Staff

Riddhi Sandil, PhD is an Assistant Professor of Practice and Program Coordinator of the Ed.M. Program in Psychological Counseling at Teachers College, Columbia University. Dr. Sandil received her Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from the University of Iowa in 2008 and has been continually licensed as a Psychologist since 2009. Dr. Sandil's scholarly interests are influenced by multiculturalism and social advocacy. Her research and clinical interests include minority stress, LGBTQ issues in counseling, counseling expectations of South Asian populations and complex trauma and its impact on women's well being. Additionally, Dr. Sandil serves on the boards of the Association of Women, Masters in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council, and is the co-found of the Sexuality, Women and Gender Project.

As Co-Director of the Winter Roundtable, Dr. Sandil is excited to continue with the social justice commitment of the field of Counseling Psychology!

Gregory J. Payton, Ph.D. is a Lecturer in the Department of Counseling and Clinical Psychology of Teachers College, Columbia University.  Dr. Payton received his Master of Education degree from Harvard University in Human Development and Psychology and completed his doctorate at Teachers College, Columbia University in Counseling Psychology.  Dr. Payton’s clinical, teaching and research interests include the following: Identity development, Risk and Resiliency within LGBTQ populations; HIV/AIDS Stigma and Access to Care; Health Disparities among Marginalized Populations; Multicultural Competency; and Evidence-Based Practice. Additionally, Dr. Payton has written on issues of substance abuse, harm reduction and gay/lesbian parenting.  Dr. Payton is also a licensed psychologist in private practice in New York City.   

As Co-Director of the Winter Roundtable, Dr. Payton is excited to connect scholars, practitioners and students in the fields of education and psychology while advancing the values of multicultural competency and social justice.  

Ranjana Srinivasan is a 3rd year doctoral candidate in the Counseling Psychology program at Teachers College Columbia University. Ranjana received her undergraduate degree from Berklee College of Music where she graduated Summa Cum Laude with a major in Music Therapy and minor in Psychology. She also attended Teachers College for her masters degrees in both Education and Counseling Psychology. Ranjana is currently a pre-doctoral extern at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital within the outpatient psychiatric unit where she is a member of the Community Treatment Team as well as the Intensive Treatment Team. Her research is focused on increasing mental health and multicultural awareness around the clinical needs of the South Asian American population, specifically regarding the domains of body image and eating disorder issues, as well as common microaggressive encounters. Ranjana is thrilled to be part of the Winter Roundtable Conference and its mission of bringing students and researchers together in working towards systematic and social change.

Charles Joseph (CJ) Polihronakis is a third-year doctoral candidate in the Counseling Psychology Ph.D. program at Teachers College, Columbia University. CJ graduated Phi Beta Kappa and Summa Cum Laude from Georgetown University in 2012 with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and English. He also earned his Master of Arts in School Counseling and his Master of Education in Mental Health Counseling from Teachers College, Columbia University in 2014 and 2015, respectively. Clinically, CJ has worked with culturally diverse clients in high school and college counseling settings, wherein he is currently serving as a pre-doctoral psychology extern at CUNY Baruch College’s Counseling Center. His specific research curiosities encompass the overall well-being and resilience of bisexual persons possessing intersecting marginalized social identities, as well as cross-cultural bisexual identity development across the lifespan. Ongoing projects CJ collaborates on examine: experiences of minority stress among women of color as they relate to occupational and mental health outcomes; sexual objectification among bisexual women and subsequent sexual health outcomes; as well as the protective role of womanist attitudes.

As Co-Coordinator of the Winter Roundtable, CJ is excited to provide a space that connects students, professionals, and scholars from diverse disciplines, all while bridging the gap between scholarly discourse and community activism. He is also excited to be working with such an inspirational group of people!