Who We Are

Dr. Hanna is the director of the Systems Change Lab (SCL). She facilitates funder and partner relations; administers project budgets; manages personnel; and oversees project design and implementation, including creation of project goals and timelines.

Dr. Anreddy serves the SCL as a computer specialist. He provides support to SCL grant projects through the development of databases, dashboards, data analyzation, and more.

Laure Bell supports the efforts of the SCL through research activities and a variety of communication endeavors. These efforts include data visualization, social media and website content management, digital newsletter creation, report writing, material dissemination, and more.

Emily Jennings is an undergraduate student at Mississippi State University. She supports the SCL with research and authentication of resources for early childhood resource maps.

Lisa Long serves as a project lead for several early childhood grant projects, including early childhood-focused Project ECHO projects. Lisa oversees the planning and implementation of those grants.

Melissa Luckett serves as program manager within the Systems Change Lab at the Social Science Research Center. She is currently working on projects focused on early childhood care and development.

John McCown supports the grant activities of the SCL in the areas of data science. He leads and contributes to efforts designing research tools and analyzing and managing collected data.

Dr. Rico Mendez contributes to SCL as researcher focused on applied systems-level inquiry. She brings expertise in policy analysis, evaluation, and social systems research to support project design, implementation, and strategic learning. She engages in efforts to translate complex data into actionable insights and contributes to cross-thematic initiatives within SCL’s applied research portfolio.

R’riuna Moore is an undergraduate student at Mississippi State University, pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Biological Sciences with a Pre-Medicine concentration. She supports the SCL with research and communications efforts.

Nell Valentine supports SCL project efforts with qualitative data research and visualization. Nell also contributes to report writing and research.

Dr. Baird-Thomas contributes to the SCL in the role of a lead qualitative and quantitative researcher. Dr. Baird-Thomas shares her experience by overseeing specific grant workgroup projects and deliverables and contributing to the creation and design of grant activities.

Bradley Long supports the SCL through various grant activities including developing and implementing qualitative and quantitative research efforts, project activity coordination, and other essential tasks.

Statewide Mind in the Making and Vroom® Coordinator
Heather Martin serves as the statewide Mind in the Making and Vroom® Coordinator for Mississippi. Heather shares information on early childhood brain development through these programs.