Research Team

Weili Lu, Ph. D., CRC, is an Associate Professor at Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey. Dr. Lu was a co-investigator, project manager, and assessment supervisor for a RCT funded by NIMH on Treatment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in People with Severe Mental Illness: A Randomized Controlled Trial of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy versus a Brief Intervention (R01 MH064662). She is the PI for a recently completed RCT funded by NIDILRR, Treating hidden barriers to employment: Integrated treatment for PTSD in Supported Employment (NIDILRR Grant # H133G140040). She has published extensively on the topic on PTSD among persons with psychiatric disabilities. Dr. Lu is the Principal Investigator for this project.

Philip Yanos, Ph. D., is a Professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, City University of New York and Director of Clinical Training for the Clinical Psychology Ph.D. program at John Jay College/The Graduate Center. An international expert on mental health stigma, Dr. Yanos was recently the PI on an NIMH-funded grant studying treatment for internalized stigma among people with schizophrenia-spectrum disorders, a NIDILRR-funded grant examining the determinants of community participation among persons with psychiatric disabilities, and was co-investigator on the previous NIDILRR-funded study of CBT for people with psychiatric disabilities receiving supported employment services. Dr. Yanos has published extensively on psychiatric rehabilitation and on CBT treatment for people with both psychiatric disabilities and PTSD. He will be the clinical supervisor and be responsible for the adaption of NECT module in the CBT manual for the study.

Amy Banko MS, CPRP is a full-time faculty member in the Department of Psychiatric Rehabilitation and Counseling Professions at Rutgers University. In addition to providing SEd and SE course instruction, Ms. Banko serves as a lead trainer and consultant at the Integrated Employment Institute of Rutgers. Ms. Banko co-developed the first freestanding, mobile outreach, SE program for individuals with mental health conditions in the state of New Jersey. She provided support in overseeing the first merger of SEd and SE in New Jersey to create a fully comprehensive Career Services model. Ms. Banko was a clinical contributor on three NIDILRR funded SEd and SE research projects. Ms. Banko will utilize her knowledge and competencies from her lived experience of a mental health condition to inform the development of the manual for this project. This peer perspective is leveraged to bring a consumer voice to this novel treatment modality in the current proposal.

Giovanna Giacobbe, MSW, is a Lecturer in the Department of Psychiatric Rehabilitation and Counseling Professions at Rutgers. Having 8 years of experience working on two PTSD clinical trials funded by NIMH and NIDILRR, she currently serves as a trauma consultant and trauma therapist for the NJ Psychiatric Hospitals where she designed and adapted a trauma program for the psychiatric inpatient population. She serves as an assessment supervisor and is responsible for the supervision of the overall recruitment efforts.

Brittany L. Stone M.S., CRC is a Lecturer in the Department of Psychiatric Rehabilitation and Counseling Professions at Rutgers. She is responsible for developing and implementing didactic and in-vivo training in SEd and career development initiatives in New Jersey and surrounding states. She is currently the co-chair of the Special Interest Group on Mental Health for the Association on Higher Education and Disability. She will be a clinical supervisor and be responsible for the elements related to SEd in the adaptation of the PTSD manual for the study.

William Waynor, Ph. D., CRC is an Associate Professor and Director of the Bachelors of Science program in Psychiatric Rehabilitation in the Department of Psychiatric Rehabilitation and Counseling Professions at the Rutgers University School of Health Professions. In addition, Dr. Waynor is the PI for two research projects on the role of recovery variables on employment for persons living with mental illnesses, and the Co-PI for a NIDILRR funded grant “Treating hidden barriers to employment: Integrated treatment for PTSD in supported employment.” (NIDILRR Grant # H133G140040). Dr. Waynor has authored or co-authored 19 peer reviewed journal articles on predictors of employment, staff training methodology, clinical teaching in the academic setting and on the recovery process for people living with mental illnesses.

Externs & Research Assistants

Sydney Tulloch is a 2nd year Master’s student in the Forensic Mental Health Counseling (FMHC) M.A. program at John Jay College of Criminal Justice. She received her Bachelor’s of Arts at the University of Miami with the majors of Psychology and Communication Studies and minor in Criminology. Sydney is also involved in the Youth Law (research) Lab at John Jay College of Criminal Justice where collaborates on research involving juveniles’ comprehension of their Miranda Rights and how their comprehension affects their decision making in legal matters.

