Meet our Ph.D. Students

Brett Greenfield

Education: PhD, Rutgers University School of Social Work (Expected: 2023); MDiv, George W. Truett Theological Seminary (2017); MSW, Baylor University (2014); BSW, Baylor University (2013)  Honors: University & Louis Bevier Dissertation Completion Fellowship, 2022-2023; CSWE/GADE/SSWR Doctoral Student Policy Forum (Summer 2021); Rutgers University School of Graduate Studies Pre-Dissertation Summer Study Award (2018)    Research Interests: Children & families impacted by child welfare services; adoption & foster care; LGBTQ+ families & youth; attachment & development  Research experience: Graduate Assistant: Rutgers University School of Social Work Child Welfare and Well-Being Research Unit (Dr. Cassandra Simmel); Research assistant for Dr. Edward Alessi; Consultant for NORC at the University of Chicago; Adult Attachment Interview Institute (Summer 2018); Working Model of the Child Interview Training (Summer 2018)   Teaching Experience: Research Methods I, Human Behavior and the Social Environment, Children’s Mental Health Services (Rutgers University School of Social Work); MSW Field Instructor (Baylor University); Guest Lecturer (NYU, Baylor University)   Practice Experience:  LMSW (Texas); Advanced Practice Case Manager, Methodist Children’s Home, Waco, TX (3 years); Trust-Based Relational Intervention, Educator; Circle of Security Intervention, Registered Facilitator   E-mail: brett.greenfield@rutgers.edu 

Lorraine Y. Howard

Education: Ph.D. (expected May 2023) Rutgers University School of Social Work; MSW, Rutgers University School of Social Work, 2008; Bachelor’s of Arts and Science (BSW), Rutgers University, 1996. Research Interests: Racial and community trauma; intersection of addictions and neuroscience; adolescent and young adult development; culturally competent social work practice; translational research. Research Experience:Co-investigator on Experience of Social Work Students during an Inter-Professional Education (IPE) event; Research consultant on Gene Upshaw Players’ Assistance Trust Evaluation Study; Research consultant on ALDA, Inc. After-School Program project. Teaching interests: Social Work Practice; Clinical Social Work; Diversity and Oppression, Psychopathology. Teaching experience: Clinical Assessment & Diagnosis; Clinical Social work I; Theories of Personality and Psychopathology; Evaluation of Practice: Clinical, Communication in Social Work Practice; HBSE: Understanding Addictive Behaviors; Generalist Practice I; Case Management in Addiction Practices; Biology of Addictive Behaviors; Social Work Policy & Services I & II; Clinical Social Work: Addictive Behaviors I & II; HBSE: Addictive Behaviors Across the Lifespan; Professional Development; Addiction Counselor Training Program. Practice experience: Director of Addiction Education at Rutgers University Graduate School of Applied & Professional Psychology Center of Alcohol & Substance Use Studies (current position); Teaching Lecturer Rutgers School of Social Work; Faculty (Field Education Coordinator) at Rutgers School of Social Work; Administrator at various treatment programs; Licensed Clinical Social Worker in New Jersey and Texas; Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor in New Jersey; Therapist in private practice; Social Worker at various treatment programs. Email Address: lhoward@rutgers.edu

Courtney Hutchison

Education: PhD, Rutgers University School of Social Work (expected 2023); MSS, Bryn Mawr Graduate School of Social Work & Social Research; MPH, University of California, Berkeley; BA, International Relations, Brown University. Research Interests: Clinical interventions for PTSD and other trauma-related disorders; MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD; the role of shame in psychopathology. Honors: Presidential Fellow, Rutgers University; Award for Clinical Excellence, Pennsylvania Society for Clinical Social Work; Junior Fellow, Center for Child and Family Wellbeing; Alumni Scholar, UC Berkeley. Research Experience: Director of Research, SoundMind Center; Graduate Assistant, Center on Violence Against Women and Children, Rutgers School of Social Work (2019-current); Graduate Research Assistant, Forum for Collaborative Research, 2013-2014; Research Assistant, Program for Recovery and Community Health, Yale University (2007). Teaching Interests:  Clinical Social Work Practice; Human Behavior in the Social Environment; Psychopathology. Teaching Experience: Graduate Student Instructor, UC Berkeley: Introduction to Gender & Women’s Studies, Feminist Theory; Graduate Student Instructor, UC Berkeley: Global Health. Practice Experience: Licensed Social Worker in Pennsylvania (2018-current); Ketamine-assisted psychotherapist, SoundMind Center (2021-current); Psychotherapist, University of Pennsylvania Counseling and Psychological Services (2018-2020); psychotherapist, Philadelphia Consultation Center (2018-2019). E-mail Address: Courtney.Hutchison@rutgers.edu.

