PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATORS

Daniela Brissett, MD is an assistant professor and physician-scientist in pediatrics and adolescent medicine at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh and the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. She is also a faculty scholar at PolicyLab at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP).

Dr. Brissett’s research centers on how racism and sexism intersect to shape the lives and health of Black girls—particularly through the lens of adultification and its impact on medical and mental health outcomes. Her work is grounded in positive youth development and spans juvenile justice reform, substance use, and community-engaged research.

She earned her undergraduate degree in molecular and cell biology from UC Berkeley and her medical degree from UCSF, where she also completed the Pediatric Leadership for the Underserved (PLUS) residency and is currently completing her PhD in Clinical and Translational Science at the University of Pittsburgh. Dr. Brissett’s work has been featured on NPR and other national and international platforms.

 Tawanna Jones Morrison, EdD is a school psychologist and the founder and Executive Director of We REIGN Inc., a Philadelphia-based nonprofit dedicated to centering the voices and lived experiences of Black girls. Her work is driven by a commitment to racial justice, equitable public education, and culturally responsive teacher training.

In 2016, she launched We REIGN (Rooting, Empowering, Inspiring a Girls Nation) to provide a safe, affirming space where Black girls can explore identity, build community, and grow into powerful advocates. Through political and civic education, Dr. Jones Morrison helps Black girls name the challenges in their schools and communities—and equips them to lead the solutions.

“We’re building a coalition of girls who can say, ‘I know what the problems are, and I can come up with solutions,’” she says. “We create a space where Black girls can unapologetically become.”

Dr. Jones' work has been featured on national and international platforms.