Simmons University’s School of Sciences and Health Professions (SSHP) welcomes six new faculty members in the Behavior Analysis, Biology, Physical Therapy, Psychology, and Public Health programs.
“As we embark on our inaugural year as the School of Sciences and Health Professions (SSHP), we are delighted to welcome a cohort of highly experienced and talented faculty members,” says SSHP Dean Paul Geisler. “These dedicated scholars-educator-practitioners were drawn to our school by our commitment to fostering growth and innovation in the sciences and health professions, as well as our enduring legacy of self-actualization, independence, and equity. We're excited to see them working alongside our students and faculty, contributing to our vibrant community, and supporting each other's professional development as new members of our Shark family.”
Kristen Brewer, Assistant Professor of Public Health, joined the Simmons faculty in Spring 2024. Brewer brings experience in community-building, teaching, and research in the field of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) education. Her research focuses on perceptions and attitudes regarding barriers to SRH access and education in legislatively restrictive states. This includes aspects such as inclusive sex education, abortion services, and contraceptive access. Dr. Brewer co-founded a grassroots organization, Ruth's Army, in middle Tennessee to help rural communities access SRH services and education. In addition to educational workshops and panels, this led to a partnership with a local women's health clinic to open the REACH Clinic (Reproductive Education and Contraceptive Health), a no-cost education and reproductive clinic in Clarksville, TN.
In an interview earlier this year, Dr. Brewer said that she was drawn to Simmons for its progressive approach to public health. “Health equity and social justice are at the center of the Simmons program. This resonates with me, because I believe that you cannot master public health without these two pillars of progress,” Dr. Brewer said, noting that she looked forward to teaching at a women’s-centered institution.
Kelsea Gildawie, Assistant Professor of Psychology, is a behavioral neuroscientist specializing in the myriad ways that the brain is molded by experience throughout development. She rejoins Simmons after earning her B.S. in Neuroscience and Behavior from the University in 2016. She holds a PhD from Northeastern University, where she studied the effects of early life adversity on neuroimmune and neurostructural development in rodents. Dr. Gildawie held an Institutional Research and Academic Career Development Award (IRACDA) postdoctoral fellowship at Tufts University, where she investigated the effects of prenatal opioid exposure on reward-motivated behavior. She recently received a Yale/NIDA Neuroproteomics Center Pilot Research Project Grant to support her research studying the effects of prenatal opioid exposure on adolescent prefrontal cortex development.
"My first research experiences were right here at Simmons!” said Dr. Gildawie. “I received the highest level of mentorship from the faculty here and have so much gratitude for the support I received from the Simmons community throughout my career. I cannot wait to work with students in the lab and help set them on the path to their brightest future."
Marcella Hangen, Assistant Professor of Practice of Behavior Analysis, is a board certified behavior analyst with over a decade of experience working with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. She joins Simmons after serving as an Assistant Professor of Practice in the Special Education Applied Behavior Analysis Program at the University of Arizona. She obtained her MA from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, and her PhD in Behavioral Psychology from the University of Kansas. Dr. Hangen began her career at the Neurobehavioral Unit inpatient program at the Kennedy Krieger Institute, where she specialized in assessing and treating severely challenging behaviors. This role provided her with a solid foundation in understanding and addressing complex behavioral issues. She has also delivered early intervention services to young children with various disabilities, assessed and treated challenging behaviors in outpatient settings, and supervised future behavior analysts.
Dr. Hangen’s areas of expertise include early intervention and employing a compassionate approach to managing problem behaviors. Her current research interests involve examining the mechanisms of token reinforcement and evaluating the effectiveness of preferred versus neutral tokens during reinforcement schedule thinning. Dr. Hangen is also co-authoring a book chapter on challenging behaviors in individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Missy Olive, Professor of Practice and Director of the BehaviorAnalysis@Simmons Program returns to academia after a lengthy career in behavioral health. She began her journey in behavior analysis as a tween, traveling 45 minutes each way with her family to access Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy for her youngest brother, who has autism, an intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, and a seizure disorder. This early experience ignited her lifelong dedication to helping individuals with autism and other disabilities. In addition to her love of teaching and research, Dr. Olive is a tireless volunteer within the profession of behavior analysis and regularly advocates for policies related to the practice of behavior analysis.
Dr. Olive said: “Simmons has an amazing reputation for training successful behavior analysts. I am honored to join this esteemed faculty, return to teaching, and be a part of Simmons University.”
Elisabeth Simonin, Assistant Teaching Professor of Biology, joins Simmons after many years of laboratory research. Her passion is to teach the next generation of scientists and health practitioners, and she is beyond excited to join the community of Simmons. She earned her Ph.D. in immunology and infectious diseases at Cornell University's College of Veterinary Medicine, where she studied allergies and the immune systems of horses. She has also studied human allergies at the National Institutes of Health, and most recently worked as a postdoctoral research fellow at Harvard's School of Public Health, where she studied the impact of air pollution on the immune system during pregnancy. Professor Simonin loves to explore the intricate interactions between the immune system and the outside world, and she loves to help students explore their curiosities about biology, immunity, and microbes. Professor Simonin joins the Simmons Department of Biology to teach microbiology for nursing students and science majors.
Dr. Simonin said: “As a female scientist, I am delighted to meet, train, and inspire so many young women as they enter the healthcare and science fields!”
Steve Wechsler, Assistant Professor of Physical Therapy, joins the Department of Physical Therapy as a physical therapist and clinical researcher with expertise in neurologic and oncologic rehabilitation. Upon earning his Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Ithaca College (2012), Dr. Wechsler began his clinical career working at two world-class hospitals in New York City serving highly diverse patient populations. Having developed advanced clinical and critical inquiry skills, he moved home to Boston and earned a PhD in Rehabilitation Sciences from MGH Institute of Health Professions (2022). Dr. Wechsler joins Simmons after completing a postdoctoral fellowship at MGH IHP; his research agenda focuses on developing and testing behavioral rehabilitation interventions to enhance exercise behaviors among survivors of cancer.
Dr. Wechsler always knew he wanted to teach in a DPT program where he could share his passion for learning and help cultivate the next generation of PT clinicians. Teaching at Simmons allows him to do just that, drawing on his clinical and research experiences to inspire, empower, and partner with students in their learning to prepare them to join the profession he has found so rewarding.