Skeens Lab Staff

Micah Skeens, PhD, APRN, FAAN, CPNP-PC
Principal Investigator
Micah.Skeens@NationwideChildrens.org

Micah Skeens, PhD, APRN, FAAN, CPNP-PC, is a distinguished researcher and health care professional at the forefront of pediatric oncology and hematopoietic stem cell transplant research and care. Dr. Skeens, who holds a doctorate from Vanderbilt University, is principal investigator in the Center for Biobehavioral Health at the Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital and an assistant professor of pediatrics an at The Ohio State University College of Medicine and Nursing. She is also a distinguished fellow in the American Academy of Nursing. Dr. Skeens leads the Skeens Lab, where groundbreaking research unfolds at the intersection of psychosocial and biobehavioral outcomes for children facing cancer and undergoing stem cell transplants. She also continues to practice clinically as an advanced practice provider in the Division of Hematology/Oncology/BMT at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. With a passion for innovation, Dr. Skeens is dedicated to developing cutting-edge digital health interventions.

Known for employing mixed methodologies, including qualitative approaches, Dr. Skeens seeks a deeper understanding of the lived experiences of families affected by pediatric cancer and hematopoietic stem cell transplant. Through this comprehensive approach, Dr. Skeens aims to contribute to the scientific understanding of the field and improve the daily lives and outcomes of pediatric cancer patients.

With a blend of expertise in healthcare, research, and compassionate patient care, Dr. Micah Skeens is making significant strides in advancing knowledge and pioneering innovative solutions in the challenging landscape of pediatric oncology.

Anna Olsavsky, PhD
Research Scientist
Anna.Olsavsky@NationwideChildrens.org

Anna Olsavsky, PhD, is a research scientist for the Skeens Lab. She earned her doctorate in human development and family science from The Ohio State University. Dr. Olsavsky's research interests center on family systems and attachment theoretical perspectives to understand the roles of family relationships (i.e., parent−child relationships, coparenting, couple relationships) for parent, child and family outcomes. Additionally, given their often-overlooked roles in parenting, she has a special interest in fathers’ parenting behaviors and father–child relationships. Since coming to Nationwide Children’s Hospital, the focus of her research has primarily been applied to children with cancer and their families—an area where familial relationships likely have far-reaching implications. Across her work, findings have underscored the importance of high-quality coparenting relationships for family, parent and child wellbeing. Dr. Olsavsky has expertise in dyadic data analyses, survey and observational evaluations of family relationships and child emotional, social and cognitive development.

Kerry Orton, MPH
Project Manager
Kerry.Orton@NationwideChildrens.org

Kerry Orton serves as project manager for the Skeens Lab and senior advisor to the Neurodevelopmental Research Affinity Group, led by H. Gerry Taylor, PhD. Kerry’s expertise encompasses community development, health, and academia. She has a proven track record of crafting and establishing successful programs from inception, including the development of the Safe Mobility Project at Akron Children’s Hospital and the Child Brain & Development Lab at Nationwide Children's Hospital. Kerry is passionate about facilitating collaborations, supporting learning and professional growth among trainees, and developing strong programs and initiatives from the ground up. Kerry obtained a bachelor's degree in biology from Miami University and a master's degree in health behavior and health promotion from The Ohio State University. She was selected as the Outstanding Research Staff Member by the Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in both 2019 and 2024.

Adelaide Booze
Clinical Research Coordinator I
Adelaide.Booze@NationwideChildrens.org

Adelaide Booze is a 2023 graduate of University of Vermont, where she studied psychology and neuroscience and gained valuable experience in research spanning from social psychology to pediatric psychology. Looking for opportunities to grow her research skills, she became a clinical research coordinator in the Skeens Lab where she is responsible for recruitment, data collection, data management, academic writing and research dissemination. In the future, she hopes to pursue intervention research related to the promotion of positive resilience in children. Her long-term goal is to obtain a doctorate in clinical psychology to help develop interventions to improve the lives of adolescents and young adults.

Bianca Franklin, MS
Clinical Research Coordinator I
Bianca.Franklin@NationwideChildrens.org

Bianca Franklin earned her bachelor’s degree in biology with a concentration in pre-med, with minors in chemistry and spanish, from Alabama State University in 2022. In August 2024, she completed her master's of medical science degree at Baylor University. Her research interests focus on youth with diagnoses and other pediatric chronic illnesses. Her passion lies in contributing to efforts that bridge healthcare gaps across all regions. Bianca became a research coordinator in the Skeens Lab to develop her skills in pediatric interventions and improve the quality of life in pediatric oncology. In the lab, Bianca executes varied tasks such as coordinating a project focused on managing treatment responsibilities for adolescents and emerging adults undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplants, including those diagnosed with cancer. Bianca aspires to pursue a medical education.

