Kendall Darfler, MS

Kendall is Co-Principal Investigator of the UCLA Outcomes Analysis of the California BHRRP and the MAT Expansion Projects. She holds an MS in Science and Technology Studies (STS), an interdisciplinary field that examines the sociopolitical dynamics of science, technology and medicine. She has ten years of professional research experience, and joined UCLA ISAP in 2012. Her research and advocacy interests include substance use policy, harm reduction strategies, peer delivered behavioral health services, and the politics of design.

Valerie Antonini, MPH

Valerie is the Program Manager for the Outcomes Analysis of the BHRRP and MAT Expansion Projects. She is currently a project director and manager at UCLA ISAP, overseeing several large-scale projects. Over the last 10 years, she has had the opportunity to manage much of the project portfolio led by Dr. Urada. She has experience organizing and facilitating several large-scale initiatives (national and international), managing several large scale budgets, and has the capability to supervise day-to-day activities to execute multiple and simultaneous project designs.

Brittany Bass, PhD

Dr. Bass is the Economist for the Outcomes Analysis of the MAT Expansion Project. Prior to joining UCLA, she was an Assistant Professor of Economics at Sacramento State University. Brittany is a health economist, primarily researching the impact of policies related to substance use disorder treatment on youth and adult health and economic outcomes. Her past research has focused on examining the impact of sex education mandates, maternity leave laws, minimum wages, and technology funding.

Liliana Gregorio, BS

Liliana is the Data Manager for the Outcomes Analysis of the MAT Expansion Project. In this role, she manages the electronic data reporting portal for all SOR-funded projects. She collects and cleans all quantitative data, manages portal updates, and serves as liaison to SOR-funded project staff. Liliana holds a bachelor’s degree in Social Work and has 17 years of professional research experience. Her previous research included studies on the criminal legal system and the impact of maternal HIV/AIDS on children.

Aida Santos, BS

Aida is a Research Coordinator for the Outcomes Analysis of the MAT Expansion Project. In this role, she takes the lead in coordinating the Your Voice, Our Community survey. She contributes to data collection, interview instrument and study protocol development, qualitative data analysis, and manuscript and report preparation. Previously, she worked on a longitudinal study to assess the impact of maternal HIV/AIDS on children. Aida holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and has worked at UCLA ISAP for over 20 years.

Mackenzie Carroll, MS

Mackenzie is the Project Director for the Outcomes Analysis of BHRRP. In this role, she oversees the execution and management of the outcomes analysis of a large, statewide project. Mackenzie holds an MS in Human Development and Family Studies from the University of Alabama and joined UCLA ISAP in 2022. Her research interests include school-based prevention, inequalities in health services, and health-risk behaviors in rural settings.

Diane Hilderbrand, BS

Diane is a Research Associate and Data Coordinator for the Outcomes Analysis of the MAT Expansion Project, including the Tribal MAT Analysis project. In this role, she contributes to data collection, cleaning, both qualitative and quantitative data analysis, and the development of surveys, research instruments and study protocols. She also assists with report and manuscript writing. Diane has her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from UCLA and has previous research experience studying the Misuse and Diversion of Prescription Stimulants on College Campuses.

Jailah Johnson, BS

Jailah is a Research Associate for the Outcomes Analysis of the BHRRP Project. In this role, she contributes to conducting literature reviews, data collection, and qualitative analysis. Jailah graduated from UCLA Spring ’21 and received her bachelor’s degree in Sociology and African American Studies. She has a passion for public health research with previous research studying COVID- 19 vaccination rates in the Black community and issues relating to access to healthcare resources and services in vulnerable populations.

Eva Vazquez, BS

Eva is a Research Coordinator for the Outcomes Analysis of the BHRRP and MAT Expansion Projects. In this role, she advises on management of the electronic data reporting portal, monitors data collection and cleaning activities, and assists with quantitative data analysis. She has worked at UCLA ISAP for over 20 years, and her previous research experience includes the Los Angeles County Evaluation System (LACES) and administration of the ISAP Data Management Center.

Dorothy Irrera, BA

Dorothy is the Writer for the California State Opioid Response Program (SOR) and the Behavioral Health Response and Rescue Project (BHRRP). She graduated from Skidmore College with Departmental Honors in her English Language and Literature major, as well as obtaining a Media and Film Studies minor. Specifically, Dorothy specializes in research-based analytical writing. Through her role as Writer, Dorothy writes and edits data briefs as well as focuses on the aesthetics of the data dashboard.