Videos

Dr. Ray joined the BHI as a core faculty member in June 2025. Her research mission is to examine the cognitive, behavioral, and brain mechanisms underlying opioid and cocaine addiction, and to develop new effective pharmacological and behavioral interventions to improve health outcomes.

Dr. Firestein joined BHI as a core faculty member in September. As tenure-track assistant professor of Pediatrics in RWJMS and CHINJ, Dr. Firestein’s new lab uses both clinical and translational approaches to study factors underlying childhood neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism, with the goal of developing early biomarkers of risk that can provide etiologic insight and inform future therapeutic applications.

Dr. Fonseca joined the Herbert and Jacqueline Krieger Klein Alzheimer’s Research Center in the BHI as a core faculty member in August. Her research focuses on understanding both pathological and successful aging, with a special interest in early cognitive biomarkers to predict dementia before symptoms appear. She leads projects on cognition in individuals with Down Syndrome, indigenous communities, and people living with diabetes.

Dr. Boison is Professor and Vice Chair of Research and Training in the Department of Neurosurgery at RWJMS and BHI Core Faculty and Chair of the Neurodegeneration & Injury Focus Area Working Group. Dr. Boison studies epilepsy and traumatic brain injury, and his research has found that brain insults that trigger epilepsy cause a maladaptive overexpression of adenosine kinase.

Linnea Lampinen, a doctoral student in Dr. Vanessa Bal’s lab, won a First Prize in the poster presentation at our BHI Tenth Annual Symposium. The poster was titled “Associations between the SRS-2 and the ASEBA Adult Self Report: Implications for interpretation of the SRS-2 in autistic adults”. The Lifespan Symptom Profiles, Achievements & Needs in Autism (LifeSPAN Autism) Lab is led by Dr. Vanessa H. Bal. Dr. Bal’s research aims to advance understanding of autism in adulthood.

We are excited to welcome Dr. Morgan Firestein as a Core Faculty Member at the Rutgers Brain Health Institute! Dr. Firestein uses both clinical and translational approaches to study factors underlying childhood neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism, with the goal of developing early biomarkers of risk that can provide etiologic insight and inform future therapeutic applications. Dr. Firestein is thrilled about joining the Rutgers community to advance maternal and child health and development.

We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Luciana Mascarenhas Fonseca to the BHI and Krieger Klein Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders Research Center! Dr. Fonseca’s research focuses on understanding both pathological and successful aging, with a special interest in early cognitive biomarkers to predict dementia before symptoms appear. She is leading projects on cognition in individuals with Down syndrome, indigenous communities, and people living with diabetes, using innovative real-time assessments to improve early detection and prevention.

In part three of our educational series on fentanyl, Dr. Elizabeth Stone, health services and policy researcher at Rutgers University, shares policy-level solutions and community engagement tactics. Dr. Stone highlights practical steps, such as access to Naloxone or Narcan, fentanyl test strips, and prevention initiatives, and available resources for individuals and communities. Through education, prevention, and scientific research, we can work together to end the fentanyl crisis and save lives.

In part two of the educational video series on fentanyl, Dr. David Barker, Assistant Professor of Psychology at the Rutgers School of Arts and Sciences, and Core Member of the BHI and RARC, explores the neurological mechanisms of addiction and shares evidence-based approaches for treatment and overdose prevention. From the many fentanyl analogues and derivatives to the life-saving action of Narcan, Dr. Barker breaks down the science of addiction and how research is opening new pathways to save lives and confront the fentanyl crisis.

We’re excited to launch a new educational content, including a video series aimed at helping the lay public better understand key topics in brain health and neuroscience. Our first topic is on fentanyl as it is one of the most searched words in the field of substance use disorders. In the first video in this series, Dr. Ethan Cowan, Professor in the Department of Emergency Medicine at NJMS, Associate Director of Treatment & Recovery at the Rutgers Addiction Research Center (RARC) in the BHI, and Core Member of BHI, offers a clinical overview of fentanyl. He explains what fentanyl is, how dependence differs from addiction, and why medication-assisted treatment is a critical tool in saving lives.

We celebrated June Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month by highlighting a groundbreaking study led by Dr. Sharon Sanz Simon, an assistant professor of psychiatry at NJMS and a core member of the Krieger Klein Alzheimer’s Research Center and BHI. Dr. Sanz Simon’s lab, the EngAGING Lab, launched the Brazilian Aging in New York–New Jersey (BRAINY-NJ) Study, one of the first U.S.-based research efforts focused on aging and dementia in the Brazilian immigrant population. With support from the Alzheimer’s Association and a pilot grant from the Center for Advanced Human Brain Imaging Research (CAHBIR) at BHI, this research addresses key risk and resilience factors that influence brain aging in this underrepresented group.

