Welcome to the Sheftall Lab
At the Sheftall Lab, we seek to understand what factors are related to suicidal thoughts and behaviors in youth. We investigate the links between developmental risk factors, such as neurocognitive functioning, familial relationships, and suicidal thoughts and behaviors (STBs) in youth. We hope our research will inform youth suicide risk assessment and prevention.
Effects of Parental History of Suicidal Behavior on Middle/Late Childhood: Longitudinal Assessment of Early Markers of Suicide Risk
A longitudinal study to examine parental history of suicide attempt and the association with early onset of suicidal behaviors.
Leveraging Noninvasive Transcutaneous Vagus Nerve Stimulation and Smartphone Technology to Reduce Suicidal Behaviors and Suicide Among Highly Vulnerable Adolescents
A dual-site randomized control trial to examine novel interventions for major risk factors of suicide thoughts and behavior in adolescents.
Research Team
Arielle Sheftall, PhD
Associate Professor, Psychiatry
Ellen-ge Denton, PsyD, MS
Clinical Advisor
Paige Picou, PhD
Postdoctoral Felllow, Psychiatry
Jenson Rowan
Human Subject Research Coordinator, Psychiatry
Sandria Sawyers
Human Subject Research Specialist,
Psychiatry
Allan Shikh
Human Subject Research Coordinator, Psychiatry
Christina Zhang
Human Subject Research Coordinator, Psychiatry
Vic Cohen
Human Subject Research Specialist,
Psychiatry
Kaidence Pacheco
Research Assistant
Elisabeth Sohn
Research Assistant
View All Research Team Members
- A Doubly Robust Machine Learning Procedure to Estimate Disparities by Race/Ethnicity and Sex in the Relationship Between Adverse Childhood Experiences and Suicidality.; Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. 2026 May 18.
- Understanding Protective Factors That Impact Adolescent Suicidal Behaviors Across Race/Ethnicity and Sex.; Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. 2026 May 14.
- Anticipated Discrimination and Suicidal Behaviors Among Black Gay and Bisexual Male Adolescents: The Moderating Role of Developmental Assets.; Research square. 2026 Jan 28.
- Understanding suicidal thoughts and behaviors in Black youth within the child welfare system: An exploration of protective factors.; Child abuse & neglect; Vol 170, pp. 107764. 2025 Oct 30.
- Rethinking Suicide Prevention Research - Moving Beyond Traditional Statistical Significance.; Crisis; Vol 46(2), pp. 72-77. 2025 Feb 20.
Contact Us
Sheftall Lab
UR Medicine – Mental Health & Wellness
315 Science Parkway, Building C, Suite 500
Rochester, NY 14620
Email Sheftall Lab
