Staff

Peter L. Franzen, PhD
Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Clinical and Translational Science
Center for Sleep and Circadian Science
University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
Email: franpl@upmc.edu

Education: BS (Biology), Saint Vincent College; MS (Biology), Duquesne University; MBA, Argosy University
Interests: In her spare time, she loves to spend time with her family and pets. She also enjoys any form of aerobic exercise, food and travel (and preferably likes to combine all three), and is a big time movie buff.
With SBNC Since: 2006
Responsibilities: She is directly responsible for all aspects of the day-to-day management of the Sleep and Behavioral Neuroscience Center (SBNC). She is the supervisor for SBNC senior staff. In addition, she is the primary liaison for faculty conducting studies in the SBNC. In addition, she is responsible for supervising and developing the acquisition and processing of SBNC data.
Email: nicassiocv@upmc.edu

Education: BA (Health Information Management), University of Pittsburgh
Interests: She enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, live music and exploring the local Pittsburgh restaurant scene
With SBNC Since: 2018
Responsibilities:Tiffany serves as one of the Project Managers to the SBNC and WPIC Office of Academic Computing (OAC) to ensure that research and clinical IT projects are planned, managed and executed efficiently using organizational and PMO processes and standards. In addition, she assists with daily operational activities (scheduling, reporting, data entry and analysis, etc.) of the SBNC.
Email: roncevichtl@upmc.edu

Education: BS (Psychology, Neuroscience), University of Pittsburgh; Hospital Corpsman, Naval School of Health Science
Interests: David enjoys cycling and volunteering at a local animal shelter.
With SBNC Since: 1991
Responsibilities: He is responsible for the calibration, configuration and operation of all PSG and physiology systems within the SBNC. He performs daily processing/analysis of all raw data collected within the SBNC, including spectral analysis-editing of EEG signals. As well, oversees SBNC signal quality assurance, programming and raw analytic processing.
Email: cashmerejd@upmc.edu

Education:  AS (Electronic Engineering Technology) ITT Technical Institute, US Navy Electronics School (Sonar Equipment Operation and Maintenance)
Interests: Some of his favorite activities include riding ATVs and sailing.
With SBNC Since: 2010
Responsibilities: He supports, repairs, designs, and builds various electronic and electro-mechanical equipment for the SBNC, and Translational Neuroscience Program. He performs preventative maintenance on equipment, wires connections and troubleshoots signal acquisitions.
Email: humesmw@upmc.edu

Education: BA (Communication Disorders), University of Pittsburgh
Interests: He enjoys skiing, kayaking, biking and walking dogs at the Humane Animal Rescue shelter.
With SBNC since: 1985
Responsibilities:  He is responsible for acquiring reliable sleep evaluation studies with research participants as an RPSGT. He also scores, analyzes, and aggregates sleep study data for physician/PI review.
Email:  millerej@upmc.edu

Education: BS (Psychology, Communications), University of Pittsburgh
Interests: He’s been a RPSGT with the SBNC for 22 of the past 30 years of my career. He has also worked as a freelance musician and enjoys listening to music, playing the piano, hiking, biking, and anything outdoors.
With SBNC Since: 1995
Responsibilities: Dan is responsible for acquiring reliable sleep evaluation studies with research participants as an RPSGT. He also scores, analyzes, and aggregates sleep study data for physician/PI review.
Email: limpertdc@upmc.edu

Education: BA (Neuroscience), Oberlin College
Interests: He enjoys weightlifting, skiing, music, and cooking.
With SBNC Since: 2018
Responsibilities: He assists sleep technologists/protocol staff with laboratory operation and maintenance as well as aiding with study procedures as specified by the protocol design which may include monitoring of various data acquisition devices, administration of forms, collection of biological samples and obtaining vital signs.
Email: williamsj39@upmc.edu

Education: BS (Neuroscience), University of Pittsburgh [Expected April 2021]
Interests: She enjoys learning Spanish, playing piano, walking her dog, and cheering on the Pittsburgh Steelers.
With SBNC Since: 2020
Responsibilities: She assists sleep technologists/protocol staff with laboratory operation and maintenance as well as aiding with study procedures as specified by the protocol design which may include monitoring of various data acquisition devices, administration of forms, collection of biological samples and obtaining vital signs.
Email: majerskeej@upmc.edu

Education: BA (Applied Mathematics), Chatham University
With SBNC Since: 1984
Responsibilities: Jean is responsible for the database design and data management for all the data collected in the SCC, both for SCC administration and for research purposes. She and her team are also responsible for making datasets of these data for analyses.
Email:  miewaldjm@upmc.edu

Education: BS (Psychology), University of Pittsburgh
With SBNC Since: 1983
Responsibilities: Barton works for the Office of Academic Computing, where he maintains servers and backups for research throughout UPMC and the University of Pittsburgh, including research conducted in the Sleep and Chronobiology Laboratory.
Email:  french@upmc.edu

Education: BS (Computer Science), University of Pittsburgh
With SBNC Since: 2002
Responsibilities: Rob works on systems development and support.
Email: sererj@upmc.edu