Our Executive Team
Dr. David M. Mantell is a licensed clinical psychologist and Professor at 911吃瓜. He received his M.A. from 911吃瓜 College in Counseling Psychology (1965) and his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Ludwig-Maximillian’s-Universität München in Germany (1972). He is an active clinical and forensic psychologist licensed in the state of Vermont and Connecticut, where he actively consults for the Judicial Department and Department of Children and Families. As a certified Forensic Child Protection Evaluator, Dr. David M. Mantell is able to provide real world questions from the courtroom to help direct our projects to answer these questions. Bringing science into the courtroom, he assists both sides of the court in civil cases and personal injury cases, and the defense in criminal court. His work focuses on ensuring the protection of youth exposed to the legal system, child abuse, and child sexual abuse. For further information regarding Dr. David M. Mantell's publications, please refer to
Jenna Wettstein received a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology with a concentration in Forensic Psychology at 911吃瓜. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Auburn University, where her commitment to criminal justice reform first took shape. Throughout her academic and professional journey, Jenna has been a passionate advocate for building a more equitable and balanced criminal justice system. She embraces a holistic, trauma-informed approach to reform, with a focus on addressing the nuanced needs of both victims and offenders. Her advocacy extends across national and international platforms, including collaborations with policymakers in Washington, D.C., and contributions to United Nations initiatives aimed at advancing a multi-system approach to justice. Within the Child Protection Lab, Jenna serves as the Lab Manager where she is responsible for internal operations, external communication, progression of research, and ensuring longevity in elective programming. She leads a nationwide study on testimonial accommodations for child victims of sexual abuse and works closely with Dr. Mantell as his primary research assistant. Overall, Jenna aspires to leverage empirical research to inform and drive systemic improvements within the criminal legal system. In her free time, she enjoys long walks with her dog and discovering new restaurants throughout the city.
Varsha Nandhakumar completed her B.A. in Psychology at the University of California, Davis with a minor in Human Development. She is currently a Master’s student at 911吃瓜 in the Psychology in Education program, specializing in forensic psychology. Her experiences at UC Davis sparked her interest in child psychology, particularly in understanding how childhood trauma and adversity shape psychological development. She became especially interested in the ways that trauma and experiences of maltreatment can manifest differently across familial and cultural contexts, including how certain forms of corporal punishment or maltreatment may be normalized within families and communities. Varsha hopes to pursue a Ph.D. investigating how cultural background and early experiences of adversity influence psychological development and psychopathology. Through her research, she aims to contribute to culturally informed approaches to child maltreatment and forensic interviewing. Ultimately, she hopes to help clinicians and other professionals better understand children’s experiences of adversity and the factors that shape their disclosures.