John George Keilp, PHD

Dr. Attia received her A.B. from Princeton University in 1982 and her MD from Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons in 1986. Formerly the director of the inpatient eating disorders program at The New York State Psychiatric Institute, Dr. Attia has more recently focused on research involving the psychobiology and treatment of anorexia nervosa. Since 1999, she has received uninterrupted funding for her research from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). Dr. Attia has received a Young Investigator Award from The National Alliance for Research in Schizophrenia and Depression (NARSAD), a Pfizer/Society for Women’s Health Research Faculty Development Award in Women’s Health, and a Career Development Award from NIMH. Dr. Attia is a member of the eating disorders work-group for DSM-5. She is also a member of The Eating Disorders Research Society and has been elected Fellow of the Academy for Eating Disorders.

Walter Bockting, PhD, LP, is a Clinical Psychologist and Director of the Program for the Study of LGBT Health at the New York State Psychiatric Institute / Columbia Psychiatry and the Columbia University School of Nursing. His research interests include identity development across the lifespan, transgender health, and LGBTQ+ aging. His research has been funded by the National Institutes of Health, the New York Community Trust, and a number of other private foundations. He is currently the Principal Investigator of three large NIH-funded studies: Project AFFIRM, a longitudinal, multi-site study of transgender identity development across the lifespan; Convoy Q, examining the role of social networks in cognitive aging of LGBTQ+ adults and their cisgender, heterosexual counterparts; and a new investigation of the quality of life of trans and gender nonbinary individuals following gender-affirming surgery. Bockting is an internationally known expert in gender-affirming healthcare as well as in the mental health and psychosocial adjustment of transgender, gender non-binary and gender-diverse children, adolescents, adults, and their families. He is the Editor of six volumes on gender and sexual health, and has published more than one-hundred articles in peer-reviewed journals. Bockting is a past president of the World Professional Association for Transgender Health, and a past president and Fellow of the Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality. In 2010-11, Bockting served on the Institute of Medicine Committee of the National Academies whose work culminated in the IOM Report on the Health of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender People: Building a Foundation for Better Understanding. Bockting's work at CUIMC focuses on combining research, clinical practice, education and training, and innovative policy development to promote the health of LGBTQI+ individuals and their communities.

Julia Yasek, MS, FNP-BC, DNP is a Clinical Research Nurse Practitioner in the Division of Neuromuscular Medicine. Prior to pursuing nursing, Dr. Yasek conducted laboratory and clinical research in the Department of Neurology at the University of Massachusetts (UMass) Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital, with a focus on neuromuscular disorders, genetics, and imaging. She subsequently graduated from the UMass Medical School Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Program, and practiced for several years in both an inpatient acute care setting and a primary care practice, with a focus on underserved populations. Dr. Yasek also has interests and training in palliative care, healthcare policy, and quality improvement, and brings these many skills to her role, as part of the multidisciplinary care team in the Eleanor and Lou Gehrig ALS Center.