Ivan Molton, PhD
Lab Director & Principal Investigator
Ivan Molton, PhD is a Rehabilitation Psychologist & Professor at the University of Washington. His research involves psychological adaptation to physical and cognitive disability, especially among older adults. His current research focuses on promoting community participation for people with disabilities, and on minimizing psychological distress associated with a new medical diagnosis. Ivan is also the Co-Director of the UW Aging and Disability Policy Research Fellowship, which provides training in healthcare policy research.
In his free time, Ivan loves sea kayaking, backpacking, creating bad electronic music, and spending time with his wife and twin daughters.
Nova Rivera, MSW/MPH, LICSWA, Social Worker II & Lab Manager
Nova is the lead social worker & lab manager in the RADAR Lab. He received his MSW (Health Social Work) and MPH (Health Services) at the University of Washington. Before working with the Community Health Study, he worked on research studies regarding mental health services for middle aged and older adults with Major Depressive Disorder.
In his spare time, he likes to keep busy by knitting, playing his bass guitar, and spending time with his two chihuahuas.
Katie Singsank, Research Coordinator
Katie is originally from Minnesota and moved to Washington to attend the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma where she studied Psychology and Neuroscience. Katie brings previous research experience with her to this role, having worked on pediatric endocrinology and gastroenterology FDA clinical trials, as well as previous research at UW in adult emergency medicine.
In her free time, Katie likes to go for walks along the Puget Sound, hike, play board games, and pet any dog she encounters.
Aaron Flaster, Research Study Coordinator II
As a study coordinator, Aaron works on recruitment, scheduling, eligibility screening, and other tasks to keep the projects running smoothly. Previously, Aaron was a Research Study Assistant in a UW child & adolescent psychology lab, examining how stress and trauma impact brain and emotional development in children and adolescents. Aaron graduated from Lewis & Clark College in 2013 in Portland, OR.
In their free time, Aaron enjoys swimming, reading, and spending time outdoors.
Leah Munroe, LSWAA, Social Worker
Leah is a social worker in the RADAR lab. She received her MSW (Clinical Social Work) at Tulane School of Social Work. Prior to working in the RADAR lab, she lived in New Orleans and was a counselor for individuals experiencing addiction.
In her spare time, Leah enjoys traveling and hiking with her two dogs, playing sports, and kayaking.
Dr. Hannah Kaufman, PhD, MPH, Post-doctoral Fellow
Hannah is a post-doctoral fellow working remotely with the RADAR Lab. She earned both her PhD (Department of Social, Behavioral, and Population Sciences) and MPH (Department of Global Health Systems and Development) from the Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine. She served as a 2017-2018 Fulbright U.S. Student Researcher in Paraguay, where she also served as a Peace Corps Volunteer from 2008 to 2010. Today her research interests focus on health equity and access among vulnerable and marginalized populations, specifically the needs of aging populations and the societies in which they are aging.
In her free time, Hannah enjoys spending time with her family and friends, and being near the water.
Dr. Suyoung Kwon, PhD, MPH, BSN, Post-doctoral Fellow
Suyoung is a post-doctoral fellow working with the RADAR Lab. She obtained her PhD (Nursing Science) at the University of Washington and MPH (Industrial and Community Health) at the Catholic University of Korea. Prior to studying for her PhD, she worked as an occupational health nurse in Korea. Her research interests include musculoskeletal disorders, ergonomics, health policy, and older populations.
In her free time, she enjoys traveling, running, hiking and spending time with friends and family.
Lab Alumni – Research Staff
Ashton Wills, LICSWA, Social Worker
Ashton was a social worker in the RADAR Lab, focusing on the Community Health Study & CALMS Study. Ashton received her MSW (Clinical Social Work) at Seattle University and holds a Chemical Dependency Professional Trainee (CDPt) license with the state of Washington. Before joining the RADAR Lab, Ashton worked as a case manager with adults experiencing mental health and substance abuse disorders.
In her spare time, Ashton prides herself on being a Crazy Cat Lady and enjoys coffee, chocolate, thrift and antique stores, and warm naps in the sun.
Shreya Pakalpati, Research Study Assistant
Shreya is the Research Assistant in the RADAR Lab. She is originally from India but grew up all over Asia and moved to WA State to pursue her undergraduate degrees in Psychology and English at the University of Washington, Seattle. Before joining the Molton lab, Shreya was involved in research focused on resilience, language, and learning, and has worked at the UW Disability Resources for Students (DRS).
Outside of research, Shreya is passionate about volunteering, traveling, painting, reading, baking, and recently collecting vinyl records.
Doris Yang, Research Study Assistant
Doris was a research study assistant in the RADAR lab. Doris is a recent graduate (2021) at the University of Washington, where she studied biology. Prior to the lab, she was a health scholar at Swedish medical center where she assisted with basic care for patients. She is passionate about helping underserved communities.
In her spare time, she likes spending time in nature, watching movies, exercising, and hanging out with friends.
Lab Alumni – Post-Doctoral Fellows & Research Scientists
Salom Teshale, PhD, Post-Doctoral Fellow
Salom Teshale is currently a Policy Associate in the National Academy for State Health Policy’s Chronic and Vulnerable Populations team, working on projects related to family caregiving and palliative care. As a NIDILRR fellow at the University of Washington, Salom conducted research on aging and well-being in adults aging with long-term disability, and worked at the Administration for Community Living’s Center for Policy and Evaluation in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. She holds a PhD from Brandeis University in social/developmental psychology, and her research interests include strategies to improve well-being in midlife and older age. In her free time, she enjoys reading and writing fiction, hiking, and watching soccer.
Jennifer Wong, PhD, Post-Doctoral Fellow
Jennifer is an experimental psychologist who relies on her research background to guide her current policy work. Social determinants of health/health-related social needs, health care delivery, successful aging in place, behavioral health across the lifespan, the impact of the built environment, and community stakeholder engagement are of great interest to her. In her first year as a NIDILRR Fellow, she investigated health care utilization in older adults with long-term physical disability. In her second year, she partnered locally with Seattle-King County Public Health and the Washington State Health Care Authority. In her free time, she continues to grow her new business – JLW Health Consulting.
Anne Ordway, PhD, Research Scientist & Post-Doctoral Fellow
Anne Ordway, PhD, was a post-doctoral fellow and then a Research Scientist in the UW RADAR Lab. Anne is currently a Program Specialist at the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR), Administration for Community Living, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Anne oversees the disability and aging research and health policy research portfolios for NIDILRR. She is the Program Manager of the NIDILRR Advanced Rehabilitation Research and Training (ARRT) Program, which includes 28 institutions of higher education and research focused on preparing the next cadre of disability and rehabilitation researchers, practitioners, and policymakers.
UW RADAR Lab 