Nichole Michaels Lab
Nichole Michaels, PhD
Principal Investigator
Nichole.Michaels@NationwideChildrens.org
Nichole L. Michaels, PhD, is a Principal Investigator in the Center for Injury Research and Policy at the Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital and an Associate Professor in the Department of Pediatrics at The Ohio State University College of Medicine. Dr. Michaels’ primary research interests include: identifying and evaluating practices for drug overdose harm reduction and the treatment of individuals with substance use disorders; developing prevention strategies for child abuse and neglect; and understanding the links between substance use disorders and child maltreatment. She is also active in public policy, and is a strong advocate for legislation to prevent gun violence in the US.
Dr. Michaels’ Lab studies substance use disorders, child maltreatment, and other causes of violent injuries and death. We are particularly interested in discovering how these issues intersect and how they can be prevented. Our lab values collaboration with community partners and our diverse team of researchers uses both quantitative and qualitative methods to build a more complete understanding of these important issues and how they impact families.
This R01 study, funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse at the National Institutes of Health, is evaluating the feasibility, acceptability, and associated benefits and harms of using fentanyl test strips as a drug overdose harm reduction strategy.
Funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), this R01 study is evaluating fentanyl test strips as a strategy for preventing drug overdoses among individuals who are involved in the criminal justice system.
Funded by the CDC, the OCAN study examines opioid use and other social-environmental factors that influence child maltreatment in communities around the state of Ohio.
The purpose of this study is to explore the social support and social networks of current and former Family Treatment Court (FTC) participants, and how such support may impact their recovery and reunification efforts. This study is funded by the Ohio Office of Criminal Justice Services.
Lab Staff
Alexandra Antonova, MS
Research Associate
Email
Alexandra is a research associate in Dr. Michaels’ Lab at the Center for Injury Research and Policy. She received an MS in experimental psychology and BA in psychology from Ohio University (OU). During her time at OU, she was an undergraduate research assistant in Body Image and Eating Disorders Lab. She completed her master’s thesis with a focus on organizational psychology. Her research interests are substance use disorder, mental health, and injury prevention. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, working out, and spending time with her husband and dog.
Saroj Bista, PhD
Research Scientist
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Saroj Bista is a Research Scientist in the Center for Injury Research and Policy at Nationwide Children's Hospital, working with Dr. Nichole Michaels. He earned his MPH with a concentration in biostatistics as well as a PhD in public health with a specialization in epidemiology from Kent State University College of Public Health. Additionally, he holds a Bachelor's Degree in pharmacy from the Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Science, Krupanidhi College of Pharmacy. His research interests include mental health, substance use, and the criminal justice system, with his current focus on injuries, substance use, and mental health. Saroj likes to spend his free time with his son, Vian.
Aleah Cumberbatch, MPA
Research Associate
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Aleah Cumberbatch is a Research Associate in the Michaels Lab at the Center for Injury Research and Policy. Aleah completed both her master’s and bachelor’s degrees at Ohio University (OU). While studying psychology at OU, she discovered her passion for public health research as an undergraduate student researcher at the Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Service. Aleah then continued her research with the Voinovich School while pursuing her Master of Public Administration degree. During her tenure as a graduate student, Aleah supported efforts to address mental health stigma in rural Ohio by creating an explainer video on the Health Stigma and Discrimination Framework. She also worked on substance use disorder and mental health surveys that would give community leaders vital data to continue their stigma reduction initiatives.
Bridget Duffy, MPH
Senior Research Associate
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Bridget earned a BS in Neuroscience from the University of Minnesota College of Biological Sciences in 2019. Her interest in health justice for people with an incarceration history, passion for substance use disorder advocacy, and eagerness to be involved in health policy then led her to Providence, RI. There, she completed a one-year fellowship with the Center for Health + Justice Transformation of Brown University. Upon moving to Columbus, she served as a caseworker for people who face homelessness, became mentor for Camp Mariposa - a national camp for children affected by a parent’s substance use disorder, and led a harm reduction interest group through Harm Reduction Ohio. Bridget came to the Michaels Lab in 2021, and her current research involves substance use disorder, child maltreatment, and homelessness. Outside of lab, Bridget enjoys trail running, scuba diving, and vegan cooking. In June 2023, Bridget was named a Bloomberg Fellow.
Yeliani R. Flores, RA, MSW
Research Associate
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Yeliani Flores is a Research Assistant in the Michaels Lab at the Center for Research Injury and Policy. She received her Master of Social Work at The Ohio State University and is currently a PhD student. Her research is focused on gender-based violence against marginalized women, including immigrant women of color. Additionally, her research interests lie in teen dating violence prevention, systemic responses to intimate partner violence, service access and intimate partner violence effects on children.
Ashley Short Meija, MSW
Clinical Research Coordinator Team Lead
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Ashley Short Mejia is a Clinical Research Coordinator Team Lead in Dr. Nichole Michaels’ Lab at the Center for Injury Research and Policy. In this role, Ashley coordinates research projects related to the prevention of morbidity and mortality from drug overdoses and other injury and violence-related topics. Ashley received a BS in Social Work from The Ohio State University with a minor in City and Regional Planning and an MSW from Boston University School of Social Work. She brings prior experience studying community-based participatory action research, youth homelessness, and substance use.
Alumni Staff
Zara Ali, MPH
Jacob Holycross, MPH
Maddie Lewis, BS
Spencer Long, MSW
Madison Nurre, MPH, MSW
Natalie Vargas. BS