Research Staff, Faculty and Interns at the Center for Health, Identity, Behavior & Prevention Studies (CHIBPS)

The CHIBPS Team:

Perry N Halkitis, Ph.D., M.S., is Associate Dean for Research & Doctoral Studies, Professor of Applied Psychology and Public Health, and Director of the Center for Health, Identity, Behavior & Prevention Studies at the Steinhardt School, New York University. Dr. Halkitis is also a research affiliate of the Center for AIDS Research at New York University Medical School. Prior to his current positions, Dr. Halkitis was Director of Research at GMHC. Dr. Halkitis earned his degree in Quantitative Methods in Educational and Psychological Research from the Graduate Center of The City University of New York. He is internationally recognized for his work examining the intersection between the HIV, drug abuse, and mental health syndemics, and is well known as one of the nation’s leading experts on methamphetamine addiction. He recently was lead editor of two volumes: HIV + Sex: The Psychological and Interpersonal Dynamics of HIV-seropositive Gay and Bisexual Men's Relationships. (American Psychological Association, 2005), and Barebacking: Psychosocial and Public Health Perspectives (2006, Haworth Press). Dr. Halkitis is currently authoring Methamphetamine: A Biopsychosocial Perspective (APA). Dr. Halkitis’ research examines how risk taking is influenced by interpersonal,  contextual and cultural factors, especially with regard to the HIV epidemic and drug abuse in the United Sates, and this research has been funded by the National Institutes of Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, New York City Department of Health, New York State AIDS Institute, United Way, and American Psychological Foundation. The focus of his research involves health, human behavior, and development, with a specific application to the domains of HIV/AIDS and drug abuse.  Dr. Halkitis has been able to address some of most important social and public health issues of our time. These areas of inquiry are extremely important, because while primarily rooted in the principles of psychology, they also cross and incorporate the domains of education and health. In addition, Dr. Halkitis is a well-respected applied statistician and psychometrician. Dr. Halkitis is the recipient of numerous awards from both professional and community-based organizations, and was elected a fellow of The New York Academy of Medicine in 2005.

Staci Barton, B.A. received her Bachelor's in Psychology from New York University.  Ms. Barton is currently working as a Project Coordinator for Project 18.  Her research interests include marginalized groups and collective and individual self-esteem.

Danny Cabrera is an undergraduate student in the Department of Applied Psychology at New York University.  Mr. Cabrera’s research focuses on sexual health among adolescent populations. Mr. Cabrera serves as a Researcher on the Project 18 team.

Melvin Hampton, M.Div. received his Master of Divinity from Harvard Divinity School, after receiving his B.A. in Romance Languages and Literatures from Harvard University. He is presently pursuing his Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from New York University. Mr. Hampton is a Research Assistant at CHIBPS, as well as an APA Minority Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services Fellow. His research focuses on substance use behaviors of racial, ethnic, and sexual minorities as they relate to HIV risk-taking behaviors over time. His clinical focus is working with racial, ethnic, and sexual minority persons in relation to HIV risk behaviors and substance abuse recovery.

Donovan Jones, MA received both his Master’s in Music History and Theory and a B.S. in Environmental Science with a minor in LGBT Studies from University of California at Riverside. He is currently pursuing his MPH in Global Public Health with a concentration in Global Health Policy and Management from New York University. Mr. Jones is currently the Director of Recruitment and Community Relations for the Project 18 syndemics study at CHIBPS. His research interests include gender and sexuality, qualitative research methods and the intersections between social science and public health.

Molly Kingdon Pappas, MA received her Master’s in Mental Health Counseling from New York University, after receiving her B.A. in Psychology from The George Washington University. Mrs. Pappas is a Researcher at CHIBPS and is a licensed mental health counselor. Her research interests include HIV and aging and sexual risk taking among gay and bisexual men. Prior to joining CHIBPS, Mrs. Pappas was as a clinical counselor in the Behavioral Medicine Department at The International Center for the Disabled providing psychotherapy for individuals with traumatic brain injury and co-occurring mental illness.

Robert Moeller, Ed.M. received his Master’s in Human Development and Psychology degree from Harvard University, after receiving his B.S. in Human Development from Cornell University. Mr. Moeller is currently pursuing his Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology from New York University. Mr. Moeller has served as Project Director for Project MASC (Methamphetamine and Social Cognition), Project Desire, and Project 18. His research focuses on HIV and substance use.

James A. Pollock, MS.Ed. received his Master’s in Urban Childhood Education from Lehman College, City University of New York, after receiving his B.A. in Psychology from Kalamazoo College. He is currently pursuing his Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology at New York University.  Mr. Pollock is a Research Assistant at CHIBPS, where his research focuses on sexual behavior, negotiated safety, and the effects of environment/context on decision-making. His clinical focus is on sexual minority, affirmative individual and couples counseling. He is a staff therapist at the Institute for Human Identity in Chelsea and a clinical externat St. Vincent’s Hospital talkSafe/PLUSES, a New York City-based HIV-prevention program. Prior to pursuing his graduate education in psychology, Mr. Pollock completed a two-year service commitment with the Teach for America program,where he taught math in the South Bronx, NYC.

