How we Started

Dr. Srishti Sardana founded the mhSEVA Lab to reimagine mental health research through a lens of justice, dignity, and community partnership. Soon after its founding in the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Miwaukee, Dr. Sardana was joined by Dr. Anne Renaud, a long-standing collaborator in global mental health as the lab’s Associate Director.  They were drawn together by a shared frustration with top-down global health models that often overlook lived experience and local knowledge. Their goal was to build a space where research and care are co-created with communities, not just for them. mhSEVA was born out of this vision: to make mental health care more accessible, culturally grounded, and truly collaborative. 

• Assistant professor, Department of Psychology | Principle Investigator Milwaukee Trauma Outcomes Project, Medical College of Wisconsin
• PhD 2023, Columbia University
• Previously National Institute of Health – Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Fellow at Johns Hopkins University

Research focus:

Mental health and population health of vulnerable populations, both domestically and internationally with a special focus in war and conflict settings. I also explore the interlinkages of non-communicable diseases and social dysfunction with mental health comorbidities and design advanced measurement and methodologies in social networks for the study of social determinants of health, cohesion and conflict in humanitarian settings.

Research discoveries:

Despite the horrors of war and tragedies of displacement, social support and contextually-adapted, evidence-based care brings hope and essential resources to people who have lost everything, including the significant people in their lives, rights, and dignity. I continue to discover ways to reduce human suffering globally.

Current projects:

In collaboration with the United Nations, Office of Refugee Resettlement, academic partners and colleagues, I am currently prototyping effectiveness frameworks to design, evaluate and integrate evidence-based, low-cost, culturally and contextually validated mental health treatments for most-at-risk-populations including torture survivors, refugees, and forcibly displaced communities.

Fun Fact:

I am an accidental academic! I have been a corrections officer in a juvenile sex offender special unit in India; entrepreneur leading a non-profit; aspiring Cricketer, and a motorcyclist. I live with my 2 year old Corgi “Kashi” who loves to paddleboard, camp, and hike from water to the wood!

Dr. Anne Renaud is a Clinical Psychologist and Global Mental Health scientist, licensed in the state of California. Her passion for contributing to the flourishing and study of human beings began with her sociology-focused interdisciplinary studies as an undergraduate at Kalamazoo College in Michigan. Dr. Renaud trained and worked in a wide variety of settings including labor organizing, criminal justice reform, academic research, and community mental health.

The fulfillment Dr. Renaud experienced working in community mental health settings led her to seek her doctorate in clinical psychology with the goal of both expanding her clinical skillset and systematically exploring ways to make mental health treatment more accessible and effective for populations who are often overlooked. She found an ideal fit in Dr. Lena Verdeli’s Global Mental Health lab at Columbia University. Here, Dr. Renaud supported large-scaleclinical research trials in Lebanon, Uganda, and the United States. Her own dissertation research focused on the implementation of a training program for providers treating perinatal depression in New York City, pre and post COVID-19 pandemic.

Dr. Renaud relocated to Los Angeles to complete her clinical training at Twin Towers Correctional Facility and Century Regional Detention Facility, two jails in the Los Angeles County system serving incarcerated men and women with severe mental illness. Dr. Renaud then completed a postdoctoral fellowship with advanced training in trauma and community-based treatment at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center.

A Chicago native, Dr. Renaud continues to enjoy her time in Los Angeles with her husband, baby daughter, and two mischievous eternal kittens. In addition to her work with mhSEVA, she provides psychotherapy in outpatient and residential settings. Outside of work, she loves spending time in nature, yoga, pilates, exploring new areas, and spending time with friends and family.

Research Assistants & Students

Doctoral Students

Angela Paredes Montero is a doctoral student of the mhSEVA Lab in the Clinical Psychology Ph.D. program at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee. She holds a Master’s degree in Psychology from Teachers College, Columbia University, and a Bachelor’s degree in Translation and Interpretation from Universidad Femenina del Sagrado Corazón. Prior to her graduate studies, she served as a medic in the U.S. Army Reserve, focusing on suicide prevention.

Since 2021, Angela has collaborated with the Global Mental Health Lab at Teachers College to adapt and deliver Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT) and Interpersonal Counseling (IPC‑3) in refugee, civilian, and military communities across Peru and Ecuador. Using a training‑of‑trainers model and support from UNHCR and local humanitarian organizations, these projects build local capacity to provide evidence‑based mental health services.

