Our Executive Team
Dr. David M. Mantell is a licensed clinical psychologist and Professor at Teachers College, Columbia University. He received his M.A. from Teachers College in Counseling Psychology (1965) and his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Ludwig-Maximillian’s-Universität München in Germany (1972). He is an active clinical and forensic psychologist licensed in the state of Vermont and Connecticut, where he actively consults for the Judicial Department and Department of Children and Families. As a certified Forensic Child Protection Evaluator, Dr. David M. Mantell is able to provide real world questions from the courtroom to help direct our projects to answer these questions. Bringing science into the courtroom, he assists both sides of the court in civil cases and personal injury cases, and the defense in criminal court. His work focuses on ensuring the protection of youth exposed to the legal system, child abuse, and child sexual abuse. For further information regarding Dr. David M. Mantell's publications, please refer to ResearchGate.
While at Seattle University, he interned with Washington State's Office of Forensic Mental Health Services and a forensic psychiatric clinic. He served as a research assistant with the Crime and Justice Research Center, where he worked under Dr. Jacqueline Helfgott to develop an appendix of 150 copycat crimes. During his time at TC, he worked as a therapy and psychometric assistant at the Center for Cognition and Communication. Additionally, he completed internships with the NYC Department of Correction and New York State Psychiatric Institute. As a Lab Manager, he is responsible for internal operations, external communication, progression of research, and ensuring longevity in elective programming. With a deep interest in academia, he works towards building opportunities for students and expanding the forensic concentration. In the future, Joshua hopes to pursue a Ph.D. researching the implementation of neuropsychological practices in justice-involved populations with a special research interest in criminal offending, assessments, and rehabilitation.
Jenna Wettstein received a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology with a concentration in Forensic Psychology at Teachers College, Columbia University. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Auburn University, where her commitment to criminal justice reform first took shape. Throughout her academic and professional journey, Jenna has been a passionate advocate for building a more equitable and balanced criminal justice system. She embraces a holistic, trauma-informed approach to reform, with a focus on addressing the nuanced needs of both victims and offenders. Her advocacy extends across national and international platforms, including collaborations with policymakers in Washington, D.C., and contributions to United Nations initiatives aimed at advancing a multi-system approach to justice. Within the Child Protection Lab, Jenna serves as the Senior Research Manager and Lead Research Assistant. She leads a nationwide study on testimonial accommodations for child victims of sexual abuse and works closely with Dr. Mantell as his primary research assistant. Overall, Jenna aspires to leverage empirical research to inform and drive systemic improvements within the criminal legal system. In her free time, she enjoys long walks with her dog and discovering new restaurants throughout the city.