Jennifer Sharpe Potter, PhD, MPH
Program Director
Dr. Potter serves as the program director of Naloxone Texas. She joined the UT Health San Antonio faculty in 2008 after serving at Harvard Medical School and McLean Hospital in Belmont, Massachusetts. In 2012, she was promoted to assistant dean and then vice dean for research for the Joe R. and Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine, where she served until June of 2021 until being appointed vice president for research of the university. Dr. Potter is a passionate leader. She is a trailblazer in the field of substance use care and treatment. She believes in a future where stigma is unacceptable. Dr. Potter used to be an actress and went to theatrical school.
Dr. Robert Ashford, PhD, MSW
Project Director
Dr. Ashford is a recovery scientist with a focus on recovery support services, as well as the executive director of Unity Recovery, a recovery community organization. Dr. Ashford joined UT Health San Antonio faculty in 2023. He serves as an Assistant Professor to the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences.
With an extensive background in recovery-related research, he has developed a comprehensive understanding of opioid and other substance use disorder etiology and pathology, as well as the progression, mechanisms, and processes of recovery from these disorders. He has been particularly interested in the role of recovery support institutions (e.g., recovery community organizations, collegiate recovery programs) and recovery support services – including peer recovery support services – in the context of long-term individual recovery. His scientific research experience has exposed him to a range of theoretical backgrounds including psychology, social work, epidemiology, and ethnography.
Tara E. Karns-Wright, PhD, MS
Project Director
Dr. Karns-Wright serves as the senior director for Be Well Texas and an assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. After completing her master’s and doctoral degrees, she joined UT Health San Antonio in 2013 as a postdoctoral fellow. Dr. Karns-Wright is a developmental psychologist, with specialized training in addiction science, clinical trials, research design and data analysis. Dr. Karns-Wright is an innovative, science-driven leader and believes that developing new treatments and methods of delivery can enhance care and provide treatment all who need and want it. Dr. Karns-Wright is the proud mom to two children and enjoys spending her time riding scooters around the neighborhood with them.
Ashley Emmerich, MS
Manager of Research Operations
Originally from Jefferson City, Missouri, Ashley grew up across Missouri, Kansas, Arkansas, and Texas. She has lived in San Antonio for 25 years. After earning her BA and MS degrees in Psychology from University of Texas San Antonio (UTSA), Ashley taught in the Psychology department for 3 years. She has worked in the area of substance use prevention and treatment for 10 years.
Ashlynn Cruz
Research Area Specialist – Associate
Ashlynn attended undergrad at Texas Tech University and is currently pursuing a graduate degree at Texas A&M. During her undergrad years, she joined the U.S. Army, and currently serves as a 1LT Human Resources Officer. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, playing volleyball, going on hikes, and enjoying what nature has to offer.
Andersen Dedmon, MSB
Research Area Specialist – Associate
Anderson earned a Master of Science in Business from the University of Texas at San Antonio after majoring in Biology. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, going to the gym, watching movies/TV shows, traveling, and exploring.