Dr. Katherine Bright is a postdoctoral scholar in the Department of Community Health Sciences and Social Work under the supervision and mentorship of Drs. Scott Patten and Gina Dimitropoulos. She has clinical and research expertise in a variety of settings including adolescents with mental health issues. The theme of her academic work reflects a commitment to mental health prevention and early evidence-based interventions for children, youth, and young adults. This research is aimed at optimizing individual functioning and has the potential to guide policy and procedure development that promotes healthy children, youth, young adults, and families.