Meet our team!
Robert Leeman, Ph.D.
Dr. Leeman is an experimental psychologist with a public health focus. His primary research interests are addictive behaviors (particularly alcohol), sexual health behavior, and difficulties with self-control (e.g., impulsivity). Using human laboratory, survey, and randomized controlled trial methods, Dr. Leeman tests novel interventions for substance misuse and HIV prevention and attempts to learn more about risk factors for these behaviors, particularly in adolescent and young adult populations. In his recent research, these novel interventions have been primarily technology-based including web-based interventions, mobile health (mHealth) devices, and smartphone applications.
Dr. Leeman has over 100 peer-reviewed publications and chapters. He has been funded by the NIH continuously since 2010, serving as principal investigator or equivalent on nine NIH grants. He has leadership roles in several national and international professional societies including a four-year term on the American Psychological Association Board of Convention Affairs, a four-year term on the Board of Directors, and Chair of the Mentoring Subcommittee (Education Committee) for the Research Society on Alcoholism, and Inaugural Co-Chair of the International Society for Biomedical Research on Alcoholism Communications Committee. He was named a Fellow of the American Psychological Association in 2021.
Read his full bio here: Robert F. Leeman, PhD – Bouvé Faculty Directory (northeastern.edu)
Sayre Wilson, Ph.D.
Pronouns: She/Her
Dr. Wilson is a Postdoctoral Research Associate at NU’s EDGE Lab, and she is originally from northern New Hampshire, but spent the last 16 yrs in Ithaca, NY. She received a B.S. in Writing/Human Development and Therapy from Ithaca College in 2010. She also obtained an M.S. in Community Health from Ithaca College in 2018, then she graduated from Binghampton University in 2022 with her PhD in Community Research and Action with a public health concentration. Dr. Wilson plans to continue her career as a behavioral scientist and researcher studying at-risk behaviors in marginalized populations. Dr. Wilson enjoys spending her spare time cooking, running, and writing.
Jade Martinez, B.S.
Pronouns: She/Her
Jade is a research coordinator at our lab, and she is a native of Massachusetts and grew up in Andover. She graduated from UMass Amherst in 2022 with a B.S. in Psychology/Neuroscience and before joining us at NU, she spent time working as an EMT. Jade plans to apply to PhD programs in the future to progress her career in the field of Clinical Psychology. In her spare time, Jade enjoys going to concerts and finding ways to listen to live music. She is also a big fan of camping and hiking, even if she doesn’t always find the time to do that. Generally, though, you can find her watching TV or crafting.
Allie Farone, M.S.
Pronouns: Any
Allie Farone is a research coordinator at our lab, and she is originally from Upstate New York. She graduated Stetson University in 2018 with a B.A in Psychology and a minor in Creative Writing, then received a M.S. in Psychological Research Methods with concentrations in Cognition and Neuropsychology in 2020. Before joining the EDGE Lab at NU, she worked at the University of Florida as a research coordinator in their Clinical Psychology department. Allie hopes to attend a PhD program to develop a research career in Cognitive or Health Psychology, but she also has a strong interest in Neuroscience. In her spare time, Allie enjoys doing anything creative or crafty – especially painting, she is also an avid reader, and loves to bake.
Shuai Yuan, M.P.H.
Pronouns: She/They
Shuai is the EDGE Labs PhD student in the Population Health program, and she is originally from China, but has spent most of her time in the U.S. living in Ithaca, NY. She attended Hong Kong University of Science and Technology where she received a Bachelor of Engineering and then obtained an MPH from Cornell University. Shuai interested in chronic disease epidemiology in general, especially in substance use, stigma, and inequity around substance use. Specific topics they are interested in are health education and public health workforce development. They want to become an epidemiologist whose research can inform policymaking and benefit the health of humans. Shuai has two cats and spends most of her time hanging out with them. As for hobbies, she loves film photography, and their favorite sport is archery.
Shana Soyfer
Pronouns: She/Her
Shana is one of the EDGE Lab’s undergraduate research assistants, and she is from Mount Olive, New Jersey. She is a double major in Business Administration and Psychology with concentrations in Marketing Analytics and Accounting with a minor in Data Science. Shana hopes to one day attend graduate school so she can become a school psychologist or a social worker. She wants to have a career that creates an impact, so she is also considering doing grant accounting for non-profits. In her spare time, she loves finding new coffee places around Boston, going on walks, and reading.
Daniel Groder
Pronouns: He/Him
Daniel is one of the EDGE Lab’s undergraduate research assistants, and he is from Salisbury, Massachusetts. While majoring in Biochemistry, Daniel is on the pre-medical track. He will build on his past experience working as an EMT and an ER Technician to one day have a career as an Emergency Room Physician. Daniel enjoys doing outdoors activities in his spare time, such as hiking throughout New England, boating, and skiing.
