Northwestern University Team
Bonnie Spring, PhD, ABPP
Dr. Spring is Professor of Preventive Medicine, Psychology, Psychiatry, and Public Health at
Northwestern University and Director of the Center for Behavior and Health - Institute for
Public Health and Medicine. She also serves as Team Science Director for NUCATS, Northwestern’s
CTSI, and Co-Leader for the Cancer Prevention Program. Dr. Spring’s research program,
continuously funded for more than 30 years, incorporates interdisciplinary teams that develop,
test, and disseminate technology-supported interventions to promote healthy behavior change in
diet, physical activity, and smoking. A past president of the Society of Behavioral Medicine,
winner of its Research to Practice Translation and Distinguished Research Mentor Awards, and
founding editor of Translational Behavioral Medicine: Practice, Policy, Research, she also
chaired the interdisciplinary National Institute Health (NIH)-sponsored Councils on Team Science
and on Evidence-Based Behavioral Practice.
Heather Risser, PhD
Dr. Heather Risser is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral
Sciences at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. Dr. Risser’s research focuses
on violence prevention, child welfare, parenting, and access to parenting and mental health
promotion services for underserved children and families. Dr. Risser leads her team in
developing, implementing, training, and evaluating brief interventions designed to promote
innovative service delivery to increase equitable and effective mental health services. Dr.
Risser is particularly interested in community-university partnerships to integrate lived
experience knowledge to improve service impact.
Madison Hartstein, BS
Madison Hartstein (she/her) comes to the CATALYST Lab with a background in Marketing and
Healthcare Education. With 13+ years of program management experience, she has joined the
CATALYST Lab as a Senior Program Manager and has a focus on the Team Science Program and further
building on the excellent ongoing community engaged research.
Megha A. Patel, BSE
Megha's primary role at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine is as a Software
Developer.
A graduate of The University of Michigan, she majored in Computer Science and Engineering.
She helps to guide the Team Science Program’s technology initiatives and is working on updating
and developing new
e-learning resources for Team Science education.
NUCATS
The Team Science program is supported by The Northwestern University Clinical and Translational
Sciences (NUCATS).
Click here to learn more about NUCATS and their initiatives.
Current collaborators
Angela Jordan, MA
With academic credentials in the social sciences and humanities, and a decade working closely
with university faculty and administrators on research and economic development activities,
Angela Jordan brings an interdisciplinary perspective to her work that is deeply inspired by the
principles of collaboration and community engagement. In addition to proposal development and
faculty development, her career at the University of South Alabama also includes work in the
research innovation space. Her commitment to mentoring includes leadership service on the
mentoring committee of her professional organization, NORDP, as well as serving as operations
director for an MIT-licensed entrepreneurial mentoring program. Her dissertation research in
instructional design will create a model of community engaged team science training with case
studies of environmental resilience centers. She holds a masters in English from Indiana
University and a bachelors in English from Northwestern University.
David A. Moskowitz, PhD
David Moskowitz is a Senior Instructional Professor and the Assistant Director of the MPH
Program at The University of Chicago, Department of Public Health Sciences. Dr. Moskowitz has
been conducting research into the sexual health of sexual and gender minorities since 2005 and
has recently pivoted to community-based participatory programs aimed at alleviating health
disparities across Chicago’s South Side. Dr. Moskowitz has years of experience with
inter-institution collaborations on research and health programs. He also has expertise in
institution-community stakeholder outreach and engagement across the country (e.g., working with
Planned Parenthood Hudson Peconic, Hawai’i Island HIV/AIDS Foundation, Latino Commission on
AIDS, Greater Chicago Food Depository, and the Edward G. Irving Foundation). His research and
experience illustrate how important team science is to help curtail the problems communities
encounter by giving them integrated access and collaboration with researchers.
