YoCo Staff
IU School of Medicine
We are adult partners who work alongside the YoCo members to help assist in meeting the members identified needs and host the monthly meetings. We also engage in mental health and substance use advocacy, research, clinical practice, and policy, as well as partner with others in the community focused on youth mental health and substance use initiatives. Please see our profiles below!
Director
Dr. Tamika Zapolski
Dr. Zapolski is an Associate Professor of Psychiatry at Indiana University School of Medicine, with a dual appointment in the Department of Psychology at Indiana University - Indianapolis. She received her PhD in Clinical Psychology from the University of Kentucky in 2013 and completed her clinical internship at the University of Kentucky Medical Center. Her research focuses on risk for substance use and other health behaviors among racial/ethnic minority youth and young adults, particularly Black youth and young adults.
Dr. Zapolski is the director of Community Engagement within the BHP, as well as the director of the Youth Coalition, a youth-led program aimed at providing leadership and training opportunities for youth aged 13-18 in the Indianapolis area.
Assistant Director
Alexa Harris
Alexa is the Assistant Director of YoCo and a Clinical Research Specialist with the PRISM lab. She works oncommunity engagement research including the youth coalition which engages youth aged 13-18 in mental health research and community-based projects. Her research interests include community mental health interventions and health disparities.
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Alexa attended DePauw University where she earned a degree in Global Health.
Research Assistant
Indigo Mar
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Coming Soon
Research Assistant
coming soon
Mya Pomales
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UROP Intern
coming soon
Jala Nolen
LHSI Intern
Jullina is a sophomore at IUI, where she is studying social work and psychology. Jullina joined the PRISM Lab through the Life-Health Sciences Internship. She works on various tasks with the PRISM Lab and provides assistance where it is needed. With YoCo, Jullina assists with the monthly meetings and other various tasks. Jullina plans to continue her education after her undergrad at IUI's Master of Social Work program.
Jullina also works as a Research Assistant with IU School of Social where she works on various manuscripts and literature reviews. She also works at Beacon of Hope Crisis Center as a Criminal Justice Intern. Jullina assists advocates with client tasks and informs herself on topics of domestic violence. She is involved with her sorority, Sigma Kappa, as well as the Sports Management Club and Psychology Club.
Jullina Sherrick
Intern
Jaden is a senior at Herron High School. He plans to go to an historically Black college or university post high school graduation to study psychology or psychiatry.
He loves to play basketball whether it's recreational or in school season. He is a part of many organizations including 100 Black Men of Indianapolis, Center for Leadership Development, and Jack and Jill of America to name a few. Jaden loves YoCo and would recommend it to anyone regardless of if they have interest in a career around mental health.
Jaden P