Kiana Paniagua is a graduate student of John Jay College of Criminal Justice, majoring in Forensic Mental Health Counseling. She completed her undergraduate studies at John Jay College and graduated with honors in May of 2022. She has written several research papers concerning the analysis of body cameras within law enforcement agencies and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the intersectionality of police-civilian relationships in communities of color. In her former position as a research assistant at John Jay College, she worked on data collection to examine the roots of school violence across the United States. Her former areas of employment entailed working with diverse populations as a Teacher’s Assistant and Wellness Manager Assistant. She is a bilingual speaker with advanced reading and writing skills in the Spanish language. She has consistently achieved both academically and professionally. She is now eager to continue her academic career as a clinician in training.

Marina Redlick is a senior Forensic Psychology student in the Dual Bachelor/Master of Arts program at John Jay College of Criminal Justice and is on track to complete the Advanced Certification in Victimology Studies. She also graduated from the Institute for American Musical Theatre where she studied Musical Theatre with an emphasis in dance. She has helped with the creation and event planning for Alex’s Army, a suicide prevention nonprofit organization. Her clinical and research interests include trauma, dissociation, and attachment.

Jiwoo Choi, MA, ATR-P, has been a research assistant with Dr.Weili Lu for PTSD studies and works on a grant project collaborated with Dr. Dake Zhang. She has also presented on CBT infused with supported education for post-secondary education students with PTSD at the Rutgers Research Symposium. Jiwoo has also worked with Dr. William Waynor on the self-efficacy project. She is currently a Ph.D. student in psychiatric rehabilitation at Rutgers University and has clinical experience with art therapy for individuals with panic disorder, anxiety disorder, and older adults with neurodegenerative disease.

Esther Lo, BA, is a research assistant with Dr. Weili Lu for two clinical trials funded by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research. Esther received her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Urban Geography from McGill University, Montreal, Canada.

Alumni

Demisha is currently in her final year of graduate school at John Jay College of Criminal Justice. Demisha is obtaining a Master’s in Forensic Mental Health Counseling. Demisha worked with the White Plains Youth Bureau to as a career readiness facilitator. Conducting group and one-on-one sessions with youth ages 15 – 24. Demisha currently works as a Career Planner for the Arc of Westchester.

Airicka Garnere received her bachelor’s degree in Forensic Psychology from John Jay College of Criminal Justice. She knew before she graduated that her lifelong dream was to become a counselor, so she decided to stay at John Jay and advance her education. She is now finishing up her final year of graduate school in the Forensic Mental Health Counseling program. Upon graduation, she hopes to work with trauma survivors. She is currently working with adolescents at a nonprofit organization whose goal is to give youth a safe space to practice positive social and community engagement, develop life skills, and assist them in exploring areas of interest. She also volunteers with CrisisTextLine where she provides empathetic mental health support and crisis intervention to those struggling with various aspects of their lives.

Zara Adam is in her final year of the Master’s Program at John Jay for Forensic Mental Health Counseling. She has obtained her Master’s in Forensic Psychology from John Jay and her Bachelor’s in Psychology from Hunter College. Zara has previously worked with the sex offender population in group therapy at New York Counseling for Change (formerly known as Queens Counseling for Change) and currently volunteers with NEDA working with individuals struggling with disordered eating.

Antonio Pagan, a native of Puerto Rico with family roots in New York City, recently completed the Master of Arts program in Forensic Psychology at John Jay College of Criminal Justice. He will be attending the University of Puerto Rico – Rio Piedras Campus to pursue his PhD in Clinical Psychology in Fall 2023. Antonio previously received his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Puerto Rico – Mayaguez Campus. Antonio is also involved in research with the Center on Terrorism at John Jay College of Criminal Justice where he collaborates on terrorism research and education in the New York City area.

Antonio is currently working with the CBT in SEd study at Rutgers University as his required externship for the M.A. in Forensic Psychology program. In this study, Antonio works on assessments and cognitive-behavioral therapy with participants. Antonio is a clinical extern for the iCareer study.