Angela Fidler Pfammatter, MS, PhD
Angela Fidler Pfammatter, MS, PhD, FSBM is the Senior Methodologist for the College of
Education, Health, and Human Science, and Associate Professor of Public Health at The University
of Tennessee, Knoxville. Prior to coming to UTK, she was faculty in Preventive Medicine at
Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine where she maintains an Adjunct Associate
Professor appointment. Her research is focused on using mHealth tools and optimization research
methodology to develop behavioral interventions for the purpose of preventing chronic disease.
Her work is currently funded by several grants from the National Institutes of Health. She is
internationally recognized as an effective collaborator and expert in optimization trial designs
and behavioral intervention development. She is often sought out for her expertise in team
science, training and supervision of health promotionists, and the development of mHealth tools
to support assessment and interventions related to health behaviors.
Community Advisory Board (CAB)
Kareem Butler, MPH
Kareem Butler (he/him) is a Pretrial Justice Fellow with Chicago Appleseed Center for Fair
Courts, where his work primarily focuses on the statewide implementation of the Pretrial
Fairness Act, passed in 2021, with the Illinois Network for Pretrial Justice (INPJ). Kareem is a
2019 graduate of the University of Illinois Chicago School of Public Health, where he obtained a
Master of Public Health (MPH) degree and specialized in Health Policy and Administration. While
obtaining his MPH, Kareem joined the Chicago Urban League where he managed the organization’s
program performance needs through a client-focused lens and participated in advocacy efforts
dedicated to reforming drug policy in Illinois. While at the Urban League, Kareem also led and
co-designed the organization's community outreach campaign to increase access to the 2020 Census
among Black residents to ensure greater equity in the distribution of economic and political
resources. As he now focuses on the harms produced by Illinois' pretrial systems, Kareem is
committed to continue leveraging his public health background and prior career experiences to
advocate for a more equitable legal system and to best serve those most acutely impacted by mass
incarceration.
Ontisar Freelain, MBA, PMP
Ontisar Freelain is an engineer from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She
currently works as a high school PLTW Engineering Teacher. Along with her husband, she
co-founded the non-profit Health Research and Awareness NFP (formerly Cancer Research and
Awareness NFP). The mission is to increase awareness about early detection and screens, in
particular for breast cancer, and to refer women for mammogram screens. Each year, the
non-profit hosts the Beyond A Mammogram Hyde Park 5K, which is typically in the fall. She is
also co-founder of Beyond A Mammogram, which is primarily an educational initiative to help get
the conversation started with young girls, women and families about breast health and knowing
your family medical history. While this effort targets all women regardless of race and
ethnicity, programs are created to find ways to reach Black women within the inner city and
neighboring suburbs. Local public health data, as well as data from the CDC, shows that Black
women have the highest disparity rates when it comes to breast cancer. Health Research and
Awareness NFP creates programs in the community to help eliminate this disparity.
Joanne Glenn, RN, MBA
Glenn Professional Nursing career started in Chicago at Michael Reese Hospital School of
Nursing. Intrigued with the Law and Medicine attended Roosevelt University completing a
paralegal program, and started Glenn-Gavin Medical Legal Consultants. Continuing the path of
education and research obtained both BS and MBA, enrolled in PhD program for Health
Administration but choose to withdraw after a year when the passion and Mission of servicing and
caring for Women with Breast Cancer increased as the prevalence of 1 in 8 became an unwelcomed
normalcy. The unmet needs in under-served communities were growing, as the desire to help with
the navigation and management of Health care became the beat of her heart. A successful Business
woman and entrepreneur. An experienced, accomplished and published Registered Nurse "working for
a healthier tomorrow". Glenn is a mentor to many, Speaker, Educator and always seeking
opportunities to serve the communities at risk. Co-owner Comprehensive Quality Care, Inc.
