Department of Psychiatry: Evaluation Research

The Department of Psychiatry at Boston Medical Center aims to serve people suffering from any mental health issue, substance use disorders (SUDs), or related ailments. Patients of color, underrepresented populations, and minority groups, regardless of insurance coverage, are provided outpatient services.

The Evaluation Research Center at the Department of Psychiatry aims to fulfill all departmental evaluation, data management, and analysis needs. The purpose of the team is to support public health and clinical research housed in the department as well as through collaborative grants with external partnering organizations.

Team duties and responsibilities consist of:

Data management: Data management, including database planning, development, maintenance, and consulting services for different programs within the department.

Program implementation evaluation: Process and implementation evaluation.

Program evaluation and monitoring: Evaluation and monitoring services for different research studies, programs, and clinics housed at the department, including those in partnerships.

Outcome mapping: Evaluation outcome development is program-specific, usually including mapping vulnerable populations, measuring community engagement, and monitoring increased services coverage, all while combatting stigma against mental illness and SUDs in the context of community behavioral healthcare.

The Evaluation Research Center’s team members are committed to providing high quality evaluation and research services to both affiliated partners and researchers within the Department of Psychiatry at Boston Medical Center (BMC).

The team consists of the following BMC personnel:

Tithi Baul, MPH

Tithi Baul is the Director of Evaluation Research in the Department of Psychiatry at Boston Medical Center and Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Boston University School of Medicine. She has Bachelor’s of Science in Physiology and Neuroscience from University of California, San Diego and a Master of Public Health in Biostatistics from Boston University. Tithi has been responsible for directing, planning, and identifying metrics and data sources needed to evaluate several clinical programs within the Department of Psychiatry. Her expertise includes both qualitative and quantitative research methods.

Tithi has also been dedicated to training the next generation of researchers and clinicians interested in mental health research. Since her time at BMC, Tithi has mentored several medical students, residents, fellows, graduate students, and research staff members in both qualitative and quantitative research methods. Outside of work, Tithi enjoys writing, spending time outdoors, and plein air watercolor painting.

Nandini Agarwal, MPH

Nandini Agarwal is a research data analyst in the Department of Psychiatry at Boston Medical Center. She is public health professional specializing in biostatistics and epidemiology with a focus in mental health and substance use research. She has experience in program design, planning, monitoring and evaluation in India and the United States, primarily providing mental health services for marginalized and underserved communities. As a data analyst at the Department of Psychiatry she assists in program evaluation, mixed method research and data management for ongoing projects/programs. When not working, she loves to read fiction, play basketball and pet dogs!

Kala Jennissen, MPH

Kala is a project coordinator in the Department of Psychiatry at Boston Medical Center. She graduated from Boston University with a master’s in public health with a specialization in global health program design, monitoring and evaluation. She currently assists the reproductive mental health team with their research and developing perinatal mental health resources. In her free time, she enjoys paddle boarding and spending time around the lakes.

Our team also hosts Co-op, MPH practicum, and medical students!

Virginia Capellupo

Virginia is a research assistant at the Boston Outpatient Assisted Treatment (BOAT) program, a conjoint effort between Boston Medical Center and Boston Municipal Court. She is also a fourth-year co-op student at Northeastern University pursuing a B.S. in Criminal Justice and Psychology with a minor in Behavioral Neuroscience. At BOAT, Virginia specializes in mixed-methods research, as well as data and project management. Outside of her profession, she is devoting her time towards applying for a Psy.D. in Forensic Psychology, hoping to offer and reform mental health services in prisons—to treat those who may have been mistreated. She also loves to blast 60s-80s music, wander through cities, and stumble upon hidden locations. And to shop along the way, of course!

Meagan Ryan

Meagan Ryan is a research assistant at the Boston Outpatient Assisted Treatment (BOAT) Program. She is a third-year co-op student at Northeastern University, pursuing a B.S. in Criminal Justice and Psychology. At BOAT, Meagan assists with data management and mixed-method research. Meagan plans to obtain a PhD in Clinical Psychology, with the hope to provide mental health services in the context of the criminal justice system, especially regarding trauma and comorbid disorders. Outside of her studies, Meagan loves crocheting and spending time with her pets.

Current students/members:

1. Rebecca Altholz: Tufts Field Placement Intern
2. Mako Niwa: Northeastern co-op student

Alumni: