Meet Our Experts

Dr. Saloni Sharma is a trained public policy researcher with over six years of research and data analysis experience with policy issues in the United States, South Asia, and Europe, on topics including environmental sustainability, equity, food security, and stakeholder governance. As a senior consultant at Midwest Evaluation and Research (MER), Dr. Sharma supports various products on the Healthy Marriage Responsible Fatherhood (HMRF) projects. Additionally, she serves as the project lead evaluator for two HMRF grant recipients. Prior to her employment at MER, Dr. Sharma was extensively involved in a National Science Foundation (NSF)-funded research project investigating the nexus of food, water, and energy policies in Wilmington, Delaware. Dr. Sharma received her PhD in urban affairs and public policy from the Biden School of Public Administration at the University of Delaware.

Jennifer Leveille earned her Master of Public Health degree with a concentration in environmental health from Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, preceded by a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry from the University of North Texas. Jennifer joins the Midwest Evaluation team as a consultant, bringing her skills in data analysis, program management, and client relations. Before joining MER, Jennifer worked as a senior research assistant at MD Anderson Cancer Center and also provided evidence-based COVID-19 policy guidance for the Texas Policy Lab at Rice University.

Laura Baron-Reyes is a young research professional from Colombia, South America. She received her Bachelor of Science in economics from Universidad de La Sabana and a Master of Science in informatics and quantitative economics from Emporia State University. She has three years of experience in programming and data analysis in the econometrics and psychometrics fields. She currently serves Midwest Evaluation and Research as the data analytics team lead, where she supports data design and continuous quality improvement implementation for Healthy Marriage and Responsible Fatherhood grantees, as well as crime data analysis for the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council of Lucas County, Ohio. Her research topics have concerned development economics issues such as gender, poverty, and health access inequalities, at both the national and international level.

Charli Brickner completed her Master of Arts degree in psychology from the University of Houston as well as a Bachelor of Arts in English at the University of Texas at Austin. She is currently a consultant for Midwest Evaluation and Research, where she applies her expertise in behavioral research and data collection. Prior to her position at MER, Charli worked in early childhood education research funded by a grant from the National Science Foundation.

Based in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, Katie Amundsen serves as copyeditor for Midwest Evaluation and Research, where she employs her expertise in crafting polished, clear, and professional prose. Katie earned her Master of Fine Arts degree in creative writing from Wichita State University, and prior to joining the MER team, she worked as an assistant professor of writing and composition.

Debbie Baruwa-Etti earned her associate degree in computer science in Portsmouth, United Kingdom. She brings years of event planning experience to Midwest Evaluation and Research. Her experience with educational events, community events, special occasions, conferences, and conventions gives her a well-rounded perspective, and she enjoys working on the details to make the big-picture dream come to life. When not working, Debbie enjoys reading, cooking, and spending time with her family.

Based in Dallas, Texas, Shuntay Ward has over 14 years of combined experience working with at-risk youth, economically disadvantaged young adults, and older adult populations. Shuntay is a continuous quality improvement data manager at Midwest Evaluation and Research, where she works closely with nonprofit partners on data collection, data management strategies, and implementation planning. She is continuing her degree at the University of Texas at Arlington School of Social Work.

Deepika Bhatt completed her Master of Public Health degree from Padmashree School of Public Health, India. She has more than four years of experience in conducting research on multiple domains of public health, especially sexual and reproductive health and the health care delivery system. She is currently working as a data manager at Midwest Evaluation and Research and oversees data collection, data management, and implementation plans. Prior to working with MER, Deepika worked as research, monitoring, and evaluation (RME) officer at Sunaulo Parivar Nepal/Marie Stopes International Nepal.

Chelsea Knight is from Lebo, Kansas, and moved to Emporia to pursue a degree from Flint Hills Technical College. She completed her associate's degree in hospitality and culinary arts. She currently serves at Midwest Evaluation as an Contracts Manager and brings to this position a variety of skills and experience acquired over the years while working in an array of positions and fields.

Jenna Hinderliter graduated from the University of Cincinnati with a Master of Science in criminal justice and a graduate certificate in crime analysis and prevention. As a former crime analyst, she has experience working with various crime-related topics in both academic and law enforcement settings. Her expertise resides in crime analysis, crime mapping, criminological theory, and general data analysis. Jenna supports Midwest Evaluation and Research as a data specialist and assists with the various projects taken on by the data analytics team. She looks forward to expanding her analysis skills while having the opportunity to work toward a cause that she is passionate about.