Foundation, a Joint Commission Deem Status Home Health Organization 2001. A past inductee into
Wendell Phillips High School, Hall of Fame 2002. Recognized by National Black Nurses Day , April
2012, Honored at Black Woman's Expo, "The Phenomenal Woman Award”, April 2016. Executive Board
Member Friend & Family Health Center 2016. Serving as Co-Chair of Chicago Cancer Health Equities
Collaborative Community (CHEC) Steering Committee 2016. Black Nurses Rock National Leadership
Summit Awardee, New York 2017 & Chicago Chapter President. A proven and willing community
Advocate with the focus on Quality service without compromise or prejudice. No two days are the
same, and it all started with family values, desires, education, and faith. Her calling is
making a difference! Business challenges present an opportunity to soothe the Soul of a girl
from the Hood to the Boardroom. Born and raised on the Southside of Chicago, this is Ms. Glenn.
Arielle Guzmán, MPH
Currently accountable as a Clinical Research Coordinator in the Cancer Center at the University
of Illinois at Chicago (UIC), Arielle leads the coordinating of multiple Biorepository Resource
protocols in the Cancer Center. She also assists on several studies and qualitative improvement
projects that aim to address lung cancer disparities and improve outcomes. Prior to working at
UIC, Arielle was a Research Assistant at Mount Sinai Hospital. There, she evaluated the effect
of the Affordable Care Act on breast cancer outcomes. She received her master's degree in public
health at Loyola University Chicago, where she concentrated in Epidemiology. Arielle serves the
Medical Organization for Latino Advancement (MOLA) as the Recording Secretary of the executive
committee and a co-chair of the Education and Research committee. She also co-administrates the
MOLA Scholars program, where she assists scholars with the development and dissemination of
their research projects.
Candace Henley, MPH
Candace is a tireless advocate for colon cancer prevention and support. Candace was a single
mother who was raising five children when she lost her car and home while battling colon cancer.
Her own battle and the devastation it left on her life and that of her children inspired her to
create The Blue Hat Foundation. The organization is founded on unconditional support and
compassion for people fighting colon cancer. Their mission is to provide education, information,
and free screenings for colon cancer in minority and medically underserved communities. The Blue
Hat Foundation started as a single event “Blue Hat Bow Tie Sunday” at one church in Chicago. The
program is now in 15 churches and promotes “education through participation,” by asking the
congregation to wear blue in honor of someone who is fighting or passed away from colon cancer.
In addition to the Sunday events, The Blue Hat Foundation raises awareness about the disease's
signs, as well as shares stories of personal experience through speeches, podcasts, articles,
and community partnerships.
TaLana Hughes, MPH
TaLana Hughes, MPH started her journey with the Sickle Cell Disease Association of Illinois
(SCDAI) as an intern, while completing her last year of college at Northern Illinois University
where she graduated and obtained a Bachelors in Public Health. Upon graduating, TaLana began her
career with SCDAI as the Case Manager and Sickle Cell Educator for the Newborn Screening
Program, which focuses on the education and counseling of parents of infants who test positive
for Sickle Cell Disease or Sickle Cell Trait. TaLana received the hemoglobinopathy educator
certification in 2003 and again in 2007. TaLana has worked at SCDAI for the past 19 years
managing the HRSA federally funded Newborn Screening Program and as an advocate for improved
health care and patient services for sickle cell disease patients, ensuring that they receive
the comprehensive care that they deserve. In 2009, TaLana achieved a Master of Public Health
degree from Walden University and is now the Executive Director of the Sickle Cell Disease
Association of Illinois. Mrs. Hughes is an active participant on many advisory boards and has
national and regional leadership roles in political advocacy and community engagement. TaLana is
a wife and mother to a twenty-year-old daughter with Sickle Cell Disease, SS who is the
immediate past youth ambassador for the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America; a
twenty-five-year-old daughter with Sickle Cell Trait; and a seventeen year old son with Sickle
Cell Trait.
