Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning & Public Policy

Lunch and Learn: Health and Housing Equity Cluster
2024-03-01 12:00 - 13:30 (America/New_York) | Bloustein School, Civic Square Building, 33 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, United States
The Rutgers Housing & Health Equity Cluster would like to invite you to join us for an in-person lunch and learn. All are welcome to bring lunch and eat during the event.
The purpose of this event is to introduce attendees to the current activities of the Housing & Health Equity Cluster, invite attendees to participate in future cluster activities, including opportunities to workshop and present one’s housing and health equity-related work to Rutgers colleagues, and to “meet and greet” other Rutgers faculty interested in housing and health equity work.
We will also hear presentations by newly hired cluster faculty and have time for Q&A.
Dan Treglia, PhD, MPP – Instructor, Institute for Health, Health Care Policy, and Aging Research
“Leveraging Cross-Sector Partnerships to Address Housing and Healthcare Needs”
Katherine Marçal, PhD, MSW – Assistant Professor, School of Social Work
“Housing Insecurity and Maternal Mental Health”
Veronica Jones, PhD, MPH, CHES – Assistant Professor/Family & Community Sciences Educator III, Department of Family and Community Health Sciences
“Project Overview of a Food Access and Transitional Housing Initiative”

Historic Preservation and Development Walking Tour: East Jersey Old Town Village and Cornelius Low House
2024-03-03 13:00 - 15:15 | East Jersey Old Towne, 1050 River Road, Piscataway, United States
RSVP HERE
Members of the Bloustein School community and their friends, significant others, spouses, parents/grandparents, and children are invited to a historic preservation and development walking tour in Piscataway, NJ at East Jersey Old Town Village and Cornelius Low House on Sunday, March 3, 2024, from 1:00 p.m. until approximately 3:15 p.m.
Participants must provide their own transportation to these sites. This is a free, custom tour offered to members of the Bloustein School community led by Mark Nonesteid of the Middlesex County Cultural and Heritage Commission. The Commission operates both sites.
The tour will start promptly at 1:00 p.m. in the parking lot at East Jersey Old Town Village. The village tour will last approximately 1 hour. Participants will then drive to the Cornelius Low House for the tour starting at 2:15 p.m. This tour will also last approximately 1 hour.
1:00 p.m.: Meet in Parking Lot of East Jersey Old Town Village
1050 River Road, Piscataway, NJ (732-745-3030)
2:15 p.m.: Meet at Cornelius Low House (tour begins at 2:15 p.m.)
1225 River Road, Piscataway, NJ (732-745-4177)

Participants are encouraged to review these informational links before the tour:

East Jersey Olde Town Village

East Jersey Old Town Village is accessible to wheelchair users. Please call 732-745-3030 for further information or questions about accommodations you would need in order to visit the Village.

Indian Queen Tavern at East Jersey Olde Towne Village
Cornelius Low House
Information on archaeology work that was conducted in New Brunswick. Many of these artifacts are on display. This is a good example of archaeology work conducted through a Section 106 review process with the New Jersey State Historic Preservation Office.

Driving Directions to East Jersey Old Town Village, 1050 River Road, Piscataway, NJ – (732) 745-3030
Directions to the Cornelius Low House, 1225 River Road Piscataway, NJ – (732) 745-4177
Questions? Contact David Listokin.

Career Virtual Drop-ins
2024-03-04 11:00 - 13:00, 2024-03-18 11:00 - 13:00, 2024-03-25 11:00 - 13:00, 2024-04-01 11:00 - 13:00 | Virtual
Bloustein Career Development Specialists Cheryl Egan and Andrea Garrido will be in a Zoom Room on Monday’s beginning January 22, 2024 (excluding holidays and spring break) to answer questions, provide advice. No need to make an appointment! Simply drop in to speak with one or both of them!
URL: https://go.rutgers.edu/VirtualCareerDropIns

