People
Staff
Principal Investigator: Eric Rubenstein, PhD, ScM
Eric Rubenstein, PhD, ScM, is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Epidemiology at Boston University. He received is PhD from the University of North Carolina Gillings Schools of Public Health and his ScM from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public health. His research focuses on improving health and well-being in the population with intellectual and developmental disabilities across the life course. Dr. Rubenstein’s research is motivated and continually inspired by his friends, Special Olympic athletes, and fellow advocates in the intellectual and developmental disability community.
Project Manager: Ashley Scott, MPH
Ashley Scott, MPH is a project manager in the Department of Epidemiology at the Boston University School of Public Health where she supports research on racial and ethnic disparities in maternal/child health and determinants that affect the health of individuals with Down syndrome. She received her MPH from Boston University in 2020. Prior to joining the Epidemiology department, she managed the BU Healthway Contact Tracing team to support students, faculty, and staff to curb the spread of COVID-19. Ashley is interested in research management, qualitative research methods, and community based participatory research. She is fluent in Portuguese and Spanish and also volunteers with the Brazilian Women’s Group, an immigrant-led community organization in Allston.
Senior Data Analyst: Salina Tewolde, MSc
Salina Tewolde, MSc, is a Senior Data Analyst in the Department of Epidemiology at the Boston University School of Public Health where she supports data management and statistical analysis for the DS-TO-THE-MAX project. She received her Master of Science in Epidemiology from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine in 2020 and her Bachelor of Science in Public Health from the University of Maryland in 2015. Prior to joining BU, she was involved in analyzing the efficacy and impact of the “NHS COVID” app in England, as well as working as a consultant for a public health firm. Salina is interested in quantitative research methods and bridging the gap of health inequities in vulnerable populations. She is also an avid traveler and has been to over 40 countries.
Research Data Analyst: Sam Rosenberg, MPH, MCP
Sam Rosenberg is a Research Data Analyst in the Department of Epidemiology at the Boston University of Public Health where he supports quantitative and qualitative data analysis, manuscript writing for the DS-TO-THE-MAX and PROMISE-IDD studies. He received his MPH in Urban Health from Northeastern University in 2020 and a Master of City Planning from Boston University in 2023. Prior to joining the Rubenstein Lab, he worked for the Galea lab at BU researching socioeconomic causes of mental health outcomes, as well as a member of the research team at Metropolitan Area Planning Council simulating demographic projections and housing needs for Boston in 2050. He enjoys running, reading, yoga, worldbuilding, and playing adventure-based video games.
Co-Researchers
Summer Co-Research Intern: Dan O’Donnell
I’m Dan O’Donnell. I live in Boston, Massachusetts. I am an athlete of Brookline Special Olympics. I’ve been doing Special Olympics for 12 years. I’m known as the Mayor of Special Olympics MA Brookline Recreational Therapy and my adult program, Nashoba Learning Group. I’m very passionate about Down syndrome and the IDD community. I’ve known Eric for 3 or 4 years. I met him at a Brookline program on Zoom. I’m so excited for being a Rubenstein Lab intern for the summer. I like hanging with family, taking selfies, and photos. I’m an avid sports fan. I like all NLF NHL MLB College sports, Boston sports teams, and am a big Cape Cod baseball league follower. I like hanging out and facetiming my amazing girlfriend Maddy. I’m hoping to help with research on individuals with Down syndrome and cerebral palsy disabilities and doing social media.
Co-Researcher: Augusta Edouard
Augusta ‘Gus’ Edouard is a summer intern and co researcher. She lives in Maryland and comes to Boston in the summers. She enjoys going for walks, watching TV, bagging groceries at Giant Foods, working in her math and reading workbooks, doing crafts and listening to the radio. Gus is a member of the co-research team for DS-TO-THE-MAX helping to explore questions about the health of people with Down syndrome. She became part of Eric’s lab through her sister-in-law, Vanessa Boland Edouard, who is Director of idea hub at Boston University School of Public Health. In summer 2022, Gus completed and presented a photo voice project called ‘Being Health with Gus’ and helped around the office. Her interest in mental health led her to complete an interview project about support that students receive to handle stress. She interviewed Robyn Volcy-Lee, the Wellness and Communications Manager in Graduate Student Life. Some of her more memorable moments have included going out to eat with Ashley, Eric and the friends she has made in the lab. Gus feels that her experience as a co-researcher has been invaluable and hopes that her contributions ultimately can help others with disabilities.
Co-Researcher: Alexis Sokoloff
My name is Alexis Sokoloff. When I am not working, I enjoy watching sports, swimming, kayaking, working out with friends, listening to music and reading. I was introduced to Eric through Special Olympics. I enjoyed going to the conference in Boston with Eric’s group. I like meeting and chatting with the lab group every month via zoom. We have a lot of fun talking about research and getting to know each other.
Co-Researcher: Caley Versfelt
Hello, I’m Caley Versfelt. I encourage acceptance and inclusion as a public speaker, actress, model, correspondent., and as an advocate representing many organizations, I dream big and never gives up. I promote, “Kindness is Contagious,” through my business Tides of Kindness. I met Eric at a T-21 conference and learned about his lab. We work as a team to get a better understanding of people with Down syndrome’s commonalities. I have learned about the experiences of people with depression and having anxiety attacks. We need to be prepared to help where we can. I’ve learned it’s best to get 8-9 hours sleep to help our bodies perform best. My favorite memories are about planning for a fulfilled future, and the importance of having meaningful relationships. It’s fun surprising people with my talents, multiple interests, and outgoing personality. I inspire people to believe in themselves and the abilities of others, affirming we all have talents and value.