Elle J. Walters
Pronouns: She/Her
Currently on co-op, Elle is one of the EDGE Lab’s undergraduate research assistants, and she is from Santa Cruz, California. She is a double major studying both Criminal Justice and Psychology. Her plan is to one day attend graduate school in hopes of becoming a social worker or psychologist, but she would also like to explore other career opportunities. She is specifically interested in working in victim support, policy reform, and mental health education as well as working with adolescent and young adult populations. In her spare time, Elle enjoys journaling, cooking and traveling, she also has a passion for dance and art of all kinds.
Zhi Cohen
Pronouns: She/Her
Currently on co-op, Zhi is one of the EDGE Lab’s undergraduate research assistants, and she is from Boulder, Colorado. She is majoring in Health Sciences and minoring in Spanish while being on the pre-med track. Zhi is interested in medicine as well as many other aspects of public health. In the future, she plans to attend medical school and wants to explore her career options. Zhi tries to travel and explore whenever she gets the chance, and in her spare time, she enjoys going hiking, snowboarding, and playing the violin.
Celine J. Plaisir
Pronouns: They/She
Celine is one of the EDGE Lab’s undergraduate research assistants, and is originally from New Jersey. They are a double major in Health Science and Psychology while being on the pre-medical track. Celine plans to attend medical school in the future and hopes to pursue a career as an anesthesiologist. Outside of academia, Celine has a passion for make-up and fashion, and in their spare time, you can find them doing various D.I.Y. projects.
Isabelle Flora Belenky
Pronouns: She/Her
Isabelle is one of the EDGE Lab’s undergraduate research assistants, and is originally from New Jersey. She is majoring in Health Science while studying Nutrition as a minor. She is also on the pre-med track and a member of the Honors College. After Isabelle graduates, she hopes to attend medical school and one day become a physician. She has strong interests in the fields of psychology, ophthalmology, and dermatology. Isabelle enjoys being involved in her community by being a part of the sorority Kappa Delta currently serving as their Director of Scholarship, being a member of Pinky Swear Pack, and engaging in philanthropic work involving pediatrics. In her free time, she enjoys shopping and reading Colleen Hoover books. She also has a passion for travel and has been to over 20 countries.
Lab Pets
Hollie Leeman
Europa and Io Yuan
Ferbie “Ferbs” Wilson
Lab Alumni
Staff Members
Taylor Kerstetter, B.S.-Clinical Research Coordinator at Profound Research
Bonnie Rowland, M.A. – Clinical Psychology Ph.D. student at Boston University
Maria Costanza Benvenuti, M.A. – Ph.D student at University of Missouri – Columbia (Clinical psychology)
Patricia Chauca, B.S., B.A. – Ph.D. student at University of Oregon (Counseling psychology)
Emmely Pavila, B.S., B.A. – Research Coordinator at University of Florida
Hannah Engle, B.S. – Research Coordinator at UF
Bailee Wilson, B.S., B.A. – Registered Behavioral Technician at BluSprig’s Florida Autism Center
Ph.D Students
Nioud (Neo) Gebru, MPS, MS, CHES, Ph.D. – Postdoc at Brown University
Elena Kalina, B.S. – Ph.D. student & Graduate Research Assistant at University of Florida (Health and Human Performance)
Ben Berey, Ph.D. – Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Brown University
Andrea Vasquez Ferreiro, B.S. – Graduate student at University of Florida (Health Education and Behavior)
Tessa Frohe, Ph.D. – Acting Assistant Professor at the University of Washington
Hannah Lavoie, M.S. – Ph.D. student at University of Florida (Health Education and Behavior)
Undergraduate Research Assistants
Adam Choss – University of Florida 2023 graduate
Christy Louis, B.S. – M.S. student at Georgia State University (Applied Behavioral Analysis)
Alexia Obrochta – B.S. student at University of Florida (Psychology)
Julianna Romano, B.S., CNA – Registered Nursing Assistant at NeuLife Rehab of Florida
Aubrey Schnars, B.S. – Data and Business Intelligence Executive at Regional One
Bruce Steinberg, B.S. – M.D. Candidate at University of Florida College of Medicine
Odelia Tiutyama – B.S. student at University of Florida (Biological and Medical Sciences)
Danielle Tribbitt, B.S. – Clinical Research Coordinator at University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
Saman Valiani, B.S. – M.S. student at Columbia University (Advanced Clinical Social Work Practice)
Leslie Zepeda – University of Florida 2023 Graduate
Vanessa Acebal, B.S. – Physician Assistant Student at Miami Dade College
Sofia Barajas, B.H.S. – M.D. student at George Washington University
Cassidy LoParco, Ph.D – Postdoctoral Associate at George Washington University
Leah McMahon, B.S.A. – Ph.D. student at University of Texas-Austin (Clinical Psychology)
Juliana Ortiz, B.S. – Clinical Research Coordinator at the University of Miami
Adriana Reynolds, B.S. – MBA student at University of Florida
Maria Sobrino, B.S. – Research Associate at Partnership to End Addiction
Asmi Patel, B.S. – Medical Assistant at Flagler Health+