Our Research Team

Principal Investigator

 

 

 

Sabra Inslicht, Ph.D.

 

 

 

 

Co-Investigator/Study Physician

 

 

 

Thomas Neylan, M.D.

 

 

 

 

Study Coordinator

 

 

 

Lindsey Smith, MPH

Lindsey joined the research team at the VA in 2013 after completing her graduate degree in Public Health. She has conducted various health research projects and clinical trials over the last ten years and is particularly interested in health psychology.

 

 

Research Assistants

 

 

 

Maureen Barrientos

Maureen is completing her final semester at the University of San Francisco where she will receive her B.A. in psychology. She aspires to earn a PhD in clinical psychology and study cultural diversity in the mental health field, specifically the influence of minority group status in stress management. Maureen spends much of her free time reading, cooking, and exploring a sustainable, eco-friendly lifestyle.

Kim Leon, B.A.

 

 

Celeste Swain, B.S.

Celeste graduated from Bowdoin College in 2012 with a Neuroscience major. She spent two years as a Clinical Research Coordinator at Massachusetts General Hospital investigating the neuropathogenesis of postoperative cognitive dysfunction and postoperative delirium in elderly surgical patients and the neurotoxicity of anesthesia. She moved back to her hometown of Berkeley in the Fall of 2014 and is currently applying to medical school. A former two-sport collegiate athlete, Celeste now enjoys running, yoga, and attempting to surf.

Cindy Villanueva, B.A.

Cindy earned a Bachelors in Psychology with a Minor in Linguistics from UC Berkeley. She is interested in the development and treatment of mental illness, and in particular, how potential contributing factors, like sleep and emotion regulation, may be targets for intervention. She plans to pursue a PhD in Clinical Psychology and become a practicing therapist. In her free time, she enjoys reading, drawing, practicing taekwondo, and attending punk rock shows.

Emma Wallace

Emma is a graduating senior from UC Berkeley with a bachelors degree in psychology. In the past, she has worked as a research assistant studying impulsivity in teenage girls, and is currently a research assistant in a sleep lab on campus developing better sleep therapies for teens. Next year she plans to work as an ABA therapist for kids with Autism while also doing research at the VA and UC Berkeley. Eventually, she plans to get a PHD in clinical psychology. In her free time, Emma loves cooking, trying new restaurants, and going to concerts.

Ben Emmert-Aronson

Tierney Baum, B.S.

Tierney received her B.S. in Neuroscience and Literature from UC Santa Cruz in 2014. Past research has involved the intersection of environmental and genetic factors on Multiple Sclerosis susceptibility and most recently the role of certain proteins in axonal transport and neurodegenerative disease.  She plans to either pursue a PhD or MD in the next few years and is currently living in Berkeley, CA. Her hobbies include running, rock climbing, reading, and Argentine tango.

Gilbert Soon, B.S.

Gilbert served in the United States Navy as a Hospital Corpsman. After deploying to Afghanistan with the 2nd Marine Division 8th Marine Regiment, Gilbert received his Bachelors of Science in Health Care Management from Southern Illinois University Carbondale while working in the Camp Johnson Medical Clinic in North Carolina. He is an aspiring physician and is currently enrolled in the Pre-Health Professions Certificate Program at San Francisco State University. Gilbert enjoys hikes with friends, Muay Thai, and finding new places to eat.