Meet Our Team

Amy Knopf (She/Her),

PhD, MPH, RN, FAAN

I am one of the Principal Investigators (PIs) on this project and an Assistant Professor in the Indiana University School of Nursing. My research focuses on HIV prevention in teenagers and young adults in the US and internationally. 

Fun facts: I have competed in triathlons and have a very strong dislike of butterscotch.

Andrés Carrión

(They/He; Elle/Él) 

M.S., M.A., NCC

I am the project manager for the C-START study. I have spent many years working in youth HIV prevention research. I am also an HIV tester and mental health therapist in Chicago, IL.

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Fun fact: I have three fur babies: a French bulldog named Junior, and two cats names Uni and Mochi.

Michael Neblo (He/Him)

PhD, MA

I am a professor of political science and (by courtesy) philosophy, communication, and public policy at The Ohio State University where I also direct the Institute for Democratic Engagement and Accountability (IDEA). My research focuses on deliberative democracy and political psychology. 

Fun fact: as a boy I worked as a golf caddy and from that won an Evans Scholarship to attend college.

Darnell Motley (He/Him),

PhD

I am a Research Assistant Professor at the University of Chicago. My research focuses on impacts of HIV on Black sexual and gender minority communities. In particular, I try to emphasize the voice of community members in my research.

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Fun facts: When I was 16 years old, I was an opening act for a night of poetry with Dr. Maya Angelou. Also, I’m currently writing a fantasy novel and have a newfound interest in using artificial intelligence to produce art.

Carolyn Meagher (She/Her/They), BA, CCRP

I am a research coordinator for adolescent medicine at Indiana University. I also work as a sexual health educator/trainer.

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Fun fact: Abraham Lincoln is part of my family tree.

Alex Limas (He/Him),

MSW

I am currently the HIV Prevention Program Manager at Children's Hospital Colorado and an adjunct instructor at the Graduate School of Social Work at the University of Denver. I am originally from Texas where I started my career working in sexual health promotion and education.

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Fun Fact: I was in a tortilla commercial as a kid.

Mary Ott (She/Her),

MD, MA

I am an adolescent medicine physician and pediatric ethicist, and one of the PIs on this project. My research focuses on adolescent pregnancy and HIV prevention, and minor consent capacity and confidentiality.

Fun fact: I have two teenagers at home, so am re-learning adolescent medicine from the ground up!

Amy Lee

(She/Her)

I am the Associate Director of the Institute for Democratic Engagement & Accountability at the Ohio State University. I lead implementation on the Connecting to Congress initiative, which uses digital deliberative engagement to create alignment and trust between citizens and their elected representatives, as well as other Institute programs.

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Fun fact: I have broken 3 keyboards in seven years with my furious typing.

Renata Arrington-Sanders

(She/Her)

MD, MPH, ScM

I am an Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. My research interests include STI and HIV, prevention, adolescent diabetes management, and school-based health center needs.

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Fun fact: I am currently training for a marathon.

Diane Straub (She/Her),

MD, MPH

I am a Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Colorado, and my clinical and research interests focus on family planning/contraception, and STIs/HIV prevention, screening, and treatment. 

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Fun Fact:  I am a lifetime competitive swimmer.

Terry Dudley (He/Him)

I am a Black queer activist with extensive knowledge and experience regarding STI and HIV prevention, testing, and treatment among men who have sex with men and the LGBTQ+ community. I also have a strong history and involvement as a community organizer. I grew up on the Southside of Chicago, an experience that shaped my understanding of the needs of queer folks of color as well as their strengths and resilience. 

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Fun Fact: I love cooking and hiking on weekends and you can usually find me with a camera.