Ahrens Lab

Katie Albertson

Manager

Katie Albertson is the research manager for the Ahrens Lab. She received a BA in psychology from the University of Washington and has a background in tobacco cessation counseling, patient services and program coordination. In her nearly 14 years at Seattle Children’s, her career has been dedicated to work that supports marginalized and vulnerable young people. She has supported Dr. Ahrens’s research on sexual health, foster youth, gender diverse youth and incarcerated young adults. Her favorite part of her work is seeing the positive differences made in the lives of young people. She believes in research as an important form of advocacy for voices that are often excluded and hopes to help improve the status quo for young people.

Alexis Coatney

Research Supervisor

Alexis Coatney has worked in pediatric clinical research for over 20 years at Seattle Children’s and the University of Washington. She is the administrative director of the POST Program. She has had the opportunity to work with families, children, teens and young adults in a variety of settings, most recently in the juvenile justice system. Previous projects have focused on reproductive and sexual health; mental health; oral health; medical training; environmental and occupational health; asthma; ADHD; and technology in the primary care setting. She has also dabbled in grants management and loves a budget.

Shemonta Dean

Research Supervisor

Shemonta Dean is a clinical research supervisor and interventionist at Seattle Children’s Research Institute. He has spent the past 17 years working in the social justice field in supportive roles, assisting clients on their journey to a healthier lifestyle that doesn’t include drugs and alcohol. He enjoys working directly and indirectly with clients in all phases of life. In his current role, he works with youth and young adults before and after their release from Washington state’s juvenile rehabilitation system, using skills-based programs including the Adolescent Community Reinforcement Approach, motivational interviewing and trauma-informed techniques.

Liv Ellerton

Clinical Research Associate

Liv Ellerton received her BA in psychology from the University of Washington in 2023. After being a student volunteer for the Center for Child Health, Behavior and Development (CCHBD) at Seattle Children’s Research Institute during her senior year and loving the experience, she began working full-time at CCHBD right after graduation. She has a passion for aiding youth in underserved populations, with interests in mental health and trauma-informed practices. She plans on getting her PhD in public health. Outside of the lab, she's seen playing with her mini-Aussie and obsessing over houseplants and rocks.

Icela Gonzalez

Interventionist/Support Coach

Icela Gonzalez is a first-generation college graduate who earned her degree in law and justice, and sociology, from Central Washington University in 2018. She has over eight years of experience working directly with juvenile offenders, including six years as a counselor supporting adolescents and young adults. She is passionate about working with youth and helping them navigate challenges while recognizing their potential for growth and change. She is bilingual and fluent in Spanish, which allows her to better connect with and support the diverse communities she serves. She enjoys building meaningful relationships with the young people she works with and feels grateful to play a role in guiding them toward healthier choices and brighter futures.

Nick Handwerk

Interventionist/Support Coach

Nick Handwerk has studied cooking and chemical dependency counseling and is currently working on his certification in the Adolescent Community Reinforcement Approach program. His interests include adolescent psychology, learning about technology and improving systems. He has worked with people who struggle with barriers for 11 years, and believes that everyone should have access to the support they need to succeed. He currently does this by working collaboratively alongside members of the community and his team. He enjoys working with young people to create realistic goals and address barriers using a variety of tools. Currently, his role as a support coach on the POST Program team allows him to work with some truly gifted and unique young people. His favorite part of the job is watching young people achieve their goals and sometimes even surpass their own expectations. In his spare time, he enjoys history, hiking and biking, and someday wishes to pursue underwater basketweaving.

Rashaud Hayes

Interventionist/Support Coach

Rashaud Hayes graduated from Washington State University studying criminology in 2018. He has been working with underprivileged youth for the last 10 years. He started working with youth in the foster care system and then transitioned to helping juvenile offenders within the past six years. he is very passionate about working with the younger generation, as he understands that most do not intend to go down the wrong path; they may not know any other path other than the one they are on. He is passionate about making sure the youth can see all points of view when making decisions. "You don't know what you don't know" is a quote he often uses. The favorite part of his job is watching youth solve problems themselves with skills they have learned to build through the POST Program. This is a very rewarding feeling, and he hopes to continue this as the program continues to serve more youth in the community.

Lexie Kolberg

Clinical Research Associate

Lexie Kolberg received her BA in psychology and social and cultural analysis from New York University, where she first discovered her love for research through volunteering in cognitive development labs. She has been a clinical research coordinator for POST since 2022. Her favorite part of her job is talking with the POST youth and she plans to continue working with people who are incarcerated throughout her career. She hopes to continue her training and education through pursuing a PhD in the near future.

Dom Peña

Interventionist/Support Coach