Christine James

Education:  Ph.D. (expected 2021) Rutgers University School of Social Work; MSW, Rutgers University School of Social Work (2003); BA, Psychology, Rutgers University (1997) Research Interests: Disability, Diversity, Poverty, Health Disparities; Transition-Age Youth with Disability, Transition to Adulthood Outcomes for Youth with Disability Honors: Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (LEND) Social Work Fellow, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) (2017-2018) Research Experience: Independent research project with Dr. Lenna Nepomnyaschy: Intellectual Disability & Transition Preparation to Adult Healthcare among Youth with Special Healthcare Needs (2018); Independent research project with Dr. Lenna Nepomnyaschy, Dr. Manuel Jimenez, & Dr. Roy Wade: Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) & Teen Behavior Outcomes: The Role of Disability (2019); Research Assistant, Rutgers Psychology Department (undergraduate) Teaching Interests: Disability & Healthcare, Program Evaluation, Diversity & Oppression, Social Justice, Macro practice Teaching Experience: Part-time Lecturer, Rutgers University School of Social Work (in-class and online; graduate and undergraduate), Diversity & Oppression, Human Behavior in the Social Environment I & II, Introduction to Social Work; professional Trainer in non-profit providers, including NASW-NJ Leadership Certificate Program; national and international conference presentations Practice Experience: Licensed Social Worker (LSW) in NJ & PA; Director, Systems & Evaluation & Chief Compliance Officer, PATH, Inc., Philadelphia (current); Assistant Division Director, NJ Division of Developmental Disabilities; Director, Employee Development & Communications, PATH, Inc., Philadelphia; Director, Quality Improvement & Training, PATH, Inc., Philadelphia; Volunteer positions: President, Southwestern Social Work Association; President, National Association of Social Workers – NJ Chapter (NASW-NJ) Email Address: cmjames@rutgers.edu  

Huiying Jin

Education: Ph.D. (expected 2023) Rutgers University School of Social Work; A.M. (MSW), University of Chicago, 2016; Bachelor of Arts in Communication, Fudan University, 2013. Research Interests: Her research focuses broadly on the well-being of children living in poverty, with a particular interest in studying employment and work-life policies and programs. She is currently working on dissertation that examines the effects of mothers’ nonstandard work schedules and longitudinal child well-being among low-income families. Honors: 2011 Cum Laude Fudan University. Research Experience: Research Assistant, with Dr. Lenna Nepomnyaschy, investigating the relationship between nonresident fathers’ involvement with children and mothers’ well-being. Research Assistant, with Dr. Jeoung-hee Kim, investigating the New Jersey child care market price study. Research Assistant, with Dr. Chien-Chung Huang, studying Chinese social policy and adolescent well-being, and social innovation and poverty alleviation. Research Assistant at Institute for Families and Center for Prevention Science. Research Assistant, with Dr. Shi-zheng Feng, exploring the integration of Public Service in Wenquan Town under "Changing Village to Residential Community" Process. Research Assistant, with Dr. Stephen Baker, studying the effects of social and emotional learning to support academic achievement, and the evaluation of the Elev8 Chicago program. Teaching interests: Human Behavior and the Social Environment; Social Welfare Policy and Services; Methods of Social Work Research; and HBSE: Developmental Perspectives on Child Well-Being. Teaching experience: Co-Instructor of Study Abroad: Social Welfare System in China (summer 2019) and Service Learning Abroad: Social Work in China (summer 2019). Practice experience: Trainer at Leadership Enhancement Program at Erikson Institute, Chicago. Program Assistant at Illinois Guardianship and Advocacy Commission, Chicago. Team Leader at the Department of Aging at the Chinese American Service League, Chicago. Career Specialist at the Employment Department at Chicago House, Chicago. Email Address: hy.jin@rutgers.edu

