BRAID Lab
Brain Resilience to Aging & Immune Diseases Lab
St. Joseph's University, New York
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The BRAID (Brain Resilience to Aging and Immune Diseases) Lab is an interdisciplinary laboratory dedicated to studying determinants of successful cognitive and brain aging.
Our Psycho-Neuro-Immunology approach allows us to look at the interwoven relations of mental health, brain function, and body defense mechanisms in human aging.
Find out more about our collaborative research projects here.
Principal Investigator: Anna Rita Egbert, Ph.D.
News
Gabriela Vilorio
delivering a poster presentation
on her thesis "Fortification Through Fanart: The Impact of Fanart on Resilience Amongst Transgender and Gender Diverse Young Adults."
On behalf of Gabriela, the BRAID Lab would like to thank the following organizations for their contributions to participant recruitment:
Gender Health Center;
The Center of Colfax;
Center on Halsted;
PACE Louisiana;
Trans Resistance MA;
Trans Northland;
The Spectrum Center;
Nevada County Pride;
Edge NJ;
Gender Equality NY;
The LOFT;
Charlotte Trans Health;
Forward 701;
Harriet Hancock Center;
Outright Vermont;
Rainbow Bridge Community Center;
Diversity Alliance of the Puget Sound;
The LGBT Center of SE Wisconsin.
Congratulations to Gabriela Vilorio
for earning the Eastern Psychological Association Diversity Travel Award 2025 for her research contributions on barrier to healthcare and pain management in minority groups!
The BRAID Lab Members present at the Eastern Psychological Association Annual Convention in NYC, 2025.
Isa-Marie Kreuzinger represents the BRAID Lab
delivering 4 unique poster presentations
at the International Neuropsychological Society Annual Convention 2025
in New Orleans, LA
BRAID Lab Members join the Women's Research Coalition for an event on Brooklyn Campus
Find out more here: https://oncampus.sjny.edu/sjny-recognizes-diversity-equity-and-inclusion-week/
Join us on Nov 6, 2024 for
Panel Discussion
organized by the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee
followed by poster presentations
by the BRAID Lab Research Assistants
Isa-Marie Kreuzinger and Gabriela Vilorio.
Join us on Oct 31. 2024 for a research presentation by
Zuzanna Maruszewska
MA student at the Warsaw International Studies in Psychology,
University of Warsaw, Poland
Thank you to all participants and organizations for supporting the TRACE* study!
We have successfully completed collecting participant responses for the *Tracking the Roots of Autoimmune Conditions Expression (TRACE) Research Project.
Special THANK YOU goes to organizations that supported spreading the word about our survey:
Baltimore Safe Haven;
Equality North Carolina;
Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition;
Missoula Pride;
One Iowa;
SF LGBT Center;
and Trans Resistance MA.
Our BRAID Lab is presenting research outcomes
at the International Neuropsychological Society Conference in Porto, Portugal, 2024.
Participate in our TRACE* study!
*Tracking the Roots of Autoimmune Conditions Expression (TRACE) Research Project.
Congratulations to Caroline Kocher for presenting the outcomes of her SJNY SURF 2023 research project during the Student Research Symposium, SJNY Long Island Campus
Program for Undergraduate Research Symposium.pdfCongratulations to Isa-Marie Kreuzinger - the awardee of the SJNY Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship 2024!
Congratulations to Isa-Marie Kreuzinger for being awarded the SJNY SURF 2024! Isa's research will focus on risk factors of autoimmune disorders in marginalized groups that experience stigma and discrimination.
Warm welcome to the new BRAID Lab Research Assistants: Prakriti Budhathoki, Olivia Cicileo, Kaylee Finch, and Gabriela Vilorio!
The Diversity Appreciation Day at the SJNY Brooklyn Campus
March 2nd, 2024
Read the story: https://oncampus.sjny.edu/fostering-a-deep-appreciation-for-diversity/
St. Joseph’s University, New York hosted its first annual Diversity Appreciation Day Saturday, March 2, at the Brooklyn Campus.
Hosted by the Department of Psychology, the event invited the public to explore and celebrate diversity while exposing the the complexities of stigma and discrimination. Attendees had the opportunity analyze a “Timeline of Inequity,” listen to a public talk based on research findings, tour the campus, and participate in games and raffles for a chance to receive prizes.