Daniel Siconolfi, MPH received his Master's in Public Health (MPH) from New York University, after receiving his B.A. in Gender & Sexuality Studies from NYU. His research interests include gay men's health, HIV prevention, and masculinity. Mr.Siconolfi served as the Assistant Project Director for Project Desire, Project Director for Project BAR, and is the Co-Project Director for Project 18.

Sara Simons, MA received her Master’s in Theatre Education from Emerson College, after receiving her B.A. in Theatre and Women's Studies, with a concentration in Human Sexuality from Wellesley College. She is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Educational Theatre from New York University. Ms. Simons is a Research Assistant at CHIBPS and her research interests include gender, human sexuality, and the intersection of sex education and theatre. Prior to joining CHIBPS, Ms.Simons was the Curriculum Manager at Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts, creating sex education curricula for middle school and high school students.

Todd Solomon, BS received his Bachelor's in Psychology and Neuroscience from St. Lawrence University. He is currently pursuing his Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology at New York University. Mr. Solomon is a Research Assistant at CHIBPS and a clinical extern in Weill Cornell hospital's department of Neurology. His research interests include gay men’s health, risk taking among gay and bisexual men, neuropsychological and behavioral impairments stemming from HIV, aging and substance use.

Erik David Storholm, MA received his Master’s in Psychological Research from California State University, Long Beach, after receiving his B.A. in Psychology from San Francisco State University. He is currently pursuing his Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from New York University. His research includes the study of addictive behavior and LGBT health, specifically, substance abuse intervention and HIV prevention among marginalized minority populations.

INTERNS

Bridget Hayde is an undergraduate student in the Department of Applied Psychology at New York University. She is a research intern at CHIBPS working on Project 18. Ms. Hayde has worked on Project DESIRE and her research focuses on substance abuse and HIV prevention.

Zachary Fried is pursuing his Bachelor's in Psychology at Eugene Lang College, the New School for Liberal Arts. He is a research intern at CHIBPS working on Project 18. His research interests include substance abuse prevention, eating disorder treatment and ameliorating the effects of trauma.

Mathew V. Kiang, BA received his Bachelor's in Sociology from San Diego State University and is currently pursuing his MPH in Community Public Health, specializing in International Health at New York University. He is a research intern at CHIBPS working on Project 18. Mr. Kiang's research interests include HIV prevention, gender equality, health inequities, and social and behavioral determinants of health.

Hugh Love Jr., BA received his Bachelor's in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing from Morehouse College and is currently pursuing a M.A. in Mental Health Counseling from New York University. Mr. Love is a research intern at CHIBPS and his research interests include mental health issues relating to ethnic and sexual minority adolescents.

Paige Nobles, BS received her Bachelor's in Business Administration from Baylor University and is currently pursuing a M.A. in Mental Health Counseling from New York University. Ms. Nobles is a research intern at CHIBPS and a counseling intern at Women In Need, both focusing on substance abuse and women's health.

Sandra Rodriguez, BS received her Bachelor's in Biology from Southern Adventist University and is currently pursuing her MPH in Community Public Health with a concentration in International Health from New York University. She is a research intern for Project 18. Her research interests include HIV prevention, infectious and genetic diseases, gender equality, program planning and policy development.

Sunil Roopchand, MBA, MS received a Master’s in Business Administration and a Master’s degree in Quantitative Methods and Modeling from Baruch College, City University of New York, after receiving his B.S. in Management Studies from University of Guyana. He is a research intern for Project 18 and is Helpline Counselor with the Trevor Project that focuses on GLBTQ youth crises and suicide. His research interests include mental health among youth in the GLBTQ population.

Caroline Scheiber, BA received her Bachelor's in International Business Studies with Spanish from European Business School in London. Ms. Scheiber is currently pursuing her MA in General Psychology from New York University. She is a research intern at CHIBPS, working on Project 18. Her research interests include mental disorders and imprisonment.

Eliza A. Dragowski, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor at the Graduate School Psychology Program in Brooklyn College, City University of New York.  Her research interests include psychological consequences of traumatic experiences and issues of social justice, especially as they are applied to under represented groups of children and youth.  Dr. Dragowski’s past research examined the relationship between sexual orientation victimization and trauma symptoms among gay, lesbian and bisexual youth.  Her current research concentrates on the educators’ willingness and ability to advocate for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students in their schools.  http://schooled.brooklyn.cuny.edu/dragowski.htm