Bildner Center for the Study of Jewish Life--Not Quite White in Fiction and Film: Laura Z. Hobson’s Gentleman's Agreement and Nella Larsen’s Passing
2024-03-04 19:30 - 21:00 | Douglass Student Center, 100 George Street, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, United States
Gentleman’s Agreement and Passing are critically-acclaimed novels on racial and ethnic passing that have also been adapted for the screen. These works explore how anti-Black racism and antisemitism have shaped the integration of Blacks and Jews into White Christian American society. A panel will explore both novels as well as their adaptations for the screen. Excerpts from both films will be shown during the program, which will be held at the Douglass Student Center.
Panelists:

Donavan L. Ramon, Allen and Joan Bildner Visiting Scholar, Rutgers University
Rachel Gordan, Shorstein Professor of American Jewish Culture and Society, University of Florida
Gene Seymour (moderator), Film and Cultural Critic

Free and open to the public, advance registration is required on the Bildner Center’s website. Click here.

Rutgers Disability Coming Out Day
2024-03-05 16:00 - 19:00 | Gov. James J. Florio Special Events Forum, CSB, 33 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, United States
A panel of disability activists will discuss building a society that works for all of us. Future leaders in planning, policy, healthcare, and education are encouraged to join to learn how to be truly inclusive in their decision-making. Centering the lived experiences of people with disabilities, we discuss the experience of “coming out” as disabled as well as: inclusion in the context of accessible policy planning, healthcare, and education, followed by an opportunity to come out as disabled in a mix and mingle. Join, ask questions, and get involved.
Register at https://bit.ly/accessrutgers
For the Rutgers community:
– People with disabilities
– The healthcare community
– The policymaking community
– Educators
Location: ZOOM* or the Bloustein School’s Gov. James J. Florio Special Events Forum, 33 Livingston Ave. New Brunswick. Zoom participants will have a committed on-site human monitor to address issues and ensure their voices are also heard.
😷 😷 Please wear a mask.
👃 Please keep this a scent-free environment for those with chemical sensitivities.
🗯️ Captioning will be provided.
Please indicate your access needs in the registration form. Please contact our access touchpoints with any questions or concerns: as2921@scarletmail.rutgers.edu. Please put “DCOD Access” in the subject line.
Followed by a mix and mingle, where we can meet our disabled peers and be “out” as disabled for those who are comfortable.
PANELISTS:
Colleen Roche – Colleen Roche, a Certified Community Resource Specialist, is a training coordinator, program developer, and a subject-matter expert on disability health and wellness. She is an experienced consultant who develops and delivers trainings and presentations for individuals with disabilities, healthcare providers, and other allied professionals. Colleen is the co-founder of the New Jersey Disability Collective, member of the Disability Action Committee, and board chair for the Alliance Center for Independence and chair of the New Jersey Statewide Independent Living Council.
Mital Gajjar – Mital Gajjar, who was first diagnosed with bilateral hearing loss at the age of 5, started Rutgers Empowering Disabilities (RED) organization at Rutgers during her time as an undergraduate student in 2010. She currently teaches young children and mentors students in elementary school to college. She advocates for disability by working with the population throughout her career, started an online group for occupational therapists with disabilities, and understands the struggle of multiple identities through being the first disabled child of an immigrant family from a minority group.
Jillian Curwin – Jillian is a writer, content creator, and advocate for dwarfism and disability awareness based in New York City. She has written articles for Betches Media talking about disability representation in fashion and entertainment along with highlighting current events in the disability space. In addition, she has consulted with brands and organizations about disability inclusion. She is the host of the podcast Always Looking Up where she talks to little people, disabled people, those that are disability-adjacent and allies about living in a world that was not necessarily designed for them.
T.D. Mitchell – Best known as writer and story editor for the acclaimed TV series “Army Wives,” T.D. Mitchell is an autodidact and human rights advocate. She serves as a narrative consultant and speechwriter in crafting messaging for international NGOs/nonprofits. For the Writers Guild Institute, she mentors folks from marginalized communities to give them the tools to tell their own narratives. The pandemic led to her own near-death and resulting injuries that radically shifted her artistic process, forms and narrative point of view.