Her research interests center on cross‑cultural implementation science. She studies how linguistic and cultural factors shape the expression of distress and recovery, with an emphasis on identifying language patterns that could aid in early detection of depression and inform suicide‑prevention strategies. At the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, she plans to explore how real‑world contexts influence the effectiveness of mental health interventions. She is particularly interested in ecological momentary assessment tools for real‑time tracking of mood and behavior and in designing community‑based interventions that integrate the lived experiences of those they serve. Angela enjoys traveling, open water swimming, and celebrating birthdays.

Master’s Students

Currently a Masters in Public Health candidate at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, Dr. Guluzade brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the mhSEVA lab. In addition to holding a Medical Doctor (MD) degree from Azerbaijan Medical University, Dr. Guluzade works as a consultant for the NCD division of the WHO Regional Office for Europe focusing on trans-fat elimination, school nutrition promotion, and salt reduction initiatives.

Dr. Guluzade is interested in integrated approaches to addressing non-communicable diseases and mental health, focusing on how environmental determinants of health and climate change contribute to these public health challenges. Additionally, she is passionate about exploring ways to make scientific research more applicable in practice and using systems thinking to tackle complex public health issues. As a young public specialist, she aspires to contribute to the expansion of existing evidence on the interconnectedness between environmental health and NCDs, including mental health. She also aims to develop new frameworks and approaches for tailored responses to pressing NCD and mental health needs across communities.
Outside of her various scholarly pursuits, Dr. Guluzade is a self-made beginner level “ornithologist,” thanks to her experience of caring for her parakeets in low-resource settings! She speaks four languages and enjoys jigsaw puzzles, video games, and instant photography—although she does not have much time for hobbies these days!

Interim Students

Madeera holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychobiology with a minor in Global Health from University of California, Los Angeles and a Master of Science in Global Health from the University of California, San Francisco. Her academic and professional work has focused on advancing mental health equity through research and program evaluation, particularly for children and adolescents impacted by trauma, forced migration, and acculturation stress.

Her current research interests center on the evaluation and implementation of evidence-based mental health programs for conflict-affected populations, with a strong emphasis on community-based approaches that are culturally responsive.

Madeera is currently volunteering with the mhSEVA lab, contributing to a project based in Bangladesh in partnership with the Asian University for Women. She is supporting efforts to conduct a comprehensive mental health and needs assessment aimed at informing scalable and context-sensitive mental health programming for young women in transitional settings.

When she’s not at her desk Madeera loves exploring new hiking trails – ideally ones that lead to waterfalls and coffee after!

Aditi Dalela is a public health practitioner with a background in mental health, child protection, and global health. She has worked across various direct service settings, supporting survivors of sexual assault, state-sanctioned torture, and children with emotional and behavioral disorders – experiences that have shaped her understanding of systemic inequities and fueled her commitment to trauma-informed, community-centered approaches.

Aditi holds a BA in Psychology with a concentration in Community and Global Health from Macalester College and recently completed her Master of Public Health at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, where she concentrated in Humanitarian Health. Her research interests include child welfare and protection, gender-based violence prevention, and mental health care in conflict and displacement settings. Her MPH capstone examined the role of informal support within gender-based violence care systems for adolescent girls experiencing intimate partner violence in the context of child marriage in refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh. Currently, as a research assistant with the Center for Indigenous Health, she is contributing to a strengths-based measurement repository for Indigenous communities. She brings skills in qualitative and quantitative research, participatory methods, program evaluation, and policy analysis, and is committed to advancing context-responsive models of care.

Outside of her research, Aditi finds joy and grounding in textile and fiber arts (especially kantha embroidery, natural dyeing, and painting), which offer space for reflection, storytelling, and creative rest.

Manthan Mehta holds a Master of Science in Biostatistics from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and a Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) from YMT Dental College and Hospital in India. His academic and professional background bridges clinical knowledge with advanced statistical and data analytical skills, enabling him to contribute meaningfully to interdisciplinary health research.
Manthan is currently involved with the mhSEVA Lab, where he supports research on mental health and misinformation. His work includes statistical modeling, literature review, and data analysis using SPSS and R to identify behavioral trends and risk factors across populations. He has also contributed to longitudinal research projects focusing on clinical and genomic data, using both traditional statistical approaches and machine learning methods.
Prior to joining the lab, Manthan worked on diverse research projects ranging from survival analysis in heart failure patients to genomic biomarker identification in cancer. He is passionate about integrating data science with public health to develop evidence-based insights for improving health outcomes.
When he’s away from his desk, Manthan enjoys exploring different cultures through food and music, and finds balance in long walks and listening to instrumental soundtracks, which help him recharge and stay focused.

