Claire Hoffmire, PhD, Epidemiologist
Co-Lead ASCEND Investigator
Department of Veterans Affairs, Rocky Mountain MIRECC
University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

I have worked in the field of Veteran suicide prevention since 2012. My research aims to inform evidence-based Veteran suicide prevention programs for all Veterans, within and outside the VA, and to better understand gender differences in Veteran suicide risk to inform gender-sensitive prevention strategies. I am leading this study because I believe that quality data can help us create a bridge between VA and the communities in which Veterans live. My goal is for ASCEND to contribute to building such a bridge that improves the health and well-being of all Veterans, and ultimately saves lives.

Lindsey Monteith, PhD, Clinical Psychologist
Co-Lead ASCEND Investigator
Department of Veterans Affairs, VA Pacific Islands Healthcare System
University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Department of Psychiatry

My research focuses on understanding how to prevent Veteran suicide, especially among traditionally under-studied and under-served populations, including women Veterans, racial and ethnic minority Veterans, survivors of military sexual trauma, and Veterans who do not use VA health care. My research also examines how interpersonal factors and stressful and traumatic experiences impact help-seeking and risk for suicide. I think it is critical to consider and understand Veterans’ perspectives and experiences when developing suicide prevention programming to ensure that it is relevant to their needs and preferences. I look forward to learning from the Veterans who participate in ASCEND to improve suicide prevention efforts for Veterans, including those who have not had a voice in previous suicide prevention research.

Ryan Holliday, PhD, Clinical Psychologist
ASCEND Co-Investigator
Department of Veterans Affairs, VA Pacific Islands Healthcare System
University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Department of Psychiatry

I am dedicated to improving our understanding of the intersection of trauma and life stressors, such as homelessness and justice involvement, on Veterans' mental health and suicide risk. My research seeks to understand how we, within out outside the VA health care system, can provide the best evidence-based care to Veterans who have experienced these occurrences throughout their lives. I am excited to be a part of the ASCEND team to further understand how we can use data to save Veteran lives.

Sean Barnes, PhD, Clinical Psychologist
ASCEND Co-Investigator
Department of Veterans Affairs, Rocky Mountain MIRECC
University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Department of Psychiatry

For the past decade, I have had the privilege of working in the VA as a therapist, researcher, and consultant for Veteran suicide prevention. My research has focused on gaining a better understanding of suicidal crises, improving suicide risk assessment, and developing therapies to help Veterans build vital, meaningful lives they will choose to live. I am honored to have the opportunity to use data from ASCEND to inform interventions and policies to support Veterans.

Julie Kittel-Moseley, PhD, Epidemiologist
ASCEND Co-Investigator
Department of Veterans Affairs, Rocky Mountain MIRECC

I am an epidemiologist and health science specialist with over 10 years of experience in suicide prevention research and research with Veterans. My research primarily focuses on identifying non-mental health risk factors for suicide, particularly suicide prevention among those with serious medical conditions, such as cancer, as well as sexual and gender diverse Veterans. Identifying these risk factors can help to inform upstream suicide prevention efforts.

Ashley Griffith, PhD, Clinical Psychologist
ASCEND Co-Investigator
Department of Veterans Affairs, Rocky Mountain MIRECC
University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

I am committed to improving access to mental health care, specifically suicide prevention, for all Veterans, and especially for those who have been historically under-served such as LGBTQ+ Veterans and rural Veterans. My research focuses on understanding barriers and facilitators to accessing care such as experiences with healthcare systems, access to tailored services, and other life stressors. I think it is critical to hear and incorporate the voices of Veterans in all aspects of research, especially when examining how to tailor suicide prevention initiatives to meet their needs. I am excited for the opportunity to learn from the Veterans who participate in ASCEND and to use this valuable information to work to improve suicide prevention efforts for all Veterans.

Leah Wendleton, MPH, MSW
ASCEND Veteran Engagement Board Liaison
Department of Veterans Affairs, Denver | Seattle COIN

I have worked in the VA since 2013 mainly working on Veteran Engagement, community based programming and suicide prevention projects. Throughout my time in the VA I have pushed to find ways to encourage systematic and regular Veteran engagement and integration in health programs and research projects. I served as the program manager for a community driven suicide prevention program and Co-lead of a rural Veteran engagement center. I strongly believe that by having Veterans being valued and integrating their voices in the work that we do will lead to better outcomes for individuals Veterans and the VA health care system as a whole. It is exciting to be part of such a great project for suicide prevention and to help support the Veterans collaborating in ASCEND.

Theresa Morano, MS
ASCEND Project Manager
Department of Veterans Affairs, Rocky Mountain MIRECC

In 2016, I started working for the VHA, in the Office of Rural Health (ORH), to provide rural Veterans with the highest quality care through our many telehealth incentives. During my time in ORH, I was actively involved in planning and implementing Veteran care with a focus on Cardiac Rehabilitation and Tobacco Cessation. In January 2022, I transitioned to the Rocky Mountain MIRECC, becoming a member of the ASPIRE Lab. Working with a team solely focused on suicide prevention has been equal parts fulfilling and eye-opening. Our ASCEND project, above all else, wants to impact as many Veterans as possible, and it is my greatest wish to instill a sense of hope for better health care availability, outreach, and connection with the Veterans I reach.

Evelyn (Eve) Casiano
Research Coordinator
Department of Veterans Affairs, Rocky Mountain MIRECC

I am a Marine Corps Veteran with more than 25 years of medical research experience. I am honored to be working for the VA Rocky Mountain MIRECC and to serve my fellow Veterans through supporting research aiming to improve evidence-based practices to serve those who have served us first. I am very fortunate to be working with a passionate team that is committed to developing innovative strategies to meet the unique health care needs of our Veterans.