Meeting of the Minds
A Spotlight on Neuromodulation
Friday, January 9, 2026 (Registration Deadline is January 2, 2026)
- In-Person Lectures
- 9 am to 2 pm
- Lunch will be served
- Free
Wang Theatre, Charles B. Wang Center at Stony Brook University
101 Nicolls Road, Stony Brook, NY
Please note: This event is being photographed and/or videotaped and your image may be used in connection with the advertising and promotion of Stony Brook University and/or Stony Brook Medicine.
Our Meeting of the Minds Symposium brings together leading researchers and clinicians to present the latest research advances and clinical care in a specific field of interest within the neurosciences.
This year’s focus will showcase current interdisciplinary achievements in the field of neuromodulation. Kicking off the day’s presentations will be distinguished keynote speaker, Nicola G. Cascella, MD, from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Our other dynamic guest speaker will be Chad Bouton, PhD, from the Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research at Northwell Health.
You’ll also hear from four of our accomplished faculty and researchers from the Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University. Each will present and discuss their neuromodulation advancements, answer your questions, and more.
The Meeting of the Minds symposium is open to physicians and other healthcare professionals, researchers, students and anyone with an interest in neuromodulation. Free breakfast and lunch will be provided.
Event Agenda
Knapp Dean, Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University
“What are we learning from deep brain stimulation in treatment-resistant schizophrenia”
Nicola Cascella, MD; Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science; Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine
Joshua Plotkin, PhD; Associate Professor, Department of Neurobiology and Behavior; Center for Nervous System Disorders; Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University
Sima Mofakham, PhD, Associate Professor and Vice Chair of Research, Department of Neurosurgery; Co-Director, Mofakham-Mikell Lab; Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University
Chuck Mikell, MD; Associate Professor and Vice Chair, Department of Neurosurgery; Co-Director, Mofakham-Mikell Lab; Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University
Moderator: Stephen Post, PhD; Professor, Department of Family Population & Preventive Medicine; Director, Center for Medical Humanities, Compassionate Care and Bioethics; Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University
Chad Bouton, PhD; Professor of Neurosurgery and Molecular Biology,
Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell; Vice President, Advanced Engineering and Technology, Northwell Health; Director, PI, Neural Bypass and Brain-Computer Interface Laboratory, Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research; Founder and CEO, Neuvotion
Please fill out our post-symposium questionnaire
Register
Leverage Your Skills to Help Those Affected By the Mental Healthcare Shortage
Building the Mental Health Workforce with Advanced Practice Providers
Presented by Stony Brook Neurosciences Institute
Tuesday, June 10, 2025
- In person or via Zoom
- Lectures: 9 am – 4 pm
Medical and Research Translation (MART) Building Auditorium
101 Nicolls Road, Stony Brook, NY
Learn about educational and training opportunities to leverage your existing professional skills to make a difference in the lives of many affected by the shortage of mental health providers.
This conference is for current and aspiring NPs, PAs and anyone who wants to learn more, including information about loan forgiveness.
4 CMEs available.
The School of Medicine, State University of New York at Stony Brook, is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians. The School of Medicine, State University of New York at Stony Brook designates this live activity for a maximum of 4.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should only claim the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
6 Contact Hours available.
This School of Nursing, Nursing Continuing Professional Development (NCPD) activity was approved by the Pennsylvania State Nurses Association, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.
For directions to the MART Auditorium, click here.
MART Auditorium (Medical and Research Translation building)
Stony Brook Hospital
101 Nicolls Road, Stony Brook, NY
Parking: There are several options. Our convenient, valet service is located in the roundabout in front of Stony Brook University Hospital and is available for a fee. Or you may choose to park, also for a fee, in the outdoor hospital parking lot or hospital parking garage. (Please note there is ongoing construction in the parking garage). Each option is within a short walking distance from the Cancer Center entrance to the Medical and Research Translation (MART) auditorium, which is located adjacent to Stony Brook Children’s Hospital, and can also be reached through the main entrance to Stony Brook University Hospital.
FOR QUESTIONS
caroline.nagowski@stonybrookmedicine.edu
Event Agenda
Brian Peterson, NYS Office of Mental Health (OMH)
Patricia Bruckenthal, PhD, APRN-BC, FAAN, Stony Brook Medicine
Donna Ferrara, DHSc, PAC, Stony Brook Medicine
Jonathan E. Sobel, DMSc, MBA, PA-C, American Academy of Physician Associates
Donna Ferrara DHSc, PAC (Moderator & Panelist), Stony Brook Medicine
Panelists:
Christina Stern, NP, Stony Brook Medicine
Anne Molloy, RN, MSN, ANP-BC, PMHNP-BC, Stony Brook Medicine
Chris Witherell, MSN, PMH-BC, PMHNP-BC, Stony Brook Medicine
Chabidou Sampain, DNP, APRN, FNP-C, PMHNP-BC, Stony Brook Medicine
Jolene Knight, RN, PMHNP-BC, Stony Brook Medicine
Flavio Casoy, MD, DFAPA, NYS Office of Mental Health
Dina Kerasiotis, NPP, PsyD, PMHNP, NYS Office of Mental Health
- Patricia Bruckenthal, PhD, APRN-BC, FAAN (Moderator & Presenter), Stony Brook Medicine
Educational Pathways Presenters:
- Dina Kerasiotis, NPP, PsyD, PMHNP, NYS Office of Mental Health
- Kathleen Donahue, MA, RN, PMH-BC, St. John’s Riverside Hospital
Administrative/Leadership Roles in Psychiatric Mental Health Presenters:
- Andrea Bast, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, NPD-BC, PMH-BC, Stony Brook Medicine
- Suzie Marriott, PhD(c), MSC, RN, PMH-BC, Stony Brook Medicine
- Christina Machuca, MSN, RN, New York State Psychiatric Institute
Advanced Practice Roles Panel:
- Stephanie Verdeflor, MSN, PMH-BC, PMHNP-BC, Weill Cornell Medicine
- Lisa Steinberg, PMHNP-BC, MSN, Stony Brook Medicine
- Ashkin Shah, MSN, RN, PMHNP-BC, Stony Brook Medicine
Q&A
Flavio Casoy, MD, DFAPA, Office of Mental Health
Brian McMahon, MD, Stony Brook Medicine
Eric Morley, MD, MHA, MS, CPHQ, FAAEM, Stony Brook Medicine
Kimberly Johnson, MSN, RN, AGPCNP-BC, CDP, CMDCP, Stony Brook Medicine
Shinu K. Kuriakose, DHSc, PA-C, DFAAPA, New York Institute of Technology
Samantha Fletcher, PhD, MSW, NYS Office of Mental Health
Amanda Crayton, M.ED, NYS Office of Mental Health
- Kristie Golden, PhD, LMHC, CRC, Stony Brook Medicine
