Scholarships

 

Belfer-Aptman Scholarship Award

The Melissa Institute nurtures the work of young scientists by awarding annual scholarships to support doctoral students’ dissertation research in the field of violence prevention. The application deadline is April 1st of each year. Please see below for the application and requirements.
Application Information
 
64

Awards Given

  • 2023

    Carolyn Boyd Rogers
    Teresa Treat, Ph.D., Advisor
    University of Iowa
    "Personalized normative feedback on risk factors of alcohol related sexual assault: Are effects on normative misconception still evident after consuming a moderate dose of alcohol?”

    Jordyn Tipsword
    Christal L. Badour, Ph.D., Advisor
    University of Kentucky
    “The experience and regulation of posttraumatic shame among women with histories of interpersonal violence”

    Sarah Godoy
    Mimi Chapman, Ph.D., Advisor
    University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
    “Exploring commercial sexual exploitation initiated during preadolescence in the United States”
  • 2022

    Roxanna Shayesteh Ast
    Victoria Banyard, Ph.D., Advisor
    Rutgers University
    “Quality of Life among LGBTQ+ Survivors of IPV: A Sequential Exploratory Mixed Method Approach”

    Lea Marineau
    Jaquelyn Campbell, Ph.D., RN, FAAN, Advisor
    School of Social Work at John Hopkins University
    “Understanding Risk Factors, Including Substance Abuse, for Repeat Assault Related Injury”

    Melissa Renee Jenkins
    Cynthia Fraga Rizo, Ph.D., MSW, Advisor
    School of Social Work at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
    “Sex-Trafficking Prevention Education for Youth with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities: Promising Practices”
  • 2021

    Shaina Kumar, M.A.
    David DiLillo, Ph.D., Advisor
    University of Nebraska-Lincoln
    “Resilience to Adult Revictimization Among Survivors of Child and Adolescent Sexual Assault”

    Helen Hailes, M.A., M.Sc.
    Lisa Goodman, Ph.D., Advisor
    Boston College
    “When You Can’t Believe Your Own Eyes: A Mixed-Methods Investigation of Gaslighting in Intimate Partner Violence”

    Monique McKenny, M.S.Ed.
    Guerda Nicolas, Ph.D., Advisor
    University of Miami
    “Investigating the Protective Potential of Racial Socialization for Black Adolescent Health Outcomes”
  • 2020

    Jiepin Cao, BSN, RN, M.S
    Rosa Gonzalez-Guarda, Ph.D, MPH, RN, CPH, FAAN, Advisor
    Duke University
    “Understanding Intimate Partner Violence Among Chinese Women via the Lens of Social Determinants of Health and Intersectionality”

    Ashely Maxie-Moreman, M.Ed., M.A.
    Marie Guerda Nicolas, Ph.D., Advisor
    University of Miami
    “It Depends: Effects of Context on Ethnic-Racial Identity’s Protective Role for Black and Latina/o Emerging Adults”

    Susanna Park, M.A.
    Sunil Khanna, Ph.D., Co-Advisor
    Jangho Yoon, Ph.D., Co-Advisor
    Oregon State University
    “How Native American Women Seek Support as Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence”
  • 2019

    Jade Kinney, M.A.
    Evelyn Hunter, Ph.D., Advisor
    Auburn University
    “The Effect of Stereotype Threat on African Americans’ Perception of Police Officer Communication Accommodation”

    Robyn McClure, M.A., M.Ed.
    Shelley Hymel, Ph.D., Advisor
    University of British Columbia
    “Empathy and Defending in Bullying Episodes in Pre-adolescence”

    Hannah Rasmussen, M.A.
    Gayla Margolin, Ph.D., Advisor
    University of Southern California
    “Interrupting the Intergenerational Transmission of Aggression: Examining Physiological Reactivity to Infant Cries in Young Adults Before They Become Parents”
  • 2018

    Kiet D. Huynh, M.A.
    Debbiesiu Lee, Ph.D., Advisor
    University of Miami
    “Structural Equation Model of the Indirect Effect of Traumatic Heterosexism and Racism on PTSD Symptoms Through Coping Mediators in LGBT People of Color”

    Matthew Lee, M.A.
    Shelley Hymel, Ph.D., Advisor
    University of British Columbia
    “Do Teacher Responses to Peer Victimization Differ Based on Victim Emotional and Behavioral Problems?”
  • 2017

    Karen Trister Grace, Ph.D.(c), MSN, CNM
    Nancy Glass, Ph.D., MPH, PN, FAAN, Advisor
    Johns Hopkins University
    "Exploring Correlates of Reproductive Coercion Among Low-Income Latina Women"
  • 2016

    Lauren Gutman, B.A.
    Etiony Aldarondo, Ph.D., Co-Advisor
    Debbiesiu Lee, Ph.D., Co-Advisor
    University of Miami
    "Towards an Understanding of the Experiences of Commercially Sexually Exploited Children in Miami, Florida"

    Elizabeth A. Miller, M.S.
    Sandra T. Azar, Ph.D., Advisor
    Penn State University
    "Social Information Processing Deficits and Economic Stress in Disadvantaged Rural Fathers: Informing Child Maltreatment Prevention With an Understudied Population"
  • 2015

    Johnathan Duff, M.S.
    Isaac Prilleltensky, Ph.D., Advisor
    University of Miami
    "The Development and Initial Validation of a Multidimensional Scale of Fairness"