Career Services: What's It Like To Work as a Transit Program Manager for WSP?
2024-03-05 16:30 - 17:30 | Virtual
Alumni of the Bloustein School and prospective employers will speak about jobs and careers in the urban planning, policy and health administration fields in the series, “What’s It Like To Be…”. Join us and learn the real deal about their day-to-day jobs and information you definitely won’t find on a job description!
This week, join MCRP graduate Harsheeta Gupta, AICP.

Harsheeta graduated from Bloustein with an MCRP in 2023. With a dual specialization in transportation and GIS, she previously earned a BA in Urban Planning from CEPT University in India. She is a Program Manager (Transit Energy Tech) at WSP in Baltimore, Maryland, where she is fully embedded with MDOT MTA’s Chief Customer Experience Officer (CXO) on real-time passenger information and customer experience projects. Among other projects, she is leading the Manager Riding Transit program to quantifiably improve the customer experience.

RSVP HERE

Virtual Information Session: Master of Health Administration
2024-03-06 09:00 - 10:00 | Virtual
You are cordially invited to join us at this virtual informational session for the Rutgers – Bloustein School’s Master of Health Administration (MHA) program during the Spring 2024 semester. We are excited to share helpful information about the Bloustein School, the residential Master of Health Administration program (MHA), and answer any questions you may have regarding admissions, applications, career opportunities in the field and the curriculum. Program faculty and staff will be on hand to answer all your questions.

Applications to the MHA program do NOT require the GREs. Work experience is not required of applicants. The application deadline for spring 2024 / January 2024 admission is November 1st. The deadline for fall / September 2024 admission is July 1st.
All sessions will be held virtually via Zoom.

RSVP required at https://go.rutgers.edu/ejbmhainfo

Career Services: What's It Like To Be a Product Manager/Data Analytics Professional in Healthcare?
2024-03-06 16:30 - 17:30 | Virtual
Alumni of the Bloustein School and prospective employers will speak about jobs and careers in the urban planning, policy and health administration fields in the series, “What’s It Like To Be…”. Join us and learn the real deal about their day-to-day jobs and information you definitely won’t find on a job description!
Saif Siamwalla, Product Manager with Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, will be discussing his career as a data analytics professional.The products that he’s building revolve around Clinical Research, specifically within the financial domain, to ensure that data that is needed for clinical trials is accurately and efficiently transferred between our internal systems and external trial sponsors. Being a Product Manager is all about having a vision, incorporating feedback from your stakeholders, and then using the resources around you to execute that vision in a predictable manner.Like you all, he was a Rutgers student not too long ago, so he’s aware of the challenges, questions, and motivations that you all may have. Saif is here to help you every step of the way and answer any questions you may have!
RSVP HERE

Navigating Tensions, Affirming Community--Dangerous Speech and What We Can Do About It
2024-03-07 15:00 - 16:00 | Rutgers-Camden, 326 Penn Street, Camden, 08102, United States
Susan Benesch is an Adjunct Associate Professor, School of International Service, American University. She founded and directs the Dangerous Speech Project (dangerousspeech.org), to study speech that can inspire violence – and to find ways to prevent this, without infringing on freedom of expression. She researches methods to diminish harmful speech online, or the harm itself. Trained as a human rights lawyer at Yale, Susan has worked for NGOs including Amnesty International and Human Rights First. She is also Faculty Associate of the Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society at Harvard University.