Hasan Johnson

Education:  MSW, Rutgers University; BA, Psychology, Rutgers College; Research Interests:  computer based cognitive behavioral interventions to promote grit, motivational achievement and social problem solving skills among adolescent students;  culturally appropriate, evidenced based clinical intervention with marginalized and oppressed populations that address mental health needs; Research Experience:  Graduate Assistant, Rutgers University Institute for Families; Practice Experience: MSW Field Instructor, Plainfield Public Schools, Plainfield, NJ; Mental Health Clinician, UMDNJ and Private Practice; School of Social Worker/Guidance Counselor—Plainfield, New Brunswick and Piscataway Schools, NJ; Honors/Awards:  Recipient of Outstanding Doctoral Student Instructor Award. Email Address:  hasjohnson@gmail.com.

Andrew Kim

Education: Ph.D., School of Social Work, Rutgers University (expected May 2025); MSW (2021) w/ Addiction Counselor Training (ACT) Certificate (expected May 2022), Rutgers University; Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Rutgers University (2015). Research Interests: Substance use disorder intervention; Cross section between substance and behavioral additions; Harm reduction policy and implementation; Impact of the criminal justice approach on addiction; Reentry after criminal justice involvement; Policy analysis related to addiction and treatment; Recovery in substance use and related disorders; Micro and macro factors related to relapse; Social use after active addiction. Research Experience: Graduate Assistant w/ Dr. Lia Nower, Center for Gambling Studies (2021-Present; Research Assistant, 2019-2021); Research Assistant w/ Dr. Pamela Valera, Cancer Health Justice Lab (July 2019-Sept. 2019); Research Assistant w/ Dr. Michael Eversman (2018-2019); Research Assistant w/ Dr. Miriam Rosenberg-Lee, MRLab (Aug. 2018-Sept. 2018); Research Assistant w/ Dr. David Wilder, Social Psych Lab (2012-2015). Teaching Interests: Clinical Social Work: Addictive Behaviors; Understanding Addictive Behaviors; Research Methods; Social Welfare Policy. Practice Experience: Licensed Social Worker in NJ (expected 2021); Clinician at Center for Network Therapy (2021-present; Student Intern, 2020-2021). Invited Speaker on incarceration and reentry (Center for Great Expectations, March 24, 2021), on conditions within NJ prisons (Rutgers Univ., July 17, 2019), and on the stigma of addiction (Raritan High School, 2017). Email Address: ahjkim92@ssw.rutgers.edu

Anais Mahone

Education: Ph.D., School of Social Work, Rutgers University (expected May 2024); MSW, Temple University School of Social Work (2013); Bachelor of Arts in English, University of Pittsburgh (2007). Honors: 2020-2021 Dean’s Fellowship, Rutgers University, School of Graduate Studies Research Interests: Healthcare access, public insurance options, racial disparities in health, social determinants of health, impact of poverty on health Research Experience: Research Assistant, Dr. Patricia Findley: Special Care Dentistry during the COVID-19 pandemic; studying the experiences of persons needing dental care and dentists in New Jersey, quantitive and qualitative research methods. Teaching experience: West Chester University Graduate Department of Social Work (2019-2020): Methods of Social Work Research, Social Welfare Policies and Services, Specialized Social Work Practice with Communities Teaching interests: Diversity & Oppression; Human Behavior and the Social Environment; Social Welfare Policy and Services I & II; Methods of Social Work Research I & II, Clinical Social Work: Health. Practice experience: Licensed Clinical Social Worker, New Jersey (2020-current); Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Pennsylvania (2017-current); Medical Social Worker, University of Pennsylvania Health System (2013-2020); Psychotherapist, private practice (2014-2016). Service: SSWR Doctoral Student Committee; Interprofessional Education Student Advisory Council (2020 -2021).  amahone@ssw.rutgers.edu

