People
Samantha A. Chalker, Ph.D. - Principal Investigator
Samantha A. Chalker, Ph.D. is a licensed clinical psychologist, a mental health services researcher, and the director of the Recovery-Oriented Suicide Prevention (ROSP) Research Lab. She specializes in suicide prevention. She is particularly interested in brief intervention development and evaluation, peer-led services, suicide experience assessments, and training licensed professional and non-licensed supports in suicide prevention. Her research focuses on integrating recovery-oriented research and practice and strengths-based approaches to intervene in suicide risk, specifically for Veterans and those experiencing serious mental illness. Dr. Chalker aims to improve suicide prevention care by incorporating voices of lived experiences through participatory research methodology and implementing evidence-based suicide prevention interventions into real-world settings. With a focus on improving access to care, Dr. Chalker aims to expand her work to digital interventions and expand suicide prevention training access. Clinically, Dr. Chalker's specialties and interests are in delivering therapeutic suicide experience assessments/evaluations, management, and interventions as well as in modalities related to dialectical behavior therapy, compassion and mindfulness-based interventions, and acceptance and commitment therapy. She focuses her clinical work and research on underserved populations and those experiencing increased suicide risk, psychosis, and symptoms of bipolar disorder. Outside of work, Sam enjoys taking her dog to all the wonderful San Diego dog beaches, gardening, and learning to speak German.
Candrha Lopez, B.S. - Study Coordinator
Candrha graduated from UCLA in 2024 in Cognitive Science with a specialization in Computing, B.S. Candrha developed her interest in serious mental illnesses (SMI) as an undergrad, where she developed independent projects exploring the relationships between cognitive functions and social functioning in diverse, psychosis-spectrum populations. During her post-baccalaureate years, she hopes to gain exposure to various clinical presentations as well as expand her knowledge on negative symptoms to better understand treatment planning and clinical care for individuals with SMI across the lifespan. Candrha plans to pursue a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology in hopes of working with individuals with psychosis-spectrum disorders from underserved communities. Outside of the lab, you can catch her playing tennis, reading, and updating Letterboxd.
Jiajie “Lucy” Chen, B.S. - Research Assistant
Jiajie graduated 2025, majoring in Psychology. She has a broad interest in the field of clinical psychology, and would like to commit to pursuing a career in the field. She is passionate about exploring effective treatments and interventions to improve the well-being of individuals with mild or severe mental illnesses.
Cadance LeGrand, B.S. - Partnering Study Coordinator
Cadance graduated from UCSD in 2025 with a B.S. in Psychology, specializing in Clinical Psychology, and a minor in Global Health. During her time in the ROSP Lab, she has developed a strong interest in suicide prevention and supporting individuals who have experienced trauma. She currently works as a study coordinator at the VA under Dr. Neal Doran, contributing to a multi-site study on Dialectical Behavior Therapy for high-risk veterans, as well as a multi-site smoking reduction medication study. Through this work, she aims to gain experience with clinically high-risk populations and broaden her exposure to evidence-based treatments for mental health disorders. Cadance plans to pursue a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology to better understand the intersections of PTSD, suicidality, and emotional regulation, and to support individuals experiencing these challenges. In her free time, she enjoys reading fiction, crocheting, trying new foods, and spending time with her dog.
Advait Jagannathan - Research Assistant
Advait is a third-year undergraduate student at UCSD studying human biology. He has an interest in the pre-medical route, specifically in the psychology realm, with a current focus on working with veterans experiencing SMI/Smoking dependencies. In his free time, he enjoys playing basketball, listening to music, and saving cats stuck in trees.
Khushi Raghunandan - Research Assistant
Khushi is a second-year undergraduate student at UCSD studying Neurobiology on the pre-medical track. She is interested in learning about treatments for veterans with serious mental illness (SMI). In her free time, she enjoys hiking, watching movies, and crotcheting.
Alysa Feng - Research Assistant
Alysa is a third year undergraduate student at UCSD with plans for medical school in the future. She is particularly interested in a future career in psychiatry and is currently exploring various interests in the broad realm of mental health. Outside of academics, Alysa enjoys reading, taking walks, visiting museums, and cats.
Hillary Chen - Research Assistant
Hillary is a Clinical Psychology and Cognitive Behavioral Neuroscience double major in her second year with the endeavor to pursue a Clinical Psychology PhD. Ultimately, she'd like to balance conducting research while also evaluating patients at her own outpatient clinic. She’s most interested in psychiatric research aimed to create more effective and specialized treatments for those battling with mental disorders. Beyond her academic aspirations, she loves her dog, Icy, likes participating in carpool-karaoke sessions with friends, and enjoys creating art designs for her online business.
Andrew Robinson - Research Assistant
Andrew Robinson is a fourth-year undergraduate at UCSD, where he is completing his B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Law & Society. He currently works as a psychometrist conducting neuropsychological batteries at a local clinic, as well as a behavioral technician providing ABA therapy to children with autism. Andrew joined the ROSP Lab in March 2026 and plans to pursue a doctoral degree in clinical psychology, with the goal of becoming a licensed clinician. He is particularly passionate about men's mental health. In his free time, Andrew enjoys cooking, exercising, and reading high-quality journalism.
Calvine Peterson - Research Assistant
Calvine is a second-year undergraduate student at UCSD pursuing a B.S in Public Health with a concentration in Medicine Sciences. She is currently on the pre-med track with plans to join the military and serve as a physician. Calvine is particularly passionate about learning and working with the Veteran population. In her free time, she enjoys playing golf, going on hikes, and trying new cafes and restaurants.
Collaborators
Colin Depp, Ph.D.
Elizabeth Twamley, Ph.D.
Marianne Goodman, M.D.
Matt Chinman, Ph.D.
Samm Hurst, Ph.D.
Shahrokh Golshan, Ph.D.
Dave Jobes, Ph.D.
Angie Waliski, Ph.D.
Douglas Downing
Lab Alumni
Cara Pozun, M.A.
Samantha L. Hemingway, Ph.D.
Jillian A., Carter, B.S.
Brenna Miller, B.S.
Ya-Kuan Wang
Jayden Soukoulis, B.S.
Chris Shriver, M.A.
