuum.  Dr. Steelesmith has a bachelor’s degree from Campbellsville University and a master’s degree and doctorate in social work from The Ohio State University.

Danielle Steelesmith, PhD Senior Research Scientist Danielle.Steelesmith@NationwideChildrens.org

Danielle L. Steelesmith, PhD, is a senior research scientist in the Center for Suicide Prevention and Research in the Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. 

Dr. Steelesmith is a skilled data analyst. She has extensive experience in mental health services research and using “big data.” Her research focuses on the epidemiology of suicide in rural areas, contextual level factors associated with county-level suicide rates and how associations vary across the rural/urban continuum. 

Dr. Steelesmith has a bachelor’s degree from Campbellsville University and a master’s degree and doctorate in social work from The Ohio State University.

Austen Skopov-Normane
Research Assistant Austen.Skopov-Normane@NationwideChildrens.org Austen is a research assistant in the Fontanella Lab. She is pursuing her bachelor’s degree in Psychology at The Ohio State University and will be graduating in 2023. Austen is passionate about ending the stigma towards mental health, expanding the availability of mental health resources and decreasing the rate of suicide. In the future, Austen hopes to pursue her doctorate in Clinical Psychology to conduct evidence-based research and make a difference in the community.

Austen Skopov-Normane
Research Assistant Austen.Skopov-Normane@NationwideChildrens.org

Austen is a research assistant in the Fontanella Lab. She is pursuing her bachelor’s degree in Psychology at The Ohio State University and will be graduating in 2023. Austen is passionate about ending the stigma towards mental health, expanding the availability of mental health resources and decreasing the rate of suicide. In the future, Austen hopes to pursue her doctorate in Clinical Psychology to conduct evidence-based research and make a difference in the community.

Amanda Thompson, PhD Clinical Research Program Coordinator Amanda.Thompson@NationwideChildrens.org Amanda Thompson, PhD, is a developmental psychologist and postdoctoral scientist on the Fontanella Lab team. Dr. Thompson’s research focuses on the development of internalizing problems, like depression and anxiety, in children and the experience of children from low-income families who have internalizing problems. She uses complex longitudinal modeling to examine the psychobiological mechanisms that contribute to children’s development of psychopathology in the context of early-life adversities. Dr. Thompson’s work explores the neurobiological underpinnings of depression, dynamic family-processes, coping and emotion regulation, how children cope with the chronic stress related to poverty, and how to empower caregivers with meaningful tools to lessen the burden of internalizing problems and suicide for youth and their families. Dr. Thompson received a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Appalachian State University, a master’s in psychology from Pennsylvania State University, and master’s and doctoral degrees in psychology with a concentration in development from Georgia State University.

Amanda Thompson, PhD Clinical Research Program Coordinator Amanda.Thompson@NationwideChildrens.org

Amanda Thompson, PhD, is a developmental psychologist and postdoctoral scientist on the Fontanella Lab team. Dr. Thompson’s research focuses on the development of internalizing problems, like depression and anxiety, in children and the experience of children from low-income families who have internalizing problems. She uses complex longitudinal modeling to examine the psychobiological mechanisms that contribute to children’s development of psychopathology in the context of early-life adversities. Dr. Thompson’s work explores the neurobiological underpinnings of depression, dynamic family-processes, coping and emotion regulation, how children cope with the chronic stress related to poverty, and how to empower caregivers with meaningful tools to lessen the burden of internalizing problems and suicide for youth and their families.

Dr. Thompson received a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Appalachian State University, a master’s in psychology from Pennsylvania State University, and master’s and doctoral degrees in psychology with a concentration in development from Georgia State University.

Em Sapp Clinical Research Program Coordinator Em.Sapp@NationwideChildrens.org Em is a clinical research program coordinator for the Fontanella Lab. Em is interested in research justice and ethics, mental health, and the intersections of marginalized identities. Em received their bachelor’s degree in Women and Gender Studies from Bowling Green State University and their master’s degree in Sociology from Ohio University.

Em Sapp Clinical Research Program Coordinator Em.Sapp@NationwideChildrens.org

Em is a clinical research program coordinator for the Fontanella Lab. Em is interested in research justice and ethics, mental health, and the intersections of marginalized identities.

Em received their bachelor’s degree in Women and Gender Studies from Bowling Green State University and their master’s degree in Sociology from Ohio University.

Delaney Marsalek Research Assistant Delaney.Marsalek@NationwideChildrens.org Delaney is a research assistant in the Fontanella Lab interested in improving mental health resources and their accessibility. She previously served as a research assistant in Ohio University’s Psychology Department. Delaney received her bachelor’s degree from Ohio University in Psychology and minored in Sociology.

Delaney Marsalek Research Assistant Delaney.Marsalek@NationwideChildrens.org

Delaney is a research assistant in the Fontanella Lab interested in improving mental health resources and their accessibility. She previously served as a research assistant in Ohio University’s Psychology Department.

Delaney received her bachelor’s degree from Ohio University in Psychology and minored in Sociology.

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Explore Job Openings in the Center for Suicide Prevention and Research