The Neurodevelopment Focus Area Working Group (ND-FAWG) at the BHI brings together faculty and trainees across Rutgers to advance research on how the brain develops—from basic science on early development to clinical studies. The ND FAWG focuses on a wide range of neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism, intellectual disabilities, schizophrenia, Rett syndrome, and brain malformations. The FAWG fosters collaboration among scientists and clinicians to drive innovative, multidisciplinary research and share new ideas. Following the resignation of the inaugural Chair, Dr. Wayne Fisher, Dr. Maria Chiara Manzini and Dr. Jennifer Gladys Mulle now serve as Chair and Vice-Chair of the group, respectively.

Meet Nitya Kathiravan, an 11th grader from Rutgers Preparatory School and 1st Place Winner of the 2025 Newark NJ Regional Brain Bee — and a Top 12 Finalist at the USA Brain Bee Championship! In this video, Dr. Steven Levison, BHI core member and Professor in the Department of Pharmacology, Physiology, and Neuroscience at New Jersey Medical School, chats with Nitya about her passion for neuroscience and what fuels her curiosity about the human brain. The Newark NJ Regional Brain Bee is sponsored by the Rutgers Brain Health Institute and coordinated annually by Dr. Levison to help inspire and cultivate the next generation of brain scientists.

Music has the power to heal, connect, and inspire. For Jacob Chang, it was a way to bond with his grandmother as she battled Alzheimer’s. Now, he’s using that passion to drive change—raising awareness and supporting Alzheimer’s research at BHI through his nonprofit, Music of the Heart. Watch Jacob’s story and see how young leaders are shaping the future of neuroscience.

Meet Kay Hwang, a high school student and founder of the Techtrum Alliance, a nonprofit dedicated to providing technology to individuals with autism. Driven by personal experience and a passion for making a difference, Kay has raised over $5,000 and donated more than 30 iPads to schools supporting autism education. Through research work at RUCARES, Kay has seen firsthand how technology can transform autism care. The iPads help individuals develop social and technical skills, enhance communication, and contribute to vital autism research.

The transition from postdoc to independent researcher is a defining moment in any scientific career. Dr. Aysegul Gungor Aydin, PhD, shares how the Rutgers Brain Health Institute (BHI) played a pivotal role in her journey—offering mentorship, leadership opportunities, and career development that helped her step into a faculty role. Watch her story and see how BHI supports the next generation of neuroscientists.

Neurodegenerative diseases and brain injuries remain some of the greatest challenges in neuroscience. At the Rutgers Brain Health Institute (BHI), the Neurodegeneration & Injury Focus Area Working Group (NDI-FAWG) is leading the way—bringing together experts across disciplines to drive research in Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, traumatic brain injury, epilepsy, and more. Led by Dr. Detlev Boison, this collaborative group fosters groundbreaking discoveries through interdisciplinary research and shared expertise. But this work is only possible with the support of our community.

Drs. Miriam Bocarsly and Linden Parkes, Chair and Vice-Chair of the Junior Faculty Working Group (JFWG) at the BHI, introduce the mission and goals of the group. The JFWG brings together a diverse community of junior faculty at Rutgers, fostering collaboration and mutual support as they navigate the challenges of running research labs, mentoring trainees, securing grants, and teaching.

October is National Depression Education & Awareness Month, and we are spotlighting Dr. Benjamin Samuels, an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at Rutgers University-New Brunswick and BHI Member. Dr. Samuels’ research explores how chronic stress impacts behavior across sexes and investigates neural circuits as potential targets to reverse stress-related effects. His lab’s projects include 1) developing chronic stress models for male and female mice; 2) studying how stress exposure alters behaviors related to motivation and reward; 3) mapping the neural circuits involved in chronic stress effects; and 4) investigating antidepressant treatment resistance using mouse models.

August 31 marks International Overdose Awareness Day, a global campaign to end #overdose, raise awareness about its impact, and break the stigma around drug-related deaths. We’re spotlighting Dr. Kristina Jackson, Professor of Psychiatry at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School ‬, Associate Director of Epidemiology, Etiology & Prevention at Rutgers Addiction Research Center ‪(RARC)‬, and BHI Core Faculty. Dr. Jackson’s research focuses on the etiology and course of substance use among adolescents and young adults. Watch the video to learn more about her impactful work!

World Brain Day on July 22 aims to raise awareness about neurological disorders. We celebrated World Brain Day by spotlighting Dr. Detlev Boison, Professor and Vice Chair of Research and Training in the Department of Neurosurgery at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School (RWJMS) and BHI Core Faculty. Dr. Boison studies epilepsy and traumatic brain injury, and his research has found that brain insults that trigger epilepsy cause a maladaptive overexpression of adenosine kinase. This overexpression drives the epileptogenic process that turns a healthy brain into an epileptic brain. Watch the video to learn more!

