About
Kiersten has a B.A. and M.A. in psychology from Rutgers University Camden and an M.S. in Public Affairs/Community Development also from Rutgers University Camden. She is currently a PhD student in Prevention Science at Rutgers University-Camden. Her research interests focus on environmental health, food access, chronic disease, and mental and physical health in rural communities, and marginalized communities. Kiersten works as a Senior Research Project Coordinator at Rutgers Senator Walter Rand Institute for Public Affairs in conducting quantitative and qualitative analysis, research evaluation, Principal Investigator of projects, and research coordination on numerous projects. Kiersten is an experienced researcher with a demonstrated history of working in the higher education industry, and is CITI certified. Skilled in qualitative and quantitative Research Methodologies, Higher Education, Psychology, Community Development, Public and Environmental Health, and Project Management.
Research interests: Food Sustainability, Public Environmental Health, Ecological Health-Wellness, Food Access, Community Health, Mental Health, Solastalgia, Chronic Disease, Diabetes, Ecotourism, Rural Focus, BIPOC focus
EDUCATION
PhD. Prevention Science* current student
M.S. Public Affairs-Community Development, 2020
M.A. Psychology, Rutgers University, 2017
Thesis: Additive and Interactive Effects of Diabetes and General Life Stress on Overall Psychological Distress
B.A. Psychology, Rutgers University 2016
Minor: Journalism, A.A. Psychology, History & Environmental Science
PUBLICATIONS
Westley, K.V., August, K.J., Alger, M.R., & Markey, C.H. (2021). Main and interactive effects of diabetes distress and stress from life events on overall psychological distress. Journal of Health Psychology, 26, 312-318. https://doi.org/10.1177/1359105318804865
Westley, K.V., August, K.J., Alger, M., & Markey, C.H. (2018). Main and interactive effects of diabetes distress and stress from life events on overall psychological distress. Journal of Health Psychology, DOI:1359105318804865.
Bonilla-Santiago, G., Calero, H., Garcia, W., Closter, M., & Westley-Henson, K. (2018). Weathering the Storm–Challenges for PR’s Higher Education System. Anchor Institutions Advancing Local and Global Sustainable Community Development, 6.
Bonilla-Santiago, G., Calero, H., Garcia, W., Closter, M., & Westley-Henson, K. (2018). Higher Education for Puerto Rico’s Future Recovery and Sustainability. Chapter from How Hurricane Maria Forges PR’s Economic Future. 2018. H. Calero Consulting Group Inc.
*Davis, C., Duffy, S.E., Smith, J. & Westley, K.V., (in preparation) Do categories affect stimulus judgment?
*Ziminski, D., Darrow, C., Westley, K.V., & Ross, S., (under review) Exploring the Role of Fear and Disenfranchisement within Communities that Experience Gun Violence.
PRESENTATIONS & POSTERS AT PROFESSIONAL MEETINGS
Westley, K.V. & Hart, D., (2023). Examining the Relationship Between Food Insecurity and Social Capital. Poster accepted for the annual meeting of the Association for Psychological Science, Washington, DC.
Westley, K.V. & Hart, D., (2023). Examining the Relationship Between Food Insecurity and Social Capital. Poster accepted at the annual meeting of the Celebration of Graduate Research and Creative Activities-Research Week, Camden, NJ.
Presentation: American Evaluation Association (2022). Multi-site, Multi-evaluator, and Multi-outcome: Learning from an evaluation of the Whole Family Approach., New Orleans, LA.
Westley, K.V., Razi, L., Alger, M., Carey, M. & Whiting, R. (April, 2020). Event Canceled due to COVID-19 How safe is my neighborhood?: Non-profits impact on public perceptions of their communities. Poster accepted at the annual meeting of the Celebration of Graduate Research and Creative Activities-Research Week, Camden, NJ.
Westley, K.V. & Oulicz-Kozaryn, A. (April, 2019). The Relationship Between Nature-Based Recreation and Happiness. Poster accepted at the annual meeting of the Celebration of Graduate Research and Creative Activities-Research Week, Camden, NJ.
Westley, K.V. & Roman-Valentin, I. (November, 2018) Examining Sustainable Tourism/Recreation Possibilities and Future Directions: Caguanes National Park, Yaguajay Cuba. Poster accepted to be presented at the Annual Conference and Meeting in Cuba, Universities as Anchors in Sustaining Community and Economic Development, Varadero, Cuba.
Westley, K.V. & Bonilla-Santiago, G. (June, 2018) LEAP Enterprise as a Catalyst for Sustainable Community Development in Camden City, NJ. Presentation accepted to be presented at the Coupled natural and human systems research in Cuba: Establishing international collaborations to meet the environmental challenges of rapidly changing ecosystems, Havana, Cuba.
Bonilla-Santiago, G., Garcia, W., Closter, M. & Westley, K.V. (April, 2018). The Rutgers/LEAP Enterprise: Lessons Learned from a Birth to College Educational Pipeline. Poster accepted at the annual meeting of the Celebration of Graduate Research and Creative Activities, Camden, NJ.
Westley, K.V. & August, K.J. (May, 2017). The Relative Contribution of Diabetes Vs. General Life Stress for Overall Psychological Distress. Poster accepted for the annual meeting of the Association for Psychological Science, Boston, MA.
Westley, K. & Duffy, S. (May, 2017). Environmental behavior and actions. Poster Presented at the Association for Psychological Science conference in Boston, MA.
Westley, K.V. & August, K.J. (April, 2017). Diabetes versus General Life Stress for Overall Psychological Distress. Poster accepted at the annual meeting of the Celebration of Graduate Research and Creative Activities, Camden, NJ.
