Chris Ackerman
Christopher Ackerman has been with INTS since 2016, focusing on conducting primary data collection. In his role as a research project manager, Mr. Ackerman has overseen several significant studies, including the Tobacco 21 retailer compliance study, the New Jersey point of sale study, and the CRST point of sale study. He has collaborated closely with INTS faculty to develop protocols, survey instruments, training materials, and peer-reviewed publications.
Jon-Patrick Allem
Jon-Patrick Allem is an Associate Professor of Social and Behavioral Sciences in the Department of Health Behavior, Society and Policy at the Rutgers School of Public Health, an Associate Professor of General Internal Medicine in the Division of General Internal Medicine at the Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, a Core Member of the Rutgers Institute for Nicotine & Tobacco Studies (INTS), and a member of the Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey. He obtained a B.A. in political science with a minor in history and a M.A. in political science from San Diego State University and completed a Ph.D. in health behavior research from the Keck School of Medicine of USC. His postdoctoral training was completed in tobacco regulatory science at the USC Tobacco Center of Regulatory Science (TCORS). Dr. Allem’s research shows the different ways that corporations influence adolescent health, with current projects focused on identifying sources of exposure to tobacco marketing among adolescents and young adults.
Aila Lee Altunbilek
Aila Lee Altunbilek is a Research Teaching Specialist III at Rutgers Institute for Nicotine and Tobacco Studies. She received both her undergraduate degree and MPH concentrating in Global Public Health from Rutgers University-NB. Aila also received a certificate in Health Disparities. She previously worked as a Research Assistant at the Rutgers Institute for Health, Healthcare Policy, and Aging Research, with main duties in study recruitment, study administration, and data collection for the NJHealth Cohort Study.
Christina Carroll
Christina Carroll, an Administrative Coordinator, with over a 10 years of experience. She helps coordinate office operations as well as assisting with faculty recruitment, seminar series, and event planning. Working at INTS provides Christina with a valuable and continuous learning experience about Nicotine and Tobacco. Previously, she worked in Oncology and witnessed the long-term effects of tobacco product usage.
Nicolette Garthe
Nicolette Garthe, MPH, CHES is a Research Associate II at the Rutgers Institute for Nicotine & Tobacco Studies. She coordinates the Institute’s nationally accredited Tobacco Treatment Specialist Training which equips health professionals with the skills to help people quit tobacco products. Additionally, she contributes to evaluation of the New Jersey Quit Centers and supports the New Jersey Youth Tobacco Survey (NJYTS). She obtained a B.S. in Public Health with minors in Spanish and Psychology from Rutgers University and an M.P.H. in Social and Behavioral Health Sciences with a certificate in Epidemiology Methods from Rutgers University-School of Public Health. Ms. Garthe is a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES).
Nishi Gonsalves
Nishi Gonsalves is a Research Associate III at Rutgers Institute for Nicotine and Tobacco Studies. She received both her undergraduate degree and MPH concentrating in Epidemiology from Rutgers University-NB. She is a part of the Survey Methods and Data Analysis (SMDA) team, where she serves as one of the primary data analysts on several projects and has programmed multiple surveys using Qualtrics at the Institute. She also assists with the evaluation of the New Jersey Quit Centers and supports other Department of Health projects. Additionally, she helps document, manage, and analyze the Omnibus longitudinal survey that aids the Institute in conducting a rapid surveillance of tobacco-related behaviors in the United States.
Stefanie Gratale
Stefanie Gratale, PhD, MPA, is an Instructor in the Department of Health Behavior, Society and Policy at the Rutgers School of Public Health and core faculty at the Rutgers Institute for Nicotine & Tobacco Studies (INTS). She received her PhD in Communication from the University of Pennsylvania’s Annenberg School for Communication and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at INTS. She also completed a federal Presidential Management Fellowship, after earning a Master of Public Administration from The George Washington University and Bachelor of Arts from The College of New Jersey.
Dr. Gratale’s research applies experimental and mixed-methods approaches to explore the intersection of health communication and tobacco control, probing tobacco marketing features and effects, emergence and correction of public misperceptions about product risks, and the role of regulatory interventions. She is currently conducting research via an NIH/FDA-funded K01 on the evolution and implications of suggestive marketing for “natural” cigarette and cigarillo products, considering effects among youth and young adults.