Sheila Sanders, BS
Sheila Sanders has over 20 years of community-driven partnerships with non-profit organizations,
health departments, state agencies, and local businesses. She is an experienced health advocate
and trainer on immunizations, maternal & child health topics, reproductive justice, community
engagement, and health equity advocacy. In community-academic research, Sheila has led the
efforts in residents' engagement and data collection. Through SS Clarity LLC, she looks forward
to helping individuals and groups learn and discover their role in community health.
Stephanie Schmitz Bechteler, PhD
Stephanie Schmitz Bechteler is currently employed by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission,
an Illinois state agency committed to making education beyond high school accessible and
affordable for Illinois students. During her time working on the Team Science Community Toolkit,
Schmitz Bechteler was the Executive Director of the Research and Policy Center at the Chicago
Urban League. There, she led the organization's research and policy initiatives pertaining to
educational, health and wealth equity for Black families and communities. She became involved in
this project because of the longstanding need to authentically, transparently, and equitably
incorporate community leadership into health research projects. Schmitz Bechteler has a Ph.D.
and a Masters in Social Work from the University of Illinois-Chicago and University of Chicago,
respectively. Her focus during her graduate studies was health, mental health, public health,
and substance use practice and policy.
Héctor Torres, PsyD
Dr. Torres is a clinical psychologist and consultant who specializes in working with
marginalized communities. He is well versed in the topics of leadership development, diversity
and inclusion, cultural competence, race and racism, LatinX culture, and LGBTQ matters. His work
experience has allowed him the opportunity to work at well accomplished non-profit organizations
and empower world-changing leaders by cultivating equality, confidence, enthusiasm for learning,
and compassion. Collaborating in research has been an important part of Dr. Torres’ career, and
this toolkit is an excellent tool to help service organizations navigate and be successful in
future research collaborations.
Kimberly Williams, MSPH
Kimberly Williams, a proud Chicago native, is more than just the Health Center Operations
Director at Erie Division Street and Teen Center. She's an avid reader, dedicated to public
service, and a real people person: a trait she takes great pride in. Kimberly's introduction to
the healthcare industry began with her family. It grew when she started her college career at
the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Initially pursuing sports medicine, she found
more joy in population health-based studies. After her time at the U of I, she kicked off her
professional career in adolescent sexual health and HIV/STI prevention. Her commitment to
advocacy in making sure young people understand when, where, and how they can obtain healthcare
is role that remains constant, in and outside of the workplace.
Previous collaborators
Holly Falk-Krzesinski, Ph.D.
Dr. Falk-Krzesinski is the Vice President for Global Academic & Research Relations at Elsevier.
Prior to her position there, she was the Director of Research Team Support & Development at
Northwestern University where she led initiatives related to research development,
grantsmanship, and team science. Her interests focus on translating empirical research findings
about team science into evidence-based effective practices. Through her leadership with the
Annual International Science of Team Science Conference, Falk-Krzesinski has been instrumental
in developing a strong community of practice for team science and interdisciplinary research.
Arlen Moller, Ph.D.
Dr. Moller is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at the Illinois Institute
of Technology. His research is focused on applying and advancing theories related to behavioral
health and wellness. His work involves leveraging principles from social psychology and human
motivation, as well as game design, financial incentives, social networks, and technology. One
defining feature of Dr. Moller’s research is seeking out and coordinating team collaborations,
often with colleagues from disciplines outside of psychology (e.g., in design, engineering,
computer sciences, and informational technology and management).
Leland R. Bardsley, M.S.
Leland is the Program Administrator for the Team Science Program at Northwestern University
Feinberg School of Medicine.
He helps to advance transdisciplinary science through the Clinical and Translational Sciences
Institute (NUCATS) by
studying and training diverse interdisciplinary research teams, providing didactic instruction,
and facilitating
team science workshops. He has over 15 years of experience in a broad array of health and
behavioral research,
including participating in continuous quality improvement efforts with diverse teams. A graduate
of Cornell University,
he majored in human development and family studies as an undergraduate. He went on to receive an
M.S. in psychology as
well as additional graduate training in clinical psychology from the Illinois Institute of
Technology.