RSVP HERE.
To learn more, visit go.rutgers.edu/meetthemoment
Questions? Email diversity@rutgers.edu

Virtual Information Session: Graduate Program in Public Policy
2024-03-08 09:00 - 10:00 | Virtual
You are cordially invited to join us at this virtual informational session for Rutgers Bloustein School’s Master of Public Policy (MPP), Master of Public Affairs and Politics (MPAP), and Graduate Certificate in Public Policy. Learn more about the curriculum for our master’s degrees in public policy, as well as our graduate certificate, how to apply, career services support for students, and scholarship opportunities.
The GRE is WAIVED for all 2024 applications. The application deadline for spring 2024 admission is November 1st. The application deadline for fall 2024 admission with academic scholarship consideration is January 15th.
All sessions will be held virtually via Zoom.
RSVP required at https://go.rutgers.edu/ejbppinfo

Dissertation Defense: Prioritizing Federal Investments for Coastal Adaptation
2024-03-08 14:00 - 17:00 | Bloustein School, Civic Square Building, 33 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, United States
Presented by Laura Geronimo, PhD candidate

Dissertation Defense: The Financialization of Corporate America: A Case Study of STEM Professionals at a Consumer Products Company
2024-03-18 08:30 - 10:30 | Virtual
Presented by Edwin Cooper, PhD candidate

Undergraduate Prospective Student Information Sessions (PSIS)
2024-03-19 16:00 - 17:00 | Virtual
The Prospective Student Information Sessions give interested students an opportunity to learn about the undergraduate program offerings at the Bloustein School. There is an overview of each major, minor, and certificate program, including the admissions criteria and application processes for current and prospective Rutgers students. Also, students are encouraged to bring questions and the host advisor(s) will be glad to answer them or refer the student to the appropriate department/office.
Sessions will be offered via Zoom. A link will be sent to registered students the day prior to the event.
The sessions are approximately one hour. Please log in on time.
Please register

Bloustein Research Seminar Series: Discrimination in low-income housing markets: Evidence from online rental listings
2024-03-19 16:00 - 17:15 | Bloustein School, Civic Square Building, 33 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, United States
Presented by Hector Blanco, Assistant Professor, Department of Economics, Rutgers University .
This venue will enable our faculty to share research, build community, and extend our networks. Pizza will be served. The goal is for the seminar to include a mix of Bloustein faculty, occasional advanced PhD students, and external speakers who will present research talks. The seminar series is open to the entire Bloustein community.

Rutgers Giving Day
2024-03-20 00:00 - 2024-03-21 23:59 | Virtual

Occupant-Centric Simulation-Aided Building Design--Methods to obtain the occupant perspective
2024-03-20 17:00 - 18:00 | Virtual
International Building Performance Simulation Association (IBPSA) is a non-profit international society of building performance simulation researchers, developers and practitioners, dedicated to improving the built environment. Their new seminar series, Occupant-Centric Simulation-Aided Building Design, promotes occupants as a focal point for the design process. A multi-disciplinary, globally recognized team of scholars and practitioners responsible for an important new textbook will discuss theoretical and practical approaches to placing occupants and their needs at the heart of the design process.

In this webinar Clinton Andrews, Bloustein School Professor and Associate Dean for Research will critically examine methods for learning about the occupant’s perspective regarding the design of buildings. He will discuss the nature of occupant data; the strengths and weaknesses of self-report, observational, and simulation methods; and the need to represent occupants prudently during the design process.

Registration is required at https://bit.ly/IBPSA_webinars_candrews

See the complete webinar series flyer.

Intelligent Informatics at Rutgers: Artificial Intelligence - Use, Abuse & An Exciting Future
2024-03-20 18:00 - 19:30 | Virtual
Collaborators: AI Social Impact Lab & Garfield City Council
An Interactive Presentation By Bloustein AI Course Participants
Faculty Advisor: Professor Jim Samuel, Rutgers Bloustein School

Host Program: MPI – https://informatics.rutgers.edu/

Register: https://go.rutgers.edu/AI-MPI-webinar

PhD Colloquium: Ph.D. Listening Session
2024-03-21 12:00 - 12:50 | Bloustein School, Civic Square Building, 33 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, United States
Please check your email from program director Mike Smart for the Zoom link.

