Meet Our Team
Weili Lu, Ph. D., CRC
Principal Investigator
Weili Lu, Ph. D., CRC, is the Principal Investigator for the Transdiagnostic study and an Associate Professor at Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey. Dr. Lu was a co-investigator, project manager, and assessment supervisor for a Randomized Controlled Trial 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 RCT funded by NIDILRR, Treating hidden barriers to employment: Integrated treatment for PTSD in Supported Employment (NIDRR Grant # H133G140040). She has published extensively on the topic on PTSD among persons with psychiatric disabilities. Additionally, Dr. Lu won the school’s Excellence in Research award in 2010.
Philip Yanos, Ph. D., CRC
Co-Investigator
Philip Yanos, Ph. D., is a Co-Investigator for the Transdiagnostic and a Professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, City University of New York. An internationally recognized expert on mental health stigma, he is the author of the book “Written Off: Mental Health Stigma and the Loss of Human Potential” and associate editor for the journal Stigma and Health. He has also been a PI on a NIDILRR grant examining community participation among persons with MHCs, a PI on a NIMH funded R01 assessing treatment for self-stigma among people with schizophrenia and was co-investigator on a recent NIDILRR study of CBT for people with MHCs receiving SE services. Dr. Yanos has over 100 publications relevant to psychiatric rehabilitation.
Amy Banko, MS, CPRP
Co-Investigator
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
Co-Investigator
Giovanna Giacobbe, MSW, is a Senior Training and Consultation Specialist for Rutgers University in the Department of Psychiatric Rehabilitation. Giovanna has had over 20 years of experience managing various research projects from the state of NJ, NIDILRR, NIH and NIMH that focused its research on severe mental illness such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depression, schizoaffective disorders, as well as substance abuse, trauma, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), personality disorders, smoking cessation, college students with psychiatric disabilities, Supported Housing, Supported Employment and Supported Education.
Giovanna’s area of specialty is in trauma and PTSD. She currently teaches a trauma graduate course at Rutgers University for students in the Psychiatric Rehabilitation Graduate Program. She is also a trauma consultant for the NJ State Psychiatric Hospitals. In this role she has authored a Stage 1 trauma treatment manual called: Managing Difficult Life Experiences (MDLE) and adapted a trauma manual called the “New Jersey-Trauma Addictions Mental Health and Recovery” (NJ-TAMAR). She also serves as a member and trauma consultant to the NJ Centralized Trauma Informed Care Committee.
Giovanna has served as a trauma clinician for a PTSD research study and at Trenton Psychiatric Hospital implementing the NJ-TAMAR program and is responsible for training clinicians on MDLE and NJ-TAMAR manuals and Trauma Informed Care at all four NJ state psychiatric hospitals. Ms. Giacobbe also serves as a co-investigator, supervisor and trainer for research assistants on various research grants for her department.
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ORCID iD: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4811-4010
Brian C. Chu, Ph. D.
Co-Investigator
Professor, Department of Clinical Psychology & Director, Youth Anxiety and Depression Clinic
Kim Mueser, Ph.D.
Co-Investigator
Kim T. Mueser, Ph.D. is a clinical psychologist, Professor of Occupational Therapy and Psychological & Brain Sciences, and Senior Researcher at the Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation at Boston University. Dr. Mueser’s clinical and research interests include coordinated specialty care for first episode psychosis, cognitive remediation and vocational rehabilitation, illness management and recovery, family psychoeducation, integrated treatment of co-occurring psychiatric and substance use disorders, social skills training, and the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder. His research has been supported by the National Institute of Mental Health, the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration, and the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation. He is the co-author of over 10 books and treatment manuals, and has published extensively, including numerous peer reviewed journal articles and book chapters. Dr. Mueser has also given numerous lectures and workshops on psychiatric rehabilitation, both nationally and internationally.
Ni Gao, Ph.D.
Co-Investigator
Janice Oursler, Ph. D.
Co-Investigator
Janice Oursler, Ph. D., is the program director for Rehabilitation Counseling in the Department of Psychiatric and Counseling Professions at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. She also teaches and provides clinical supervision to master’s level rehabilitation counseling students and is a consultant on psychiatric rehabilitation implementation to the Pennsylvania Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. Prior to joining UMDNJ, Dr. Oursler was Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, Behavioral Healthcare Education at MCP Hahnemann University (now Drexel University College of Medicine). She also developed and taught psychiatric rehabilitation curriculum based on the Boston University model to prepare staff in Iowa to provide services in new Intensive Psychiatric Rehabilitation Programs in a public managed-care environment. She has worked as a quality assurance consultant, Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services Director and acting Director for Treatment Services. Dr. Oursler is a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor, Certified Psychiatric Rehabilitation Practitioner, National Certified Counselor, Licensed Clinical Social Worker (New York), and a member of the Academy of Certified Social Workers and has been published in several academic journals.
James Parrott, Ph. D.
Statistician
Associate Professor, Department of Interdisciplinary Studies Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey
Krista Rogers, M.A.