    Krithika Malhotra, M.A.
    Etiony Aldarondo, Ph.D., Advisor
    University of Miami
    "Domestic Violence Practitioners' Use of Research Evidence: Attitudes and Organizational Social Context"
  • 2014

    Amelia Swanson, M.S.
    Etiony Aldarondo, Ph.D., Advisor
    University of Miami
    "Posttraumatic Growth Among Latina Victims of Interpersonal Violence in Psychological Treatment"
  • 2013

    Sara L. Stromeyer, M.A.
    John E. Lochman, Ph.D., Advisor
    University of Alabama
    "Relationships Between the Hostile Attribution Bias and the Positive Illusory Bias in Aggressive Children and Their Mothers: The Role of Schemas and Intergenerational Influences"
  • 2012

    Sarah A. O. Gray, M.A.
    Alice S. Carter, Ph.D., Advisor
    University of Massachusetts Boston
    "The Role of Parent Insight in Young Children's Trauma Exposure: Testing a Relational Model of Risk and Resilience"

    Mrinalini Aroor Rao, M.A., M.S.
    Dorothy L. Espelage, Ph.D., Advisor
    University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
    "Peer Victimization and Substance Use in Early Adolescence: An Examination of Risk and Protective Factors"
  • 2011

    Stephanie Donnelly, M.Ed.
    Guerda Nicolas, Ph.D., Advisor
    University of Miami
    "Understanding the Experiences of Immigrant Mothers in Defining and Coping With Intimate Partner Violence"

    Michelle Kozey, M.A.
    Shelley Hymel, Ph.D. and Laurie Ford, Ph.D., Advisors
    Director of Clinical Training, Psychology University of British Columbia
    "Childhood Aggression and Executive Functions"

    Ryan Landoll, M.A.
    Annette M. La Greca, Ph.D., Advisor
    University of Miami
    "The New Frontier of Peer Victimization: Associations Between Adolescents On-line Peer Victimization and Internalizing Symptoms Over Time"
  • 2010

    Lydia Barhight, M.A.
    Julie A. Hubbard, Ph.D., Advisor
    University of Delaware
    "Children's Physiological and Emotional Reactions to Witnessing Bullying"

    Heidi Kar, M.H.S., M.A.
    K. Daniel O'Leary, Ph.D., Advisor
    Director of Clinical Training, Psychology Stony Brook University
    "Victims Who Victimize: The Association Between PTSD and Intimate Partner Violence Among Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) Veterans OEF/OIF Veterans"
  • 2009

    Jennifer S. Mendel, B.S.
    Daniel W. Webster, Sc.D., MPH, Advisor
    Johns Hopkins University
    "From Promise to Practice: Keys to Successful Implementation of Street Outreach for Youth Violence Prevention"

    Nicholas A. Mescia, M.A.
    Etiony Aldarondo, Ph.D., Advisor
    University of Miami
    "A Structural Equation Model Examination of Traumatic Stress, Psychological Distress, Social Support and Quality of Life with HIV+ African American Women in Drug Recovery"

    Michael L. Sulkowski, M.Ed.
    Thomas Oakland, Ph.D., Advisor
    University of Florida
    "An Investigation of Students' Willingness to Report Threats of Violence in Campus Communities"
  • 2008

    Shanna B. Dulen, M.A.
    Etiony Aldarondo, Ph.D., Advisor
    University of Miami
    "Assessment of Traumatic Experience, Distal and Proximal Risk and Protective Factors and Differential Adjustment Indicators of Unaccompanied Immigrant Children"

    Anita Jose, M.A.
    K. Daniel O'Leary, Ph.D., Advisor
    Stony Brook University
    "Antisocial Traits, Borderline Traits, Substance Use, Marital Distress, and Psychological Aggression as Predictors of Physical Aggression in Couples"

    Andrea Regina, MSCCP
    Dale M. Willows, Ph.D., Advisor
    Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, Universtiy of Toronto
    "At-Risk Youth with Reading Difficulties: Targeting Negative Consequences through Literacy Intervention"

    Kimberly A. Van Orden, M.S.
    Thomas E. Joiner, Jr., Ph.D., Advisor
    Florida State University
    "Construct Validity of the Interpersonal Needs Questionnaire"
  • 2007

    Lisa D. Bailey, M. S.
    Annette M. La Greca, Ph.D., Advisor
    University of Miami
    "Social Support as a Moderator of the Relationship between Peer Victimization and Psychosocial Maladjustment in Adolescent Boys and Girls"

    Jennifer L. Becker, L.C.S.W.
    Barbara Thomlison, Ph.D., Advisor
    Florida International University
    "The Impact of Child Sexual Abuse on Socioemotional Development during Early Childhood"

    Stephanie T. Mihalas, M.A.
    Linda M. Raffaele Mendez, Ph.D., Advisor
    University of South Florida
    "Utilization of an Ecological Framework to Address the Relationship between Relational Victimization and Depression in High-Risk Minority Adolescents"

    Sara G. Whitcomb, Ed.M.
    Kenneth W. Merrell, Ph.D., Advisor
    University of Oregon
    "Strong Start: The Impact of Direct Teaching of a Social-Emotional Learning Curriculum and Infusion of Skills on Emotion Knowledge of First Grade Students"

To view recipients of this award prior to 2007, please review our annual community reports.

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