Meet the Team
Get to know the researchers and collaborators dedicated to advancing our understanding of mental/brain health and aging within U.S.-Brazilian communities.
Dr. Sanz Simon, Ph.D., is a neuropsychologist and Assistant Professor at Rutgers University (Newark campus), at the Department of Psychiatry, New Jersey Medical School. She is also the director of the EngAGING lab and a member of the Krieger Klein Alzheimer’s Research Center at Rutgers University. She is the Principal Investigator of the BRAINY-NJ Study. She earned her Ph.D. from the University of São Paulo (Brazil), a Research Fellowship in Neuropsychiatry at the Brigham and Women's Hospital (Harvard University), and a Postdoctoral Fellowship from Columbia University.
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Dr. Sanz Simon is passionate about empowering communities through science and developing interventions to improve mental & brain health in older adults, including vulnerable and underrepresented populations. Currently, her research is funded by the National Institute of Aging (NIA-NIH) and the Alzheimer's Association.
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Languages: English, Portuguese, Spanish, French, and Hebrew (basic).
Ana Staniscia, M.S., M.A, LPMHC, is a Research Associate at Rutgers University, the Department of Psychiatry, New Jersey Medical School. She is a member of the EngAGING lab and BRAINY-NJ-study, bringing a rich blend of academic and clinical expertise from Brazil and the United States. Ms. Staniscia is also a member of the Krieger Klein Alzheimer’s Research Center at Rutgers University. She holds a degree in Psychology from the Federal University of São Carlos (Brazil) and Psycho-Oncology at the A.C. Camargo Center in São Paulo, where she earned her Master’s in Science.
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In the United States, Ana earned her Master’s in Counseling for Mental Health and Wellness at New York University, further honing her ability to provide empathetic, evidence-based, and culturally sensitive care. She also works as a psychotherapist at Intercity Psychotherapy in Yonkers, NY, supporting clients across diverse life stages, focusing on older adults and those navigating complex emotional challenges. Ana's multicultural perspective and dedication to mental health and wellness make her a compassionate advocate for holistic and inclusive care.
Languages: English, Portuguese, Spanish, basic French, and Italian. ​
Claudio Mendes, DDO and MSc, is a Clinical Research Professional currently serving as a Bilingual Clinical Research Coordinator at the Krieger Klein Alzheimer’s Research Center. He holds a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro and a Master of Science (MSc) in Clinical Research Management from Rutgers University. Claudio has led clinical trial efforts across oncology and pediatric populations, and he is now contributing to aging-related research through the BRAINY-NJ Study. His work focuses on participant recruitment and engagement, with a particular emphasis on underrepresented populations, especially within Latino communities.
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At the Pediatric Clinical Research Center at Rutgers/RWJMS, Claudio coordinated multiple pediatric clinical trials. He managed bilingual communications with participants and families, developed standard operating procedures, and strengthened recruitment, retention, and community outreach strategies. He now brings this expertise to aging, Alzheimer’s and brain health research, supporting inclusive and culturally competent research execution.
Languages: English, Portuguese, Spanish.​
Thamiris Gonçalves, M.S., RN, is a Clinical Research Coordinator in the BRAINY-NJ Study. A registered nurse in the state of New Jersey, she holds a Master’s degree in Psychosocial Care from the Institute of Psychiatry at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), a residency in Mental Health (UFRJ), and a specialization in Geriatrics and Gerontology from the State University of Rio de Janeiro.
Her academic and professional journey is dedicated to care and research on vulnerable populations, with particular attention to mental health and the aging process. She has significant experience in the Brazilian public health system (SUS) as well as in gerontology in multicultural settings, with experience in both Brazil and the United Kingdom.
Languages: Portuguese, English, Spanish (basic).​
Mentors & Collaborators
Get to know the team of advisors and collaborators on the BRAINY-NJ Study
Yaakov Stern, PhD
Dr. Yaakov Stern is a Professor of Neuropsychology in the Departments of Neurology, Psychiatry, and Psychology, and the Taub Institute for the Research on Alzheimer’s Disease and the Aging Brain Dr. Stern is also the chief of the Cognitive Neuroscience Division in the Department of Neurology at Columbia University Irving Medical Center in NYC (US).
Sonia M. D. Brucki, MD, PhD
Dr. Sonia Brucki is an Associate Professor of Neurology at the Faculty of Medicine, University of São Paulo (FMUSP), Brazil. She is the director of the Cognitive Neurology and Behavioral Unit at the Clinics Hospital, FMUSP. Dr. Brucki is a co-investigator of the LatAmFinger in São Paulo (Brazil).