Project Coordinator
Krista Rogers is a current research assistant. She graduated in 2020 with her BA in Forensic Psychology and a minor in English and Criminology from John Jay College of Criminal Justice. Three years later, in 2023, she graduated with her MA in Forensic Mental Health Counseling from the same institution. Throughout her academic career, Krista has contributed to several criminal justice-focused projects, including studies on racial and phenotypic bias in eyewitness identification and comparisons of the criminal justice response to the Capitol riots and the George Floyd protests. Her clinical experience includes working on the CBT for PTSD study with Rutgers University as a clinical extern, where she conducted trauma-based assessments and provided trauma-informed CBT treatment to college students with PTSD.
Currently, Krista is a research assistant on multiple projects, such as the Transdiagnostic CBT study, and also currently serves as the project manager for the CBT for PTSD study. She is passionate about conducting research that advances the field and positively impacts the lives of others.
Katrina Heller, M.A.
Project Manager
Katrina Heller, M.A., is a Project Manager for the Transdiagnostic study. She earned her M.A. in Forensic Psychology through an accelerated program at John Jay College of Criminal Justice. She has worked in this lab since 2024 and has contributed to administrative tasks, extern onboarding, data management, posters, presentations, manuscripts, and grant applications.
Abigail Malbrough, M.A.
Data Manager
Abigail Malbrough is the Data Manager for the Transdiagnostic study. She earned her B.S. in Criminal Justice with a minor in Psychology from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette in 2023. In 2025, she completed her M.A. in Forensic Psychology and an Advanced Certificate in Victimology Studies at John Jay College of Criminal Justice. Abigail has contributed to manuscript development, data management, and statistical analysis across multiple projects.
John Beninato, M.S., LMHC-D, NCC, CRC
Research Associate
John Beninato, M.S., LMHC-D, NCC, CRC, is a licensed mental health counselor, National Certified Counselor, and Certified Rehabilitation Counselor based in New York. He is a graduate of the M.S. in Rehabilitation Counseling program at Rutgers University School of Health Professions and has over a decade of experience across clinical, community-based, and research settings. At Rutgers University, John contributes to research related to employment, disability, and mental health. He also owns and operates an outpatient psychotherapy practice, serves as an adjunct professor at NYU, and consults with small to mid-cap businesses seeking to advance their diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.
Website: https://beninatotherapy.com/
Conora Gano
Clinical Extern
Conora Gano is a graduate student in Forensic Mental Health Counseling at John Jay College of Criminal Justice who approaches clinical work through an equity-focused lens. A cum laude graduate of William Paterson University, she earned a BA in Psychology with a minor in Criminal Justice. She is currently a clinical extern with Rutgers University, contributing to both the iCareer and Transdiagnostic Studies by conducting assessments and providing evidence-based counseling. She aspires to become a forensic psychologist and is deeply committed to making mental health care affordable, accessible, and responsive to the needs of all communities.
Nicholas Pichette
Clinical Extern
Nicholas Pichette is a master’s student in Forensic Psychology at John Jay College of Criminal Justice. He holds a BA in Psychology from Rutgers University-Newark. At Rutgers University, he is a clinical extern working on the iCareer and Transdiagnostic study/studies, where he conducts baseline assessments, post-treatment assessments and provides group counseling services consistent with the iCareer curriculum.
Melitta Oppenheim
Clinical Extern
Melitta Oppenheim is a master’s student in the Forensic Psychology program at John Jay College of Criminal Justice. At Rutgers University, she is a clinical extern working on the iCareer, and Transdiagnostic studies, where she conducts assessments to determine mental health conditions, facilitates a multitude of group session to include education on work-related soft skills, and provides CBT counseling to support college students in reaching their educational goals.
Taylor Smith
Clinical Extern
Taylor Smith is a master’s student in Forensic Psychology at John Jay College of Criminal Justice. She holds a BA in Forensic Psychology from Stockton University. At Rutgers University, she is a clinical extern working on the PTSD, iCareer, and Transdiagnostic studies; where she conducts assessments, interviews, and provides CBT counseling to support students in reaching their educational goals and provide them with important career building skills.
Riley Bethea
Clinical Extern
Riley Bethea is a Master’s student studying Forensic Mental Health Counseling at John Jay College of Criminal Justice. She has earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology at Pace University. Through Rutgers University’s externship program, she is a clinical extern working on the Transdiagnostic CBT and SEd for College Students with Mental Health Conditions study. During this study, Riley will conduct assessments and provide CBT intervention and supported education to college students.
Laura Mejia
Clinical Extern
Laura Mejia is a master’s student in the Forensic Mental Health Counseling at John Jay College of Criminal Justice. At Rutgers University, she is a clinical extern working on the iCareer, and Transdiagnostic studies, where she conducts assessments to determine mental health conditions, facilitates a multitude of group session to include education on work-related soft skills, and provides CBT counseling to support college students in reaching their educational goals.
