Meet the Speakers

Brian Wade, PhD is an assistant professor in the School of Criminal Justice at the University at Albany, State University of New York. His research examines firearm violence, community violence intervention strategies and underground markets, with a particular focus on understanding risk factors among populations most affected by gun violence. Through interdisciplinary research and collaboration with community partners, Wade studies how violence spreads through social networks and neighborhoods, and how evidence-based interventions can reduce injury and loss of life. His work has contributed to a growing understanding of the complex relationship between nonfatal and fatal firearm violence and has informed public health and criminal justice approaches to violence prevention.

Presentation: From Injury to Homicide: Understanding the Link Between Nonfatal and Fatal Firearm Violence
Dr. Wade will discuss how nonfatal firearm injuries can increase the risk of future fatal violence and explore the implications for prevention, intervention and public health policy.

Joseph Richardson Jr., PhD, is the MPower Professor of African American Studies, Medical Anthropology and Epidemiology at the University of Maryland. An internationally recognized scholar, Richardson's work focuses on community firearm violence, structural violence, racial health disparities and community-based intervention strategies for Black boys and men. His research centers the lived experiences of communities disproportionately impacted by violence and examines how historical inequities, trauma and social determinants influence health and safety outcomes. Through scholarship, mentorship and community-engaged research, he has helped advance innovative approaches that elevate community voice and promote healing, resilience and social change.

Presentation: AI, Storytelling and Equity: Reimagining Gun Violence Research
Dr. Richardson will explore the ethical use of artificial intelligence and digital storytelling in gun violence research, highlighting the importance of equity, community engagement and narrative change in informing policy and prevention strategies.

Melissa Archer is a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner and leader of Buffalo's ReCAST (Resiliency in Communities Affected by Stress and Trauma) initiative. Funded by Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and supported by the New York State Office of Mental Health, ReCAST promotes healing, resilience, and mental health awareness on Buffalo's East side. Archer specializes in trauma, crisis response, and community mental health, supporting individuals and families affected by violence and loss. She also led NY Project Hope, another SAMHSA-funded initiative, providing mental health support during COVID, after the May 14, 2022, Tops Friendly Markets massacre and the Blizzard of 2022.

Dr. Fred Archer is a primary care pediatrician, clinical assistant professor of pediatrics, and serves as the associate dean of admissions with the Jacobs School. He remains active in the community, affiliating with multiple educational and community-based organizations. Dr. Archer has for decades worked with Buffalo East Side families and youth to address complex health and social needs and to promote preventative health and safety to address these needs.

Kurt Blankschaen, PhD, is an associate professor of philosophy at Daemen University. His scholarship explores the relationship between ethics, public policy and social categorization, with a focus on how moral judgments influence responses to public health and social issues. His research examines how labels and narratives shape public understanding, affect policy development and impact communities, particularly those that have been historically marginalized. Through his work, Blankschaen explores how more thoughtful and nuanced approaches to moral reasoning can lead to more equitable institutions, stronger public discourse and more effective policy solutions.

Tracey Nerney, RN, BS, MPA, serves as executive director of the Trauma Institute at Erie County Medical Center in Buffalo, New York. A longtime leader in trauma care, injury prevention and emergency preparedness, she has dedicated her career to improving outcomes for individuals and communities affected by traumatic injury. Nerney has played a key role in expanding Stop the Bleed training throughout Western New York, empowering community members with lifesaving skills while promoting public awareness around injury prevention, preparedness and community safety.

Adrienne Garr, LMSW, is director of the Office of Gun Violence Prevention for the City of Buffalo. A licensed social worker and community leader, Garr works at the intersection of public health, community engagement and violence prevention. She leads collaborative efforts with residents, community organizations and government agencies to address the root causes of violence, support impacted neighborhoods and strengthen pathways to healing. Her work emphasizes prevention, relationship building and the development of community-driven solutions that promote safety and well-being.

Eddie Payne serves as coordinator of the Erie County Gun Violence Prevention Task Force in Buffalo, New York. For many years, he has worked alongside community leaders, public officials and grassroots organizations to address violence and improve quality of life in Buffalo neighborhoods. Payne is recognized for his ability to build partnerships across sectors and foster meaningful dialogue around public safety, prevention and community engagement. His work focuses on creating sustainable solutions that strengthen trust, reduce violence and support healthier communities.

Pastor James E. Giles is pastor of Back to Basics Outreach Ministries and a respected leader in Buffalo's violence interruption and community outreach efforts. Through decades of faith-based and community service, Giles has worked to mediate conflicts, mentor young people and support individuals and families affected by violence. His community-centered approach emphasizes trust, relationship building and direct engagement with neighborhoods experiencing trauma. He is widely recognized for his commitment to violence prevention, healing and positive community transformation.

Mike Lamb, PhD, is assistant dean for medical curriculum and associate professor in the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University at Buffalo. His scholarship focuses on medical education, professional identity formation and the integration of social and behavioral sciences into physician training. Lamb has been instrumental in advancing educational initiatives that help future physicians understand trauma, adversity and the broader social factors that affect health. His work supports the development of compassionate, patient-centered clinicians equipped to serve diverse communities.

Chandra Drabill, PhD, is a psychologist, educator and faculty member in the Department of Psychiatry at the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. Her work focuses on burnout, compassion fatigue, secondary traumatic stress and resilience among health care professionals. Through education, consultation and research, she helps individuals and organizations recognize the impact of workplace stress and trauma while promoting strategies that foster wellness, professional fulfillment and long-term resilience in health care settings.

Elena Miller is executive director of the Suicide Prevention Coalition of Erie County and a leading advocate for mental health and suicide prevention across Western New York. She works closely with health care systems, schools, government agencies and community organizations to advance evidence-based prevention strategies and public awareness initiatives. Her efforts focus on reducing stigma, improving access to resources and promoting means-safety programs that help prevent suicide and support individuals and families in crisis.

Patricia Logan-Greene, PhD, MSSW, is associate dean for academic affairs and professor in the University at Buffalo School of Social Work. A nationally recognized researcher, her work explores childhood adversity, trauma, violence prevention and the long-term effects of exposure to violence on health and well-being. Logan-Greene's scholarship highlights the connections between early life experiences, community conditions and lifelong outcomes, helping inform policies and practices that support prevention, resilience and healthier communities.

Jillian Hanesworth is Buffalo's inaugural poet laureate, an award-winning spoken-word artist, educator and community advocate. Through her poetry, performances and public engagement efforts, she explores themes of social justice, healing, resilience and collective empowerment. Hanesworth has become a leading cultural voice in Western New York, using storytelling and the arts to foster dialogue, build community and create spaces for reflection, connection and hope.

Aswad Thomas is vice president of the Alliance for Safety and Justice, a national organization dedicated to advancing community-centered approaches to public safety. A survivor of gun violence, Thomas has transformed his personal experience into a lifelong commitment to advocacy, healing and violence prevention. He is a nationally recognized speaker whose work focuses on elevating the voices of survivors, expanding support services and promoting policies that strengthen communities while reducing harm. Through his leadership, he has helped shape national conversations around public safety, trauma recovery and survivor empowerment.