Building Knowledge for Policy and Practice in Southern New Jersey
Student Staff
Gaining Real-World Experience
Each day, we build upon a base of knowledge for good policy and practice in South Jersey, and we work to address issues that impact residents and local organizations through applied research, community engagement and organizational development. Through this work, we connect scores of talented students from diverse backgrounds with opportunities to serve local communities and tackle real-world challenges.
Ethan Aaronson, M.A.
Ethan Aaronson serves as a project assistant, most recently working on a Community Health Needs Assessment and Implementation Plan for the South Jersey Health Collaborative.
His research interests include recidivism prevention and community integration for formerly incarcerated individuals, the expansion/restoration of voting rights for incarcerated and formerly incarcerated individuals, as well as community policing and other innovative policing strategies. Ethan completed his master’s degree in psychology at Rutgers-Camden in 2020.
Vasiliki Gallicchio (Bessy) is a research assistant supporting the Cumberland County Positive Youth Development Coalition, a county-wide effort focused on decreasing juvenile delinquency in Cumberland County.
Bessy is pursuing a master of arts in Criminal Justice at Rutgers University-Camden, where she also earned her BA in Criminal Justice and sociology in 2016. Previously, she has worked on the Pascale Sykes Foundation South Jersey Strengthening Families Initiative.
Trista Harig serves as a graduate research assistant focusing on grant acquisition, background research, data collection, analysis, and several other roles as a member of the Research and Evaluation team.
She is currently pursuing her master’s degree in psychology at Rutgers University-Camden. In 2019, Trista received her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Azusa Pacific University. Her research interests are in social psychology and focus on prejudice, discrimination, inter-group dynamics, and multiculturalism. As a member of Dr. Charlotte Markey’s lab, she is currently investigating stigmatization and discriminatory attitudes toward overweight and obese individuals in the workplace. Following her master’s, Trista plans to pursue a doctorate in social psychology.
Takashi Johnson is a project assistant supporting the Cumberland County Positive Youth Development Coalition (CCPYDC).
CCPYDC is a county-wide effort focused on decreasing juvenile delinquency in Cumberland County. It is part of the Municipal Prevention Planning Initiative funded by the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office. Takashi completed both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Criminal Justice at Rutgers-Camden in 2020.
Ryan is a research assistant focused on grant acquisition and data collection, and providing support for the Pascale Sykes Foundation’s Strengthening Families Initiative.
Ryan is currently pursuing his M.A. in Psychology at Rutgers University-Camden. He received his B.S. in Psychology from Stockton University in 2018. Ryan’s research interests lie in cognitive psychology, specifically in time perception and memory. Ryan works with Dr. Bill Whitlow in his cognition lab, as well as Dr. Lisa Payne in her EEG lab. Following graduation, Ryan intends to pursue a Ph.D. in Cognitive Psychology.
Lili Razi is a graduate assistant working on community development, spatial changes, and strategic planning. She is currently pursuing a doctorate degree in Public Affairs with a focus on Community Development.
Currently, Lili is working on the Holly City/Millville strategic planning initiative at WRI. This project helps to develop housing strategies and policies that increase homeownership, reduce vacant properties, and attract new home buyers. She is also involved with “A New View” – a Bloomberg public art instillation that transforms lots where illegal dumping is happening into artistic spaces. Given her background in urban and community engagement practices, she hopes to participate in capacity development and shape effective urban public policies in areas of need.
Shwetal Sharma serves as a graduate research assistant focused on data collection and analysis with the Research and Evaluation team.
She is pursing her M.A. in Psychology at Rutgers University-Camden. She is currently working in Dr. Ira Roseman’s Emotions Lab and her research interests are in emotion and psychopathology. She completed her B.A. in Psychology at Fergusson College, India, and aspires to become a doctor in Clinical Psychology in the future.
Kiersten Westley Henson serves as a graduate research assistant on the Research and Evaluation team.
Kiersten received her B.A. and M.A. in Psychology from Rutgers Camden and is pursuing a Ph.D. in Public Affairs–Community Development. Her research focuses on environmental health, pollution, chronic diseases, mental health and natural disasters affecting Native American/Indigenous populations and communities–all with an emphasis on the geographical locations of South Jersey, New Orleans, and other rural populations.
Aayush is a graduate research assistant who works closely with Dr. Allred to design statistical models for generating actionable insights into public health data.
Currently, he is pursing a master’s in Computer Science, and has research interests are Optimization and the Analysis of Algorithms. View his work and credentials here.
Shibin is a graduate research assistant supporting several projects as an analyst and researcher. He is analyzing secondary data of the community health needs assessment and assisting faculty fellow Dr. Melanie Bowers with research on housing services for those experiencing homelessness.
Shibin is currently pursuing his doctorate in Public Affairs at Rutgers University-Camden. His research interest includes elderly care, public health, policy evaluation, and anti-corruption. He used to work for a think tank in China for two years to secure professional training in policy analysis. After graduation, he intends to work as a research consultant.
nson serves as a project assistant, most recently working on a Community Health Needs Assessment and Implementation Plan for the South Jersey Health Collaborative.
Vasiliki Gallicchio (Bessy) is a research assistant supporting the Cumberland County Positive Youth Development Coalition, a county-wide effort focused on decreasing juvenile delinquency in Cumberland County.
Takashi Johnson is a project assistant supporting the Cumberland County Positive Youth Development Coalition (CCPYDC).
Ryan is a research assistant focused on grant acquisition and data collection, and providing support for the Pascale Sykes Foundation’s Strengthening Families Initiative.
