Evans Lab Staff
Steven W. Evans, PhD
Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health
Steven.Evans@NationwideChildrens.org
Steven W. Evans, PhD, began his career as a special education teacher in a public elementary school and has focused his work since then on finding ways to enhance the opportunities for students with emotional and behavioral problems so they can succeed socially and academically. Working with his team and colleagues he also strives to identify ways to improve services for adolescents with ADHD and integrate care across clinics and schools.
Children with ADHD are at increased risk for many problems during adolescence including depression, problematic driving, substance use, school failure and relationship challenges. Dr. Evans and his team are working with others to identify methods for reducing these risks and preventing poor outcomes. Adolescence can be a very difficult developmental period for many, and it is particularly challenging for youth with ADHD and their families and teachers. Dr. Evans and his team prioritize collaboration between all involved to improve services and provide clues that can help us understand how to better make a difference for these families.
Alison Pence-Ward, MSW, LSW
Project Coordinator and School Implementation Liaison
Alison.PenceWard@NationwideChildrens.org
Alison Pence-Ward serves as a project coordinator and school implementation liaison at Nationwide Children’s, where she collaborates with schools, research teams and community partners to support the implementation of effective, evidence-based practices for students. She brings a background as a former middle school educator and school social worker, with experience in whole child initiatives, fostering positive school culture, staff development and data-informed decision-making. In her current role, Alison coordinates and supports school-based project implementation by providing training and consultation, while maintaining strong communication with school personnel to monitor progress and address challenges. She is passionate about advocating for students with social, emotional and behavioral needs and partnering with schools to strengthen systems of care. Alison earned her bachelor’s degree in middle childhood education from Otterbein University and her master’s degree in school social work from The Ohio State University.
Shreya Kupur Bhaskar, MPH
Research Associate
ShreyaKupur.Bhaskar@nationwidechildrens.org
Shreya Bhaskar serves as a research associate contributing to behavioral health research across educational and clinical settings. In her role, she coordinates research activities, supports data collection and ensures adherence to study protocols. She contributes to data analysis for research projects, grant proposals and manuscripts, and continues to build skills in advanced statistical methods and clinical research compliance, including Institutional Review Board procedures and data privacy practices. She also supports scientific writing and dissemination efforts, assisting with manuscripts, presentations and collaborative research projects. Shreya is committed to promoting health equity, strengthening applied research practices and contributing to meaningful improvements in behavioral health outcomes. She earned her bachelor’s degree in dental surgery from India and master's degree in public health from Boston University, which provided a strong foundation for her work in research and her continued professional development.
Emily Rosenthal
Postdoctoral Scientist
Emily Rosenthal, PhD, is a postdoctoral scientist in the Evans Lab. Dr. Rosenthal’s research focuses on the nature and impact of ADHD across development, with an emphasis on how individuals with ADHD navigate normatively challenging developmental transitions (e.g., adolescence, young adulthood) and the experiences of girls and women with the disorder. Dr. Rosenthal received her bachelor’s degree in human development from Cornell University and her master’s and doctoral degrees in (clinical) psychology from the University of California, Berkeley.
