Our Team
The Global MHPSS Network is a group of expert practitioners, researchers, educators, and activists. We utilize community-engaged and human-centered approaches to support the needs of communities affected by adversity, including conflict, disaster, human rights abuses, migration, violence, and more.
Staff
Maria Vukovich
Pronouns: she/her
Associate Research Professor
Co-Director of IDP Trauma & Global Mental Health Program
Global MHPSS Network PI/Project Lead
BA, Psychology, Spanish
MA, International Disaster Psychology: Trauma & Global Mental Health
PhD, Research Methods & Statistics, Human Rights & Global Health Concentrations
Maria Vukovich, PhD, is an applied research methodologist and statistician with interests in human rights, global health, migration, intergenerational trauma, integrated care, and violence prevention. For over 15 years, Maria has led applied research and evaluation of humanitarian and direct service programs with populations affected by conflict, human rights abuses, and migration. Her research utilizes human-centered and participatory mixed method approaches and has included feasibility studies, randomized control trials, cross-cultural measurement studies, and large-scale population surveys with community-based organizations in global (East Africa, Latin America, Middle East and North Africa, Southeast Asia) and U.S. settings (Atlanta, Denver, Minneapolis-St Paul, Washington, DC). This work has been supported by the U.S. State Dept, U.S. Dept of Homeland Security, ORR, CDC, NIH, WHO, PAHO, IOM, USAID, UNHCR, and UNOCT. Her research has been published in Intervention: Journal of Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Areas of Armed Conflict, Journal of International Migration and Integration, Health and Social Care in the Community, BMC Family Practice, BMC Psychiatry, Traumatology, Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health, Torture Journal, Conflict and Health, and more.
maria.vukovich@du.edu
303-871-2478
Gwen Mitchell
Pronouns: she/her
Associate Professor
Co-Director of IDP Trauma & Global Mental Health Program
Global MHPSS Network Clinical Lead
BA, Psychology
PsyD, Clinical Psychology
Dr. Gwen Mitchell is a licensed clinical psychologist in the State of Colorado. She was the co-founder and Director of International and Clinical Services for SalusWorld, an International NGO that focused on healing the invisible scars of trauma worldwide. She also maintains a private practice and conducts psychological evaluations for asylum seekers, T and U Visas for the US immigration courts. Dr. Mitchell has worked for many years as a trainer, consultant, and program developer for humanitarian organizations including Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontièrs, the Center for Victims of Torture, and the Open Society Foundation.
gwen.mitchell@du.edu
303-871-3510
Neena Jain
Pronouns: she/her
Global MHPSS Network Project Manager
BA, Human Biology, Stanford University
MS, Tropical Public Health, Harvard School of Public Health
MD, SUNY Brooklyn Health Sciences Center
Diploma in Tropical Medicine & Hygiene, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
Dr. Neena Jain, MD, MSTPH, DTM&H, has been working for three decades in global health, humanitarian assistance, and international development, including social determinants of health, decolonization, strategic planning, program design, project management and implementation, monitoring/evaluation/learning, and impact measurement. Dr. Jain's work in international humanitarian assistance and global health included serving as Program Manager, Country Medical Director, Health Sector Lead, and Technical Advisor with international organizations throughout Sub-Saharan Africa, South and Southeast Asia, and the Caribbean, including Doctors Without Borders, International Medical Corps, Australian Aid International, Save the Children, and the World Health Organization. Building on this experience, she designed and directed a global nonprofit organization dedicated to emboldening locally led solutions with marginalized communities globally, navigating over 90 community-led partnerships in 25 countries.
Dr. Jain currently teaches with DU's Office of Internationalization, previously directed the Program in Humanitarian Assistance at the Josef Korbel School of International Studies, and led core courses in the Global Health Affairs Program. She has also directed the Center for Community Safety and Resilience at the University of Colorado Denver School of Public Affairs and created innovative courses with multiple schools at the University of Colorado Anschutz. After becoming board certified in Emergency Medicine, Dr. Jain was an Attending Physician at Swedish and Denver Health Medical Centers. She has also completed epidemiological studies and public heath projects with the Epidemic Intelligence Service at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Student Coordinators
Diksha Shaileshkumar Patel
Pronouns: she/her
Languages: Hindi, Gujarati, English
Diksha is from India and is passionate about improving mental health services in her home country. She has worked as a crisis counselor, and her long-term aspirations include pursuing an LPC and PsyD in clinical psychology after graduation. She is interested in culturally responsive interventions and exploring how trauma is understood across different cultures. Diksha holds a BS in Biological Sciences.
Dora Sanchez
Pronouns: she/her
Languages: Spanish, English
Dora is from Virginia and identifies as a first-generation Hispanic American with Mexican and El Salvadoran heritage. She has worked in community mental health settings as a case manager, and plans to pursue an LPC and LAC after graduation to work in public policy and advocacy. Dora holds a BS in both Psychology and Sociology.
Mia Bush
Pronouns: she/her
Languages: English
Mia is from Florida and identifies as biracial and African American. She has worked as a behavioral health technical in community mental health settings as well as supported children and families affected by natural disasters in US and global settings. She is passionate about working in community outreach and the emergency preparedness and response sector. Mia holds a BA in Psychology.
Yara Balouk
Pronouns: she/her
Languages: Arabic, English
Yara is a first-generation immigrant from Syria. She grew up in Southern California in a Muslim household. Yara has worked as a case manager in community mental health settings, assisting survivors of domestic violence and sexual/physical assault. She also has experience working as an advocate for students with IEPs and 504-plans, family treatment drug court, and is passionate about holistic healing practices. Yara holds a BA in both Psychology and Social Behavior.
