· Meet Our Team ·

Jodi J. Weinstein, M.D.

Principal Investigator

Research Assistant Professor in Psychiatry and Attending Psychiatrist at Stony Brook University
Adjunct Associate Research Scientist in the Division of Translational Imaging, Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University / New York State Psychiatric Institute.

Dr. Weinstein’s research utilizes biochemical-specific and state-of-the-art neuroimaging tools to elucidate the biochemical underpinnings of brain alterations in psychiatric illness and its treatments, with particular focus on symptoms of schizophrenia. Dr. Weinstein has a broad background in clinical psychiatry, with specific expertise in diagnosis and treatment of psychotic disorders and the application of multi-modal neuroimaging techniques, including magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy (MRI and MRS) and positron emission tomography (PET) for clinical psychiatric research. As a physician-scientist, Dr. Weinstein considers it a privilege to be entrusted with the responsibilities of caring for patients with psychotic symptoms, mentoring clinical and research trainees, and contributing to medical science. When it’s time to relax, she’s probably watching a movie, painting, and/or having a good laugh in conversation with friends.

Jack R. Kaufman, M.A.

Assistant Imaging Scientist

Jack earned his Bachelor’s degree at the University of Florida and held two research assistant positions during that time; one in the Center for Translation Research in Neurodegenerative Disease and the other in the Brain Rehabilitation Research Center’s Neural Control of Movement Lab at the V.A.. After completing a Master’s program at Tel Aviv University, Jack spent two years coordinating research in Dr. Sara Weisenbach’s Mood and Cognition in Aging Lab at Stony Brook University. He plans to pursue psychology at the doctoral level. When Jack is not in the lab, he can be found on a stand-up paddleboard listening to an audiobook, and if he’s not there, check Costco.

Abigail Dalton, B.S.

Research Support Specialist

Abigail graduated magna cum laude in the class of 2022 from Muhlenberg College with a bachelor of science in neuroscience and a minor in philosophy. Prior to joining the ASPIRE Lab, she co-developed and wrote the procedure for a study on visual and motor strategies in mental rotation in the de Wit Ecological Neuroscience (ECON) Lab. She also designed a large set of visual stimuli and collected preliminary data through pilot runs. Abigail’s future goals include earning a PhD in neuroscience and pursuing a career as a schizophrenia researcher. An avid runner, she can often be found jogging around the Stony Brook University campus.

Melissa Thornton

Practicum Student

Melissa Thornton is a practicum student working towards a Master’s in Public Health (MPH) with a concentration in epidemiology and biostatistics. In addition to being a student, she works full-time as a Grants Coordinator and is steadily studying for her Certified Public Health (CPH) and Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ) Certification exams. Despite her academic load, she is open to study collaborations! Melissa also has an interest in mental health, which has a special place in her heart. She is the secretary of the American Public Health Association (APHA) Mental Health Sector, a member of the New York State Public Health Association (NYSPHA), and a member of the National Association of Healthcare Quality (NAHQ). Outside of her academic commitments, you can find her with her family, including her 9lb pup, Tessa.

Bill Ahmad

Research Assistant

Bill Ahmad is an undergraduate student working towards his bachelor’s degree in both Biology and Psychology at Stony Brook University. He plans to go to medical school and become a physician. In addition to his position in the ASPIRE Lab, he is also a research assistant in the Stony Brook World Trade Center Health and Wellness Program under the supervision of Dr. Sean Clouston. Bill is a certified New York State Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) and volunteers at both the Exchange Ambulance of the Islips and the Stony Brook Volunteer Ambulance Corps. He has solidified his passion for medicine through serving both the University campus and his local community. Some of Bill’s hobbies include exercising, watching TV, and hanging out with friends.

· Our Collaborators ·

Multi-Modal Translational Imaging (MMTI) Lab of Anissa Abi-Dargham, M.D. in the Department of Psychiatry at Stony Brook University

Lawrence S. Kegeles, M.D. Ph.D. in the Division of Translational Imaging of New York State Psychiatric Institute / Columbia College of Physicians & Surgeons

MRScience Lab of Christoph Juchem, Ph.D. in the Departments of Biomedical Engineering and Radiology at Columbia University

Stephan Heckers, M.D. and the Department of Psychiatry at Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Scott J. Moeller, Ph.D. in the Department of Psychiatry at Stony Brook University

Lab of Guillermo Horga, M.D. Ph.D., in the Division of Translational Imaging of New York State Psychiatric Institute / Columbia College of Physicians & Surgeons

Cognitive Neuroscience and Psychosis Lab (CNaP) of Jared X. Van Snellenberg, Ph.D. in the Department of Psychiatry at Stony Brook University

Greg Perlman, Ph.D. in the Department of Psychiatry at Stony Brook University

Clifford Cassidy, Ph.D. in the Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine at University of Ottawa

Xiang He, Ph.D. in the Department of Radiology at Northwell Health and Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research

Weiying Dai, Ph.D. in the Department of Computer Science at State University of New York at Binghamton

Center for Understanding Biology using Imaging Technology (CUBIT) of Christine D. Lorenzo, Ph.D. in the Department of Psychiatry at Stony Brook University