Lauren Manley 

Education:  PhD, Rutgers University School of Social Work (expected 2025); MSW, Rutgers University School of Social Work (expected 2023); M.S., Microbiology and Cell Science, University of Florida, (2020); B.S., Genetics, Texas A&M University (2017); Research Interests: Impacts of trauma and stress on health and wellbeing; adverse childhood experiences; traumatic stress; Research Experience: Graduate Research Assistant, New Jersey Integrated Care for Kids, Hackensack Meridian Health (2021-current); Part-time Graduate Research Assistant, Center for Research on Ending Violence, Rutgers School of Social Work (2021-current); Oncology Medical Internship; Research Assistant, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Texas A&M University; Research Assistant, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biological Sciences, Texas A&M University; Teaching Interests: Human Behavior and the Social Environment; Methods of Social Work Research I & II; Practice Experience: Victim Advocate, U.S. Army; Texas Army National Guard; Email: lnm79@ssw.rutgers.edu

Rebecca Martin                             

Education: Ph.D., School of Social Work, Rutgers University (expected 2025); MSW and Certificate in Aging and Health, Rutgers University; MDes in Design Practices, with honors, School of Design, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University; B.A., School of Media Arts and Design, Corporate Media Mass Communications, minor in Women’s and Gender Studies, James Madison University. Research Interests: othering, belonging, and bridging, particularly when centering disability as an intersectional identity; cross-discipline problem solving; the evolution of research methodologies to reflect changing identities; and coalition-building between underrepresented groups. Research Experience: Graduate Assistant (GA) Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy (Rutgers University), Inclusive Healthy Grant program, under supervision of Dr. Patricia Findley (2022-2023). GA, Inclusive Healthy Communities program evaluation, under supervision of Drs. Emily Greenfield and Patricia Findley (2021-2022). GA, Center for Prevention Science, Rutgers University (2020 – 2021). Research Assistant for Age-Friendly Initiatives in Northern New Jersey, Rutgers University (2017-2018). Teaching Interests: Social Work with Loss Across the Lifespan and Chronic Illness and Disability. Practice Experience:  Social Work: Licensed Social Worker in NJ (2018 – present); College and Career Advisor, EDGE 2.0, The Family Resource Network (2018 – 2020); Social Services Intern, Daughters of Miriam Center (2017 – 2018); Accommodations Assistant, Rutgers-Newark Office of Disability Services (Summer 2017); Social Work Intern, Public Defender’s Office of Essex Vicinage (2016 – 2017). Design: Curriculum Designer and Educator, World Family English (2013 – 2015); Lead Retail Designer, Global Digital Mojo (2013-2014); Visual Merchandising Manager for New and Remodel Stores, Toys‘R’Us/Babies‘R’Us (2008 – 2012).

Camille McKenzie

Education: Ph.D., School of Social Work, Rutgers University (expected May 2023); MSW, New York University Silver School of Social Work (2013); Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, Psychology, and Gender Women Studies, University of Delaware (2010). Honors: Member Alpha Kappa Delta National Honors Society; Member Psi Chi National Honors Society; BA Honors Degree of Distinction (2010). Research Interests: Health equity; healthcare access & utilization; help-seeking behaviors; health insurance literacy; insurance-based discrimination; managed care. Research Experience:  Graduate Assistant, Dr. Patricia Findley, Special Populations Interprofessional Care Experiences (SPICE) COVID-19 healthcare study; Collaboration with Dr. Ayse Akincigil, Identifying Population Living with Alzheimer’s: Concordance between Medicare Claims & Survey Reports. Teaching interests: Social Work Practice; Diversity & Oppression; Social Welfare Policy and Services. Practice Experience: Licensed Clinical Social Worker in New Jersey; Healthcare Social Worker, RWJBH Monmouth Medical Center, RWJBH Clara Maass Medical Center, University Hospital-Newark, JFK-Hartwyck Edison Estates; Case Manager, Partnership for Children of Essex; Advocate Supervisor & Hotline Crisis Counselor, YWCA’s Healing Space (Bergen County Rape Crisis Center). E-mail Address: camille.mckenzie@rutgers.edu

