Bio: Iruma Bello, PhD, (she/hers) is a licensed clinical psychologist and the Co-Associate Director and Clinical Training Director of OnTrackNY. Iruma has specialized training in research and implementation of evidence-based treatments and cognitive behavioral therapy for psychosis. Working with Amplify, Iruma is part of the committee focused on planning and designing mechanisms for gathering and integrating stakeholder feedback within OnTrackNY. Iruma is committed to finding ways to improve culturally responsive treatment approaches for young people with psychosis. Iruma is an animal lover and enjoys spending time with her 5 dogs.

Bio: Leopoldo J. Cabassa, PhD’s (he/his) dedication and passion for engaging in health disparities research has been shaped by his social work practice and research experiences in Puerto Rico and the U.S. mainland. His work focuses on improving health and mental health care for underserved communities. At Amplify, Leo helps to develop protocols that are culturally sensitive, and conducts interviews with stakeholder groups. Fun Fact: Leo’s favorite rock band is the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Bio: Kaleigh Fidaleo, MS, (she/hers) has a master’s degree in clinical research methodology, focused in psychology. She supports the Amplify team as a research assistant by conducting qualitative interviews, communicating with project stakeholders, helping with administrative tasks, and assisting with various other project-related efforts. Fun Fact: Kaleigh is vegan and enjoys hiking and making digital art in her free time.

Bio: Ana Florence, PhD, (she/hers) Ana is the Project Manager of the Early Psychosis Intervention Network (EPINET), part of the OnTrackNY program. She co-leads Amplify OnTrackNY, an initiative to listen and learn from the OnTrackNY program participants, graduates, families and providers to improve services for youth. She is a researcher and clinician who works with persons experiencing psychosis. Prior to coming to the United States, she worked in Brazil, her home country, closing asylums and establishing community based mental health services. She misses the warm beaches of Brazil and can't get used to the snow, slipping and falling at least once every winter.

Bio: Sapana Patel, PhD, (she/hers) is a bilingual (Spanish) Indian American clinical health psychologist, implementation scientist and practitioner whose work focuses on improving the quality and access to care for individuals with serious mental illness. Working with Amplify, Sapana is a member of the core planning team who advises on the OnTrackNY learning healthcare system development. designs activities to engage the diverse OnTrackNY community of participants, families and teams, and conducts interviews and focus groups with stakeholders. Fun Fact: Sapana is certified instructor of mindfulness meditation!

Bio: Rosalba Perez (she/her pronouns) is a participant of OnTrackNY. She is working toward becoming a peer specialist and has already received training and certification in this area. Besides working with mental health, her other half belongs with Mechanical Engineering Technology. She was also a part of a society called NSLS which has helped her become a more outspoken person. Working with Amplify OnTrackNY, Rosalba is part of a group that plans and designs different activities to engage with stakeholders and improve the OnTrackNY program. Rosalba's experience has taught her that amplifying her voice will change her community and make it better for herself, peers, and new participants on OnTrackNY. Fun Fact: Rosalba loves to express herself with drawing and crocheting blankets.

Bio: Adrienne Sheitman, BA, (she/hers) is a recent graduate from the City University of New York Hunter College. She works on Amplify as a research assistant and helps to conduct qualitative interviews, make outreach calls to connect with participants and families, and provide support to members of the team as they gather and analyze data for various research projects. Fun Fact: Adrienne is originally from North Carolina, she is a huge animal lover, as well as a lover of New York City!

Bio: Ana Stefancic, PhD, (she/hers) has extensive expertise in using qualitative and mixed methods research to expand evidence-based mental health services that promote self-determination, recovery, and health equity. At Amplify, Ana trains and supervises the interviewers who conduct the qualitative interviews in our activities. She also conducts interviews herself, and oversees coding, analysis, and interpretation of results. Fun Fact: On warm days, Ana enjoys sitting outside and listening to music.