“The event was aimed at fostering a deep appreciation for diversity while addressing the pervasive issues of stigma and discrimination,” explained Anna Egbert, Ph.D., assistant professor of psychology.
“Embracing diversity is about celebrating the richness of human differences across race, sexual orientation, age and other dimensions,” she added.
Exploration of Historical Roots
Exploration of Historical Roots
Diversity Appreciation Day cast on a light on the historical origins of categorizations based on race, sexual orientation and age, examining how these constructs have shaped cultures and communities over time.
“Organized by our student research assistants and SJNY honors students, the event illuminated the destructive consequences of racism, heterosexism and ageism, fostering critical thinking and empathy among participants,” Dr. Egbert said.
While the event was open to all, there was special call out for high school students to attend, encouraging them to be proactive agents of change in dismantling discrimination and inspiring understanding, respect and inclusivity.
“By understanding the roots and impact of stigma and discrimination, teenagers are empowered to challenge prejudice and contribute to building a more inclusive and equitable world,” Dr. Egbert said.
https://oncampus.sjny.edu/fostering-a-deep-appreciation-for-diversity/
Join us at the Diversity Appreciation Day
the SJNY Brooklyn Campus
March 2nd, 2024
Congratulations to Isa and Cari
for presenting their research studies
at the International Neuropsychological Society
Annual Meeting 2024 in NYC!
Caroline Kocher (Research Assistant at the BRAID Lab)
is featured in the SJNY Magazine
Winter 2024 Issue:
HEARD* study outcomes will be presented during
the International Neuropsychological Society 2024 Meeting in NYC!
*Health Equity, Awareness, and Resilience against Discrimination (HEARD) Research Project
Thank you to all participants and organizations for supporting the HEARD* study!
We have successfully completed collecting participant responses for the *Health Equity, Awareness, and Resilience against Discrimination (HEARD) Research Project.
Special THANK YOU goes to organizations that supported spreading the word about our survey:
AIDS Chicago,
AIDS United,
Aqua Foundation,
Carolina RAIN,
Golden Rainbows of Illinois South (GRIS),
GMHC, New York,
LGBT Network, New York,
and NOAGE, New Orleans.
If you participated in our survey and provided your email address, check your email account - five lucky participants have just received $100 Vanilla Visa Gift Cards.
Thank you so much for helping us fight stigma & discrimination!
Prof. Egbert receives SJNY Summer 2023 Research Grant to support the HEARD* study
Check back soon for findings of our study.
HEARD* study still accepting participants!
*Health Equity, Awareness, and Resilience against Discrimination (HEARD) Research Project is still looking for participants
To help us fight stigma & discrimination, fill out our survey online:
We are lauching a new study!
We are launching a research study aiming at improving health of marginalized groups.
To help us fight stigma & discrimination, fill out our survey online:
Biology of Aging Conference in Montreal 2023
In May 2023, Dr. Egbert presented results of the ROAH 2.0 research project on the impact of stigmatizing attitudes and discriminatory behaviors on health disparities and inequities in sexual minorities, people of color, older adults, and persons living with HIV.
Congratulations to Cari Kocher - the SURF Awardee 2023!
The BRAID Lab is celebrating the success of Cari Kocher who just got awarded the SURF Scholarship. During the Summer of 2023, Cari will be conducting her research study on health consequences of stigma in marginalized groups, especially individuals living with HIV infection.
THANK YOU!
Thank you for attending and supporting the Fundraiser in Support of Improved Health of Marginalized Groups! We had an amazing turnout and with your generous giving, we managed to bring $1100 more in donations to the BRAID Lab. Our BRAID Lab is dedicated to improving cognitive and brain health through conducting scientific research and raising awareness of health consequences of stigma and discrimination. Without your generosity, the BRAID Lab wouldn’t be able to accomplish its mission!
Public Talk, March 11th, 2023
Dr. Egbert is giving a public talk about the health consequences of experiencing ageism, heterosexism, cisgenderism, racism, and HIV stigma at a fundraiser in support of improved health of marginalized groups.
The International Neuropsychological Society (INS) Annual Meeting 2023 in San Diego, CA
In February 2023, Dr. Egbert moderated Paper Session dedicated to aging topics during the INS Annual Meeting in San Diego, CA.
At the same scientific conference, dr. Egbert presented results of the BRAID Lab's research project on the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health and disclosure of symptoms of illness in older adults.
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