Graduate Grind: Strategies for Success in Academia

In this episode of the Recording Rutgers Podcast, you’ll hear from Daniel Assamah, a PhD candidate in Public Affairs/Community Development. Daniel shares his journey, revealing what motivated him to pursue his PhD. He provides an insider’s perspective on academic publishing, discussing the process from initial research to publication and the challenges he has overcome along… continue reading

Balancing Coursework, Research, and Career Goals

In this episode of the Recording Rutgers Podcast, we’re joined by Gaylene Gordon, a Childhood Studies doctoral candidate and alum of the Criminal Justice MA program—affectionately known as the Writing Mechanic—joins us to share her insights on combining professional experience with research interests to carve a niche in the academic market. She tackles the pivotal… continue reading

Unraveling the Science Behind Plant Adaptation

A lifelong problem solver with a passion for science, Maria Schwarz has found her calling in plant genetics. Now a PhD student in the Computational and Integrative Science Program, she investigates how stomata—microscopic pores on plant leaves critical for photosynthesis—develop and adapt to drought conditions. Her path, shaped by curiosity and dedication, highlights the potential… continue reading

Advancing Community Health Through Research

With a foundation in Philosophy and Psychology from New York University, Yachun Wen brings a unique interdisciplinary perspective to her work as a PhD student in the Prevention Science program. Originally from Beijing, China, she serves as a research assistant with the Senator Walter Rand Institute (WRI), contributing to projects analyzing survey data from Camden,… continue reading

International Roots, Academic Heights: A Path to a PhD

The COVID-19 pandemic reshaped global perspectives, and for Temitope Akinode, it also defined a critical chapter in her academic journey. As a founding member of the Graduate Student Organization and a recent graduate of the Computational and Integrative Biology program, she collaborated with Dr. Benedetto Piccoli to investigate the economic and societal impacts of lockdown… continue reading

Interdisciplinary Research in Mental Health & Criminal Justice

A fascination with the intersections of mental health and criminal justice has shaped Catherine Heitz’s journey from clinical psychology to groundbreaking research as a PhD student in the Prevention Science program at Rutgers-Camden. Driven by a desire to address the root causes of societal challenges, she now explores critical issues such as community violence, firearm… continue reading