Faculty, Staff, & Affiliates

As a researcher at Florida State University since 1998, Karen has been the director of the FSU Institute for Trauma & Resilience Studies (formerly the Institute for Family Violence Studies) since 2007. In 2011, she was named an FSU Distinguished University Scholar.

Oehme’s research and development team builds large-scale projects and specializes in interactive, web-based learning to promote research-based knowledge on crucial subjects. The team's research interests all intersect with themes of trauma and resilience. Thousands of professionals in child protection, law enforcement, human services and the court system have been learners in ITRS curricula on FSU Learn. Karen's team has been awarded multiple times by Florida TaxWatch for saving taxpayer funds with innovative projects. Additionally, The FSU Student Resilience Project created by ITRS was awarded the 2019 John L. Blackburn Award for Solutions to Campus Problems by the American Association of University Administrators. Oehme's scholarly work has been published in many journals, including the Harvard Journal of Law and Gender, Stanford Law and Policy Review, Innovative Higher Education, and the Journal of American College Health.

Oehme received her law degree from Florida State University in 1987. She was formerly a staff attorney at Legal Services of North Florida and the Guardian ad Litem Program of the Second Judicial Circuit. She is a member of the Florida Bar and the U.S. Supreme Court Bar.

Lyndi is the Director of Professional Development for the Institute for Trauma & Resilience Studies. She graduated with a Master’s in Social Work and a certificate in Leadership and Executive Administration Development from FSU’s College of Social Work. She recently earned her doctoral degree in Educational Leadership & Policy. Her research interests include child welfare, trauma-informed care, resilience, and domestic violence prevention.

Favorite hobby: Reading

Catia received her B.A. in Business Administration from Columbus State University. She spent 10 years in the private sector in Mexico helping expand a business nationally and internationally. Since then, Catia has been working for Florida State University starting in 2009, first in conferencing and later as the Program Director for Professional Development in the Center for Academic & Professional Development. She currently oversees the development and launching of online courses at the Institute for Trauma & Resilience Studies.

Mae is the Program Manager at the Institute for Trauma & Resilience Studies. She brings over 10 years of contract and grant experience -- in her time at FSU and the Florida Park Service, she has coordinated everything from multi-million dollar NIH research grants to rebuilding coral reefs off the Florida coast and most everything in-between.

Mae holds a B.S. in Biological Sciences from Florida State University. During her coursework at FSU and internship with the Bassell lab at Emory University, her research interests centered on the molecular mechanisms of Autism Spectrum Disorders and how this knowledge can be used to develop novel therapeutic approaches. She is currently pursuing a graduate certificate in Instructional Design.

Favorite thing: Sunflowers

Erica is a Training Specialist for the Institute for Trauma & Resilience Studies. Brown graduated with an A.A. from North Florida Community College in 2012 and from the University of Florida with a B.A. in Criminology in 2015. Brown is continuing her education, seeking a Master's in Social Work and a graduate certificate in Instructional Design. Before joining IFVS, Brown held titles such as Certified Family Assessment Worker, Substance Abuse Counselor, Behavioral Health Facilitator, Program Counselor, Enrichment Program Coordinator, and Client Care Specialist. Brown's professional interests include implementing trauma-informed care, preventing adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), re-entry programming, and veterinary social work.

Favorite Podcast: Myths & Legends

Merina is a Training Specialist at the Institute for Trauma and Resilience Studies. She earned her MSW from Florida State University's College of Social Work, where she also taught as an adjunct faculty member. Through her work, she has provided education to clients, students, and community members on substance misuse, trauma-informed care, and resilience. Her professional interests include preventing trauma and Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), addressing domestic violence and human trafficking, and advocating for neurodivergent individuals.

Favorite fictional character: Princess Leia

David W. Springer, Ph.D., LCSW is the 10th Dean of the College of Social Work and the Guy and Delores Spearman Professor of Social Work at Florida State University.

Bridging direct practice, community building, and public policy, Springer is a distinguished scholar focused on collaborative leadership to promote mental well-being and resilient communities. His areas of scholarly expertise include nonprofit and community leadership, mental health and well-being, positive youth development, and criminal and juvenile justice.

A first-generation college student from Rockledge, Florida, Springer become a three-time alumnus of Florida State. He began his career as a clinical social worker, and upon completing his Ph.D. in social work from FSU he joined the faculty at The University of Texas at Austin in 1997.

Springer served in numerous leadership roles at UT Austin, including: director of the RGK Center for Philanthropy and Community Service, interim dean of the LBJ School of Public Affairs, and associate dean for academic affairs and graduate advisor of the Steve Hicks School of Social Work where he was also co-founder and director of the Inter-American Institute for Youth Justice. During his tenure at UT Austin, Springer received a number of university-wide teaching awards, including the Outstanding Graduate Teaching Award, Outstanding Graduate Advisor Award, and selection into the Academy of Distinguished Teachers.

Springer has been recognized for his leadership in the field and impact on society. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Social Work and Social Welfare and a Fellow of the Society for Social Work and Research. He has been named to the Nonprofit Times Power & Influence Top 50 and selected as Social Worker of the Year by the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), Texas Chapter/Austin. He was listed among the 100 most influential social work journal authors by the British Journal of Social Work, and was previously honored as a distinguished alumni in social policy and administration by the Florida State University, College of Social Work.

