Meet Our Team

Principle Investigator

Julian Burger, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor in Clinical Psychological Science at Stony Brook University. His research bridges clinical science and computational modeling to develop new approaches to personalizing psychotherapy. His work focuses on case conceptualization, personalized network analysis, formal theories of transdiagnostic processes, natural language processing, and LGBTQ-affirmative psychotherapy. His ultimate goal is to improve psychotherapy outcomes, particularly for populations facing disproportionate mental health challenges.

Meike Waaijers (she/her)

Visiting graduate student

Meike is a 3rd-year PhD candidate at the University of Amsterdam in the Netherlands, supervised by Denny Borsboom, Anne Roefs, and Hannes Rosenbusch. Her research focuses on how Large Language Models (LLMs) can support the construction of psychological networks, for theory construction and to support clinicians in developing case formulations.

She is joining the Process Research and Personalization Lab at Stony Brook University for a research visit to evaluate the clinical utility of LLM-supported case formulations.

Outside of the lab, Meike enjoys dancing bachata and singing (accompanied by amateurish piano).

Kylie Horan (she/her)

Postbac research assistant

Kylie is a graduate of Villanova University and the Columbia Publishing Course at the University of Oxford. She comes to psychology from a background in modernist literature, where she specialized in queer texts, depictions of trauma, and psychoanalytic theory.

Her research interests include psycholinguistics and affirmative psychotherapy for LGBTQ+ individuals, a population she hopes to support through her work in the PRP Lab.

Outside of the lab, Kylie enjoys practicing yoga, hanging out with her dogs, and supporting survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking as a crisis counselor at ECLI-VIBES.

Alyssa Torres (she/her)

Postbac research assistant

Alyssa graduated with her BA in Psychology from Stony Brook University in May 2026. Prior to joining the PRP Lab, she has also worked as a research assistant for the Mental Healthcare for All Lab at SBU, where she contributed to a meta-analysis addressing psychotherapy methods and socioeconomic factors.

Alyssa is broadly interested in the field of counseling psychology, adolescent mental health and autism, and hopes to pursue graduate education to become a licensed psychologist.

Donna Dean (she/her)

MA Student

Donna is an MA student studying Psychology at Stony Brook University. In the Process Research and Personalization Lab, Donna is interested in improving real-time data collection for the purpose of creating personalized networks to improve intervention outcomes for individuals who have specific mental health needs.

Her research interests include personalized treatments and interventions tailored to individuals’ neurological differences, alternative treatments for certain treatment-resistant mood disorders, and autism spectrum disorder.

Outside of the lab, Donna enjoys going to concerts in the city and doing NYT crossword puzzles.

Faria Tanisha (she/her)

Undergraduate research assistant

Faria is a fourth-year undergraduate student majoring in Psychology at Stony Brook University. In the Process Research and Personalization Lab, she is interested in examining and comparing evidence-based psychological interventions and their effectiveness across different populations and presenting concerns.

Her research interests include psychotherapy outcomes, treatment personalization, and comparative approaches to psychological interventions.

Outside of the lab, Faria enjoys reading, running, and stargazing, as well as public speaking and volunteering as a crisis counselor.

Wynn Ng (they/them)

Undergraduate research assistant

Wynn is a junior studying Psychology (B.S.) & Asian and Asian American Studies at Stony Brook University. In the Process Research and Personalization Lab, they are excited to contribute to more culturally responsive mental health care. Their research interests include Asian American psychology, minority stress, and intersectionality. Wynn aspires to become a clinical psychologist, with a focus on serving the Asian American community. Outside the lab, Wynn manages the social media for Stony Brook’s AAPI Mentorship Network, and is an ASTC Spanish tutor. Outside of the lab, Wynn enjoys drawing, crafting, and reading.