Leah Rubin, PhD, MA, MPH

BHP, Co-Founder, Co-Director
Background: Dr. Leah Rubin is a Professor of Neurology, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, and Epidemiology at the Johns Hopkins University. Dr. Rubin received her BA from Franklin and Marshall University, a MA in Clinical Psychology from Loyola University Maryland, and a Ph.D. and M.P.H. from the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Dr. Rubin’s work is dedicated to improving the cognitive and mental health of several vulnerable populations, including women and men living with HIV (both nationally and, more recently, internationally), individuals with serious mental illness, dementia, and traumatic brain injury. Her broad training background allows her to use an interdisciplinary approach in her research program that incorporates epidemiological, mechanistic (e.g., structural and functional neuroimaging) and intervention science (e.g., pharmacologic challenge studies).

Jennifer Coughlin, MD

BHP, Co-Founder, Co-Director
Background: Dr. Jennifer Coughlin is an associate professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, with joint appointment in Radiology. She directs the Young Adult Affective Disorders Inpatient Service and the Young Adult Affective Disorders Consultation Clinic.

Dr. Coughlin’s research focuses on molecular neuroimaging techniques, with focus in the use of positron emission tomography (PET) to study markers of neuroinflammation and receptor systems in the living brain. Her work spans the study of NFL players, healthy aging, inflammatory conditions, psychosis, and dementia. She aims to inform the molecular understanding of neuropsychiatric conditions, and identify novel, precision therapies guided by imaging results.

Skylar Rucci

Christina Della Pena

Fun Fact: I am a yoga teacher and my two favorite hobbies, besides yoga, is roller skating and crocheting!

Daisheau Player

Hometown: Baltimore, MD
University: Dickinson College 
Department: Neurology 
Studies: COC4/ BRAIN
Career Interests and Goals: To pursue a career in medicine, hopefully with a focus on primary care of pediatrics. 

Hannah Parker

Hometown: Richmond, Virginia
University: University of Richmond (graduated 2023)
Department:Department of Neurology
Studies: BRAIN and COVID-BBB
Career Interests and Goals:In the future I hope to pursue a career in medicine. Specifically, I am interested in psychiatry, emergency medicine, and the intersection between these two fields.
Fun Fact: I recently learned how to bake my own bread :)

Yacine Si

Olivia Fox

University: Johns Hopkins University (2023)

Sarah Kanner

Hometown: Phoenix, AZ
University: Johns Hopkins University (2023)
Department: Neurology
Career Interests and Goals: To become a physician and work within pediatrics in psychology or oncology.
Fun Fact: I am scuba certified and also have the same name as the character from The Terminator! I am running the Baltimore Marathon in October as well!

Katherine Haas

Hometown: Annapolis, MD
University: St. Mary's College of MD (2022)
Department: Molecular and Comparative Pathology
Career Interests and Goals: Getting my masters one day, but right now I am figuring out what I like to do within the medical field.
Fun Fact: I love to read steampunk Victorian murder mysteries.

Katelyn Jenkins

Hometown: Williamsburg, VA
University: College of William & Mary (2021)
Department: Psychiatry
Studies: BRAIN, PASEM, CPDEP
Career Interests and Goals: To get a Ph.D. in Clinical/Developmental Psychology to work in pediatric mental health.
Fun Fact: I know how to Tango!

Hannah Lee

Hometown: Rockville, MD
University: Case Western Reserve University (2022)
Department: Neurology
Studies: IMPACT
Career Interests and Goals: To conduct psychological assessments and mental health research, and practice therapy.

Gabriela Molestina

Hometown: Bristow, VA
University: Johns Hopkins University (2022)
Department: Neurology
Studies: COC4, BRAIN
Career Interests and Goals: To pursue a career in public health centered toward improving children and adolescent health.

Hayley Romero

Hometown: Joppa, MD
University: St. Mary's College of Maryland
Department: Molecular and Comparative Pathobiology
Career Interests and Goals: Attend medical school in the near future.
Fun Fact: I have a pet axolotl that I've raised since it was an embryo!

Isabel Santiuste

Hometown: New York, NY
University: Yale University (2022)
Department: Neurology
Career Interests and Goals: To attend medical school and pursue a career in medicine. I'm particularly interested in neurology, psychiatry, and studying the effects of stress and trauma on brain health.
Fun Fact: I love to roller-skate!

