Brain Seminar for Teens and Opportunities for Research Mentorship (BrainSTORM)
Program Overview
BrainSTORM Components
The BrainSTORM Program introduces high school students to the study of the brain through both clinical and research perspectives, including fields such as neurology, neuropsychology, and neuroscience. It is composed of two parts: a monthly seminar open to all students, and an application-based research mentorship program.
For more information, please contact us by email: brainstorm@cumc.columbia.edu.
More Information on the Lecture Series
More Information on the Mentorship Program
More Information on Our Team
Stephanie Cosentino, PhD
Program Director
Dr. Cosentino is a Professor of Neuropsychology in the Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer’s Disease and the Aging Brain, Gertrude H. Sergievsky Center, and Department of Neurology at Columbia University Irving Medical Center. Dr. Cosentino’s laboratory focuses on the cognitive, behavioral, and metacognitive profiles of Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders (ADRD). Her ongoing work examines the predictive utility of subjective cognitive decline (SCD) for AD and the utility of cognitive screening among women across the spectrum of peri-menopause through post-menopause. Dr. Cosentino is deeply committed to mentoring trainees of all levels. In addition to directing the BrainSTORM program, she directs the ADRC Research Education Component (REC) training program for early career scientists and co-directed the Summer for Translational Aging Research for Undergraduates (STAR U) with Dr. Adam Brickman.
Sandra Rizer, MA
Program Coordinator
Sandra is the Coordinator for the BrainSTORM Program, as well as the Lab Manager for Dr. Stephanie Cosentino's lab. Sandra attended the University of New Haven, where she received a B.A. in Psychology and a B.S. in Criminal Justice. She attended Montclair State University, where she received an M.A. in Clinical Psychology. Sandra oversees multiple research studies spanning multiple areas of research on aging, including longevity, women's health, screening, essential tremor, Alzheimer's Disease, and more. Her expertise is in cognitive assessment, and she often travels to train and certify researchers at many collaborating institutions.
BrainSTORM is funded by the Groff Foundation. The program is based at the Columbia University Irving Medical Center (CUIMC), as part of the Department of Neurology and the Taub Institute for Alzheimer’s Disease and the Aging Brain. BrainSTORM is also affiliated with Columbia University’s Alzheimer's Disease Research Center.