WRAP’s Research Program

The Psychosis Research Group at Boston Medical Center (BMC)/Boston University (BU) Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine 

WRAP’s Research Program (BU and BMC’s Psychosis Research Group) is comprised of psychosis researchers who are dedicated to helping our patients lead meaningful, productive lives. BMC and the WRAP team are committed to serving vulnerable populations by providing accessible, integrated care to all patients in our community.

Our evidence-based clinical care also informs our research priorities. Our research is conducted with the goal of improving care for our patients and reducing disparities and inequities in access to and outcomes in specialty psychosis care. 

As such, we are engaged in collaborative and integrative research focused on evaluating both novel and existing models of care. WRAP researchBelow is more information about WRAP’s active studies, research team, recent publications, educational opportunities, & contact for research inquiries.

To learn more about all of the clinical services we offer, please visit our BMC page: https://www.bmc.org/wrap

Active Studies/Programs:

Clinical Trials KarXT/Cobenfy Clinical Trial:

Novel Exercise Intervention:

Clozapine Trial (main site: Beth Israel)
Epidemiologic & Health Services Research WRAP Without Walls Research Team

ACCESS: Advancing Coordinated Care through Epidemiologic Studies in Schizophrenia

EPINET First Episode Psychosis Battery
Qualitative Studies Motivational Interviewing for Loved Ones

Recent Completed Clinical Trials:

Meet the Research Team:

Principal Investigators:

Hannah Brown, MD is the Director of the WRAP clinical and research programs, Vice Chair of Research of the Division of Psychiatry at BMC, and Associate Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at the Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine. She earned her MD from Harvard Medical School, completed residency training in adult psychiatry, and completed a Fellowship in Schizophrenia at Massachusetts General Hospital. She has served as PI for multiple clinical and translational research studies across MGH and BMC. She has published over 30 peer reviewed articles, book chapters, and invited commentaries on schizophrenia. She has mentored multiple medical students, residents, fellows, and early faculty members, including K award and other grant recipients. She is the recipient of the 2021 Excellence in Mentorship Award from the Department of Psychiatry at BMC.

David Henderson, MD currently serves as Psychiatrist-in-Chief, Division of Psychiatry, at BMC and Professor and Chair, Department of Psychiatry, at Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine. Dr. Henderson serves as Co-Director of the NIMH T32 MGH-BUSM Global Mental Health Clinical Research Fellowship. He has worked internationally for the past 20 years in resource-limited settings, and areas impacted by mass violence, disasters and complex emergencies. Dr. Henderson has conducted global research and training programs. In the United States, he has conducted more than 30 randomized clinical trials in severely mentally ill populations. Dr. Henderson has also directed a schizophrenia research training fellowship, and mentored trainees and junior faculty who have progressed to K awards and secured other independent funding.

Amy Yule MD currently serves as the Vice Chair of Addiction Psychiatry at BMC and Associate Professor of Psychiatry at Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine. Dr. Yule received her undergraduate degree from the University of California San Diego.  She attended the David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California Los Angeles.  Dr. Yule completed her adult and child psychiatry training at Massachusetts General Hospital and McLean Hospital.  She completed her addiction psychiatry training in the Partners Hospital program. Her research expertise is in co-occuring disorders in youth. Dr. Yule is co-PI on the WRAP Without Walls clinical trial with Dr. Hannah Brown.

Brittany Gouse’s MD MPH is the Assistant Director of the WRAP program and Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine. She earned MD-MPH through the State University of New York Upstate Medical University and Syracuse University dual degree program. She completed both her Residency in Adult Psychiatry and Fellowship in Public Psychiatry at BU-BMC. Through her Fellowship in Public Psychiatry, Dr. Gouse specialized in the care of individuals living with schizophrenia and other forms of serious mental illness and currently sees patients for psychopharmacology in the WRAP program. Dr. Gouse’s research is predominantly in epidemiology, with a focus on studying the drivers of morbidity and premature mortality in schizophrenia.  She is the recipient of the 2023-2025 BU Clinical and Translational Science Institute KL2 Award and the 2023-2025 American Psychiatric Association Research Fellowship.