Woman's Leadership Coalition Annual Conference
2024-03-21 16:30 - 17:30 | Gov. James J. Florio Special Events Forum, CSB, 33 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, United States
Register Here

Micromobility 2.0 Workshop: Smarter Strategies for Safe Travel
2024-03-22 08:30 - 15:30 | Gov. James J. Florio Special Events Forum, CSB, 33 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, United States
The Micromobility 2.0 Workshop was held on Friday, March 22, 2024. The Workshop bridged research and practice surrounding the use of micromobility devices (e-bikes, e-scooters, bicycles, etc.) and how best to address safety, infrastructure, and the use of innovative technology.
View Summary Report
Workshop sessions covered:

The state of the practice and emerging micromobility challenges in New Jersey
How to use a Vision Zero lens to address safety for all road users
Innovative technology related to data collection, analysis, prediction, and limitations/li>
Solutions to safety issues using social, infrastructure, and technological strategies/li>

Workshop attendees included engineers, urban planners, public health professionals, innovative technology experts and scientists, micromobility companies, active transportation advocates, and local, regional, state, and federal policymakers.
The Micromobility 2.0 Workshop was hosted at the James Florio Special Events Forum at the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy at Rutgers University, 33 Livingston Ave, New Brunswick, NJ.
Continuing maintenance credits are available for AICP-certified planners who attended the workshop. Click here for more information.
Up to three (3) PDH credits are available for professional engineers.
This workshop was funded through a grant provided by the National Science Foundation.
For more information, email: micromobility@ejb.rutgers.edu

Workshop Agenda
Welcome & Opening Remarks
James Florio Special Events Forum

Stuart Shapiro, PhD – Professor and Dean – Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
Jacob Kravetz, PhD – Science and Technology Policy Fellow – National Science Foundation
Robert Noland, PhD – Director – Alan M. Voorhees Transportation Center

Session 1
State of the Practice in Micromobility: Evolving Norms and Policies
The session delves into the dynamic landscape of micromobility, focusing on the users, data, policies, accessibility, inclusivity. As cities evolve, so do the norms and policies that shape their micromobility-friendly infrastructure such as bike lanes and parking. Learn about the potential for sustainable and efficient urban environments where connectivity and accessibility redefine the way we experience cities.
Click here to see presentation slides
Speakers

Leigh Ann Von Hagen, AICP, PP (moderator) – Managing Director and Adjunct Professor – Alan M. Voorhees Transportation Center
Irene Figueroa-Ortiz, AICP – Policy Advisor – New York City Department of Transportation
Alex Keating – Head of Policy and Partnerships – Veo
Simone Gore, AICP – Assistant Program Manager of Capital Programs – NJ TRANSIT
Ralph Buehler, PhD – Professor, Urban Affairs and Planning – Virginia Tech

Session 2
Toward a Safer Future: Innovation in Micromobility Safety
The U.S. Department of Transportation has put forward a vision for zero roadway deaths and is committed to addressing every aspect of crash risk through a Safe System Approach. Micromobility users are some of the most vulnerable road users and require accessible, sustainable, equitable solutions to ensure their safety. This session explores the role of micromobility in Zero Deaths Initiatives (Vision Zero, Toward Zero Deaths, and Road to Zero), with an emphasis on infrastructure, geometric design, and data.
Click here to see presentation slides
Speakers

Bronwen Keiner (moderator) – Transportation Specialist – Federal Highway Administration
Alan Huff – Safety Specialist – Federal Highway Administration
Hannah Younes, PhD – Post-Doctoral Researcher – Alan M. Voorhees Transportation Center
Eli Guseman, AICP – Senior Transportation Planner – City of Jersey City

Session 3: Interactive Learning Labs and Posters
Navigating the Future: Unveiling the Impact of Emerging Technology on Active Transportation Safety and Inclusion
Innovative solutions are needed to ensure a more sustainable, safer, and equitable future. Workshop attendees are encouraged to explore three (3) Learning Labs that highlight recent advances in technology surrounding micromobility research. Hands on demonstrations, including virtual reality, biometric sensors, eye-tracking glasses, and LiDAR will be featured. In addition, explore poster presentations that show how research is shaping the future of urban planning, engineering, and computer science.
Engineering Learning Lab
Room 369A: Virtual Reality Demonstration