Krishna is a recent graduate of Columbia University’s Master of Public Health program, where she studied Population and Family Health with a certificate in Climate and Health. She completed her undergraduate degree in Health Studies with a minor in International Studies at the University of Waterloo.

At mhSEVA, Krishna is currently supporting the KenTanBur project, contributing to research that strengthens the training of community mental health workers. She is particularly interested in how climate change and broader social determinants shape mental health outcomes in global communities that have been historically underserved or excluded from systems of care. Her approach is grounded in a commitment to community leadership, traditional knowledge, and the integration of diverse healing practices. Krishna is especially passionate about holistic and culturally rooted approaches to mental health that make space for more inclusive systems of support. Through her academic and work experiences, she has explored topics like climate-resilient food systems, postpartum mental health, health inequities affecting agricultural workers, and barriers for BIPOC students in higher education.

Outside of work, Krishna loves creative activities that help her slow down, like painting or doing henna. She also enjoys spending time in nature and hanging out with her dog. Fun fact, she once worked on an aquaponics farm, which sparked her love for community healing in green spaces!

Undergraduate Students

Nathan is a member of the mhSEVA Lab through Project KenTanBur. He earned a B.S. in Information Science and Technology from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee and previously worked in software development and design before transitioning into healthcare. He now works as a telemetry technician at Aurora Health Care and is completing pre-medical coursework while volunteering in clinical settings.His interests lie at the intersection of technology, mental health, and cultural context. With a background in technology, he is drawn to the conceptual parallels between the brain and computer systems. He is especially interested in how the rapid adoption of technology is shaping mental health in modern life, and wants to be part of addressing the growing challenges that come with it. Nathan is also curious about the discoveries yet to come, viewing the brain as a new frontier in science, medicine, and technology. As a Hmong-American, he hopes to serve refugee and immigrant communities like the one he grew up in, recognizing the structural and cultural barriers these families often face when accessing care.Outside of academics and research, Nathan volunteers with refugee support organizations in Milwaukee and at the Aurora Medical Center in Grafton. In his free time, he explores storytelling through video game development, filmmaking, and clothing design.

I’m Pedro Rodriguez, a senior at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee majoring in psychology. I started out at Milwaukee Area Technical College, earned my associate degree there, and then transferred to UWM. I’m a McNair and Lawton Scholar, and I’m also working on certificates in Childhood and Adolescent Studies, Autism Spectrum Disorders, and Quantitative Social Data Analysis. My main research interests are trauma, cognitive development, and hyper-empathy, especially how early experiences and neurodivergent traits influence emotional processing and how people interact with the world.

Right now, I’m part of a few research labs that look at mental health and development from different angles. In Dr. Klein-Tasman’s Child Neurodevelopment Research Lab, I help with studies on attention in children with Neurofibromatosis Type 1 and ADHD, using EEG, behavioral tasks, and parent-report questionnaires. In the Hannula Lab, we’re focused on how memory and attention work together, using eye-tracking to see how people respond to what they’ve seen before. I’m also involved in the Nagy Lab, which looks at how social and cultural factors impact mental health in underserved communities. And in Dr. Sardana’s mhSEVA Lab, I support community-based mental health projects in global settings, with a focus on culturally responsive care.

With McNair, I’m also developing a research project on hyper-empathy. My theory is that hyper-empathy comes from a mix of strong cognitive skills and traumatic childhood experiences. I believe people with hyper-empathy often have advanced reasoning and analytical abilities, similar to traits seen in some autistic individuals, and that these abilities, when combined with early trauma, can lead to intense emotional sensitivity. This kind of empathy can be hard to manage and may affect mental health, boundaries, and relationships. My goal is to understand how both biology and environment shape hyper-empathy so we can better support people who experience it in ways that make daily life more difficult. Long-term, I want to go to grad school and get a Ph.D. in Psychology. I want to fight for real change in mental health care that creates a catalysm that brings more people into higher education also, help communities like mine that are too often overlooked.

Outside of school, I’m a dad to my three-year-old son, Lucas. He’s my whole world. Spending time with him, watching Disney or Marvel movies, going to the park, or just hanging out, is what keeps me grounded.  I also run a trading card business where I organize Yu-Gi-Oh! tournaments. Between parenting, school, and work, life is full, but everything I do is to build something better for him and for people like us.