Alicia Mendez 

Education: MSW, Rutgers University; BA, Psychology & English, University of Washington. Research interests:childhood sexual abuse, intergenerational trauma, child welfare, trauma, and first-generation college students. Research Experience: Project Director, Emily Bosk & Emily Bosk, Evaluation of the Keeping Families Together Program. Graduate Assistant, Emily Bosk Integrating Substance Abuse Treatment with Trauma Informed Practice Evaluation of the ARC Model; & In-Home Recovery Evaluation. Graduate Assistant, Cassandra Simmel & Steve Crystal, PCORI Comparative Effectiveness of State Psychotropic Oversight Systems. Teaching Experience: Graduate Education Preparation I & II; Basics of Research. Practice Experience: Clinical Administrative Assistant for the Center for Great Expectations, Somerset, NJ; Crisis line advocate and shelter advocate at the Domestic Abuse Women’s Network, Seattle. Service: Student Director at Large for the Society for Social Work Research (SSWR) & Chair of the SSWR Doctoral Student Committee; Graduate Student Mentor for the Ronald E. McNair Program. Email Address: alicia.mendez@rutgers.edu

Nicole Milano

Education:  Ph.D., School of Social Work, Rutgers University (expected 2023); MSW, Rutgers University School of Social Work, 2019; Bachelor of Science in Biobehavioral Health, Pennsylvania State University, 2012  Research interests: Health equity, Behavioral health parity, Integration of behavioral health and physical health Research experience: Graduate Assistant with Dr. Patricia Findley (2019-present), Health disparities research Teaching Interests:  Research Methods,   Chronic Illness and Disability     Practice Experience:  Licensed Social Worker in New Jersey (2019-present); Community Advocate, Mental Health Association in NJ (2019-present) Email Address: nmilano@ssw.rutgers.edu

Lucy Nonas-Barnes  

Education: Ph.D., School of Social Work, Rutgers University (expected May 2025); MSW, Columbia University, School of Social Work, 2017; Bachelor of Arts in Social Anthropology, University of Michigan, 2011. Research Interests: Implementation science, school-to-prison pipeline, social-emotional learning, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, mass incarceration,  juvenile justice, child welfare. Research Experience: Graduate Assistant, Means Safety Project (2021-present), with Dr. Hannah Szlyk. Teaching Interests: Social Work Practice I with Individuals, Families, and Groups; Social Work Practice II; Diversity and Oppression; Clinical Assessment and Diagnosis; Methods of Social Work Research; Clinical Social Work. Practice Experience: Licensed Masters in Social Work in New York (2017-present); Outpatient therapist, The Counseling Center Group, NY (2022-present); Assistant Clinical Director, STEP Aftercare, The Children’s Village, NY (2017-2021).

Lena Moraa Obara

Education: Ph.D., School of Social Work, Rutgers University (expected 2025); MA in Sociology, University of Nairobi, Kenya (2015); Bachelor of Arts in Industrial and Organizational Psychology, Makerere University, Uganda (2010). Research Interests: Sexual violence prevention and response; gender-based violence (GBV), and unaccompanied minors; evaluation research; GBV and trauma; International social welfare, access to and distribution of health services for women and girls who have experienced abuse in informal settings such as internally displaced persons (IDP) and refugee camps in East Africa. Teaching Interests: Diversity & Oppression; Human Behavior and the Social Environment; violence against women and children; Research Methods. Research Experience:  Graduate Research Assistant, Center on Violence Against Women and Children - Rutgers University under Dr. Victoria Banyard and Dr. Sarah McMahon (2021 – ongoing); Research Manager (Independent Contractor), Columbia School of Social Work on projects being run in Kenyan informal settlements on women’s health and the lived environment; Research Assistant, University of Nairobi, Kenya: Research Assistant, Heshima Kenya. Email Address: lo184@ssw.rutgers.edu

Natalie Elaine Pope

Education: PhD, School of Social Work, Rutgers University (expected May 2025); MSSW, University of Louisville, 2017; MBA, University of Louisville, 2015; Bachelor of Arts in Middle Eastern Studies and Religion, Centre College, 2013. Research Interests: Age-friendly communities and social policy; organizations and social impact; community-based practice; longitudinal data analysis; mixed-methods policy analysis. Research Experience: Graduate Assistant, Dr. Emily A. Greenfield (2020 – present): developmental evaluation of age-friendly initiatives in northern New Jersey. Teaching interests: Human Behavior and the Social Environment; Social Welfare Policy courses; Social Work Practice II; Research Methods; Aging policy courses; Organizational management courses. Practice experience: Certified Social Worker in KY (CSW, 2017-present); Marketing & Business Specialist, University of Louisville Trager Institute, KY (2015-2020); Age-Friendly Louisville Chair, KY (2017-2019). Email: natalie.pope@rutgers.edu  

