PNS Equity Forum Mission Statement:
PNS is committed to creating a community of diversity and inclusion in the greater Philadelphia region that provides diversity related local support, advocacy, and resources for trainees, professionals, and the community at large.
The forum is held once monthly (typically the week following PNS’s monthly meeting) and focuses on establishing a supportive community for trainees, professionals, and the community at large. The equity forum aims to be a resource for addressing the impact various aspects diversity, equity, and inclusion has on clinical care and training in individuals within the greater Philadelphia region. We hope to examine advocacy, education, and support needed and plan/establish outreach activities to address these needs.
Current Members (to be updated):
Dr. Jennifer Tinker
Jennifer Tinker, Ph.D., is a clinical neuropsychologist and Assistant Professor in the Department of Neurology at Thomas Jefferson University. She earned her doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Drexel University. She completed her pre-doctoral internship at Long Island Jewish Medical Center/Zucker-Hillside Hospital and a fellowship in clinical neuropsychology at the VA Maryland Health Care System in Baltimore, MD. Her current research interests include psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES) and cognitive outcomes following neurosurgery in epilepsy.
Dr. Dawn Mechanic-Hamilton (she/her)
Dawn Mechanic-Hamilton, PhD, ABPP/CN is an assistant professor in the Department of Neurology at the University of Pennsylvania. She completed her Ph.D. in clinical psychology (neuropsychology track) at Drexel University, a pre-doctoral internship at Brown University, and APPCN post-doctoral fellowship at the University of Pennsylvania. She is a researcher in the Penn Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center and is interested in digital assessment tools to identify preclinical Alzheimer’s disease, interventions to increase goal-directed behavior in Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias, and understanding the impact of Social and Structural Determinants of Health on cognition and aging.
Dawn Mechanic-Hamilton, PhD, ABPP/CN is an assistant professor in the Department of Neurology at the University of Pennsylvania. She completed her Ph.D. in clinical psychology (neuropsychology track) at Drexel University, a pre-doctoral internship at Brown University, and APPCN post-doctoral fellowship at the University of Pennsylvania. She is a researcher in the Penn Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center and is interested in digital assessment tools to identify preclinical Alzheimer’s disease, interventions to increase goal-directed behavior in Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias, and understanding the impact of Social and Structural Determinants of Health on cognition and aging.
Dr. Baochan Tran
Baochan Tran, PsyD is a clinical neuropsychologist in the Department of Neurology at the University of Pennsylvania. She earned her doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Widener University. She completed her pre-doctoral internship training at Thomas Jefferson University and the University of Pennsylvania and remained at the University of Pennsylvania to complete her post-doctoral fellowship in clinical neuropsychology.
Dr. Ruta Clair (she/her)
Ruta Clair, PsyD, CBIS, is an assistant professor of psychology at Cabrini University. She received her doctorate degree from Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. She received predoctoral training at Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation and postdoctoral training at RSM Psychology and Sports Concussion Center of New Jersey. She has clinical experience in neuropsychology and school psychology. Current research interests include concussion recovery, knowledge, and attitud
Dr. Chelsea Black (she/her)
Chelsea Black, Ph.D., ABPP is a pediatric neuropsychologist at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). She earned her doctorate in Clinical Psychology at Temple University, completed her pre-doctoral internship at CHOP, and completed her postdoctoral fellowship in pediatric neuropsychology at Children’s National Medical Center. Dr. Black’s clinical and research interests include pediatric-onset neuroinflammatory disorders, neurobiological underpinnings of executive function skill development, and mood dysregulation in pediatric medical conditions. She also has a personal and professional interest in addressing health disparities among youth in the Philadelphia community, particularly with respect to individuals’ access to culturally effective neuropsychological and other mental health services.
Dr. Jennifer Gallo
Jennifer L. Gallo, PhD, is a clinical neuropsychologist at Global Neurosciences Institute and affiliate associate professor of Neurology with Drexel University College of Medicine. She completed her PhD in clinical psychology (within the neuropsychology specialization track) at Drexel University and a pre-doctoral internship at UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. Her specialization within neuropsychology is aging and dementia. Her research interests have a strong grounding in clinical assessment/diagnosis and management. Extending from this, she co-authored the Behavioral and Psychological Assessment of Dementia (BPAD) and peer-reviewed publications investigating the relationship between cognition, psychological symptoms, and functional integrity in older adults with and without dementia.
