Vanderbilt Implementation Research Lab
Meet our team!
Lab Director
Jason Chow, PhD
Dr. Jason Chow is an Associate Professor in Vanderbilt University's Department of Special Education and in Vanderbilt University School of Medicine's Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences. His research focuses on language, social, and behavioral development, and facilitating effective educator and system collaboration to support the uptake, implementation, and sustainability of adoptable and effective practices and programs in school and community settings. Dr. Chow is also a visiting Associate Professor in the School of Medicine at the National University of Singapore where he collaborates on research on child development and early learning and implementation science. Jason's go-to comfort food is french fries--from shoe string to sweet potato to triple-cooked to waffle to even (insert fast food chain here).
Project Coordinator
Rachel serves as a Project Coordinator at Peabody College, where she also earned her master’s degree in Applied Child Studies. Her favorite course was called “Child Language Acquisition” in graduate school. She learned the most that she could apply immediately as a preschool teacher and it had a very engaging professor. Her favorite food is cookie cake.
Rachel Kasul, M.Ed
Postdoctoral Fellows
Colleen S. Walsh, PhD
Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Peabody College, Vanderbilt University Dr. Colleen S. Walsh, Ph.D., MS, MS.Ed., is a postdoctoral fellow at Vanderbilt University in the departments of Clinical Sciences and Special Education. Guided by participatory action principles, she integrates quantitative, qualitative, and research synthesis methods to inform evidence-based policy and intervention that promote equitable violence prevention and reduce firearm-related harm. Her additional lines of research involve research with caregivers and service providers to improve special education access for multi-system involved youth. Dr. Walsh earned her Ph.D. in developmental psychology from Virginia Commonwealth University. She also holds additional graduate degrees in psychology and education, reflecting her interdisciplinary training and commitment to bridging psychological science with public health and education. Funding: Postdoctoral Fellowship (PI), National Collaborative on Gun Violence Research T32 (Trainee), National Institute of Mental Health.
PhD Students
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Phoebe is a doctoral student in the Department of Special Education at Peabody College. The most memorable class she took in college was called "Introduction to Acting." She had to step way out of her comfort zone and perform in front of her peers which she remembers being both terrifying and exciting! Phoebe’s go-to comfort food is tteokbokki, a Korean spicy rice cake dish.
Phoebe Ahn, M.Ed
Andrew is a doctoral student in the Department of Special Education on the High Incidence track. The most memorable course he took was "Introduction to Education" as an undergraduate student in Korea. He explored foundational theories of education and reflected on their meaning. Through that class, he developed my own understanding of what education should be, and that perspective has continued to guide his academic journey. His go-to food is ramen, especially very spicy ramen.
Andrew Chang, M.A.
Zoe is a doctoral student in the Department of Hearing and Speech Sciences at Vanderbilt University. Her most memorable course was called "Introduction to Communication Disorders." After taking this class in undergrad, she changed her major from undecided to Communicative Sciences and Disorders and this led her to a career that she continues to be passionate about. Zoe’s go-to comfort food is chili with grilled cheese.
Zoe's CV
Zoe Hussey, M.A., CCC-SLP
Michelle Lifson, M.Ed
Michelle is a doctoral student in the Department of Special Education at Peabody College. She is in the High Incidence track with a Applied Behavior Analysis add on. The most memorable course Michelle has taken was called "Trauma’s Impact on the Brain.” She completed this course while teaching in a therapeutic setting for students with Emotional and Behavioral Disorders. It deepened her understanding of how trauma affects brain functioning and how those effects can manifest in behavior. She was able to immediately apply what she learned in her classroom and saw meaningful results. This experience not only enhanced her teaching practice but also inspired her to further pursue learning in this area. Her favorite comfort food is going out for ramen!
Master's Students
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Kelly is master’s student in the Department of Special Education on the High Incidence track at Peabody College. Her most memorable course in college was called "Counseling Techniques" where she and her classmates developed knowledge and skills as they related to counseling practice. Kelly's go-to comfort food is pasta with butter and extra parmesan cheese.
Kelly Cattano
Jeffrey Lien is a master's student in the Department of Psychology and Human Development on the Quantitative Methods track at Peabody College. His most memorable class was a rehabilitation science class that sparked his interest in special education. Jeffrey’s go-to comfort food is pho.