Addam Reynolds

Education: PhD (expected graduation May 2023); MSW, Rutgers University School of Social Work, 2017; Bachelor’s of Science in Biological Science, Rutgers University, 2007  Honors: Recipient of the MSW Fellowship in Aging; recipient of the AGESW Pre-dissertation Fellowship  Research Interests:  Aging, health, health disparities, gene-environment interactions, cognitive aging, quantitative research, longitudinal data analysis Research experience: Graduate Assistant, Dr. Emily Greenfield, project; how childhood adversity effects late life cognition in older African Americans.  Graduate Assistant, Dr. Lia Nower, project: the predictors of older adult gamblers.  Research specialist at Princeton University, Dr. Margot Putukian, project: the natural history of concussion in college athletes.  Graduate assistant at the Center for Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience, Dr. Mark Gluck, project: how exercise affects learning and memory in older African American adults.  Teaching experience: Advanced Statistics I – PhD Level (Lab Instructor), Advanced Statistics II – PhD Level (Lab Instructor).  Teaching Interests: Research Methods; Chronic Illness and Disability; Social Welfare Policy II: Aging.  Email: addam.reynolds@rutgers.edu.

Clara Scher

Education: Ph.D., School of Social Work (expected May 2025); MSc in Clinical Mental Health Sciences, University College London, 2020; BA, Psychology, Lehigh University, 2017. Honors: UCL Division of Psychiatry Scholarship, University College London, 2019; Dale S. Strohl Thesis Grant, Lehigh University, 2016. Research Interests: Mental health and well-being of individuals living with dementia and their caregivers. Research Experience: Graduate Assistant, Age-Friendly Research Group at Rutgers (2020-current), with Dr. Emily Greenfield studying the development and implementation of age- and dementia-friendly community initiatives. Teaching Interests: Human Behavior and the Social Environment; Social Welfare Policy and Services I & II; Methods of Social Work Research I & II.           

Jenny Schrum

Education: Ph.D. Rutgers University School of Social Work (expected 2023); MSW (expected May 2020) Rutgers University School of Social Work; MPH, George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health, 2015; Bachelors of Science in Community Nutrition, Rutgers University, 2012. Research Interests: Nutrition and food systems; climate change and sustainability; health disparities; program design and evaluation; non-profit management; and the intersection of social work and public health. Research Experience: Graduate Assistant, Center for Prevention Science: Strategic Prevention Framework (SPF), State-level logic model development. Teaching Interests: Social Work Practice II, Human Behavior and the Social Environment, Program & Strategic Planning. Teaching Experience: Field instructor providing supervision to MPH practicum students. Practice Experience: Director of Youth Programming, City Green Inc., NJ; Health & Wellness Manager, Horton’s Kids, D.C.; Advisory Board, Capital Area Food Bank, D.C.; Evaluation Consultant, Greater DC Diaper Bank, D.C.

Jackie Stanmyre

Education: Ph.D., School of Social Work, Rutgers University (expected May 2025); MSW, Rutgers University School of Social Work (2014); Addiction Counselor Training (ACT) Certificate (2014); Bachelor of Science in Magazine Journalism, Syracuse University (2008); Bachelor of Science in Sport Management (2008). Research Interests: Risk factors for problem gambling; screening, assessment, and intervention for problem gambling and gambling disorder; sports wagering; sports wagering among athletes and former athletes; behavioral and substance addiction. Research Experience: Assistant Director, Center for Gambling Studies (2019-current); Research Assistant with Dr. Lia Nower (Sept. 2012-May 2014): studying the mental health implications of internet gambling, prevalence of addiction content in social work literature, resilience in recovery from addiction, remote counseling and treatment needs of Alaska Natives. Teaching Experience: Clinical Social Work: Addictive Behaviors I; Professional Development and Responsibility in Addictions Practice; Understanding Addictive Behaviors. Practice experience: Licensed Clinical Social Worker in New Jersey (2017-current); Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor (2015-current). Clinical supervisor, The Kintock Group, NJ; Clinician, Community Psychiatric Institute; Counselor intern, Turning Point, NJ; Counselor intern, The Kintock Group, NJ. Email Address: jstanmyre@ssw.rutgers.edu

