Our research team is dedicated to generating new knowledge that can inform interventions and policies aimed at improving the lives of adolescents. We use a variety of rigorous and innovative research methods, including surveys, interviews, and magnetic resonance imaging, to investigate topics such as social and emotional development, risky behavior, protective factors for mental health, and effective interventions for mental health problems.
Greg Perlman
Principal Investigator
Dr. Perlman is the principal investigator of PIGMENT. He received his Ph.D. in clinical psychology at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. For many years, he served as director of the ADEPT project at Stony Brook University. ADEPT, which stands for Adolescent Development of Emotion and Personality Traits, is an ongoing research study of adolescent development in 550 Long Island girls. His research with the ADEPT project and other projects has led to over 70 published studies in peer-reviewed journals, mainly about adolescent health and development.
Dr. Perlman is currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health at the Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University. He prefers cats to dogs, but will pretend to be interested in your dog to be polite. He drinks a lot of coffee. This is his first attempt at designing a website.
Krysta Roper
Study Interviewer
Krysta is the PIGMENT study's interviewer. She received her Master's in Social Work in 2023 and is certified as an equine assisted therapist. She loves all animals and has a rescued cat and dog of her own. She hopes to use her experience in research to contribute to the field of human-animal interactions and animal-assisted therapies. In her free time she likes walking dogs, listening to audiobooks, spending time outside or being by the water.
Alexandria Trepiccione
RStudy Coordinator
Allie is another study coordinator of the PIGMENT study. She graduated from Stony Brook University with a Bachelor's in Psychology and a Minor in Health, Medicine, and Society. Her plans for the future include pursuing further education in the field of Neuroscience and exploring various places abroad. Besides doing research, Allie can often be found reading books, gardening, singing, crafting, and enjoying the sunshine.
Patrice Calderon
Research Assistant
Patrice is a research assistant for the PIGMENT study. She recently graduated from Stony Brook University with a Bachelor's in Health Science and a Minor in Health, Medicine, and Society. She plans to broaden her horizons and apply to a Physician Assistant school in the near future. During her free time you might catch her dancing, crocheting, reading books, attempting to play video games, and most importantly... playing with her dogs!
Daniel Elias
Research Assistant
Daniel is a research assistant in the PIGMENT study. He will graduate from Stony Brook University with a Bachelor’s in Biology in Fall 2024 and is currently applying to Medical School. His hobbies include listening to various music, playing esports, and gardening.
Anthony Morales
Research Assistant
Anthony is a research assistant of the PIGMENT study. He is currently a Psychology major who has an interest in all things Abnormal Psychology. He graduates in Spring ‘25 and plans on attending nursing school at Stony Brook. In the future, Anthony hopes to be a Psych Nurse Practitioner in order to make a positive impact in people’s lives.
Radyson Meyer
Research Assistant
Radyson is one of our research assistants. She graduated from Stony Brook University with a Bachelor’s in Psychology. On her free time, besides being a cat mom, she’s always looking for a new adventure and planning a new trip.