Mary Hrywna
Mary Hrywna is an Assistant Professor of Social and Behavioral Sciences in the Department of Health Behavior, Society and Policy at the Rutgers School of Public Health. She is also a founding member of and an Associate Director of Administration at the Rutgers Institute for Nicotine & Tobacco Studies (INTS). She obtained a B.A. in psychology and communication at Douglass College and a M.P.H in health behavior at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and completed a Ph.D. in health systems & policy from the Rutgers School of Public Health. Dr. Hrywna’s research aims to inform development of policies and interventions that effectively reduce the use of tobacco products, including new and emerging products, among high-risk populations such as youth and young adults.
Jessica King Jensen
Jessica King Jensen (Jessie) is a core member of INTS and an Assistant Professor in the Department of Family Medicine and Community Health at the Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. Jessie received her BS and MS in Health Education and PhD in Public Health from the University of Florida and completed a postdoctoral fellowship in tobacco regulatory science at Wake Forest School of Medicine. Jessie’s research evaluates the equitable impact of tobacco policies and interventions. Outside of work, she enjoys exploring the outdoors, keeping her plants alive, and cheering for the Florida Gators.
Amanda Johnson
Amanda Johnson is a Research Teaching Specialist III for the Institute of Nicotine and Tobacco Studies(INTS). She obtained a B.A. in Public Health and M.P.H in Global Public Health from Rutgers University-School of Public Health. She is currently working on the C’RILLOs and disinformation projects.
Michelle Kennedy
Michelle Kennedy is a Project Coordinator with the Rutgers Institute for Nicotine & Tobacco Studies (INTS). She obtained a B.A. in Economics and Geography from Towson University and M.P.H. in Health Education and Behavioral Science from Rutgers University-School of Public Health. She is pursuing a DrPH in Leadership, Practice, and Research at the Rutgers-School of Public Health and has research interests in nicotine, cessation, and co-occurring use disorder.
Currently, she contributes to the NJ Quit Centers technical assistance team and provides research support for the Evaluating Cigarette Relighting Behavior: Prevalence, Correlates, Toxicant Exposure, and Implications for Cessation R01.
Kathryn La Capria
Kathryn La Capria, MPH, is a Research Teaching Specialist III at Rutgers Institute for Nicotine & Tobacco Studies. She obtained a B.S. in Public Health and Communication Studies from The College of New Jersey and MPH in Social and Behavioral Sciences from Rutgers University School of Public Health. At INTS, she is currently working on various projects related to the impacts of tobacco marketing and cigar policies. Kathryn is also an adjunct professor of New Media and Health Communication at The College of New Jersey.
Currently, she contributes to the NJ Quit Centers technical assistance team and provides research support for the Evaluating Cigarette Relighting Behavior: Prevalence, Correlates, Toxicant Exposure, and Implications for Cessation R01.
John Mikolajczyk
A recent addition to INTS, John has chalked up 13 years of progressive responsibility as a multipurpose administrator within the diverse, fast-paced environment of Rutgers Health. An administrative “jack-of-all-trades,” his specialty lies in supporting an academic department, requisitions & purchase orders, expense reimbursement, travel arrangements, records management, proofreading/editing, new hire onboarding, and departmental organization via Box and the Microsoft Office Suite. John currently supports 10 faculty members, 2 post-docs, and trains a fellow administrator, in addition to keeping all staff abreast of university policy on travel and reimbursement. In his spare time, he reads 40+ books a year and works out in his home gym.
Kristopher Roberts
Kristopher Roberts is a Research Teaching Specialist III at the Institute for Nicotine and Tobacco Studies and has been a full-time staff member since 2021. He performs primary data collection for the New Jersey point of sale study and the CRST point of sale study, and he monitors tobacco marketing on websites and in business-to-business magazine. Kristopher received both his undergraduate degree and MPH concentrated in Health Systems and Policy from Rutgers University.
Eugene Talbot
Eugene Talbot is a Research Associate II with the Rutgers Institute for Nicotine & Tobacco Studies (INTS). He obtained a B.S.c. in Biology from Northeastern University and an M.P.H. in Epidemiology from Rutgers University-School of Public Health. He provides research support for various projects within the Institute and the Rutgers Center for Rapid Surveillance of Tobacco (CRST).
Caitlin Uriarte
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Inartaly Valentín-García
Inartaly Valentín-García is a User Support Specialist II with the Rutgers Institute for Nicotine & Tobacco Studies. He obtained his Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Computer Information Systems from Universidad del Este in Puerto Rico. In the past, he has served as a Desktop Support Technician. In his current role, he offers IT assistance to researchers, faculty, and staff, and manages the Institute’s IT infrastructure, and implements new technologies.