OUR LAB
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Lab Director
Dr. Kirsty A. Clark (she/her/hers) is a social and psychiatric epidemiologist. She serves as an Assistant Professor of Medicine, Health, and Society with secondary appointments in Public Policy Studies and Psychology and Human Development at Vanderbilt University. Dr. Clark also serves as an Associate Director of the Vanderbilt LGBTQ+ Policy Lab and as Director of the Clark Lab. Dr. Clark’s program of research focuses on studying biopsychosocial factors that potentiate or mitigate suicide risk among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) young people. Dr. Clark has published over 70 peer-reviewed papers on these topics. Her research has been funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), American Pubic Health Association (APHA), and National Institutes of Health (NIH), among others. Dr. Clark is committed to conducting community-engaged research involving the voices of LGBTQ+ youth, families, healthcare providers, and community leaders.
Clinical Director
Dr. Melissa Cyperski (she/her/hers) is a licensed clinical psychologist and Assistant Professor with the Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Dr. Cyperski provides mental health services in an outpatient care setting. She also works as an educator and supervisor, training students and community partners in trauma-informed, affirmative mental health practices. She is passionate about improving access to quality care for diverse populations. Dr. Cyperski considers it an honor to serve and advocate for LGBTQ+ children, adolescents, young adults, and their families. She is the Clinical Director for the lab, collaborating with the team around procedures and protocols that support discovery and implementation of research in a sensitive manner. We value your safety, privacy, and wellbeing.
Lab Mascot
Sparky (they/them) is the Project SPARK mascot imagined by members of our youth advisory board. As our mascot, Sparky works to help the Clark lab connect with LGBTQ+ youth in order to better understand their mental health outcomes and needs. Sparky identifies as genderflux and, in addition to being the Project SPARK mascot, is also a rapper who performs under the persona "Big Spark". They love being outside, stargazing, and reading fantasy novels. Sparky looks up to their friends Marlow, Cedar, and Zephyr and their favorite camp counselor, Bonnie.
Research Staff
Kaitlyn Phillips (she/they) is the lab manager for the Clark lab and study coordinator for Project SPARK. She graduated from the Vanderbilt University in May 2024, with her Masters of Education in Community Development and Action. Kaitlyn is interested in utilizing community-engaged research to promote positive LGBTQ+ youth development through interventions targeting collective resilience. They utilize qualitative methods to amplify the voices and lived experiences of youth in research to inform responsive community-based mental health interventions. Kaitlyn prioritizes community engaged research and enjoys connecting with the LGBTQ+ community at a local, regional, and national level! Outside of the lab, Kaitlyn can be found at a concert, reading in the park, or trying to find the best matcha latte in Nashville.
Emily Sjafii (she/her/hers) is the study coordinator for Project SPARK. She graduated in 2023 with her Bachelor's degree in Psychology from the University of California, Los Angeles. Prior to joining the Clark Lab, she worked in a research lab that explored mindfulness interventions for teen mental health and another one that focused on couples' health. Her research interests include community-engaged methods, interdisciplinary approaches, and ways in which research is shared and bridged into real-world practices across diverse communities. In her free time, Emily likes to dance and explore new coffee shops.
Shakira Abdul-Rauf (she/her/hers) is a part-time research assistant for Project SPARK. She earned her B.A. from Wesleyan University, majoring in Psychology and African American Studies with a minor in Chemistry. Previously, Shakira has worked in developmental psychology labs focused on how young children learn math. Shakira is currently interested in understanding how social, cultural, and racial factors shape mental health and psychological well-being across development. Outside of the lab, Shakira loves going to the movies, reading, and traveling.
Post-doctoral Scholar
Dr. Sueyoung Oh (she/her/hers) is a postdoctoral scholar at the LGBTQ+ Policy Lab at Vanderbilt University. She earned her PhD in Community Psychology with a concentration in Quantitative Psychology and a graduate certificate in Gender and Sexualities from the University of Virginia. Her research examines violence against LGBTQ+ individuals and the socio-ecological risk and protective factors that contribute to health inequities within this community, with particular attention to sleep health. Through understanding these multilevel factors, she aims to inform prevention and intervention strategies at individual, interpersonal, and societal levels that promote well-being and health equity among LGBTQ+ individuals.
Graduate Students
Lucy Gruber (she/her/hers) is a third-year master’s student in the Human Development Counseling program on the Clinical Mental Health Counseling track. She graduated from Rice University in 2023 with a Bachelor of Arts in psychology. During her time as an undergraduate, Lucy worked as a research assistant and lab manager in an industrial-organizational psychology lab examining diversity and discrimination. She is particularly interested in understanding how trauma impacts LGBTQ+ populations and what mental health professionals can do to best support the community. In her free time, Lucy enjoys going to concerts, reading, and crafting.
