Sarah T. Stahl, Ph.D: Principal Investigator
Dr. Stahl is a developmental psychologist and Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Clinical and Translational Sciences at the University of Pittsburgh. She is core faculty in the University of Pittsburgh’s Center for Behavioral Health, Media, and Technology; Center for Sleep and Circadian Science; and Center for Caregiving Research, Education, and Policy. Dr. Stahl's areas of expertise include geriatric mental health, spousal caregiving, spousal bereavement, rest-activity rhythms, behavioral intervention development, and technology and aging. Her work has focused on circadian disruption of health behaviors after stressful life events with an emphasis on developing and testing digital health interventions that stabilize the 24-hour rhythm of sleep, meals, and activity.
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Katalin Szanto, MD: Principal Investigator
Dr. Szanto is a Principal Investigator of the RISE study. She is a Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Pittsburgh. She is a psychiatrist with over 30 years of clinical experience treating older patients with depression. She founded the Longitudinal Research Program in Late-Life Suicide, which follows a population of adults at very high risk for suicide--those with depression and a history of suicide attempt or ideation. The goal motivating her work is to prevent death by suicide. She has extensive experience treating suicidal patients and their families. Her research experience includes conducting a psychological autopsy study, a suicide prevention program in primary care, extensive experience in interviewing practitioners who have lost patients by suicide and conducting a long-term follow-up study on risk and protective factors for late-life suicide. Dr. Szanto’s current research focuses on decision processes in late-life suicide, including a behavioral economics based formulation of suicidal behavior.
Joelle Kincman, PhD: Lead Health Coach
Joelle Kincman, PhD, CSP is a program director and senior clinician at the Late-Life Depression Research Center at the University of Pittsburgh. Dr. Kincman has 24 years’ experience in conducting clinical research involving neuroimaging, neuropsychological testing, psychiatric evaluations, and medication treatment and management under faculty physician supervision. Dr. Kincman is a skilled clinician who understands the collaborative care approach to managing psychiatric treatment in older adults and has experience with psychotic depression, suicidal depression, treatment-resistant depression, caregivers of person’s with dementia, and bereavement in older adults. Dr. Kincman will be assisting this study in facilitating the health coaching team and providing administrative support and advisement. Outside of work, Dr. Kincman enjoys being a Grammy, a dog Mom, and a Zumba Instructor.
Emilee Croswell: Research Coordinator
Emilee is a Research Coordinator for Dr. Stahl’s lab and the RISE study. Emilee manages various research studies and workflow at the lab. Her career includes coordination of Dr. Stahl’s studies since 2020, helping to facilitate several studies at the Center for Research on Healthcare at University of Pittsburgh focusing on disparities in kidney transplantation and assistance on studies of various topics conducted at the VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System. In her spare time, Emilee likes to sew, cook, play acoustic music, and visit parks with her toddler and husband.
Ioana Neagoe: Senior Clinician
Ioana Neagoe is the Senior Clinician for the WELL and RISE Studies. She is the primary assessor for participants throughout their participation in our studies. Ioana received her Master of Science at the University of Pittsburgh for Clinical Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the state of Pennsylvania. She has experience with the geriatric population, people with disabilities, and perinatal mental health. She has been working alongside Dr. Stahl for almost 6 years. Ioana speaks English, Romanian, and German. In her free time Ioana enjoys crafting, gardening, exercising, and baking with sourdough.
Khusbu Patel: Research Principal
Khusbu is happy to be joining the RISE study team as a Health Coach and works in Dr. Stahl’s lab as a clinician. She will be meeting with participants throughout their time in the study to conduct assessments, provide support, and encourage healthy lifestyle routines. Khusbu graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a BS in Neuroscience and BS in Psychology. Outside of work, Khusbu enjoys singing, climbing, and trying new cuisines. Khusbu plans to apply to a graduate program in Clinical Psychology in the near future.
Beth Campbell: Data Coordinator and Analyst
Beth obtained a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Smith College during which time she aided in research projects on language development. Currently, Beth works on database development, data management, and IT help for the Aging & Behavioral Rhythms Research Lab. In her spare time, Beth enjoys painting and listening to pop music.
Meghan Wong: Data Coordinator and Analyst
Meghan is currently a data coordinator & analyst for the RISE Study. She manages actigraphy data, scoring, and coordination processes. Additionally, Meghan oversees RISE database development and ongoing maintenance alongside the other data manager. Meghan graduated with a B.S. in Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior from the University of California, Davis and received an M.S. in Clinical Psychology from California Lutheran University. Broadly speaking, Meghan’s research interests revolve around the developmental trajectories of suicide behaviors and self-harm. In her free time, Meghan enjoys drawing, playing pickleball, and baking focaccia bread.
Alexandra Khani: Research Specialist
Alexandra Khani is a research project assistant for the RISE Study. She clinically assesses participants and conducts neuropsychological assessments at multiple time points. She is interested in trauma's psychopathological and biological effects on sleep and has a B.S. in Psychology and a B.A. in Sociology from the University of Pittsburgh. Outside work, she loves to train her dog in Rally, a sport where dogs move through complicated obstacle courses.
Sejuty Minhaj: Research Technician
Sejuty is a Research Technician for the Aging and Healthy Rhythms Research. She received her B.S. in Biology and Psychology from the University of Pittsburgh and her research interest include mental health and dealing with trauma and grief. Sejuty works with participant coordination and the technology that participants use throughout the studies she is a part of. In her free time, Sejuty enjoys spending too much money eating out with friends, writing with fountain pens, and watching hockey.
Ashlie Gariepy: Research Project Assistant
Ashlie is a Research Project Assistant for the RISE study. As a senior clinician, she manages and collaborates with the team on participant screening, recruitment and referral, and scheduling. Ashlie conducts clinical interviews, administers psychological and neuropsychological assessments, summarizes and represents participant outcomes, and trains new lab members on this. She holds a B.S. in Psychology and Community and Justice Studies from Allegheny College and is currently working toward a Master’s in Counseling Psychology at Chatham University. One day, Ashlie plans to pursue a PhD in Clinical Psychology and dream of being a P.I. in her own interventional research program to combine two of her favorite things: research and patient success!
Geixi Medina: Research Specialist
Geixi (hay-zee) is a Research Specialist for the RISE study.
She manages participant recruitment, screening, scheduling, and clinical assessments. Geixi has a BS in Psychology from the University of Pittsburgh and plans to pursue a PhD in Clinical Psychology in the future with interests in depression and other mental health disorders. Outside of work, Geixi enjoys listening to music, playing video games, and reading.