THE Stony Brook PIGMENT Lab
Our Team!
Our research team is dedicated to generating new knowledge that can inform interventions and policies aimed at improving the lives of adolescents. We use a variety of rigorous and innovative research methods, including surveys, interviews, and magnetic resonance imaging, to investigate topics such as social and emotional development, risky behavior, protective factors for mental health, and effective interventions for mental health problems.
Greg Perlman
Principal Investigator
Dr. Perlman is the principal investigator of PIGMENT. He received his Ph.D. in clinical psychology at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. For many years, he served as director of the ADEPT project at Stony Brook University. ADEPT, which stands for Adolescent Development of Emotion and Personality Traits, is an ongoing research study of adolescent development in 550 Long Island girls. His research with the ADEPT project and other projects has led to over 70 published studies in peer-reviewed journals, mainly about adolescent health and development.
Link to bibliography in PubMed: Link
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Dr. Perlman is currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health at the Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University. He prefers cats to dogs, but will pretend to be interested in your dog to be polite. He drinks a lot of coffee.
Krysta Roper
Study Interviewer
Krysta is the PIGMENT study's interviewer. She received her Master's in Social Work in 2023 and is certified as an equine assisted therapist. She loves all animals and has a rescued cat and dog of her own. She hopes to use her experience in research to contribute to the field of human-animal interactions and animal-assisted therapies. In her free time she likes walking dogs, listening to audiobooks, spending time outside or being by the water.
Inayah (Bibi) Gruberg
Study Coordinator
Inayah (Bibi) Gruberg has been a coordinator in the Translational And Clinical Epidemiology (TrACE) lab for the past year. She received her BA in psychology from SUNY Old Westbury in 2022 and graduated with a MA in psychology from Stony Brook University in 2024. She's previously worked on lab projects such as the Negative Valence Systems (NVS) lab, the Study for the Comprehensive Assessment of Lived Emotions (SCALE), and currently the Pediatric Imaging: Measuring Neuromelanin Trajectories (PIGMENT) lab. She loves cats, sour candy, and being a helpful team player! She hopes to further her education in the coming years to become a licensed practicing clinician. Her research interests broadly include psychometrics, assessment and diagnosis, and the mental health equity of Black Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC).
Mia Quiles
Research Assistant
Mia is a psychology major in the Class of 2027 with a passion for reading, spending time with friends outdoors, attending Broadway musicals, and drawing. She aspires to earn a Psy.D. in clinical psychology and eventually open her own practice. Finally, she aims to live life to the fullest while making a meaningful impact by helping people through her work.
Bree Cantone
Research Assistant
Bree is a Psychology major with a minor in Health, Medicine, and Society, graduating in Spring of 2026. In her free time, she enjoys reading, listening to music, and being outside! She loves traveling, hanging out with her friends and family, and spending time with her dogs.
Sophia Goodkin
Research Assisstant
Sophia is a senior double majoring in Psychology (BA) and Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, as well as a member of the Honors College. Outside of the classroom, Sophia works as an Office Specialist at the Center for Prevention and Outreach (CPO), and she is also an Undergraduate Clinical Intern at the Leonard Krasner Psychological Center. She plans on pursuing a PhD or PsyD in Clinical Psychology, focusing on child and adolescent psychopathology.
Sofia Migliore
Research Assistant
Sofia is a research assistant for the PIGMENT study. She will graduate from Stony Brook University in Spring 2026 with a Bachelor’s in Psychology BS and plans to further her education in graduate school. She enjoys playing volleyball and crafting in her free time.
Francesca Fortunato
Research Assistant
Francesca is a Health Science major at Stony Brook University on the pre-nursing track. She is passionate about patient care and hopes to become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist. Outside of academics, Francesca enjoys playing piano and spending time with her friends and family.
Hidayah Muhammad
Research Assistant
Hidayah is currently a Biology major and loves learning about psychology. In the future, she hopes to become a radiologist and positively impact people’s lives. In her free time, you’ll find Hidayah painting with oils, gardening, or enjoying a good book outdoors.
Eleanor Chin
Research Assistant
Eleanor is a Biochemistry and Psychology double major, graduating in May 2026. She is passionate about child and adolescent psychiatry and is interested in pursuing a career in medicine. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, photography, watching true crime, and exploring new places!
Isabella Mangan
Research Assistant
Isabella is a junior at Stony Brook University, majoring in Psychology (B.S.) with concentrations in Chemistry and Biology. She has a strong interest in the fields of neuroscience and neuropsychology and plans to pursue a career that bridges these disciplines. Outside the classroom, Isabella serves as a Peer Educator at the Center for Prevention and Outreach, is a member of the Stony Brook Dance Team, and enjoys attending concerts and listening to music.
John Bobadilla
Research Assistant
John is a junior majoring in Psychology BA with a minor in Health, Medicine, and Society. In the future John hopes to become a Child Psychologist. Currently John works as a team lead for Campus Life Centers and is apart of the Cat Network club E-board. In his free time, John enjoys going on walks while listening to music he also enjoys going to concerts and wrestling shows.
Fiana Lin
Research Assistant
Fiana is a junior double-majoring in Psychology (BS) and Applied Mathematics & Statistics at Stony Brook University. She hopes to pursue a PhD and a career in social or developmental psychology. In her free time, she enjoys dancing, drawing, listening to music, cafe hopping, and spending time with her friends and family.
Ni Akler
Research Assistant
Ni is a junior majoring in Psychology and Sociology. On campus, he works in the
Residential Mailrooms and is the treasurer of JSA. Outside of class, he volunteers at the animal shelter, and he enjoys writing, music, skateboarding, and picking up new hobbies. His goal in the mental health field is to contribute to a change in the system that will genuinely improve patient wellbeing.
Marina Elias
Research Assistant
Marina is a sophomore majoring in health science with a minor in health, medicine, and society. After obtaining her bachelors, she plans to become a physicians assistant. Outside of academics, she is a member of the Stony Brook Dance Team. In her free time, she likes to spend time with friends, try new foods, and watch TV.
Atika Hassan
Research Assistant
Atika is a current Biology major with a specialization in Neuroscience at Stony Brook University, graduating in May 2027. In the future, she hopes to pursue graduate studies to further her interest in the field of neuropsychology. On campus, she is involved with Circle K International, a community service organization. In her free time, she enjoys listening to indie rock bands and crocheting!
Former PIGMENT Staff
Alexandria Trepiccione
Former Study Coordinator
Alexandria (Allie) is the former coordinator of the PIGMENT study. She graduated from Stony Brook University with a Bachelor's in Psychology and a Minor in Health, Medicine, and Society. Her plans for the future include pursuing further education in the field of Neuroscience and exploring various places abroad. Besides doing research, Allie can often be found reading books, gardening, singing, crafting, and enjoying the sunshine.
Former PIGMENT RAs
Daniel Elias
Lauren Rothburd
Isha Patel
Michelle Salas
Miaoting Zhen
Devi Thoka
Skyla Nunez
Radyson Meyer
Leena Alzafarani
Sathwika Sandiri
Grayson Kaufman
Emma Trepiccione
Gianna Trepiccione
Alisha Hassan