Meet the Team

Samuel N. Meisel, Ph.D (he/him/his), SUMMIT Lab Director, Assistant Professor, Boston University

Sam Meisel was born and raised in Glen Rock, New Jersey. He completed his undergraduate studies at Boston University and doctoral studies in clinical psychology at the University at Buffalo, the State University of New York. Sam completed his pre-doctoral internship and postdoctoral studies at Brown University and Bradley Hospital. He is a licensed clinical psychologist with expertise in treating adolescents and their families with substance use and co-occurring mental health conditions. Sam’s interests include mentoring students passionate about improving the lives of adolescents and researching the roles of social relationships in adolescent substance use initiation, escalation, and treatment.

Piper LePree, B.A. (she/her/hers), Lab Manager

Piper completed her Bachelor’s in Psychology with a minor in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies at Boston University. Her senior honors thesis explored the relationship between imposter phenomenon and overgeneral autobiographical memory. Before joining the lab, Piper provided teaching support for Social Psychology and Introductory Psychology in Boston University’s Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences as a Post-Baccalaureate Academic Fellow. Her research interests involve substance use, mental health, and memory, specifically in LGBTQIA+ and adolescent/young adult populations. She has a passion for encouraging diversity and inclusion in research and academia, as well as interests in mentorship and individual counseling.

Bianca Deras, B.A. (she/her/hers), Research Technician

Bianca received her B.A. in Psychology at the University of Massachusetts, Boston. In her undergraduate experience, Bianca was involved in labs studying early intervention in autistic children, and paternal-infant relationships and caregiving. Her research interests include substance use, intergenerational trauma and mental health, and kin networks in underserved populations. She is passionate about health equity and mental health in recent immigrant communities, and has a career interest in clinical psychology. 

Winnie Bai, B.A. (she/her/hers), Master’s Research Assistant

Winnie completed her Bachelor’s in Psychology with a minor in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Studies (CAMS) at New York University. She grew up partly in China and partly in the U.S., so she understands how difficult and stressful it can be for immigrant children and adolescents to smoothly adapt to a new environment. Therefore, her research interests lie in child and adolescent mental health issues, particularly focusing on the influence of family and culture. She also noticed that many international students suffer from mental health issues and become involved with substance use. She would like to explore the mechanisms behind this phenomenon and do her best to help. Before joining the lab, Winnie volunteered at the NYU Child Study Center and participated in an intervention program where the lab helped children aged 3-6 manage their anxiety by teaching them different techniques during the weekly clinical sessions. She has experience with Parent-Child Intervention Therapy (PCIT) from her time at NYU. She has always been deeply interested in and concerned about children’s mental health. She is aware that professionals in this field are scarce, which strengthens her determination to pursue a career focused on child mental health. Her goal is to contribute to this field and make a meaningful impact on the lives of children facing mental health challenges.

Afitab Iyigun (she/her/hers), Undergraduate Research Assistant

Afitab, originally from Istanbul, Turkey, is currently pursuing a double major in Psychology and Computer Science at Boston University. She is particularly passionate about exploring the intersection of clinical psychology, data science, and computer systems. Her previous research at University of California Irvine includes comparative political studies on technological transnational repression and its emotional impact on victims, focusing on trauma and emotional distress. She is dedicated to advancing adolescent psychology and understanding the effects of psychological trauma in children, with a strong commitment to using data-driven insights to improve therapeutic outcomes for young people.

Alek Poyato (he/him/his), Undergraduate Research Assistant

Alek, originally from Puerto Rico, is currently pursuing a degree in Psychology, Chemistry & Physics, and Pure Mathematics. Alek has a deep passion for learning and is constantly fascinated by the connections between these seemingly disparate fields. With a goal of attending medical school to become a psychiatrist, Alek is committed to adopting a holistic approach to treatment and is particularly focused on addressing the mental health needs of underprivileged populations who lack access to essential resources.

Jamila Rodriguez (she/her/hers), Undergraduate Research Assistant

Jamila, originally from New York, is currently studying Behavior & Health with a specialization in Psychology. As an aspiring clinical psychologist, she is deeply interested and inspired by the field of psychology. With several years of experience as a mentor/tutor for youth ages 10 to 18, Jamila has developed a strong passion for adolescent psychology, believing that this stage profoundly shapes an individual’s life like no other. Additionally, Jamila is committed to advancing health equity and enhancing access to both physical and mental health care for underserved communities. She is also very excited to work and grow with the SUMMIT Lab!

Sarah Shabib (she/her/hers), Undergraduate Research Assistant

Raised in Bahrain and Jordan, Sarah is currently pursuing a degree in Psychology with a minor in Business. She is especially intrigued by the intersection of neuropsychology and drug behavior, and aspires to become a neuropsychologist. Sarah is dedicated to deepening her knowledge and applying her findings to the Middle Eastern context, thereby improving the understanding of neuropsychological issues and their implications both in the region and globally.