Chelsea Duan – Research Assistant
Shengyuan Feng – PhD Student, Engineering

Room 369B: LiDAR, Sidewalks and Urban Heat Island

Jie Gong, PhD – Associate Professor – Rutgers School of Engineering, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering

Room 369B: Computer Vision

Jiahao Xia – PhD Candidate, Civil Engineering

Computer Science Learning Lab
Room 253: Use of AI in Rebalancing and Charging of Shared Micromobility

Yu Yang – Assistant Professor – Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Lehigh University

Room 253: App Development: Predicting Actions when Riding Micromobility Vehicles

Yuequn Zhang – PhD Candidate, Computer Science

Room 261: Trajectories Prediction

Dimitris Metaxas, PhD – Distinguished Professor – Rutgers School of Arts and Science, Department of Computer Science; Director – Center for Computational Biomedicine, Imaging and Modeling (CBIM)
Song Wen – PhD Candidate, Computer Science

Urban Planning Learning Lab
Room 113: Biometric Sensors: Eye Tracking Glasses and Galvanic Skin Response

Wenwen Zhang, PhD – Associate Professor – Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, Rutgers University
Shiyu Ma – PhD Student

Posters

Addressing the First and Last Mile Challenge: Innovative Solutions and Case Study Analysis in Camden City, New Jersey
Ruqaya Alfaris – Rowan University
Investigation of Young Pedestrian Crashes in School Districts of New Jersey Using Machine Learning Models
Arifuzzaman Nayeem – Rowan University
Eye Tracking Measures of Bicyclists’ Behavior and Perception: a Systematic Review
Shiyu Ma – Rutgers University
Findings from Traffic Camera Footage in Asbury Park, New Jersey
Hannah Younes, Ph.D. – Rutgers University
Multimodal Mobility Feasability Study in Jersey City, New Jersey
Colin Roche – Rutgers University
Human Behavior-Aware Rebalancing and Charging for Shared Micromobility Vehicles
Heng Tan – Lehigh University
Delveloping a Micromobility Guide for New Jersey
Sam Rosenthal & Greg Woltman – Rutgers University
Piloting an E-bike Rebate Program in Bridgeton, New Jersey
Jacob Thompson – Rutgers University
Implementing a Micromobility Demonstration Project in Asbury Park, New Jersey
Monika Pal – Cambridge Systematics
Powering Bikeshare in New York City: Does the Usage of E-Bikes Differ from Regular Bikes?
Ningning Xie, Ph.D. – Rutgers University
Micromobility and Youth Education, Engagement & Awareness in Safe Routes to School Programs
Sean Meehan & Jon Dugan – Rutgers University
Predicting Trajectories
Song Wen – Rutgers University

Session 4: Moderated Discussion
From Lab to Streets: Exploring the Applicability of Emerging Technology for Micromobility Safety
Emerging technology can be used as a tool to improve safety, equity, and inclusion in transportation. But what practical role does it play in our society? Take your experience from the Workshop Learning Labs and join the discussion. This session will reveal the potential of emerging technology and its role in policy and infrastructure. Strengths and shortcomings of each technology, including who bears the risks and potential unintended consequences will be discussed, including their applicability for experimentation beyond laboratory settings.
Speakers

Clinton Andrews, PhD (moderator) – Professor and Associate Dean for Research – Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, Rutgers University; Director – Center for Urban Policy Research
Wenwen Zhang, PhD – Associate Professor – Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, Rutgers University
Jie Gong, PhD – Associate Professor – Rutgers School of Engineering, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Dimitris Metaxas, PhD – Distinguished Professor – Rutgers School of Arts and Science, Department of Computer Science; Director – Center for Computational Biomedicine, Imaging and Modeling (CBIM)
Jiahao Xia – PhD Student, Civil Engineering – Department of Engineering, Rutgers University

