Student Engagement at the Walter Rand Institute for Public Affairs
As a teaching, training, and experiential learning lab for community-facing research, engaging students at Rutgers-Camden is at the very foundation of WRI’s work. WRI works directly with students on research projects, supports the research interests of students through scholarships and fellowships, and provides exciting opportunities for students to produce impactful written materials for public audiences across the region and State. WRI exemplifies and reinforces the Rutgers-Camden’s student engagement goals.
Student Research Assistants
Oguz Kaan Ozlap
oko11@camden.rutgers.edu
Oguz Kaan Ozalp is a graduate student in the Public Affairs and Community Development program at Rutgers University Camden. Oguz’s research interests center around local and regional development strategies, as well as implementing such approaches within migration and minority populations. Oguz previously worked on certain projects as an assistant and coordinator at local and international NGOs in Turkey. Oguz will be supporting the AtlantiCare CHNA as well as other projects at WRI.
Marlo Rossi
mgr121@camden.rutgers.edu
Marlo Rossi is a graduate student in the Public Affairs and Community Development Program at Rutgers University, Camden. Prior to coming to Rutgers University, Camden, Marlo graduated with her bachelors degree in Political Science and her masters degree in Criminal Justice from Rowan University. Marlo’s research interest center around gender and race based issues, as well as the effect that state and local policies have on minority communities. Marlo is currently working on the Camden Food Collective Project and the Clayton Model at Walter Rand.
Penny Telesford
pdt40@camden.rutgers.edu
Penny Telesford is a second-year Ph.D. student in Prevention Science at Rutgers University, with a passion for addressing racial inequity and reducing disparities in the community. Her research interests center around mental health stigma and maternal mortality rates within the Black/African/Caribbean community. Penny holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling from Mercy College. During her academic journey, she gained valuable experience as a Resident Assistant, Resident Director, and co-creator of the Wellness Program. She also interned as a therapist at a Substance Abuse Clinic and worked with at-risk youth and foster children post-graduation. In addition to her academic pursuits, Penny enjoys attending concerts, traveling, collecting vinyl records and pop funkos, and engaging in various hobbies.
Fawaz Al Juaid
fa518@camden.rutgers.edu
I am Fawaz graduate student at Rutgers University-Camden in criminal justice. I have a bachelor’s degree in law from Saudi Arabia which provided me with a solid foundation of legal principles. Moreover, I am a member of the Pi Gamma Mu International Honor Society in the Social Sciences which reveals my commitment to the field of Social and criminal studies. Proudly, I am a research assistant at the Senator Walter Rand Institution and I will participate in research projects to address critical issues in the region. My tasks include data collection, analysis, interpretation, and spatial visualization.
Xuanzhou Du
xd139@camden.rutgers.edu
Xuanzhou, a Master’s student in Psychology at Rutgers University – Camden, possesses a profound passion for social and existential psychology, alongside a strong background in statistics. She is working on Clayton Model at WRI.
Her ambition extends to pursuing a PhD in social psychology. With an MSEd in Statistics, Measurement, Assessment, and Research Technology from the University of Pennsylvania, she leverages three years of practical experience in data analytics and consulting within the publishing sector.
Shaghayegh Poursabbagh
sp2067@camden.rutgers.edu
Shaghayegh is a recent graduate from the psychology program at Rutgers-Camden. Her research interests lie in consciousness, controlled attention, working memory, EEG, risk perception, and olfaction awareness. With experience as a research assistant along with involvement in projects related to risk perception and intuition (gut feelings), she is dedicated to scientific inquiry and exploring various aspects of the human brain. Beyond psychology, Shaghayegh has been studying philosophy, religious studies, and ancient studies. She has joined us at WRI as a research assistant for the Camden County Transportation project, eager to contribute her expertise and passion for research to the team.
Scholars and Fellows
Yachun Wen
yachun.wen@rutgers.edu
Yachun Wen, BA, a current 2nd year Ph.D. student at Prevention Science program. My research interests cover health policy evaluation and health equity. I obtained my BA in Philosophy and Psychology from New York University.
Chengcheng Yue
cy340@rutgers.edu
Chengcheng (Zach) Yue is a dedicated Ph.D. candidate in the Public Affairs program here at Rutgers. His research interests revolve around public finance and community development. He has earned two master’s degrees from University College London and Rutgers University. Currently, he is collaborating with the researchers at the Walter Rand Institute to conduct community-focused research about Southern New Jersey.
Morenike Alugo
moa60@scarletmail.rutgers.edu
Morenike Alugo is a graduate student in the Prevention Science program at Rutgers University. She obtained her BSc in Psychology from the University of Lagos, Nigeria. Morenike’s research interests are in investigating the role of technology in addressing social and health challenges among youth. She is currently collaborating with the Walter Rand Research Institute, to conduct research about Southern New Jersey using United States Census Data.