Meet the Team
Get to know the researchers and collaborators dedicated to advancing our understanding of mental/brain health and aging within U.S.-Brazilian communities.
Dr. Sanz Simon, Ph.D., is a neuropsychologist and researcher in the fields of aging, neurosciences, and mental health. She is an Assistant Professor at Rutgers University (Newark campus), at the Department of Psychiatry, New Jersey Medical Center. She is also a core member of the Brain Health Institute and the Krieger Klein Alzheimer’s Research Center at Rutgers University. She earned her Ph.D. from the University of São Paulo (Brazil), a Research Fellowship in Neuropsychiatry at the Brigham and Women's Hospital (Harvard University), and a Postdoctoral Fellowship from Columbia University.
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Dr. Sanz Simon is passionate about empowering communities through science and developing interventions to improve mental & brain health in older adults, including vulnerable and underrepresented populations. Currently, her research is funded by the National Institute of Aging (NIA-NIH) and the Alzheimer's Association. She is the Principal Investigator of the BRAINY-NJ Study, a research project aiming to identify risk and resilience factors for Alzheimer's disease & dementia among U.S.-Brazilian communities.
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Languages: English, Portuguese, Spanish, French, and Hebrew (basic).
Ana Staniscia, M.S., M.A, LPMHC, is the Clinical Research Coordinator of the BRAINY-NJ Study, bringing a rich blend of academic and clinical expertise from Brazil and the United States. She holds a degree in Psychology from the Federal University of São Carlos (Brazil) and Psycho-Oncology at the A.C. Camargo Center in São Paulo, where she earned her Master’s in Science.
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In the United States, Ana earned her Master’s in Counseling for Mental Health and Wellness at New York University, further honing her ability to provide empathetic, evidence-based, and culturally sensitive care. She also works as a psychotherapist at Intercity Psychotherapy in Yonkers, NY, supporting clients across diverse life stages, focusing on older adults and those navigating complex emotional challenges. Ana's multicultural perspective and dedication to mental health and wellness make her a compassionate advocate for holistic and inclusive care.
Languages: English, Portuguese, Spanish, basic French, and Italian. ​
Mentors & Collaborators
Get to know the team of advisors and collaborators on the BRAINY-NJ Study
Yaakov Stern, PhD
Dr. Yaakov Stern is a Professor of Neuropsychology in the Departments of Neurology, Psychiatry, and Psychology, and the Taub Institute for the Research on Alzheimer’s Disease and the Aging Brain Dr. Stern is also the chief of the Cognitive Neuroscience Division in the Department of Neurology at Columbia University Irving Medical Center in NYC (US).
Sonia M. D. Brucki, MD, PhD
Dr. Sonia Brucki is an Associate Professor of Neurology at the Faculty of Medicine, University of São Paulo (FMUSP), Brazil. She is the director of the Cognitive Neurology and Behavioral Unit at the Clinics Hospital, FMUSP. Dr. Brucki is a co-investigator of the LatAmFinger in São Paulo (Brazil).