Faculty Advisor
Alexandria Bauer
Dr. Bauer is an Assistant Professor at Rutgers in the Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology (GSAPP). She also serves as a faculty mentor for the Translational Research Training in Addictions for Racial/Ethnic Minorities (TRACC) program and is on the Executive Board of the Rutgers Addiction Research Center. She received her BA in Psychology from San Diego State University, after transferring from community college. She earned both her master’s degree and Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Missouri-Kansas City, following her predoctoral clinical internship at the Charleston Consortium in Charleston, SC. She completed her postdoctoral fellowship in Traumatic Stress and Addictions at Rutgers University Center of Alcohol & Substance Use Studies.
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Affiliated Graduate Students
Carolyn Bazan, PhD
Carolyn Bazan recently earned her PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision at Rutgers University. Her past work includes serving as a clinician and her dissertation, "Exploring the interrelationships among trauma, religious/spiritual struggles, and substance use among emerging and young adults." She was also project manager on the research study, “Treating hidden barriers to employment: Integrated treatment for PTSD in supported employment,” under the mentorship of Dr. Weili Lu. Her work during this time has allowed her to gain an understanding of the barriers clinicians face when serving individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder as well as the symptoms that interfere with one's ability to seek and maintain employment. Her research interests include examining the intersection of trauma, addiction, and spirituality. |
Ayanna Gilmore
Ayanna received her MA in psychology from The City College of New York (CUNY), and she is working on her PhD in Public Health at Rutgers. She previously worked with Rutgers Division of Addiction Psychiatry (RWJMS) as an RA on the study Mindfulness Oriented Recovery Enhancement in Methadone Treatment for Chronic Pain Management and Opioid Use (MORE). Working on the MORE study piqued her interest in substance use trends and treatment outcomes amongst African Americans. Specifically, she is interested in understanding how social and neighborhood characteristics affect substance use treatment outcomes in African American populations. Additionally, she would like to design novel substance use intervention methods that address unique and specific needs of African Americans with substance use disorders. |
Kaan Kideys
Kaan Kideys is a graduate of the Rutgers Master of Applied Psychology program and is working on a Counseling PsyD at Saint Elizabeth University. His research and clinical interests include understanding the nature of traumatic experience and its effects on physical and mental health. He is interested in examining how the effects of post-traumatic stress affect bodily functions, the development of comorbid mental health and substance use disorders, how the effects of trauma manifest among different populations, as well as approaches to healing, resilience, and post-traumatic growth among various cultures and identities. |
Amudha Balaraman
Amudha Balaraman earned her Master's in Psychology at The New School, with a concentration in Mental Health and Substance Abuse Counseling. She is now working towards a PhD in Clinical Psychology at The New School. Her research interests include mental health and treatment disparities, help seeking and service utilization, and developing culturally-informed interventions. Additionally, she is interested in working alongside underrepresented populations through partnership and community-engaged research. Amudha is transitioning from a prior career in public education, where she has over 10 years of experience in data analysis, project management, and program evaluation. She has also served as a middle school teacher. Amudha remains committed to public service and equity, and she hopes a future career in clinical psychology will continue this commitment. |
Brandon Wildman
Brandon Wildman is a second year Master's student at Rutgers University's Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology (GSAPP). He completed his Baccalaureate degree at Stockton University in General Biology with a minor in Behavioral Neuroscience. Brandon's current research interests currently center around physical and mental health disparities in impoverished and vulnerable communities, mental health concerns in multiracial populations, harm reduction implementation, and the socio-environmental bases of substance abuse. Outside of academia, Brandon enjoys cooking, travelling, and getting involved in various community efforts. |
Lab Student Alumni
Collaborators
In addition to the students and affiliates listed above, we work with with a dynamic and ever-growing group of researchers, community members, mental health service providers, and individuals with lived experiences related to trauma, substance use, and other areas of mental health. Many of our community partners are associated with the Community Advisory Board (CAB) at the Rutgers Center of Alcohol & Substance Use Studies, which gives us the opportunity to work with an engaged, incredible group across multiple research projects. We are always looking for new community connections and people who can give us nuanced insight into all aspects and stages of the research that we do. Please contact us if you're interested in learning more about the CAB or collaboration interests.