Karey is an alumnus of Florida State University, graduating in 2007 with a bachelor’s in information architecture. As a Junior and Senior while attending FSU, Karey worked as a developer in the Information Lab (iLab). He has worked on numerous training applications for the College of Social Work since 2009. Karey is passionate about technology and continues to push the technological limits of our training and information systems.

Ann is the former Program Director of Research Dissemination at the Institute for Trauma & Resilience Studies, after joining FSU in 2015. Perko creates communications and engages with foundation, corporate, and governmental representatives to seek support for Institute projects. Perko works with the Institute team to develop large scale training and research projects., including the FSU Student Resilience Project, and Successful Co-Parenting after Divorce. Perko advocates for the Institute’s family safety policies, including collaborating on amicus briefs on legal and legislative support on family violence prevention research.

Prior to joining FSU, Perko developed and promoted family violence prevention public policy through service on the Florida Attorney General’s Statewide Domestic Violence Fatality Review Team, Florida Supreme Court Ad Hoc Committee on Parent Coordination and the Florida’s Governor’s Task Force on Domestic Violence.

Perko graduated from the University of North Carolina School of Law, Chapel Hill, with a J.D., with Honors in 1990, and from Duke University, with a B.S., in Biology in 1987. Perko represented the interests of low-income families and domestic violence survivors in legislative public policy advocacy before coming to FSU. Perko served as Executive Director of Florida’s Statewide Legal Domestic Violence Hotline and Senior Family Law Attorney at Florida Legal Services, and Senior Attorney at Legal Services of North Florida. She is a member of the Florida Bar and the Supreme Court Bar of the United States.

Jessie Yuan is currently pursuing an MSW and MPA at Florida State University and completing her internship at the Institute for Trauma & Resilience Studies in Summer 2025. Previously she worked as Information Writer and Assistant at the Institute for Trauma & Resilience Studies while also serving as a Graduate Assistant at the FSU Career Center, where she supported the Employer Relations and Career Advising and Counseling teams. Jessie earned her bachelor’s degree in Sociology from the University of Florida. After graduation, she hopes to work in local or state government.

Favorite animal: Manatees

Kaitlynn is a Graduate Research Assistant at the Institute for Trauma & Resilience Studies, currently pursuing her MSW at Florida State University. She also earned her bachelors degree from Florida State University in Political Science with a minor in Social Welfare. Kaitlynn has also served as a Graduate Assistant and Certified HIV counselor at the Center for Health Advocacy and Wellness. Upon graduation, Kaitlynn is interested in going abroad, conducting research, and working with clients to establish herself as an international social worker.

Favorite thing: Travel

Lauren is a Graduate Assistant at the Institute of Trauma and Resilience Studies. She is currently pursuing an MSW at FSU, where she previously obtained her BS in Psychology and Human Development & Family Sciences. She is passionate about working with children and has a variety of experiences in clinic, school, and home settings. Post-graduation, she hopes to continue providing mental health services to children and families, with a special interest in trauma-informed care

Aakiem is a web developer who enjoys taking on new challenges. No task is too big for him to tackle. He is a team player who enjoys collaboration and taking on large responsibilities. Aakiem graduated from Florida State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology.

Favorite sport: Muay Thai

María Gualtieri is a research assistant at the Institute for Trauma & Resilience Studies and is currently pursuing her MSW at Florida State University. She is also a graduate assistant for LIFT, FSU's Collegiate Recovery Program supporting students in recovery from substance misuse, eating disorders, and self-harm under CHAW (The Center for Health Advocacy and Wellness). She earned a Dual Bachelor's degree in Sociology and International Relations in 2019 also from Florida State.

After graduation, she hopes to become licensed (LCSW) and work as a therapist in interdisciplinary community health centers. She is also interested in working in higher education, collaborating with other disciplines to help improve health outcomes in the U.S.

Favorite pastime: spending time in nature and making pottery

Kaley Hoppenworth is an Undergraduate Assistant at the Institute for Trauma & Resilience Studies, currently pursuing a BSW and a degree in English-editing, writing, and media. She has volunteered with 211 Big Bend and the 988 National Suicide Hotline and is passionate about helping others and hearing their stories. After graduation, she hopes to make a difference through writing or editing at a journalism publication.

 

Favorite Cheese: Pepper Jack

Gabby Brandon is an undergraduate researcher at the Institute for Trauma and Resilience Studies and is currently working toward her dual degree in Psychology and Social Work at Florida State University. After graduation she plans to pursue a MSW before then working to become an LCSW. Gabby is passionate about advocacy and therapy, with special interests in trauma-informed therapy and working with people who are unhoused.

Favorite reality tv show: Ru Paul's Drag Race

Kelly is a three-time graduate of FSU and has worked as a Research Associate and FL Statewide Supervised Visitation Database Director for the Institute since its inception. Kelly specializes in teaching, training and research in domestic abuse, including elder abuse, teen dating abuse and domestic violence, as well as supervised visitation.