LAB MEMBERS
Daniel Coppersmith, Ph.D
Lab Director
Dr. Daniel Coppersmith is an assistant professor in the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and the director of the Suicide Prevention Research Laboratory. His research focuses on advancing the understanding, prediction, and prevention of suicide. He earned his PhD in clinical psychology from Harvard University and completed his clinical internship at the VA Boston Healthcare System. His research has been funded by the National Institute of Mental Health, National Science Foundation, and the American Psychological Foundation.
Dominic Denning, M.S
PhD Student
Dominic (Dom) is a fifth-year graduate student in the Clinical Psychology Doctoral Program. He received his B.A. in Psychology and Anthropology from the University of Nevada Reno. Afterwards he worked as research coordinator in the University of California San Diego’s Eating Disorder Center for Treatment and Research. At the University of Massachusetts Amherst, Dom’s research has focused on leveraging technology and rigorous statistical methods to predict and effectively target self-injurious thoughts and behaviors (e.g., suicide, nonsuicidal self-injury, and disordered eating). In particular, he is interested in real-time monitoring of stigma and interpersonal-emotional processes in relation to self-injurious thoughts and behaviors in populations that experience social stigma and marginalization.
Kefan Cathy Wu, B.A
PhD Student
Cathy is a first-year graduate student in the Clinical Psychology Program. She graduated from the University of Michigan with a B.A. in Psychology and a minor in English. After graduation, she worked as a post-baccalaureate researcher with Dr. Cheri Levinson at the University of Louisville and Dr. April Smith at Auburn University. Cathy is interested in using real-time monitoring technologies to identify predictors and mechanisms of self-injurious thoughts and behaviors. She is also interested in developing scalable, personalized digital interventions for suicide prevention.
Kendall Tinianov, B.A
PhD Student
Kendall is a first-year graduate student in the Clinical Psychology Program at UMass Amherst. She received her B.A. in Psychology and Biology from the University of Colorado Boulder. After graduating, she worked as a study coordinator and lab manager for the Laboratory of Child Brain Development at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, and then as a research assistant for the Nock Lab at Harvard University and Franciscan Children’s Hospital. Kendall is passionate about utilizing mixed methods research, and is interested in understanding the prediction and prevention of suicidal thoughts and behaviors (STBs). Ultimately, Kendall aims to both inform and develop evidence-based, accessible interventions.
Erlend Lane, M.P.A.
Lab Manager
Erlend is the lab manager for the Suicide Prevention Research Lab. He received his B.A in Psychology, and Masters in Public Administration from Clark University (2022). Before joining the SPRL, Erlend worked as a CRC at the Division of Digital Psychiatry lab of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, HMS, focusing on smartphone-based assessment and intervention on psychotic and internalizing symptoms. Erlend is broadly interested in describing the content of suicidal thoughts, understanding if suicidal thoughts have different functions at different times for individual people, and the implications of how people think about their own suicidal thoughts (metacognition) for maintenance and long-term risk of suicidal behavior.
Kayleb Partaledis
Thesis Student
Kayleb is a senior psychology major (BS) at UMass Amherst and is a member of the Commonwealth Honors College. His honors thesis focuses on how daily interpersonal stress can lead to risky behaviors in college students through emotional processes like guilt and shame. At UMass, he serves as a Lead Teaching Assistant for Psych 380, volunteers with the 988 Crisis Text Line , and also works as a research assistant for the Clinical Affective Science Laboratory.
Faraz Kabir
Thesis Student
Raz is a senior at UMass Amherst majoring in Biology and Psychology. He is interested in the dynamic interplay and cyclical nature of negative affect and suicidality, as well as the identification and classification of biological and psychological markers for mental health. At UMass, he is a PLTL instructor, a Biology club mentor, serves as the President of Service and Philanthropy for the Interfraternity Council, and is the Health and Safety Officer for Pi Kappa Alpha.
Karah Bradanese
Research Assistant
Karah is a senior at UMass Amherst, studying psychology and pursuing the Developmental Disabilities and Human Services and Social Work & Human Services Certificates. Karah is interested in the in-depth research of those who are experiencing suicidal tendencies and behaviors and working to improve prevention and intervention methods for those individuals. After graduating from UMass, she hopes to earn a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology and continue research on suicide prevention.
Gianna Murphy
Research Assistant
Gianna is a senior at the University of Massachusetts Amherst majoring in Psychology. She is passionate about understanding human behavior, mental health, and the factors that influence suicidal ideation. Through her coursework and experience in the Suicide Prevention Lab, she has developed a strong interest in applying psychological research and evidence-based practices to support individuals and communities. Gianna is committed member of the Psi Chi organization at UMass, continuing her education and gaining hands-on experience in the field as she prepares for a career in psychology and related helping professions.
Joseph Salib
Research Assistant
Joseph is a junior at the University of Massachusetts Amherst majoring in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and is a student in the Commonwealth Honors College. Joseph is interested in contributing to research aimed at advancing the understanding, prediction, and prevention of suicide. On campus, he serves as a Resident Advisor, President of the Coptic Orthodox Christian Fellowship, and a Teaching Assistant for Organic Chemistry. Following his undergraduate studies, Joseph plans to pursue a career in medicine, aiming to apply insights gained from biomedical science and human behavior research toward improving patient outcomes as a physician