Leilani Smyth
Clinical Extern
Leilani Smyth is a master’s student in the Forensic Mental Health Counseling at John Jay College of Criminal Justice. At Rutgers University, she is a clinical extern working on the iCareer, and Transdiagnostic studies, where she conducts assessments to determine mental health conditions, facilitates a multitude of group session to include education on work-related soft skills, and provides CBT counseling to support college students in reaching their educational goals.
Erica Measday
Clinical Consultant
Erica Measday is a graduate student at John Jay College of Criminal Justice where she is getting a master’s degree in Forensic Mental Health Counseling as well as an advanced certificate in victimology studies. Prior to graduate school, she attended Champlain College where she received a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and Psychology. Erica has previously worked with survivors of intimate partner violence and hopes to work with this population once she graduates.
Kylie Margerison
Clinical Consultant
Zoe Geisser, M.S. – Alumni
Project Manager
Zoe Geisser is the Project Manager for the Transdiagnostic study. She received a Master of Science in Educational Psychology and Methodology as a second-year School Psychology PsyD student at The University at Albany. She graduated summa cum laude with Psychology Honors from Binghamton University with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Theatre Dance in May of 2023. Her experiences as a research assistant included child development and learning, young adult substance use and health behaviors, and school-based math interventions. Her undergraduate honors thesis investigated college student help-seeking behavior post-COVID-19 and the role of stress in mental health service frequency. Her field experiences in a school setting furthered her understanding of neurodevelopmental and mental health disorders in youth and adolescents. She is motivated to learn more about the implementation of cognitive behavioral treatments of psychiatric disorders and bridge her research experiences with clinical practice.
Alexandra Fisk, B.A. – Alumni
Clinical Extern
Alexandra Fisk is a Master’s student in Forensic Psychology at John Jay College of Criminal Justice. She holds a BA in Psychology from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, along with a Criminal Justice System Certificate. At Rutgers University, she is a clinical extern working on the Transdiagnostic Study, where she conducts assessments and provides CBT counseling to support students in reaching their educational goals.
Tasha Luk, B.A. – Alumni
Clinical Extern
Tasha Luk is a graduate student at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, majoring in Forensic Psychology, while also obtaining a Advance Certificate in Victimology Studies. She obtained her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with minor degrees in Psychology and Chinese from The Pennsylvania State University in December of 2022. Tasha has always enjoyed working with children from her experience as a volunteer at GO Project and being the Alternative Fundraising Chair during her time at Penn State raising money for children with pediatric cancer. Upon graduation, she hopes to work as a victims advocate or with trauma survivors, particularly children and youth.
Luana Meira – Alumni
Clinical Extern
Luana Meira is a graduate student at John Jay College of Criminal Justice and majoring in Forensic Mental Health Counseling. Luana completed her undergraduate studies at New Jersey City University and received her bachelors in Psychology. Luana has previously worked with children who have autism and other behavioral delays, which has helped her understand how mental disorders can impact individuals especially children. Once she graduates, she is interested in assisting those in the criminal justice field by trying to provide assistance in rehabilitation, personal growth, lower recidivism and hopefully changing societal perspectives of the justice system.
David Schmell – Alumni
Clinical Extern
Jennifer Herrera – Alumni
Clinical Extern
Jennifer Herrera is a graduate student at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, where she is pursuing a master’s degree in Forensic Mental Health Counseling. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, magna cum laude, with a minor in Nutrition from the State University of New York at Oswego, and obtained an Advanced Certificate in Victimology Studies while completing her MA program.
At Rutgers University, she is a clinical extern working on the iCareer Study and the Transdiagnostic CBT Study, where she supports research participants through outreach, scheduling, and assessments, and provides structured CBT-based support to promote students’ educational, vocational, and personal success.
Jennifer is especially interested in trauma-informed care, adolescent and young adult mental health, and the intersection of psychology, identity, and resilience.
Jonnierah Smith – Alumni
Clinical Extern
Jonnierah Smith is a master’s student in the Forensic Mental Health Counseling at John Jay College of Criminal Justice. She holds a BA in Psychology and a Minor in Military Science from Ohio University. At Rutgers University, she is a clinical extern working on the iCareer, PTSD, and Transdiagnostic studies, where she conducts assessments to determine mental health conditions, facilitates a multitude of group session to include education on work-related soft skills, and provides CBT counseling to support college students in reaching their educational goals.
Jonnierah has experience working with vulnerable populations where she provided trauma-informed care to children and supported sexual assault survivors through advocacy and service coordination. This work strengthened her commitment to ethical, compassionate care for underserved communities. Following graduation, she hopes to continue working with similar populations.
Damilola Bakare – Alumni
Clinical Extern
Damilola Bakare is a master’s student in the Forensic Psychology at John Jay College of Criminal Justice. At Rutgers University, she is a clinical extern working on the iCareer, and Transdiagnostic studies, where she conducts assessments to determine mental health conditions, facilitates a multitude of group session to include education on work-related soft skills, and provides CBT counseling to support college students in reaching their educational goals.