Advancing the Science of Digital Mental Health and Wellness

Effectiveness Research

Effectiveness research is one of the core research pillars at Amwell® Research. A distinct feature of our effectiveness trials is that they are all pragmatic studies conducted in real-world settings which maximizes the ecological validity and generalizability of the findings. We have conducted Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) that have proven that the programs we are offering are effective at addressing different mental health conditions. Amwell® Research has demonstrated positive long-lasting outcomes resulting in significant improvement in symptoms after 12 months.

Derek Richards, Ph.D.

Chief Science Officer

Dr. Richards is part of the executive team at Amwell®. As Chief Science Officer, Derek leads on the strategic research objectives for the company. He is also the director of the E-mental health research group in the School of Psychology, Trinity College Dublin. Since 2002 he has been extensively involved in clinical research, development and implementation of technology delivered interventions for mental health problems. As one of the most widely cited researchers in the field, Dr. Richards forms part of the Digital Therapeutics Alliance, which leads the adoption and integration of digital therapeutics solutions into US healthcare.

Angel Enrique, Ph.D.

Digital Health Scientist

Angel joined Amwell® in 2017. He holds a PhD in Psychopathology, Health and Neuropsychology from University Jaume I (Spain). His main role is to lead the design, planning and execution of research projects on internet-delivered interventions for different mental health conditions. Angel is a prolific researcher with many years of experience in the Digital Mental Health Space where he has worked with different academic institutions and lead experts across Europe and US. He has experience in both, industry and academia fields, and leveraging the best from both sides to advance the science behind these interventions.

Daniel Duffy, MSc

Clinical Trials Associate & Doctoral Student

Daniel has worked as a clinical researcher with Amwell® since 2015 and has managed several clinical trials, including the Digital IAPT RCT and investigations into the utility of iCBT for patients with severe presentations of depression and anxiety in NHS services. His research interests centre on the intersection between the fields of implementation science and digital therapies, and he has recently been awarded an employment-based postgraduate scholarship by the Irish Research Council to conduct doctoral research in this area. This research is supported by both Amwell® and the E-Mental Health Research Group at Trinity College Dublin, and is due for completion in 2021

Catalina Cumpanasoiu, Ph.D.

Clinical Research Associate

Catalina joined Amwell® in 2020 after completing her Doctorate degree in Personal Health Informatics, a joint degree between Northeastern University’s schools of health and computer sciences, with a focus on improving health through patient-facing, transdisciplinary, and innovative solutions. She has experience working with vulnerable populations and assessing the feasibility of using new technologies for data collection, as well as their impact on behavioral interventions in underserved populations. With a background in both psychology and computer science, Catalina is passionate about leveraging technology to help people and is bringing her interdisciplinary experience into designing, executing, and evaluating new research at Amwell®.

Adedeji Adegoke, MSc

Clinical Research Associate (Data Management)

Adedeji Adegoke is a Clinical Research Associate (Data Management) at Amwell® who obtained his MSc in Data Analytics from the School of Computing in National College of Ireland. Adedeji’s interest lies in using big data to pilot research and innovation within internet-delivered mental health interventions. He is skilled in sophisticated statistical analyses, data analysis and research methodologies.

Professor David Barlow, Ph.D.

Dr. David Barlow is Founder and Director Emeritus, Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders, Professor Emeritus of Psychology and Psychiatry at Boston University. His clinical research focuses on understanding the nature of anxiety and depression and developing new treatments for emotional disorders.

Bill Polonsky, Ph.D., CDE

Dr. Polonsky is the President of the Behavioural Diabetes Institute and Associate Clinical Professor in Psychiatry at the University of California San Diego. He received his PhD in clinical psychology from Yale University and has served as Senior Psychologist at the Joslin Diabetes Center in Boston, faculty member at Harvard Medical School and Chairman of the National Certification Board for Diabetes Educators.

Professor C Barr Taylor

Dr. Taylor is a Research Professor and Director of the Center for m²Health at Palo Alto University. Dr. Taylor is Professor of Psychiatry (Emeritus) at Stanford University, where he worked for over 35 years. His work has focused on developing and evaluated cost-effective, often technology based approaches to prevention and treatment of mental health disorders and medical risk factors.

Professor Ladislav Timulak

Ladislav Timulak, PhD is Director of the Doctorate in Counselling Psychology at School of Psychology, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland. His research focuses on various aspects of the delivery of psychological therapies for a range of mental health difficulties, including randomized controlled trials in both face-to-face and online internet-delivered therapy.

Professor Todd Farchione, Ph.D.

Dr. Farchione is a Research Professor at Boston University and directs the Intensive Treatment Program for Panic Disorder and Specific Phobias . His research interests are focused on the psychological factors associated with the development of anxiety and mood disorders. In particular, he is interested in the development of more effective treatments for these disorders and is currently working with Dr. David Barlow investigating a new unified transdiagnostic treatment for anxiety and mood disorders.