Dr. Kasia Bieszczad’s lab focuses on the neurobiological substrates of learning and memory, particularly the role of the auditory system in the ability to learn and remember. Her lab works across multiple levels to determine whether and how genes, molecules, circuit systems, and behaviors are linked together in ways that can explain disease processes like Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.

Dr. Marc Tambini’s lab studies the function of Amyloid Precursor Protein and its link to Alzheimer’s disease. In the video, Dr. Tambini introduces the new ADRD Translational Work-in-Progress (TWIP) Series, coming this fall, hosted by the Krieger Klein Alzheimer’s Research Center in BHI,. The series offers Rutgers students, postdocs, and faculty interested in Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders a chance to practice research talks, discuss grant aims, review feedback, and refine experimental designs.

Dr. Tracey Shors studies how our brains ruminate on trauma-related memories and how this process can interfere with our everyday lives, while making still more memories. Dr. Shors’ lab developed an interventional therapy, MAP Train My Brain, which combines “mental and physical” training with silent meditation and aerobic exercise to decrease trauma-related and repetitive thoughts, as well as symptoms of depression and anxiety.

Dr. Andrew Westbrook studies neuromodulatory systems regulating higher-order cognitive function, investigating the role of striatal dopamine in learning and decision-making. In the video, Dr. Westbrook introduces tools and a new state-of-the-art shared core facility in CAHBIR for conducting cutting-edge TMS and EEG studies.

At RUCARES, Dr. Brian Greer leads the Severe Behavior Program, a service line of a collaborative effort with Children’s Specialized Hospital (CSH), to provide intensive and highly specialized services to children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder and other developmental disabilities. Dr. Greer explores novel treatment approaches, develops community training opportunities for autism service providers, and fosters new partnerships in autism research and training.

Dr. Miriam Rosenberg-Lee focuses on how the brain acquires and masters complex cognitive skills, like mathematics. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging, she studies how brain regions interact during demanding cognitive tasks and combines these techniques with behavioral training programs to explore how learning shapes brain activity. She is interested in understanding how learning may be altered in children with learning disabilities and autism spectrum disorders.

Congratulations to Dr. Wayne Fisher, director of the RUCARES, a center of the BHI, and a BHI Core Member, on receiving funding from the New Jersey Governor’s Council for Medical Research and Treatment of Autism for the next New Jersey Autism Center of Excellence (NJACE) grant.

Dr. David Zald, Director of the CAHBIR at BHI, introduces the center and four new faculty: Dr. Avram Holmes, Dr. Andrew Westbrook, Dr. Linden Parkes, and Dr. Noelle Stiles. The CAHBIR is dedicated to conducting high-quality human neuroscience research using state-of-the-art neuroimaging techniques. Our mission has been to incorporate the latest developments in scanning so that our researchers can push the boundaries of what we can learn about how the brain works in both health and diseases.

Dr. Michal Schnaider Beeri, Director of the Herbert and Jacqueline Krieger Klein Alzheimer’s Research Center at the Rutgers Brain Health Institute (BHI), introduces New Jersey’s first Alzheimer’s research center. The center spearheads clinical research on Alzheimer’s disease (AD), aiming to develop groundbreaking medical treatments. Dr. Beeri invites passionate neuroscientists, students, families, and patients to participate in the research, working together to eradicate AD. The upcoming website will provide detailed information on the center’s scientific approach, ongoing projects, and more.

Led by Director Dr. Danielle Dick, Greg Brown Endowed Chair and Professor of Psychiatry, the RARC is the largest comprehensive addiction research center in the country with over 150 researchers spanning all three Rutgers campuses, more than 40 departments, and 26 specialty centers. The RARC isn’t just a place; it’s a community of researchers, clinicians, students, and individuals with lived experience and their family members. Watch the video to learn more.

The Postdoctoral Alliance Working Group (PAWG) is the latest addition to the BHI Working Group family, aligning its efforts with other FAWGs and the Executive Advisory Council to amplify trainee voices. Drs. Jaclyn Eisdorfer and Aysegul Gungor-Aydin serve as Chair and Vice Chair, respectively, supported by faculty liaison Dr. Kasia Bieszczad.

The Brain Health Institute (BHI) is embarking on a planning and priority-setting process to develop a strategic plan that will guide the Institute’s growth and success for years to come. As the institute has grown tremendously in the past few years, our goal is to review our mission and values and envision the BHI of the future by setting priorities that serve the membership and fuel further expansion. In Fall 2023, we assembled a Strategic Planning Committee to steer this process and began to engage the membership at all levels during the BHI Symposium in November.