Co-Researcher: Benjamin Golden
My name is Benjamin Golden and I am born in Waterville, Maine. I am now 30 years old. I enjoyed being a researcher from Boston University School of Public Health that Eric asked me to be in a research group back 2 years ago since 2022 in June at the t21 conference in Long Beach when I got started on Sunday July, 17th 2022. I really enjoyed it. My memory in Eric’s Lab is testing the grips at the Adult Summit in Cincinnati, Ohio and helping others to test their grip strength.
Co-Researcher: Kaethe Sigelko
My name is Kaethe Sigelko and something I enjoy doing is using my public speaking skills as a way to become more confident when sharing my story or opinion with others. I became a part of Eric’s lab in May 2022 when he had asked me to be a part of the co-research team after knowing that I would be a great addition to the team. As a confident co-researcher, I feel very proud of accomplishing the RE4ALL training that I completed. My favorite experience I’ve had at Eric’s Lab was being in Cincinnati, OH as a part of the conference we were at and working alongside Eric on the data collection at our Grip Strength table.
Co-Researcher: Eden Rapp
Eden has just graduated from a 3-year post-secondary vocational program (Shepherds College) and is in the process of starting the stage of her life by making a schedule for herself and growing towards her independence and is hoping one day to use those skills in an apartment down the street from her parents. Eden has been a part of Doctor Eric Rubenstein’s Co-Research project for Boston University for the last 2 years. She helps and participates by interviewing professionals and gets asked to help write/speak assignments that have been given to her and she loves it.
Co-Researcher: Staci Christensen
Research Assistants
Graduate Research Assistant: Alex A. Levine, MPH
A. Alex Levine is a PhD candidate in Health Services Research at the Boston University School of Public Health. Their research focuses on evaluating access and equity in aging and disability policies and programs. Alex is a Senior Research Associate at the Center for the Evaluation of Risk in Health (CEVR) at Tufts Medical Center, where they study Medicaid and commercial health insurance coverage and access to specialty drugs. Alex received their MPH from the Boston University School of Public Health and their BA in Health & Human Biology from Brown University.
Graduate Research Assistant: Josue Antonio G. Estrada, MS
Josue is a PhD student in Epidemiology at the Boston University School of Public Health. A public health professional for more than 8 years, he aims to provide, an understanding of issues in health equity and social justice through his work. Prior to joining BU, he has worked in various capacities in different institutions including the academe, a think tank and a vaccine company. Moving forward, he dedicates his efforts in elaborating our understanding of the intersection of disability with structural factors and how persons with disability navigate through the healthcare system. Josue has a Bachelor’s degree in Public Health from the University of the Philippines Manila and a Master’s degree in International Health from the National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University. In his spare time, he likes to hike, read fiction, and play video games.
Graduate Research Assistant: Alianna Higgins, MPH
Alianna Higgins is a recent MPH graduate and current PhD student in Epidemiology at the Boston University School of Public Health. She received a BA in Biochemistry from Hastings College in 2022. As a physically disabled person, Alianna is a strong disability justice advocate who founded a student organization for disabled students at Hastings College and worked to improve accessibility on campus. She also has experience working at the South Heartland District Health Department, where she helped organize and promote COVID-19 and Influenza vaccination clinics. Currently, Alianna also serves as the Tutoring Team Lead at BUSPH. Outside of school and work, Alianna enjoys weightlifting, live music, and playing with her cat, Tee.
Undergraduate Research Assistant: Morgan Brennan
Morgan Brennan (she/her) is currently an undergraduate student majoring in Behavior & Health, Public Health, and Deaf Studies at Boston University, and is originally from New York. Morgan has worked with and advocated for the disability community for over 6 years and hopes to continue this work in a graduate program. Morgan is passionate about accessibility and advocacy for disadvantaged populations. Morgan is currently the president of BU’s mental health club, Let’s Talk About It. In her free time, Morgan enjoys reading, cooking, and spending time with friends and family.
Graduate Research Assistant: Grace Turk
Grace Turk (she/her) is an MPH student pursuing a functional certificate in Epidemiology and Biostatistics and a context certificate in Human Rights and Social Justice. Grace received a BA in Biochemistry from Ohio State University in 2023. During her undergraduate career, Grace worked as a research assistant researching LGBTQ+ targeted nicotine and tobacco ads and their effects on nicotine and tobacco use in the LGBTQ+ population. Grace is passionate about social justice and health equity in underrepresented populations. Outside of school and work, Grace enjoys running, reading and hanging out with her cat, Souki.
Graduate Research Assistant: Bailey Needham
Hello my name is Bailey Needham. I am a first year MPH student pursuing a functional certificate in epidemiology and biostatistics, and a context certificate in chronic and non-communicable diseases. I was born and raised in Tennessee and received my BA in exercise science and nutrition from The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. My younger sister has inspired me greatly, as she has shown so much resilience throughout her life despite many challenges faced living with an intellectual disability. I am passionate about advocacy for marginalized communities, as well as health prevention and promotion. In my freetime, I enjoy spending time outside, hanging out with friends and family, cooking, and going for runs.
Visit the Research Team Alumni to see past members of the Rubenstein Lab.