Meet the Santaia Team
Susan Santarpia, Ph.D.
Dr. Santarpia is a licensed clinical psychologist and board-certified neuropsychologist with decades of experience in brain and behavioral health. Her work focuses on cognitive behavioral therapy, emotional regulation, and understanding the neural patterns that shape how people think, feel, and perform. She has held clinical roles at institutions including Dent Neurologic Institute, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, and the Veterans Affairs Healthcare System. At Santaia, she ensures the platform is grounded in scientific rigor, safety, and real-world clinical insight.
Tessa Santarpia, MHA
Tessa leads the vision and development of the Santaia platform. As a Columbia-trained healthcare strategist and trauma-informed mind-body specialist, her work focuses on translating insights from neuroscience, behavioral science, and integrative practices into tools that support nervous system regulation, clarity, and sustainable performance. Tessa works closely with clinicians, researchers, and technology partners to build systems that make complex insights about the brain and behavior more accessible and actionable in everyday life.
Aya Abdelhalim, M.Sc., BCN-T, QEEG-D
Aya is a board-certified neurofeedback practitioner and qEEG specialist focused on advancing the responsible use of brain-based technologies for personal insight and transformation. At Santaia, she leads the design and analysis of brain mapping protocols, translating neural data into meaningful patterns that help guide personalized interventions and track change over time. Her work bridges clinical neuroscience and real-world application, ensuring Santaia’s neurotechnology remains both scientifically rigorous and human-centered.
Aya is deeply committed to ethical neurotech, advocating for brain data to be used with transparency, care, and respect for the individual behind the metrics.
Nina Santarpia, MSSE
Nina is a mechanical and renewable energy engineer who brings a systems-thinking approach to the design and development of Santaia’s platform. With experience across Fortune 500 companies in advanced manufacturing and renewable energy, she focuses on building solutions that integrate technology, human behavior, and sustainable systems. At Santaia, Nina helps shape the technical architecture and long-term systems design that support the platform’s evolution.
As a certified yoga and mindfulness teacher, she brings a deep appreciation for the role of the body, awareness, and natural rhythms in supporting human well-being.