Rutgers–New Brunswick Office for Research

Vice Provost and Vice Chancellor Cohick advocates for strategic resources and collaborations that drive transformative, interdisciplinary research across Rutgers–New Brunswick. She previously served as Dean of Research and Graduate Education in the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences (SEBS), Director of Research for the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station (NJAES), and Interim Director of the Institute for Food, Nutrition, and Health (IFNH).

Sheila Borges Rajguru supports the Rutgers–New Brunswick Office for Research and works closely with Rutgers–New Brunswick research deans from key academic units, center/institute directors, liaising with senior leadership in the Office for Research, EVPAA, Vice Chancellor for Research Offices across Rutgers Health, Rutgers–Camden and Rutgers–Newark chancellor-led units (CLUs), and Rutgers University Foundation to develop synergistic programming and initiatives at the nexus of research and academic affairs.

Amy Mandelbaum supports the Director for Research Development and Strategy by facilitating Rutgers–New Brunswick's Chancellor Signature Initiatives, where she oversees cross-cutting grant proposals and fosters relationships with stakeholders. For the newly established Rutgers Artificial Intelligence and Data Science (RAD) Collaboratory, Amy is playing an integral role in developing programming centered on collaborative research and scholarship.

Melissa Dinovelli supports the Director for Research Development and Strategy by facilitating Rutgers–New Brunswick strategic priorities pertaining to faculty, students, and postdoctoral associates’ research and professional advancement. She works closely with Rutgers–New Brunswick research deans and the Office for Research to ensure the Academic Master Plan's objectives and Vice Provost for Research's strategic priorities are met and is passionate about using data-driven decision making to support cross-campus research development.

Tracy Higgins supports the Director of Research Development and Strategy at Rutgers–New Brunswick by assisting in the facilitation of strategic initiatives promoting growth in, education, research and professional development. Committed to curriculum development, Tracy facilitates the integration of Rutgers research cores into educational and experiential learning opportunities for all levels of students, faculty, researchers and community members through the PERC (Platforms for Education and Research Cores) initiative.

Rubia Serra supports the Director of Research Development and Strategy by assisting in facilitating Rutgers–New Brunswick’s strategic research priorities related to faculty, students, and postdoctoral associates’ research and professional advancement. She also supports the Program Development Specialist in daily operations and administration, project coordination, research development, and special projects for the Rutgers–New Brunswick Office for Research to ensure alignment with the office’s goals.

Victoria Abraira, PhD is a provost leadership research faculty fellow in the Rutgers–New Brunswick Office for Research. She is also an Assistant Professor in the Cell Biology and Neuroscience Department. In her fellowship role, she co-leads initiatives to strengthen research center and institute excellence across Rutgers. A Pew Scholar and Rita Allen Foundation Scholar, Dr. Abraira's neuroscience research explores touch sensation and pain processing.

Kathe Newman is a Professor in the Urban Planning and Policy Development Program at the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy and Director of the Ralph W. Voorhees Center for Civic Engagement. Dr. Newman holds a PhD in Political Science from the City University of New York. She writes about urban change, what it is and why it happens, and is an associate editor at Environment and Planning A and a book review editor at the Journal of Urban Affairs.

Dr. Cara Cuite is an Associate Extension Specialist and Undergraduate Program Director in the Department of Human Ecology. She is a health psychologist who leads a research program on Rutgers student basic needs insecurities. She also partners with community-based organizations to improve food security across NJ. Her risk communication research focuses on how people respond to messages about food safety and weather-related emergencies. In her role as a fellow, she supported the Behavioral Health and Equity Task Force.

Andrea Hetling, PhD, is Professor of Public Policy and Associate Director of the Heldrich Center for Workforce Development at the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy. Andrea’s research focuses on the implementation of public policies designed to reduce economic and social inequities and build financial stability for families.

Harini Sampath, PhD, is an Associate Professor of Nutritional Sciences and Director of the Sampath Lab at the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences. Harini’s research goal is to delineate the cellular alterations that occur during the development of metabolic diseases, including fatty liver, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. Her lab seeks to identify pathways that can be targeted for nutritional and pharmaceutical therapies to preserve health and improve health outcomes.

Valerie Tutwiler is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at Rutgers, where her lab studies the structure and mechanics of blood clots. She received her PhD from Drexel University in Biomedical Engineering and conducted her postdoctoral work in Cell and Developmental Biology at the University of Pennsylvania where she was a NIH NHLBI K99/R00 Postdoctoral Fellow. Valerie is passionate about increased research and professional development opportunities at a university level.