Center for Innovation in Behavioral Health Education & Research
The Center for Innovation in Behavioral Health Education & Research at Simmons University (CIBER) focuses on research and training that advances workforce development in behavioral health. Established in 2020, CIBER aims to decrease health inequities by improving the capacity of individuals and families, communities, professional providers, and policy makers to meet the needs of all populations through the delivery of high-quality, evidence-informed care.
About the Center for Innovation in Behavioral Health Education & Research
CIBER is housed within the Simmons University School of Social Work (SSW), a national leader in providing training to students across their social work careers, offering the BSW, MSW, DSW and PhD degrees. The SSW specializes in clinical social work practice, practice leadership, and scholarship to advance evidence-informed practice and policies. CIBER is committed to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion and advancing equity outcomes for all populations. It is supported in these efforts by the SSW and Simmons University’s institutional commitments to reducing inequities and improving social justice outcomes through its educational programs and in the workplace.
CIBER Affiliated Faculty
Cali-Ryan Collin, PhD, MSW, LICSW, CAGS
Dr. Collin is Assistant Professor at the School of Social Work and Associate Director of Clinical Training at CIBER. Dr. Collin has expertise in substance use, mental health, trauma, and interprofessional and workforce training. Dr. Collin’s research and training projects emphasize the development of the behavioral health workforce, particularly from populations under-represented in social work and those most experiencing health inequities.
Lydia Ogden, PhD, MSW, LICSW
Dr. Ogden is an Associate Professor at the School of Social Work with extensive expertise in issues related to serious mental illness, aging, trauma, and social inequities in health. A licensed social work clinician, Dr. Ogden approaches her research and training projects with a disability lens, emphasizing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the community.
Kristie A. Thomas, PhD, MSW
Dr. Thomas is a Professor at the School of Social Work with extensive practice, teaching, evaluation, and research expertise in the field of anti-violence. Dr. Thomas’s research and training projects consider the intersection of housing, poverty, family relationships, health, and other factors in relation to violence prevention and reduction.
Christina Sellers, PhD, MSW, LCSW
Dr. Sellers is an Assistant Professor at the School of Social Work with expertise in substance use and suicide in youth populations, and larger issues of health equity related to behavioral health. Dr. Sellers engages in research and training focused on reducing harmful outcomes, individual and family-based interventions and acute care settings.
Eugenia Knight, MSW, LICSW
Ms. Knight is an Associate Professor of Practice and Director of MSW Practicum Education at the School of Social Work with expertise in mental health and substance use, provision of mental health services in public schools, and community-based delivery of mental health services including in public schools. Ms. Knight’s work emphasizes training of emergent professionals and infusing a culturally responsive approach into evidence-informed practice.
Melinda Gushwa, PhD, MSW, LICSW
Dr. Gushwa is a Visiting Associate Professor at the School of Social Work with extensive expertise in child welfare, trauma, and mental health. Dr. Gushwa’s research and training projects focus on building the trauma-informed behavioral and mental health workforce with particular focus on training clinicians from communities most affected by social and health inequities.
CIBER Staff
Rebekah S. Halmo, MSW, LCSW
Ms. Halmo is the Senior Research Manager at CIBER and a PhD candidate in the School of Social Work with expertise in education, training, and evaluation related to behavioral health workforce development, evidence-based services for substance use and opioid use disorders, harm reduction, and stigma. Ms. Halmo approaches research and evaluation through a social justice lens to produce accessible data that can help to advance health equity.
Brittany Abrego-Baltay, BA
Mrs. Abrego-Baltay is a Project Coordinator at CIBER and a MSW student in the School of Social Work, focusing on clinical practice and research with LGBTQ populations. Mrs. Abrego-Baltay applies a social justice perspective to their work and research, with the aim of expanding workforce diversity and increasing equitable access to substance use services and trauma-informed treatment and prevention.
Center for Innovation in Behavioral Health Education & Research
- (617) 521-3868
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- 300 The Fenway, Boston, MA 02115