Amber Alsobrooks
Senior Project Coordinator
Amber Alsobrooks, M.S., M.A., LPA is a Senior Project Coordinator for Training and Technical Assistance at Strong Star Training Institute, and Clinical Research Coordinator Senior in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Duke University School of Medicine. Her work centers on advancing behavioral health technologies and therapies to improve outcomes for Veterans with PTSD, chronic pain, and substance use disorders. Amber provides consultation to assist research labs in building protocols to enhance suicide protection and prevention in clinical research settings. Amber is also a Licensed Psychological Associate in the state of North Carolina, a rostered CPT provider, and a Research Therapist at Duke and the Durham VA Health Care System for studies incorporating therapies to treat PTSD and substance use disorders.
Dina Garcia
Digital Communications Manager
Dina Garcia, MSW, has been a member of the STRONG STAR Training Initiative team since 2022, serving as the Digital Communications Manager. In this role, she leads the organization’s marketing efforts across social media platforms, manages email campaigns, updates website content, and enhances brand visibility to support STRONG STAR’s mission. Her work ensures that evidence-based training opportunities are effectively communicated to community-based mental health providers and other key audiences. Before joining the STRONG STAR Training Initiative, Ms. Garcia served as a Behavioral Navigation Specialist at The United Way of Greater Austin, where she connected central Texas residents to state-funded mental health resources, fostering community well-being.
Debra Kichline
Senior Project Coordinator
Debra Kichline is a Senior Project Coordinator for the STRONG STAR Training Initiative working to develop their veterans suicide prevention initiative. Ms. Kichline earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. While working in her Master’s program, she assisted in multiple research projects with the developmentally disabled population at Choate Mental Health and Developmental Center in Anna, Illinois. Ms. Kichline also conducted research in the field of organizational behavior management through Project 12-Ways in the Behavior Analysis and Therapy Department of Southern Illinois University. Ms. Kichline went on to apply her skills working with developmental disabilities and traumatic brain injury clients. After some significant life events, she moved into project management and program development. Prior to joining the STRONGSTAR team, she assisted in the development and launch of the Rural Telementoring Training Center at UTHSA. Her family consists of her son, Hunter, and entirely too many rescue dogs.
Cy Pattee
Research Area Specialist
Cy Pattee, MPH joined the STRONG STAR Training Initiative in 2023. As a Research Area Specialist, he helps provide administrative assistance for SSTI and support for webinars and grants. Mr. Pattee earned his Bachelor of Arts in International Relations from Kenyon College, and his Master’s in Public Health Administration and Policy from the University of Minnesota. Prior to joining SSTI, Mr. Pattee worked in public health research, including mental health policy and compliance for a company that provides services for autistic children and adults.
Andres Vazquez
Systems and Operations Manager
Andres Vazquez joined the STRONG STAR Training Initiative in 2024. As the Systems and Operations Manager, he oversees the technological and operational infrastructure that supports SSTI’s training programs. His role includes managing internal platforms, organizing data, and creating reports and dashboards that enhance program insight and decision-making. Andres also improves workflow efficiency and coordinates event operations to ensure a seamless experience for providers and partners. Before joining SSTI, Andres served as a Program Coordinator at The University of Texas at San Antonio, supporting recruitment and engagement initiatives through event planning, data management, and cross-campus collaboration.
Maythe Vega
Research Associate
Maythe Vega joined the STRONG STAR Training Initiative as a Research Associate in 2023 and provides administrative support for training events and the provider portal. Ms. Vega earned her Bachelor’s of Science degree from Brown University, and worked as a research assistant with the Mindfulness Center at Brown. Prior to working with SSTI, Maythe worked on user design of health plan applications at Kyruus.
Jenn Vieira
Senior Project Coordinator
Jennifer Vieira joined the STRONG STAR Training Initiative as a Senior Project Coordinator, incorporating her expertise in project management to support UTHSA’s work with USAA and Face the Fight. Prior to joining the SSTI Team and the Face the Fight initiative, Ms. Vieira worked on various Pentagon projects with the Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO) and the Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (VCJCS), to create and implement IT transformational change. She also has experience in policy implementation, and small business management. Ms. Vieira is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, former U.S. Foreign Service diplomat, and proud wife to an active-duty U.S. Army husband. She has her B.A in International Affairs and Geography from the University of Mary Washington. She is also the proud mom of three boys and spends any spare time on an athletic field supporting them.