Doctoral Student Profiles
Justin Beckett, LICSW, BCD, CADC
MSW, Boston University
BA, American Military University
Areas of Interest:
- Clinical Practicce
- Trauma and Recovery
- Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing
- Addiction
Brenna Durand, MS
MS, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
BS, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Areas of Interest:
- Hate crime victimization and law enforcement practices
- Criminological theories
- Spatial analysis
- Intervention and program designs
Valerie Esser, APSW, SAC-IT
- The intersection of substance misuse, criminal justice involvement, and trauma
Joseph Kaberlein, MS
MS, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
BA, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Expected Graduation: May 2027
Areas of Interest:
- Pretrial decision-making, bail, risk assessments
- Sentencing disparities and cumulative disadvantage in criminal court processing
- Reentry, post-incarceration barriers
- Pedagogical advancements in experiential learning
I earned my BA in Psychology and a certificate in Criminal Justice from UW-Madison in 2022 before going to complete my MS in Criminal Justice and Criminology at UWM. My research interests are fairly broad, but I primarily focus on pretrial decision-making, sentencing disparities, reentry-related issues, and the impact of experiential learning on student outcomes. In addition to my research, I teach courses in research methods and criminological theory and policy.
Xiyao Liu, Postdoctoral Fellow
PhD, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
MSW, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
MSW, The Chinese University of Hong Kong
BMgt, South-Central University for Nationalities
Curriculum Vitae (PDF)
Areas of Interest:
- Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)
- Child and adolescent developmental outcomes
- Racial and ethnic disparities
- Poverty and intersectionality
Amos Malone, MS, MEd
MS, University of Wisconsin-Platteville
MEd, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
BS, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
Areas of Interest:
- Leadership
- Federal probation and parole
- Pretrial service agencies
Lane M. Morein, MSW, APSW
MSW, University of Wisconsin-Green Bay
BSW, University of Wisconsin-Green Bay
Areas of Interest:
- Harm reduction methods and interventions for intravenous drug users
- The development of evidence-based interventions to lessen health disparities in transgender prison population
- Harm reduction programs constructed to offer social support and an enhanced sense of safety
Ebenezer Adegoke Omotosho
Areas of Interest:
- Criminal Justice & Criminology
Sylvia Onyeiwu, MSW, APSW
Gerald Schwager
Areas of Interest:
- LGBTQIA+ health inequities
- Aging and gerontology
- Health and well-being of family and informal caregivers
I am interested in examining how social policy, healthcare systems, and organizational practices shape health and well-being across the lifespan. My research interests include LGBTQIA+ health inequities, aging and gerontology, and the health and well-being of family and informal caregivers. I am particularly interested in understanding how structural factors, access to supportive services, and public policy influence health outcomes for marginalized populations and those who provide care. Through my doctoral studies, I hope to produce research that informs evidence-based policy, strengthens health and social service systems, and promotes equity, resilience, and quality of life.
Liz Schroeder
My research interests focus on intimate partner violence and gender-based violence. I am particularly interested in survivor-defined justice and how interventions, systems, and communities can better support those impacted by violence. My research aims to center survivors’ voices while promoting equitable and effective responses to harm across formal and informal systems.
Sarwat Sharif, MSW
MSW, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
MSP, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
MS, Iqra University
Expected Graduation: Spring 2027
Areas of Interest:
- Participatory research within carceral spaces
- Community-engaged research
- Reentry and mass incarceration
- Structural violence and equity
- Public policy and evaluation
Jessica Smith, MSW, CAPSW
MSW, University of Wisconsin-Madison
BS, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Areas of Interest:
- Youth and young adult development
- Youth and family transitions
- Systems of care
- Behavioral health workforce development
- Disability inclusion
My research interests focus on systems-level approaches to behavioral health access issues, including expansion of peer support, paid practice experiences, clinical supervision, and innovative educational pathways. My research interests are primarily in policy, program, and “best evidence in practice” implementation and evaluation, as well as qualitative, community-engaged approaches.