Being a first-generation college student, Puerto Rican, and autistic, I’ve had to push through a lot to get here. I’ve dealt with anxiety, depression, and trauma, and those experiences are a big part of why I care so much about this work. I want to use what I’ve learned, through research and real life, to create space for people who usually get left out. Whether it’s through mental health, education, or both, I’m committed to helping build systems that actually work for people like me and the communities I come from.

Rafia Mahboob is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Public Health with a certificate in Health Care Informatics at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee. She is passionate about the intersection of public health, technology, and equity, and hopes to build a career in healthcare focused on improving access, quality, and outcomes for underserved populations.

At the mhSEVA Lab, Rafia works as a research assistant on the Mental Health Needs Assessment of Women Students at the Asian University for Women(AUW). She is excited to gain hands-on research experience while contributing to projects that aim to improve health and wellbeing.

Her interests include refugee and immigrant health, environmental health challenges, and the use of data-driven tools to expand access to care. She is especially drawn to community-centered approaches that prioritize equity and sustainability.

Outside of academics, Rafia enjoys photography and henna design as creative outlets. She speaks English, Bengali, Hindi, and Urdu, and hopes to continue learning new languages. A fun fact about her is that she loves combining her creative and academic interests to explore innovative ways of connecting with communities.

I am a freshman at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. I will be majoring in psychology and look forward to achieving my PhD. I have 2+ years of experience in a clinical setting and a year participating in a cohort which explored cadaver study. My role in the mhSEVA: KenTanBur project is as a Research Assistant. My topics of interests include longitudinal, social and cognitive development, and childhood adverse experience(s) in relation to mental health disorders. 

My passion for research began with my involvement in several UW Madison youth studies, as a subject, which sparked my curiosity for psychology. During the studies, I had the opportunity to ask questions and learn more about myself, as well as those who differed from me. Unfortunately, there continues to be a global absence of diverse perspectives within research efforts. Which is why I desire to become a part of an organization that provides the space for underrepresented and vulnerable groups within mental healthcare and cognitive research.

Outside of school, I like to keep myself busy by exploring nature trails, working at a local veterinary clinic in my hometown, and volunteering with community educational / advocacy events. I love to stay on my feet, but can appreciate some down-time with my two kitties, Toby and Howard.

Currently, I’m studying Economics, Computer Science, and Applied Mathematics. My goal is to combine quantitative analysis with advancing healthcare equity. This semester, I will be working with the mSeva Lab, where I am excited to contribute to projects that use technology to expand access to healthcare and essential services. I am interested in how data-driven tools can improve efficiency, equity, and quality of care in resource-limited settings. My long-term goal is to pursue a career in global health and medicine, integrating research, policy, and practice to design innovative solutions that address systemic disparities in care. Beyond academics, I have worked as a tutor, nanny, and server, these experiences taught me adaptability, leadership, and empathy. In my free time, I enjoy traveling, exploring new cuisines, taking art classes, and staying active. I’m excited to bring curiosity, creativity, and a commitment to health equity to the mSeva Lab team. organization that provides the space for underrepresented and vulnerable groups within mental healthcare and cognitive research.

Melina is a senior pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and she is projected to graduate in Spring of 2026. She holds an Associate of Arts and Sciences degree, from UWM.At the mhSEVA lab, she works as a research assistant on the KenTanBur project. She’s interested in exploring the intersections of mental health, identity, and social systems. With emphasis on how cultural identity, stigma, and systemic inequities shape mental health outcomes and access to care. Her academic and volunteer experiences reflect commitment to both research and practice, with ongoing work in hospital volunteerism and service as a Peer Mentor in the Lawton Undergraduate Minority Retention Grant Program. She hopes to pursue a PhD in Counseling Psychology, bridging research and clinical practice.Melina’s approach is guided by values of empathy, cultural inclusivity, and creating safe spaces for growth. She’s passionate about holistic and identity-affirming approaches to mental health, as well as expanding access to supportive systems for marginalized communities and families.Outside of academics, Melina enjoys sketching, photography, playing the cello, tennis, reading, and writing immersive world-building projects. She enjoys crafting stories that weave together themes of identity, memory, and resilience, often drawing inspiration from her academic studies. She also values meaningful travel experiences and is excited to continue broadening her perspective through international study and cultural immersion!

All the art on this website was created by artist Sawab Mukhtar.