Closing Remarks & Adjournment

Clinton Andrews, PhD – Professor and Associate Dean for Research – Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, Rutgers University; Director – Center for Urban Policy Research

CAREERS: Excel: Fixing Data
2024-03-22 13:30 - 15:00 | Virtual
Topics covered include Basic AI tools in Excel, Intro to Formulas & Functions (absolute and relative cell references, order of operations), Formatting tools, Tips & tricks, and Autofill variations
REGISTER: https://go.rutgers.edu/ExcelFixingData

Bloustein School Scholarship Brunch
2024-03-24 11:00 - 13:00 | The Rutgers Club, 85 Avenue E, Piscataway, 08854, United States

Changes in Healthcare Visits Due to Cannabis Use Following Legalization of Non-medical Cannabis in Canada
2024-03-27 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual
Join us on Wednesday, March 27, at 12 pm ET for a presentation of the NJ ACTS Special Populations Core 2024 Seminar Series – Changes in Healthcare Visits Due to Cannabis Use Following Legalization of Non-medical Cannabis in Canada with Daniel Myran, MD, MPH, CCFP, FRCPC.
An increasing number of countries and US states have legalized or are considering the legalization of cannabis for non-medical use. A major concern is that legalization could increase cannabis use and associated harms. This presentation will review studies tracking changes in healthcare visits due to cannabis in children and adults following non-medical cannabis legalization in Canada.
Dr. Daniel Myran is a clinician-scientist and assistant professor with the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Ottawa. He is an associate scientist at ICES, where his research program focuses on using natural experiments combined with linked health administrative data to better understand the impacts of public policy on mental health and substance use healthcare visits and outcomes. He practices family medicine with an interest in addiction medicine.
Register for the event: https://go.rutgers.edu/jveb79ao

Disability Justice: Driving Authentic Change Towards Action
2024-03-27 16:00 - 18:00 | Gov. James J. Florio Special Events Forum, CSB, 33 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, United States
RSVP HERE
Are we doing enough within our policies to not just accommodate, but also uplift people with disabilities?
On Wednesday, March 27, join the Bloustein School for an important conversation as we collectively work towards dismantling barriers and building a society where everyone can thrive. Attendees will gain valuable insights into creating spaces celebrating diversity, equity, and inclusion, and ensuring that we all play a significant role in developing an inclusive and just society.
Our annual DEI Lecture will critically assess the systems that seek to build inclusive communities. From access to health equity, discussants will navigate the landscape of inclusivity, shedding light on areas that demand attention and reform.
The lecture will serve as a call to action for students, organizations, and policymakers to examine their roles in driving authentic change. It seeks to foster a deeper understanding of disability justice and its impact on health equity, policy development, and community building. By giving voice to the lived experiences of people with disabilities and examples of disability justice at work, we aim to catalyze tangible strides toward a more inclusive and equitable future for all.
Guest Speaker: Jashar “Shar” Banks ’23, Advocate and Mental Health Specialist, Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care

“Life has taught me important lessons, and sometimes the best way is the hard way.” Raised by a a single mother, Jashar “Shar” Banks used his upbringing to grasp a better understanding of the value of earned rewards, learning to accept failures as lessons and as a part of success. A wheelchair-bound paraplegic, Shar has focused on personal growth in all areas of his life including work ethic, social skills, and leisure activities. He continues to strive towards success by acknowledging the lessons disguised in inevitable failures as his goal to remain a lifelong learner. Although no longer able to pursue a career path as a firefighter, he hasn’t halted his aspirations to serve others. Pursuing a career as a developmental psychologist with the goal of help youth from troubled and underprivileged communities, the 2023 Rutgers alumnus is currently employed as a Mental Health Specialist for the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

Panelists: Recipients of Inclusive Healthy Communities Grant 2021-22, 2022-23:
Jennifer M. LeComte, D.O., Associate Professor, Rowan-Virtua SOM, Internal Medicine and Pediatrics and Medical Director, Rowan-Virtua Regional Integrated Special Needs (RISN) Center

