OUR LAB
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.
Lab Manager
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.
Graduate Students
Alexandros (Alex) Nikolaidis Konstas (he/him/his) is a second-year master’s student in the Quantitative Methods program. He graduated from Davidson College in May 2022 with a Bachelor of Science and double majored in Psychology and Art. As part of the Clark Lab, Alex has led analyses of EMA data and has explored the role of sleep on the relationship between minority stress and suicidal ideation. He is broadly interested in investigating biopsychosocial factors (e.g., sleep, social media) that can hinder or exacerbate suicide risk in LGTBQ+ populations. In his free time, Alex enjoys visiting art museums, drawing, and spending time with friends.
Emma Headley (they/them) is a first-year master’s student in the Quantitative Methods program. They earned a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Virginia Commonwealth University in May 2021. Prior to this position, they worked in a psychosis-risk research lab at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center as a Research Coordinator. They also worked as a Research Assistant in a sleep lab focusing on the impact of sleep and inflammation, particularly in people with HIV at the University of Pittsburgh. Emma plans to one day pursue a career in psychometrics. Outside of the lab, Emma enjoys reading, exploring new parks, and spending time with their cat, Cordelia.
Lucy Gruber (she/her/hers) is a first-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.
Undergraduate Student
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.
Nikita Rohila (2023-2024) | Currently: MPH Student at University of Michigan School of Public Health
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: Community Manager at Girl Plus Environment
Rachel Marlowe, M.Ed. (2021-2022) | Currently: Clinical Psychology Ph.D. Student at Vanderbilt University