Jeffrey Lien
Igor is a master’s student in Child Studies (Clinical Research Track), Psychology and Human Development. His most memorable course was called "Speech Disorders." Although speech disorders fall outside of his primary research interests, he has found that the ways in which comprehension, processing, and externalization of language interact play a critical role in child development. The class was online during COVID-19, yet he found it much more captivating than most classes he has taken. Igor’s favorite comfort-food is Brazilian Strogonoff.
Igor Penedo Silva
Undergraduate Students
Eric is an undergraduate student at Vanderbilt University majoring in Child Development and Human & Organizational Development. Their most memorable course was called "Diversity in American Education," where they explored the many ways students and their identities simultaneously shape and react to diverse classroom spaces. Additionally, Eric enjoyed a class about the history of drag where they examined the performance of both gender and drag, their importance, and how humans engage with them as forms of art and identity. Eric’s go-to comfort food is an everything bagel with avocado and lox.
Eric Eubank
Olivia is an undergraduate student at Vanderbilt University majoring in Psychology and minoring in Medicine, Health, and Society. The most memorable course she has taken in college was "Social Psychology," where she had to embarrass herself in the middle of campus to defy social norms. Olivia’s go-to comfort food is mac and cheese.
Olivia Ferguson
Reese is an undergraduate student at Vanderbilt University and double majoring in Child Development and Language Sciences with a minor in Biology. The most memorable course she has taken was "AP Biology" in high school as it peaked her interest in her intended majors and discovered what she wants to do. Reese’s go-to comfort food is sushi, especially with salmon or tuna
Reese Krell
Lydia is an undergraduate student at Vanderbilt University majoring in Cognitive Studies and minoring in Legal Studies. The most memorable course she has taken was a topical seminar about developmental disabilities. This course provided her with insight greater than just the biological aspect of disabilities. She also learned how individuals with disabilities navigate legal, educational, and professional spaces despite systemic barriers. Lydia’s go-to comfort food is cookies and cream ice cream.
Ingabire Lydia (Lydia)
Erica is an undergraduate student at Vanderbilt University majoring in Special Education with a minor in Art. The most memorable course she has taken at Vanderbilt was called "Classroom Supports." She will definitely remember the classroom management strategies she learned for when she teaches someday. Erica's go-to comfort food is anything with soup
Erica Nido
Gary is an undergraduate student at Vanderbilt University majoring in Economics and Psychology. His most memorable course was called "Child Development Theory" where he created his own policy brief regarding early literacy. Gary’s go-to comfort food is chicken noodle soup.
Gary Qin
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Mackenzie is an Undergraduate Student at Vanderbilt University majoring in Special Education on the High Incidence track and minoring in History. Their most memorable course was called "Managing Academic and Social Behavior," where they had the opportunity to study a variety of behavior techniques, as well as the chance to apply the knowledge in a real-world setting with elementary school students. Mackenzie's go-to comfort food is skyline chili.
Mackenzie Ringo
Tim is an undergraduate student at Vanderbilt University majoring in Secondary Education. His most memorable courses were three separate, travel-embedded courses where he went to London, Paris and Florence. Tim’s go-to comfort food is ice cream.
Tim Sims
Sally is an undergraduate student at Vanderbilt University majoring in Cognitive Studies and Child Development. One of her most memorable courses, Classroom Ecology, explored how to create trauma-sensitive and supportive spaces for children and people in general. Sally's favorite comfort food is galbi-tang (Korean short rib soup).
Sally Son
Shamira is an undergraduate student at Vanderbilt University majoring in Biological Sciences and Child Development with a minor in data science. Her most memorable course was called “AP Research” because it exposed her to the foundations of conducting a primary research project. It was a class where she felt like she got to choose what she wanted to do. Shamira appreciated how she got close with her teacher during board game days every week. Shamira’s go-to comfort food is Samyang Spicy Buldak Ramen.
Shamira Sulyman
Michelle is an undergraduate student at Vanderbilt University majoring in Human & Organizational Development and Cognitive Studies and minoring in French. Her most memorable course was "French 2501W" because it was a very intensive French writing course that she has never had before. Michelle’s go-to comfort food is spicy hot pot.
Hanyan (Michelle) Sun
Chris is an undergraduate student at Vanderbilt University majoring in Economics and Cognitive Studies with a minor in Business. The most memorable course he has taken at Vanderbilt was called "Fundamentals of Acting." He recalls that it was so much fun because he learned a lot of techniques about acting as well as actors' pre-performance practice. Chris’s go-to comfort food is simple, home-made, Chinese cuisine.
Chris Tseng