Dr. Jennifer LeComte is a graduate of the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. She completed her Med-Peds residency in Delaware at Christiana Care Health System and Nemours A.I. duPont Hospital for Children and is double board certified in Internal Medicine and Pediatrics. She served as a pediatric chief resident at Nemours, as she initiated her career in providing primary care for patients with complex conditions in childhood across the lifespan as the founder of the Center for Special HealthCare Needs. She is currently an Associate Professor at Rowan-Virtua SOM in the Internal Medicine and Pediatrics departments and is the Medical Director of Rowan-Virtua Regional Integrated Special Needs (RISN) Center. Dr. LeComte volunteers with Rowan Unified Sports. She is the PI for several grants including a HRSA grant to improve access to primary care for people with different abilities.

Wendy F. Aita, Ph.D., Co-Director, Rowan-Virtua Regional Integrated Special Needs (RISN) Center and Behavioral Health Lead

Dr. Wendy Aita is Co-Director of the Rowan-Virtua Regional Integrated Special Needs (RISN) Center and Behavioral Health Lead. She is a Clinical Psychologist who received her Ph.D. from Farleigh Dickinson University and completed her internship at Friend’s Hospital. She is licensed in New Jersey. She joined Rowan in 2010 and is currently an Associate Professor at Rowan-Virtua SOM with appointments in both Psychiatry and Psychology. She has worked with individuals who are dually diagnosed with intellectual disability and mental health issues for several years and formed RISN Center with Dr. LeComte in 2019. Dr. Aita is an expert in Trauma Informed Care and treatment with a specific interest in complex trauma and helping individuals who have experienced medical trauma access routine medical procedures. She has significant experience in psychological testing, individual and family therapy, and integration of behavioral health into primary care. She serves on the Rowan University Neurodiversity Task Force, and she is the Clinical Director for the Strong Minds Program through Special Olympics.

Additional comments will be provided by Patti O’Brien Richardson, Bloustein School Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer / Committee Chair and Associate Teaching Professor; Roni Woitovich, Bloustein School MPAP Student with Disability Studies concentration; and Javier Robles, professor, Rutgers Kinesiology and Health Department, Co-chair of the Rutgers University Disability Studies committee and director, Center for Disability Sports, Health and Wellness at Rutgers University.
RSVP HERE

Career Services: What's it Like to Be a Project Manager at the Department of Housing, Economic Development and Commerce with the City of Jersey City?
2024-03-27 16:30 - 17:30 | Virtual
Alumni of the Bloustein School and prospective employers will speak about jobs and careers in the urban planning, policy and health administration fields in the series, “What’s It Like To Be…”. Join us and learn the real deal about their day-to-day jobs and information you definitely won’t find on a job description!
This week, join Join alumnus Markian Borkowsky, MCRP 2020 to ask questions and learn more about his role as a Project Manager for the Department of Housing, Economic Development, and Commerce – Director’s Office in the city of Jersey City, NJ.

RSVP HERE

PhD Colloquium: Turning a Dissertation into a Book
2024-03-28 12:00 - 12:50 | Bloustein School, Civic Square Building, 33 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, United States
Presented by Hiba Bou Akar, Associate Professor in the Urban Planning program at Columbia GSAPP. Her research focuses on planning in conflict and post-conflict cities, the question of urban security and violence, and the role of religious political organizations in the making of cities.
Please check your email from program director Mike Smart for the Zoom link.

Public Informatics Listening Session
2024-04-01 16:00 - 17:00 | Bloustein School, Civic Square Building, 33 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, United States
The Public Informatics Listening Session is an open and informal forum discussion for students to provide feedback, offer suggestions, and hear the most up to date news about the program.
Hosted by Jim Samuel, Public Informatics Program Director; Shravani Kallur, VP of Public Informatics Program for Bloustein Graduate Student Association; Courtney Culler, Associate Director for Graduate Student Services; and Greg Marrero, Student Counselor for Graduate Student Services.
RSVP HERE
