Research Program Manager
Patricia Kim, MSW
Patricia (Patty) Kim serves as the Research Program Supervisor for TRIPLL overseeing staff, assisting with grant submissions, and coordinating research studies among other operational tasks needed by the center. She joined TRIPLL in 2017; previously she served as an Assistant Research Coordinator for the Division of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, specializing in supporting IRB submissions, directing the TRIPLL Summer Research Internship, and assisting TRIPLL staff members in the coordination of various TRIPLL studies. Before working for Weill Cornell Medicine, Patty was a project manager for a secondary data analysis study at Fordham University. She has a Master’s degree in Social Work with a concentration in research from Fordham University. Patty has an interest in racial disparities in healthcare and research, particularly for Asian Americans. In her free time, Patty enjoys hiking, yoga, and knitting.
Research Assistants
Kristin Hon
Kristin Hon is a Research Assistant for the Translational Research Institute on Pain in Later Life (TRIPLL) in Weill Cornell Medicine’s Division of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine. She assists with various research projects and provides administrative support to TRIPLL’s Director of Research, Dr. Cary Reid. Kristin joined TRIPLL full-time after graduating from Wellesley College with a B.A. in Physics. She was a TRIPLL summer research intern in 2022 and is excited to continue her work with the center. During her free time, Kristin enjoys spending time with family and friends, cooking and baking, woodworking, and doing CrossFit.
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Erin Krebs
Erin Danielle Krebs is a Research Assistant for the Translational Research Institute on Pain in Later Life (TRIPLL) in Weill Cornell Medicine’s Division of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine. She assists the PRUNE (Pain Reduction Using Neurostimulation) study, which investigates the short-term and long-term effects of transcranial neurostimulation on pain intensity, analgesic consumption, and other pain-related variables. Erin attended Yale University, where she majored in history and theater studies. After spending a few years working in the performing arts and non-profit sector, she is now working towards a career in medicine or public health. She is currently pursuing a post-bacc in pre-medical studies at Fordham University. In her free time, she enjoys singing, going to the movies, and playing with her family’s dog.
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Phoenixia Rene
Phoenixia Rene is a Research Assistant for the Translational Research Institute on Pain in Later Life (TRIPLL) in Weill Cornell Medicine’s Division of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine. She works on the Pain Reduction Using Neurostimulation Study (PRUNE) study, which investigates the short-term and long-term effects of an at-home neurostimulation treatment on pain, analgesic consumption, and quality of life on end-stage kidney disease patients receiving hemodialysis. Phoenixia has received her Bachelor of Science degree from Ursinus College and her Master of Science where she majored in Biomedical Sciences from Drexel University; currently, she is pursuing a career in research and research management. When she is not working, she enjoys travelling, reading, walking, or listening to music.
MSW Interns
Graciela Barada
Graciela Barada is a Clinical MSW candidate at Hunter College’s Silberman School of Social Work. In 2019 Graciela obtained a B.A. in Gender Studies and African American Studies from UCLA, where she first became interested in research through an RA role with the Peer Relations Lab under the supervision of Dr. Negin Ghavami. Graciela later obtained an M.A. in Teaching from Relay GSE and taught history across grade levels at Uncommon Schools for four years. Her clinical research interests center on trauma and eating disorder treatment in Black youth. In her free time, Graciela enjoys flamenco dancing, kickboxing, and traveling.
Madison Lester
Madison Lester is a Clinical MSW candidate at Hunter College’s Silberman School of Social Work and Social Work Intern for the Translational Research Institute on Pain in Later Life (TRIPLL) in Weill Cornell Medicine’s Division of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine. She graduated from the University of Arkansas in 2019 with a bachelor’s degree in English and New York University in 2022 with a master’s degree in Middle East Studies. After working with parentally bereaved youth in refugee resettlement and youth development programs, Madison is currently in school to develop her own counseling practice centered around grief. When she’s not studying, you can find her knitting, writing poetry, or taking care of chickens in her community garden.
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Kira Gainey
Kira Gainey is a MSW student at Fordham University’s Graduate School of Social Services. In 2022 she graduated from Brooklyn College and received a B.S. degree in Psychology. Through her love of psychology and social justice, her passion for social work was born. Kira’s specific interests in social work include working with geriatrics and aging populations as well as perinatal populations in a clinical setting, but she is also eager to learn about all of the different ways a social worker can help those around her. Outside of studying, some of her hobbies include aerial arts, trying new foods and binge watching her favorite shows and movies.
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Danielle Worthalter
Danielle Worthalter is a Clinical MSW candidate at Fordham University’s Graduate School of Social Service and Social Work Intern for the Translational Research Institute on Pain in Later Life (TRIPLL) in Weill Cornell Medicine’s Division of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine. She graduated from Washington University in St. Louis in 2021 with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and Anthropology. Danielle initially became interested in geriatrics and palliative care research while working in the Geropsychology lab at WashU. Since graduation, Danielle has been working in the corporate sphere as an agency recruiter and has recently re-entered academia to pursue a career in mental health counseling. Outside of work and school, Danielle enjoys hot yoga, listening to podcasts and audiobooks, and spending time with her friends, family, and dogs.
Rosemary Epstein
Rosemary Epstein is a MSW student at Fordham University’s Graduate School of Social Services. She graduated from SUNY New Paltz with a degree in Sociology and Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies in 2016. Rosemary has been interested in the subject of chronic illness since childhood, advocating for herself and her peers fiercely. Her interest in geriatrics emerged during her time as a Quality and Value coordinator at a home healthcare agency, where she recognized the growing need for enhanced services for seniors and individuals managing chronic pain. This experience motivated her to pursue higher education, with the goal of advocating for and influencing policy changes to support people with chronic illnesses and disabilities. In her free time, Rosemary likes listening to podcasts, trying new foods with her husband, and playing with her two cats.