People

Pajarita Charles, PhD

paja.charles@wisc.edu
(608) 262-3834
Sandra Rosenbaum School of Social Work
University of Wisconsin – Madison
1350 University Avenue
Madison, WI, 53706
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Associate Professor, Sandra Rosenbaum School of Social Work
BA, State University of New York at Stony Brook
MPA, Columbia University
MSW, Columbia University
PhD, Social Work, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
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Curriculum Vitae

Paulina Grekov, PhD

Post-Doctoral Researcher

Paulina is a postdoctoral researcher with the Tennessee Reading Research Center at the University of Tennessee — Knoxville. She received her PhD in Educational Psychology with a focus in Quantitative Methods from the University of Wisconsin — Madison. Her research interests include flexible hierarchical modeling, Bayesian model evaluation methods, meta-analysis, and the analysis of single-case experimental designs. Before receiving her PhD, Paulina spent several years working within educational settings including managing caseloads for and teaching upper elementary and middle school students with disabilities. 

Ava Heyrman, BS

Research Associate

Ava Heyrman graduated the University of Wisconsin–Madison, School of Human Ecology in May 2024. She received a BS in Psychology and Human Development & Family Studies, with a certificate in Disabilities Rights & Services and Leadership. She spent two-years post-baccalaureate as a full-time research coordinator for the Embark Lab both at the University of Wisconsin–Madison and the University of Texas at Austin. Additionally, she is in a post-baccalaureate role for the Family Wellbeing & Justice Lab, working on various projects. In Fall 2026, she will begin pursuing a PhD in Clinical Psychology at Florida State University under Dr. Jesse Cougle.

Isaac Schultz

Research & Administrative Assistant

Isaac Schultz is a sophomore at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, majoring in Sociology and Legal Studies, with certificates in Criminal Justice and Theatre. He joined the Family Wellbeing &Justice Lab to deepen his understanding of how the criminal legal system impacts individuals, families, and communities. His academic interests focus on inequality, institutional power, and the long-term social effects of involvement with the legal system. Through his work with the Lab, assisting Dr. Pajarita Charles, Isaac hopes to contribute to research that advances equity, supports family wellbeing, and informs more just policy practices. He plans to attend law school and pursue a career advocating for underrepresented individuals to ensure they receive fair and adequate legal representation. 

CJ Varney

Research Assistant

CJ is a senior majoring in Political Science with a certificate in Criminal Justice. He joined the Family Wellbeing & Justice Lab to gain deeper insight into the criminal justice system and to apply his strengths in reading and writing to issues surrounding incarceration and its impact on families. As an aspiring law student, CJ contributes to the lab by supporting data collection and analysis—both qualitative and quantitative—examining incarceration practices and offering legal perspectives on the challenges faced by justice- involved families. Exemplified through his work in the lab, he is passionate about promoting incarceration reform and advancing the wellbeing of families affected by the legal system. 

Leo Xiao

Research Assistant

Leo Xiao is a junior at the University of Wisconsin–Madison pursuing a dual degree in Political Science and International Studies as well as a Criminal Justice certificate. He is also currently on the pre-law track and hopes to pursue a career in criminal and constitutional law. He joined the Family Wellbeing & Justice Lab to take his understanding of theoretical approaches beyond the classroom and explore how systemic legal barriers affect marginalized, immigrant, and justice-involved populations. In the lab, Leo contributes to research examining incarceration reform, specifically focusing on initiatives with Just Dane to analyze medical respite facilities for unhoused individuals and post-natal care for mothers. As an aspiring attorney, he hopes to utilize his background in qualitative research, data science, and community advocacy to pursue a career in criminal litigation, working to advance equity and advocate for underrepresented individuals within the legal system.

Amareli Aranda, BA

Besa Asani, BSW

Cece Babat, MSW

David Blatz, BS

Jacque Buck, MSW / PhD

Alli Burgdorf, BA

Hayden Buske, BS

Taylor Clark, BS

Gwendolyn Coale, BSW

Evelyn Coker, BA, Doctoral Student

Grace Dai, BA

Miranda Dorsey, BA

Adrianna Galindo, BS

Lydia Goblirsch, BS

Stella Goldberg, BA

Gene Grade, BA

Alejandra Pavon Guajardo, BA

Annie Hedges, BA

Allison Hoekstra, MSW

Sarah Jensen, JD/PhD

Anna Kay, MSW

Bailey Kusilek, BS

Amber Lahti, BS

Grace Landrum, Doctoral Student

Haeun Lee, BS

Kayla Markus, BA

Summer Mitchell, BA

Mark Moralez, MPA

Luke Muetner, PhD

Nina Santiago, BA

Siri Schroeder, BS

Jasmyne Short, BSW

Mia Simone, BA

Sarah Stouffer-Lerch, MPH

Claire Tseng, MSW

Layne Wetherbee, BSW

Nina White, BA

Kristen Wimmer, BS

Chee Yang, BA

Victoria Ylizaliturri, BA, Doctoral Student

Jordan Zdorik, BS