Ana Soule, CRNP

Shannon Sweeney

Hometown: Plainfield, CT
University: Wesleyan University (2021)
Department: Psychiatry
Studies: PET imaging with FNDP, NFL, CPHIV, IMPACT, CPDEP
Career Interests and Goals: To apply to medical school in the near future and pursue a career as a physician.

Andre Vu

Hometown: Stanton, CA
University: Johns Hopkins University (2022)
Department: Neurology
Studies: Charter Plus, BRAIN, COC4
Career Interests and Goals: To work with Doctors without Borders, with a keen interest in addressing issues within Southeast Asia. Currently, a goal that I am pursuing is starting a nonprofit childcare center at Johns Hopkins' Homewood Campus that provides affordable and accessible childcare services to Hopkins employees and students, specifically graduate students.
Fun Fact: I broke a couch the first day at Hopkins!

Ekema Anjorin, MBChB, EMBA

Department: Medicine, Internal Medicine

Jason Creighton

Hometown: Baltimore, MD
University: Gettysburg College (2001)
Departments: Neurology and the School of Public Health
Life Interests and Goals: To achieve a healthy, balanced lifestyle of spiritual and mental health, and assorted sports activities.
Fun Fact: I play golf.

Jasper Adams

Hometown: San Clemente, CA
University (grad year): Johns Hopkins University (2024)
Department: Neurology
Career Interests and Goals: Getting my Master's in Public Health, Environmental Science, or a mix of both!

Sam Bronckers

Hometown: Blaricum, The Netherlands
University: Johns Hopkins University (2024)
Department: Neurology
Studies: COC4, BRAIN
Career Interests and Goals: To apply to medical school!
Fun Fact: I am a practice player for the Hopkins field hockey team and used to play with Izzy!

Jayda Fomengia

Hometown: Beltsville, MD
University: University of Maryland, College Park (2023) in Neuroscience and Human Development.
Department: Neurology, Scholar in the Johns Hopkins NeuroHIV Comorbidities Scholars Program (JHNeurophytes)
Favorite Quote: “Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.” – Harriet Tubman

Lang Lang

Hometown: Beijing, China
University: Johns Hopkins University (2022)
Department: Applied Math & Stat
Studies: Statistics
Career Interests and Goals: To pursue a PhD program in Stat/Biostat and pursue a career as Biostatistician.
Fun Fact: A world-class Chinese pianist is also called Lang Lang.

Wenxuan Lu

Hometown: Nanjing, China
University: Johns Hopkins University (2023)
Department: Applied Mathematics and Statistics
Career Interests and Goals: To pursue a Ph.D. degree in Biostatistics and conduct applicable studies in health sciences.
Fun Fact: I found figure skating to be my biggest hobby during the pandemic.

Megha Salvi

University: Johns Hopkins University (2026)

Natalie Smith

Hometown: Los Altos Hills, CA
University: Johns Hopkins University (2026)
Department: Neurology
Studies: IMPACT
Career Interests and Goals: To go to medical school after college and possibly become a pediatric neurosurgeon!
Fun Fact: I have a pet lizard named Leonel Messi.

Eran Shorer, MBChB, MSc

Postdoctoral Fellow, Computational Neuroscience
Hometown: Johannesburg, South Africa
Universities: University of Cape Town (MSc in Computational Neuroscience (2021); Medical Doctor (2020) and BSc(Med) Neurophysiology (2017)
Department: Neurology
Career Interests and Goals: To establish a career as a physician-scientist by pursuing a neurology residency and possibly a future fellowship in electrophysiology. I’m passionate about academic medicine and have a particular interest in neuromodulation and neuroinfectious disease.
Fun Fact: I have a Maltese named QT – referencing both “Cutie” and the period of heart contraction and relaxation on an electrocardiogram.

Rebecca Easter

Postdoctoral Fellow 
Hometown: Richmond, VA
Universities: University of Illinois at Chicago (PhD, MA – Clinical Psychology), College of William and Mary (BA – History, Government)
Department: Neurology
Career Interests and Goals: To examine the relationships between sociocultural factors and cognition in mental health, particularly in underserved populations
Fun Fact: I spent two years living and teaching in an elementary school in Seoul.