Jennifer L. Gallo, PhD, is a clinical neuropsychologist at Global Neurosciences Institute and affiliate associate professor of Neurology with Drexel University College of Medicine. She completed her PhD in clinical psychology (within the neuropsychology specialization track) at Drexel University and a pre-doctoral internship at UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. Her specialization within neuropsychology is aging and dementia. Her research interests have a strong grounding in clinical assessment/diagnosis and management. Extending from this, she co-authored the Behavioral and Psychological Assessment of Dementia (BPAD) and peer-reviewed publications investigating the relationship between cognition, psychological symptoms, and functional integrity in older adults with and without dementia.
Fareshte Erani (she/her)
Fareshte is a fourth year doctoral candidate in the Clinical Psychology program at Drexel University, with a concentration in neuropsychology. She received her BA in Psychology at the University of California – Irvine. Her current research interests include utilizing neuroimaging and neuromodulation to study brain disease relationships with neural function, structure, and behavior.
Molly Split (she/her)
Molly Split is a fourth year doctoral candidate in the Clinical Psychology program at Drexel University with a focus in clinical neuropsychology. She received her B.A. in Psychology at Temple University. Prior to attending Drexel University, she worked as a research coordinator at the NeuroCognition and Movement Laboratory at the Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System and University of California, San Diego. Her current research interests include developing novel techniques for detecting subtle cognitive and functional declines in older adults.
Samuel Alex (he/him)
Sam is a 5th year Psy.D candidate at Immaculata University and a second generation Indian American. He is also a US Air Force HPSP scholarship recipient and through previous practicum experiences has provided treatment and conducted evaluations in a children’s hospital, outpatient sexual and violent offender forensic practice, community mental health trauma clinic, outpatient neuropsychology private practice, VA Medical Center, and residential neurorehabilitation program. Sam’s clinical interests include exploring the cognitive and psychological impact of traumatic brain injury, cultural neuropsychology, post-traumatic stress, mental health public policy, and suicide prevention.
Sam is a 5th year Psy.D candidate at Immaculata University and a second generation Indian American. He is also a US Air Force HPSP scholarship recipient and through previous practicum experiences has provided treatment and conducted evaluations in a children’s hospital, outpatient sexual and violent offender forensic practice, community mental health trauma clinic, outpatient neuropsychology private practice, VA Medical Center, and residential neurorehabilitation program. Sam’s clinical interests include exploring the cognitive and psychological impact of traumatic brain injury, cultural neuropsychology, post-traumatic stress, mental health public policy, and suicide prevention.
Molly Tassoni (she/her)
Molly Tassoni, MA is a 4th year doctoral student in the Clinical Psychology PhD program at Temple University, with a specialization in neuroscience and a clinical and research focus in neuropsychology. She received her B.A. in Psychology at Washington and Lee University. Prior to attending Temple University, Molly worked as a research coordinator at the Penn Frontotemporal Degeneration Center in Philadelphia, PA. Her current research interests include exploring how the reward system/motivation can influence memory and cognition and how this can be harnessed for intervention.
Molly Tassoni, MA is a 4th year doctoral student in the Clinical Psychology PhD program at Temple University, with a specialization in neuroscience and a clinical and research focus in neuropsychology. She received her B.A. in Psychology at Washington and Lee University. Prior to attending Temple University, Molly worked as a research coordinator at the Penn Frontotemporal Degeneration Center in Philadelphia, PA. Her current research interests include exploring how the reward system/motivation can influence memory and cognition and how this can be harnessed for intervention.
Dr. Megan Glenn (She/Her)
Megan Glenn, Psy.D., is a clinical neuropsychologist at the Philadelphia VA Medical Center specializing in Geriatrics. She earned her doctorate in Clinical Psychology with a specialization in Neuropsychology from Widener University. She completed her pre-doctoral internship training at the Penn Memory Center and Temple University Hospital, and post-doctoral fellowship training at the Philadelphia VA Medical Center.
Megan Glenn, Psy.D., is a clinical neuropsychologist at the Philadelphia VA Medical Center specializing in Geriatrics. She earned her doctorate in Clinical Psychology with a specialization in Neuropsychology from Widener University. She completed her pre-doctoral internship training at the Penn Memory Center and Temple University Hospital, and post-doctoral fellowship training at the Philadelphia VA Medical Center.