Amanda Stroiman

Education: Ph.D., School of Social Work, Rutgers University (expected May 2025); MSW, Rutgers University School of Social Work (expected May 2022); MA, Mental Health Counseling, Boston College, 2020; BA, Psychology, Indiana University, 2018. Research Interests: child and family mental health, community based participatory research, cultural adaptation of evidence-based practices. Research Experience: Graduate Research Assistant, Parenting Trauma Substance Abuse and Resilience Lab at Rutgers with Dr. Emily Bosk; Early Child Development Research Consultant, Research Program for Children and Adversity at Boston College with Dr. Theresa Betancourt; Graduate Research Assistant at Boston College with Dr. Eric Dearing, Research Assistant at Early Learning and Cognition Lab at UC San Diego with Dr. Beth Casey. Practice Experience: Elementary School Counselor, Match Charter Elementary School; Clinical Counseling Intern, The Jaffa Institute, Crisis Intervention Worker, Indiana University. Teaching Interests: Clinical Assessment & Diagnosis, Clinical Social Work: Children, Advanced Contemporary Policy: Mental Health

Nora Sullivan

Education: MSW/Ph.D., School of Social Work, Rutgers University (Expected May 2025); Master of Divinity, Harvard Divinity School, 2020; Bachelor of Religion and International Relations, Drake University, 2014. Research Interests: Understanding and improving services provided to people experiencing homelessness through religious institutions; improving end of life care options for people experiencing homelessness; harm reduction; community organizing; critical research; grief & loss; mixed methods research. Research Experience: Graduate Research Assistant, Center for Prevention Science, Rutgers University (2021-present). Practice Experience: Hospital Chaplain Extern, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Center; Volunteer Coordinator, Unitarian Universalist Urban Ministry; Program & Outreach Coordinator, Material Aid and Advocacy Program; Co-President, Harvard Divinity School Unitarian Universalist Ministry for Students. Teaching Experience: Fulbright English Teaching Assistant, Bulgaria; ELL Paraprofessional, Hopkins North Junior High, Minnetonka, MN. Email Address: nora.sullivan@rutgers.edu

Nivedhitha Thiruvenkadam

Education: Ph.D., School of Social Work, Rutgers University (expected May 2025); MSW, School of Social Work, Rutgers University (expected May 2023); M.Ed. in Community Development and Action, Peabody College, Vanderbilt University, 2020; M.Sc. in Clinical Psychology, Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, India, 2015; Bachelor of Science in Psychology, Bharathiyar University, India, 2016. Research Interests: Global Child Welfare; Child wellbeing and development; Child maltreatment; Diversity and Inclusion in the Academy; Prevention and implementation research; Mixed methods research; Decolonizing methodology; Community based action research. Research Experience: Graduate Assistant, Center for Prevention Science (2021- current), with Dr. Kristen Gilmore Powell: Evaluating the outcomes from the Promoting Integration of Primary and Behavioral Health Care grant in New Jersey (Evaluation research); Masters’ thesis with Dr. Anjali Forber-Pratt (2020): Exploratory study examining the ecological factors affecting family preservation in a refugee community in India (Mixed Methods study); Masters’ thesis with Dr.Premanand (2015): Need analysis for a personal safety and sexuality education program in schools in India (Mixed methods research).Teaching Interests: Human Behavior and the Social Environment; Diversity & Oppression; Methods of Social Work Research I & II. Teaching Experience: Teaching Assistant, Dept. Human and Organizational Development, Vanderbilt University (2018- 2020): Applied human Development course and Systematic Inquiry course. Practice Experience: Guardians of Dreams Foundation, India (2015- 2016): Project coordinator; Hudson County CASA (2020): Volunteer.