Sindhuja Manda (she/her/hers) Sindhuja, or Sindhu, is a third-year master's student in the Human Development Counseling program, on the Clinical Mental Health Counseling track. Sindhu graduated from the University of Kansas in 2023 with a Bachelor's in Psychology and a minor in music. Sindhu explored a passion for research in cultural and decolonial psychology during her undergraduate studies, along with exposure to clinical work. Sindhu is especially interested in mental health and relational outcomes for LGBTQ+ people of color. She is also interested in exploring community and policy research work. Outside of lab, Sindhu deeply enjoys singing, petting cats, and spending time with friends.
Aubrey Bagenstose (she/her/hers) is a first-year master's student in the Human Development Counseling program on the Clinical Mental Health Counseling track at Vanderbilt University. She graduated from the University of Louisville in 2026 with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, where she was also a Division I student-athlete on the women's lacrosse team. During her undergraduate career, Aubrey served as both a Campus Captain and Head Campus Captain for The Hidden Opponent, co-led Cards All-In as Co-President, and contributed to student-athlete mental health research through the organization. She also volunteers as a Crisis Counselor with Crisis Text Line. Aubrey's research interests include student-athlete mental health, suicidology, and identifying risk and protective factors that influence mental health outcomes. Originally from Columbus, Ohio, she has a twin brother. Outside of the lab, Aubrey enjoys working out, building lego sets, reading, and listening to Olivia Rodrigo.
Kamryn Koberstine (she/her/hers) is a first year masters student in the Cognitive and Developmental Psychology in Context program. She comes to the lab with a background in the mechanics of human perception and attention as an undergraduate student at Gonzaga University (Class of '26). Her focus remains on measuring visual attention using eye-tracking to help understand how we selectively process the world around us. She is eager to apply this background to the Clark Lab mission of understanding risk and protective factors for LGBTQ+ mental health. Beyond the lab, she has developed a passion in applied, community-facing work. She gained practical experience working with mothers and children at the Isabella House, volunteered in emergency rooms, and supported families and their babies at a crisis nursery. These experiences solidified her commitment to research that informs prevention and intervention. Outside of work, she loves running, rollerskating, and reading.
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Abi Jarvis (she/her/hers) is a first-year master’s student in the Human Development Counseling program on the Clinical Mental Health Counseling track at Vanderbilt University. She graduated from Berry College in 2026 with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and minors in Family Studies and Women’s and Gender Studies. As an undergraduate, she worked as a research assistant in a lab focused on multicultural, positive, and counseling psychology. She also served as President of Berry College’s Psychology Society, leading community-focused and wellness events for students. Abi’s research interests include mental health advocacy for marginalized and at-risk communities, culturally responsive care, and social justice initiatives within mental healthcare. Outside of the lab, Abi enjoys listening to BTS, watching animated films, and playing video games like The Legend of Zelda, Pokémon, and Stardew Valley.
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Undergraduate Students
Sophie Kavalali (she/her/hers) is a junior majoring in Anthropology and Economics/History with a minor in World Politics. She primarily works as a research assistant on Project SPACES. Sophie is interested in how inclusive anti-discrimination policies can affect youth suicide risk and support long-term economic development. In her free time, she enjoys watching movies at the Belcourt, spending time with friends, and trying new restaurants across Nashville
Felix Lou (he/him/his) is a sophomore majoring in Medicine, Health, and Society and minoring in Asian American Studies. He works as a research assistant supporting outreach efforts for projects SPARK and SPACES. He has also worked as a research assistant in a developmental psychology lab examining how family dynamics, ethnic-racial identity, and social media affect youth mental health. Felix is particularly interested in understanding how the interplay of minority stress (discrimination, stigma) and belonging/connectedness affect LGBTQ+ suicidality. Outside the lab, Felix enjoys running, baking cookies, and finding great food.
Emma Headley (2024-2026) | Currently: Clinical Psychology Ph.D. Student at Cornell University
Alex Nikolaidis Konstas (2024-2025) | Currently: Clinical Science Ph.D. Student at Harvard University
Nikita Rohila (2023-2024) | Currently: MPH Student at University of Michigan School of Public Health
Charu Balamurugan, B.S. (2023-2024) | Currently: MD/Ph.D. Student at Stanford University
Elisa Park, B.A. (2021-2024) | Currently: Social and Behavioral Sciences Ph.D. Student at Yale University
Emma Walker, M.Ed. (2023-2024) | Currently: Senior Research Program Coordinator at Johns Hopkins University
Ingrid Shragge, B.A. (2023-2024) | Currently: Multisensory Research Lab at Vanderbilt Kennedy Center
Alex Argiros, M.Ed. (2021-2023) | Currently: Clinical Psychology Ph.D. Student at McGill University
Joseph Sexton, B.S. (2022-2023) | Currently: Research Assistant at Vanderbilt University with Dr. Ashley Watts
Danait Issac, B.A. (2022-2023) | Currently: JD student at New York University
Rachel Marlowe, M.Ed. (2021-2022) | Currently: Clinical Psychology Ph.D. Student at Vanderbilt University