Co-Investigators & Research Staff

Janice Weinberg ScD is a Professor of Biostatistics at the Boston University School of Public Health. She has taught several courses in the department of Biostatistics including the Design and Conduct of Clinical Trials, Intermediate Statistical Computing and Applied Regression Analysis and Analysis of Correlated Data and Analysis of Clinical Trials. Dr. Weinberg is the Director of the Master of Science in Clinical Research (MSCR) program at the Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine and is a biostatistical consultant for the Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI). Dr. Weinberg was the lead statistical editor for the Journal of the American Heart Association (JAHA) for many years and a statistical reviewer for the Boston University Institutional Review Board (IRB) for over a decade.

Bediha Ipekci, PhD is a licensed psychologist and Assistant professor of psychiatry at Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine & BMC. She is also a MILO trainer. She completed her Ph.D. at the University of Massachusetts Boston, her doctoral internship at BMC’s Center for Multicultural Training in Psychology, and a post-doctoral fellowship on complex PTSD and psychosis at BMC. Dr. Ipekci’s research and clinical expertise are in early intervention in psychosis, trauma, and refugee mental health.

Danielle Walker, PhD, NP is a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner with years of experience working with diverse populations in various settings. She currently provides medication management for individuals who experience psychosis in the Clozapine and Injection Clinic within WRAP. In addition to the services in WRAP, Danielle also provides medication management within the general outpatient psychiatry department. Her research interests include examining the impact of violence exposure in young adults, especially in those who experience psychosis. In her free time, Danielle enjoys spending time with family and frequenting local restaurants.

Jessica Lewczyk, NP is a psychiatric nurse practitioner with years of diverse experience. She currently provides medication management for individuals of all ages who experience psychosis, with particular interest in first-episode care. She also directs the Clozapine and Injection Clinic services. Her research interests include disparities in FEP care and outcomes, psychosis and gender diverse individuals, impacts and experiences of racism in psychosis. In addition to her work the with WRAP program, Jessica is involved in the Center for Transgender Medicine and Surgery, providing care for transgender, nonbinary, and gender non-conforming individuals. In her free time, Jessica enjoys running, biking, traveling, and generally exploring the great outdoors.

Samantha LaMartine, PsyD obtained her doctoral degree in clinical psychology from the University of La Verne. She completed her American Psychological Association accredited pre-doctoral internship at the Center for Multicultural Training in Psychology and her postdoctoral training at Boston University-Boston Medical Center. With a specialization in treating individuals living with schizophrenia and other severe mental illnesses, as well as mood and trauma disorders, Dr. LaMartine currently practices in the Wellness and Recovery after Psychosis program and Integrative Behavioral Healthcare at Boston Medical Center. Dr. LaMartine’s research primarily focuses on schizophrenia spectrum disorders, with an emphasis on addressing mental health disparities and enhancing access to care for Black people and communities of color. Dr. LaMartine is also dedicated to exploring the experiences of violence among minoritized and marginalized groups, aiming to foster more equitable mental health care and support.

Amelia Blanton, BS is WRAP’s clinical research coordinator. She received her BS in Psychology and English Literature at Florida State University. In WRAP, Amelia coordinates clinical trials and epidemiology studies. She ultimately plans to pursue a PhD in Clinical Psychology, focusing on interventions to improve emotion regulation processes. In her spare time, she enjoys writing, traveling, and spending time in nature.

Cindy Xu is an undergraduate student at Northeastern University majoring in biology and minoring in psychology. Cindy is a research assistant for the PCORI, MCII, and FEP Battery studies.

Recent Publications:

Training Opportunities:
We regularly host students from BU and Northeastern undergraduate programs, BU Master of Public Health, BU Master of Clinical Research, BU Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine for elective and/or practicum experiences. We also offer a (PsyD or PhD in Psychology) postdoctorate fellowship and a PGY-4 or PGY-5  Schizophrenia Fellowship [both positions filled for 2024-2025 AY]. We believe strongly that diversity – both in backgrounds and experiences – strengthens the impact of our work and is an asset to our team. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and identities.

For more information about our training programs contact: brittany.gouse@bmc.org.

Contact: 

For general inquiries, please contact Amelia.blanton@bmc.org