Peter Treitler

Education: MSW, Rutgers University; BS, Biology, The College of New Jersey; Research Interests: Substance use disorder treatment; Medications for opioid use disorder; Integrating addiction treatment in general health care and criminal justice settings; Prisoner re-entry; Peer support interventions; Health and criminal justice policy; Research Experience: Research Specialist, Rutgers Institute for Health, Center for Health Services Research; Former Project Coordinator, Center for Prevention Science, Rutgers School of Social Work; Practice Experience: Prior experience as a substance abuse and mental health counselor in residential and outpatient levels of care; Honors/Awards: Rutgers Graduate School Pre-Dissertation Award recipient; Selected for Justice Community Opioid Investigator Network (JCOIN) Capacity Building Research Education Core Investigator Program; Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society; Email Address: peter.treitler@rutgers.edu.

Jose Ricardo Vargas Garcia

Education: Ph.D., Rutgers University School of Social Work (Expected 2021);  Masters of Arts in Addiction Studies, Lewis and Clark College; Bachelors of Science in Psychology, Portland State University. Honors/Awards:  Graduate Assistant Professional Development Award. Research experience: Research assistant at the Center for Violence Against Women and Children under Dr. Sarah McMahon (2018-2019); Research Assistant at the Center for Gambling Studies under Dr. Lia Nower (2015-2018).Teaching Interests:  Conceptual Foundations, Research Methods I and II, and Human Behavior in the Social Environment. Practice Experience:  Therapist in community mental health and addiction centers focusing on co-morbid disorders and gambling disorder. Email Address: jose.vargasgarcia@rutgers.edu.

Yuhan Wei

Education: Ph.D. candidate, Rutgers University School of Social Work; MSW, Peking University, 2017; Bachelor of Social Work, Jilin University, 2015; Research Interests: acculturation process    of immigrant children especially, Chinese immigrant children; acculturation process of international students; adolescent and young adult development; the impact of different acculturation levels      among immigrant children and their parents on family relationship and children’s development; Research Experience:  Graduate Assistant, Huamin Research Center, Rutgers SSW,  Dr.Chien        Huang, studying the influence of mindfulness on Hispanic Children’s mental health; Graduate Assistant, Institute for Families, data analyst; Teaching interests: Statistics; Human Behavior in the    Social Environment; Practice experience:  Community social worker, Pengxing NGO, Shenzhen, China; social worker, Xingongmin NGO for migrant children, Beijing, China. Email Address: yw623@rutgers.edu    

Melanie Yu

Education:  Ph.D. (expected May 2023), Rutgers University School of Social Work; MSW (Expected May 2020), Rutgers University School of Social Work; MA, Columbia University, Teachers College;  Research Interests:  Participatory action research, refugee youth and families, ethnic enclaves and mental health, diasporic communities and identity formation, refugee resettlement and immigration policies;  Research experience:  Graduate Research Assistant, Dr. Cassandra Simmel, Child Welfare and Well-Being Research Unit; Teaching Interests:  Social Work with Immigrants and Refugees, Diversity and Oppression, Management Practice and Theory;  Teaching Experience:  Introduction to Mentoring, Rutgers University;  Practice Experience:  Refugee resettlement casework, refugee youth programming, NAMI-Hunterdon Board of Directors, NAMI Chinese American Mental Health Outreach Program, AmeriCorps Alum; Email Address:  melanie.yu@rutgers.edu

Devon Ziminski

Education: Ph.D., School of Social Work, Rutgers University (expected May 2025); Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management, Harvard University Extension School; MS, School of Social Policy & Practice, University of Pennsylvania; BS, Marketing, and Minor in Professional Writing, The College of New Jersey. Research Interests: poverty narratives, mobility from poverty; economic inequities; gun violence prevention; social policy. Research Experience: Senior Research Coordinator, The Senator Walter Rand Institute for Public Affairs, Rutgers University – Camden; Research Project Coordinator, The Senator Walter Rand Institute for Public Affairs, Rutgers University – Camden; Research/Staff Assistant, Malcolm Wiener Center for Social Policy, Harvard Kennedy School; Research Assistant, Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation, Harvard Kennedy School. Teaching interests: Social Welfare Policy and Services I; Poverty, Inequality, Discrimination and Public Policy; Methods of Social Work Research. Email: devon.ziminski@rutgers.edu