Julie Xian, BA

Research Interests

Neurogenetics, computational phenotyping

Education

BA, University of Pennsylvania
MD/PhD Student, Johns Hopkins Medical Scientist Training Program

Hometown

Long Island, NY

Hobbies

Soccer, rock climbing, hammocking, skiing, anything outdoors

Michael Kaufman, MS

Research Interests

Leveraging big data for genotypic and phenotypic research including developing predictive models and extracting and analyzing electronic medical records to hopefully lead to improved and more equitable care for patients as a result of these findings.

Education

BA, Cognitive Science, Vassar College
MS, Data Science, Drexel University

Hometown

Merion Station, PA

Hobbies

Lots of baking, cooking and weight lifting (to balance out all the baked goods). Michael also has a passion for boardgames and has recently been trying to learn new languages as well.

Samuel Pierce, PT, PhD, NCS

Research Interests

Mentoring staff, teaching neuroscience and neurological physical therapy to graduate students, adult inpatient rehabilitation for people with traumatic brain injuries, stroke, and spinal cord injury, working with children in various practice settings

Education

BA, Psychology, Beaver College (now Arcadia University)
MS, Physical Therapy, Beaver College (now Arcadia University)
PhD, Physical Therapy, Temple University

Hobbies

Fantasy football, Credit card churning & personal finance, Travel – favorite cities: Sydney & Shanghai, Obsessing over Philadelphia sports teams

Sarah Ruggiero, MS, CGC

Research Interests

Further defining the phenotypes of known epilepsy genes, New gene discovery and description in the epilepsies, Caregiver experiences and resiliency factors in caring for neurodiverse children and children with epilepsy

Education

BS with Distinction, Neuroscience, University of Delaware
BA, English, University of Delaware
MS, Genetic Counseling, Arcadia University (now the program at the University of Pennsylvania)

Hometown

Lenni, PA

Hobbies

Hiking, books, and music (playing and listening)