Mariam Kochashvili
Clinical Research Coordinator I
Mariam.Kochashvili@NationwideChildrens.org

Mariami Kochashvili is a 2023 graduate of Earlham College, where she earned a bachelor's degree in psychology with a minor in medical humanities. During her undergraduate studies, Mariam gained valuable experience in the pediatric oncology department at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, developing research skills and working directly in the field of oncology. With a focus on the psychosocial outcomes of cancer and family communication, Mariam is dedicated to improving the quality of life and health related outcomes for pediatric oncology patients. Mariam plans to pursue a doctorate in clinical psychology.

Madeline Peek
Clinical Research Coordinator I
Madeline.Peek@NationwideChildrens.org

Madeline Peek is a 2024 graduate of the College of Wooster, where she earned her bachelor of arts degree in psychology and a minor in spanish. She joined the Skeens Lab as a clinical research coordinator to gain research skills and expose herself to new clinical populations and research methodologies. In the lab, Maddie is responsible for a variety of tasks: study recruitment, data analysis/collection, manuscript writing and data/study management. Her research interests focus on health psychology, specifically the influence of physical activity on the wellbeing and mental health of developing individuals. After her time in the Skeens Lab, Maddie plans to pursue a doctorate in clinical psychology. She ultimately hopes to become a clinician-scientist working to improve patient outcomes.

Mark Wang
Clinical Research Coordinator I
Mark.Wang@NationwideChildrens.org

Mark Wang graduated from The Ohio State University in 2023 with a bachelor’s in psychology. Mark began his time in the Center for Biobehavioral Health as a student intern and now continues as a clinical research coordinator. He is responsible for various tasks including study recruitment, data analysis, and product testing. His research interests include adherence and understanding symptom burden. Mark hopes to eventually matriculate into medical school and pursue a career in medicine.

Olivia Kuns
Clinical Research Coordinator I
Olivia.Kuns@NationwideChildrens.org

Olivia Kuns graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 2016 and subsequently worked in nonprofit development for five years in Chicago where she discovered her passion for medicine. In 2021, she completed a second bachelor’s degree in medical sciences at Dominican University in Illinois and is now a medical student at Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine in Dublin, Ohio. She plans to pursue hematology-oncology after graduation.

Mafalda von Alvensleben, MPH
Clinical Research Coordinator II
Mafalda.vonAlvensleben@NationwideChildrens.org

Mafalda holds a bachelor's of science in cognitive science and a master's of public health in health justice from Yale University. During their studies, Mafalda focused on interdisciplinary bioethical and disability justice-based approaches to patient advocacy. They bring this passion for health justice to their work at the Skeens Lab where they are responsible for tasks including interfacing with the lab's community-engaged participatory research efforts, data collection, IRB submissions and paper dissemination. As an adolescent and young adult cancer survivor, Mafalda strives to give back to their community, becoming the best patient advocate they can for children and young adults with disabilities and chronic illnesses.

Lydia Wisne
Research Intern
Lydia.Wisne@NationwideChildrens.org

Lydia Wisne is a 2024 graduate from The Ohio State University where she earned her bachelor’s in science in medical anthropology. During her undergraduate studies, she developed skills and passion in data analysis, scientific writing and a social and historical understanding of the medical field. After graduation, Lydia gained valuable experience in data collection and research design at The PAST Foundation. Currently, she is applying her skills in qualitative data analysis in the Skeens Lab and hopes to learn more about professional development in the healthcare field. In the future, Lydia plans to pursue higher education related to health equity and accessibility.

Haya Alsammerai
Research Intern
Haya.Alsammerai@NationwideChildrens.org

Haya Alsammerai is a freshman at The Ohio State University pursuing an honors degree in neuroscience. Haya is a curious and ambitious student with academic interest in medication adherence, preventative education and substance use/abuse. She is interested in multiple areas of the medical field as well as research. Upon finishing her undergraduate studies, Haya hopes to obtain an MD/PhD and become a surgeon-scientist, contributing to patient care, development of students and trainees and the scientific community at large. In the Skeens Lab, Haya is responsible for data management, transcription, SDOH coding and literature reviews.

Daisy Kim
Research Intern
Daisy.Kim@NationwideChildrens.org

Daisy Kim is a current student at Dublin Jerome High School with a particular interest in patients with neurodevelopmental disorders. She realized her passion for pediatrics through volunteering and working with children, as well as frequenting Nationwide Children’s Hospital as a patient. As a student intern, Daisy is responsible for data management, transcription, data coding and literature reviews. In the future, she hopes to pursue medical school and ultimately a career in medicine.