Advancing Prevention Science at Rutgers-Camden

Posted December 4, 2023December 21, 2024 in Faculty, Prevention Science, Stories

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At the intersection of social relationships and health lies the work of Kristin August, PhD, the Founding Graduate Program Director of the Prevention Science program at Rutgers-Camden. A dedicated researcher and educator, she has transformed her passion for health psychology into a career focused on tackling pressing health and social challenges. Through innovative research and a commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration, Dr. August is shaping a program that empowers students to create meaningful change. Read on to learn more about her journey, research, and vision.

Shaping the Future of Prevention Science Education

I am currently an Associate Professor in the Departments of Psychology and Health Sciences and Founding Graduate Director of the new graduate program in Prevention Science. As the Founding Director, I helped establish the fourth Ph.D. program on our campus. I oversee curriculum development, admissions, and scheduling workshops and events for students and faculty, and I also coordinate diversity cluster searches in prevention science/health equity.

We will continue to equip our graduates with robust methodological and statistical skills and cultivate practical research expertise, ensuring that our students are well-prepared to navigate the complexities of developing, implementing, and evaluating evidence-based prevention strategies.
Kristin August

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Foundations Built on Research, Medicine, and Psychology

I received my BS in Psychology from Michigan State University. I started as a biology major on the pre-medical track as an undergraduate first-generation college student. While my initial inclination was towards medicine, my academic trajectory shifted towards psychology, sparked by a captivating array of coursework. The pivotal moment came when I discovered my true passion after taking a health psychology course, which perfectly marries the fields of psychology and medicine. After taking three years off working in a variety of research and health-related settings, I moved to California to pursue my PhD in Psychology and Social Behavior from the University of California, Irvine (major specialization: Health Psychology; minor specialization: Quantitative Methods). I returned to my medical roots by completing my post-doctoral training at the Health Policy Research Institute in the School of Medicine at the University of California, Irvine. I then moved across country again to join the Psychology Department at Rutgers University, Camden in 2011 and became a core faculty member of the Health Sciences Department (formerly center) in 2014. I am the Founding Director of the Graduate Program in Prevention Science (established in 2022).

Designing Culturally Tailored Interventions for Lasting Impact

My research investigates connections between social relationship processes and health, and more broadly, the interplay between psychological and physical health (e.g., topics such as body image and stress). What sets me apart from other scholars in this area is my emphasis on health in diverse populations across the adult lifespan. I have published over 50 articles and book chapters in these areas. I am committed to not only gaining a better understanding of how and why social relationships are associated with health, but also to designing and implementing culturally appropriate interventions that promote the physical, mental, and social health of individuals and their families. I recently completed two interventions – a family coaching intervention with people with type 2 diabetes and a virtual nutrition, stress reduction, and social interaction intervention with adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDDs). Given the high prevalence of diabetes in Hispanic populations, the intervention for patients with diabetes is currently being translated and culturally adapted for Spanish-speaking individuals.

Empowering Students with Real-World Research Opportunities

The Prevention Science graduate program at Rutgers University-Camden distinguishes itself as one of the few Prevention Science programs in the country. We hope to see our program grow to become a nationally recognized hub for the advancement of prevention science. With a commitment to fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, we aim to attract a diverse cohort of talented students and esteemed scholars in prevention science. We will continue to equip our graduates with robust methodological and statistical skills and cultivate practical research expertise, ensuring that our students are well-prepared to navigate the complexities of developing, implementing, and evaluating evidence-based prevention strategies. Looking ahead, we envision our graduates as catalysts for position change in communities across the nation to address pressing academic, health, and social challenges. Our program will continue to forge partnerships with local communities, governmental agencies, and non-profit organizations, creating opportunities for our students to apply their knowledge in real-world settings. Through these collaborations, we aim to not only contribute to the advancement of prevention science but also to make tangible, lasting contributions to the well-being of society.