Coordinators & Technicians
Elizabeth O. Akinyemi, M.S., CAMH
Elizabeth (aka Lizzy) is the Study Coordinator for the Autism Center of Excellence (ACE).
She has a degree in Psychology (BSc) and a Masters in Child and Adolescent Mental Health (MSc. CAMH) from the University of Ibadan in Nigeria. She is also a registered member of the Association for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry & Allied Profession in Nigeria (ACAPAN) and of the American Psychological Association (APA).
She has been working in the field of pediatric mental health for over a decade and has played a major role in raising awareness about ASD and other neurodevelopmental disorders in her community.
Elizabeth is very interested in understanding how the brain of children with neurodevelopmental conditions works, and to use this knowledge to inform interventions. Her goal is to pursue advanced studies in Neuropsychology.
Outside the lab, Lizzy loves to play with kids, to cook and try new dishes, and to spend time with her lovely and cute son Elliot.
Tringa Lecaj is a Study Coordinator at the CNL. Her responsibilities include recruiting and scheduling participants, implementing EEG, Eye Tracking and MoBI for data collection, conducting cognitive testing and managing databases. Tringa studied psychology undergrad and started off as a Student Trainee before working as a Study Coordinator. Tringa likes photography and binge watching tv shows.
Claudia is a study coordinator with the CNL and Department of Cognitive and Motor Aging (DCMA) at Einstein. She began working in the lab in 2023 following her graduation from Fordham University as an Integrative Neuroscience major. Claudia is employed by Dr. De Sanctis' AD-MoBI study and is tasked with implementing EEG and MoBI, conducting cognitive neuropsychology examinations like the Everyday Problems Task and MOCA, analyzing data, and facilitating MRIs and other biomarker assessments. As an undergraduate, she researched visual processing in scene gist development and neurourbanism, the latter of which explores the intersection between neuroscience and urban planning. Fusing her interests in neuroscience and the lived experience, Claudia plans to pursue a career in health policy. In her free time, Claudia loves to cook and play racket sports.
Albulena completed her MD from the University "SS. Cyril and Methodius" in Skopje, Macedonia and has additional training in medical technology and nursing. Her commitment to ongoing professional development is evident through certifications in research writing and publishing at the California Institute of Behavioral Neurosciences and Psychology. Her contributions to various research projects have resulted in multiple publications in reputable journals, covering topics ranging from substance use disorders to psychiatric comorbidities and their impact on hospitalization outcomes. She is passionate about mental health and neuroscience as well as learning about the development of autism. Soves spending time exploring oceans, rivers, and waterfalls. She practices yoga and meditation, plays tennis, and always enjoys cooking for a party.
Natasha is a study coordinator with the CNL and Department of Cognitive and Motor Aging (DCMA) at Einstein. She began working in the lab in 2023 following her graduation from Vassar College as a Cognitive Science major. Natasha is employed by Dr. De Sanctis' AD-MoBI study and is tasked with implementing EEG and MoBI, conducting cognitive neuropsychology examinations like the Everyday Problems Task and MOCA, analyzing data, and facilitating MRIs and other biomarker assessments. In her free time, Natasha explores upstate New York and seeks out live music throughout the city.
Daniella Coen is a Study Coordinator at the CNL. She joined the lab following her graduation from Columbia University and Tel Aviv University where she received a BA in Psychology from both institutions. Some of her responsibilities include recruiting and scheduling participants, implementing EEG, Eye Tracking and MoBI for data collection, conducting cognitive neuropsychology testing, and managing databases. As an undergraduate, she worked at the Columbia Couples Lab where she studied the impact of social support in dyads on stress recovery utilizing physiological and emotional/behavioral measures of stress. Daniella has experience in both field and laboratory research, and she is passionate about mental health and the ways in which clinical treatment and research settings can work to improve and implement adapted practices and interventions to best serve the wellbeing and needs of unique clinical populations. She plans to pursue a PhD in Clinical Psychology with a focus on Couples and Families facing unique external stressors and circumstances within the family unit/dyad. Outside of the lab, Daniella enjoys hiking, thrifting, and yoga.