August, K.J., Franks, M.M., Westley, K.V., Rook, K.S., & Stephens, M.A.P. (July, 2017). Following your lead: Patient's’ diet adherence, spouse awareness, and involvement in managing diabetes. Talk accepted to be presented at the 21st IAGG World Congress of Gerontology and Geriatrics, San Francisco, CA.
Westley, K.V., Alger, M. Stone, B. & Duffy, S.E., (May, 2016). Native American Female Suicide Methodology. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Association for Psychological Science, Chicago, Il.
Pereira, J., Westley, K., Stone, B., & Duffy, S. (May, 2016). Sexual orientation and preferences for humor produced by men or women. Poster presented at the Association for Psychological Science Conference in Chicago, IL.
Alger, M., Westley, K.V. Stone, B. & Duffy, S.E., (May, 2016). Native American Male Suicide Methodology. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Association for Psychological Science, Chicago, Il.
Duffy, S.E., Carvalho Pereira, J. & Westley, K.V., (May, 2016). Influence of Perception and Memory on Anchoring and Centering Biases. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Association for Psychological Science, Chicago, Il.
Hlavka, R., Westley, K.V. & August, K.J., (April, 2016). Implications of Social Network Member Involvement for Exercise-Related Outcomes Among Patients with Diabetes. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Celebration of Graduate Research and Creative Activities, Camden, NJ.
Westley, K.V., Alger, M. Stone, B. & Duffy, S.E., (April, 2016). Native American and Alaskan Native Suicide Methodology. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Celebration of Graduate Research and Creative Activities, Camden, NJ.
PROJECT PARTNERS
Inspira Health Network; Camden Food Security Collective; Rutgers University School of Nursing-Camden; Child Connection Center; New Jersey Department of Education; Rutgers University Prevention Science Department; Rutgers University Psychology Department; Rutgers University Center for Computational and Integrative Biology; National Science Foundation-Research Traineeship Program; South Jersey Institute for Population Health; New Jersey State Library; Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Use Program; Burlington County Prosecutor Office
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
2023 - Present Sr. Research Project Coordinator, Principal Investigator, Senator Walter Rand Institute for Public Affairs
2019-2023 Research Project Coordinator, Senator Walter Rand Institute for Public Affairs
2019-2020 Graduate Research Assistant, Senator Walter Rand Institute for Public Affairs
2017 – 2019 Research Associate, Community Leadership Center
2015 – 2018 Relationships, Health and Aging Laboratory; Dr. Kristin August, Research Assistant (undergraduate and graduate)
2015 – 2018 Culture, Cognition, and Development Laboratory; Dr. Sean Duffy, Research Assistant (undergraduate and graduate)
2016 – 2017 Dr. Oscar Holmes IV; Paid Research Assistant
2016 Risk & Resilience Lab; Dr. Courtenay Cavanaugh (undergraduate)
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
2023-Present Salem City Housing Commissioner
2023-Present AD Hoc Abstract reviewer Society for Prevention Research
2022-Present Rutgers University Strategic Planning Committee Member
2019-Present Founding member and contributor, Walter Rand Institute Public Papers (WRIPP) Writing Group.
2016-2018 AD Hoc Manuscript Reviewer
2016-2017 Student Health Advisory Board
2016-2017 Graduate Student Advisory Board
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
2023-Present Sr. Project Coordinator, Senator Walter Rand Institute for Public Affairs, Camden NJ
2020-2023 Project Coordinator, Senator Walter Rand Institute for Public Affairs, Camden NJ
2018-2023 Marketing Assistant, Premiere Behavioral Supports, Sicklerville NJ
2014- Present Wine Tasting Steward Associate, Tomasello Winery, Hammonton NJ
2019-2020 Graduate Research Assistant, Senator Walter Rand Institute for Public Affairs, Camden NJ
2017-2019 Research Associate, Rutgers Camden Community Leadership Center
2017 Writing Assistant, Camden NJ
2016 – 2017 Rutgers University Graduate Advisor, Camden NJ
2016 – 2017 Allied Health Coordinator, Rowan College at Gloucester County, Sewell NJ
2016 Philadelphia Inquirer, Craig Laban transcriber (Internship)
2013 – 2015 Preferred Behavioral Health, Lakewood NJ (Internship)
2013 – 2016 Ancora Psychiatric Hospital, Hammonton NJ
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
2017-2019 Part Time Lecturer, Minority and Inter-group Relations, Atlantic Cape Community College, Cape May NJ
2016 Guest Lecturer, “Native American Aging Population” Psychology of Aging undergraduate course, Rutgers University, Camden NJ
2016 Teaching Assistant, Psychology of Aging Rutgers University, Camden NJ
2015 Guest Lecturer, “Research Methods Feedback” Research Methods undergraduate course, Rutgers University, Camden NJ
HONORS, AWARDS & MEMBERSHIPS
2023 Dean’s Graduate Conference Travel Grant
2018 Rutgers Camden Graduate School Award
2017 Smithsonian Earth Optimism Summit Scholarship
2017 Graduate Merit Fellowship, Rutgers University, Camden
2016 David & Dorothy Cooper Scholarship, Rutgers, Camden
2016 Psychology Department Conference Travel Grant
2016 Dean’s Graduate Conference Travel Grant
2016-2018 Member, American Psychological Association
2016-2018 Member, Association for Psychological Science
2015 Member, Psi Chi, The International Honor Society in Psychology
2014-2018 Dean’s List, Rutgers University
Rutgers University Camden
Office Address: 411 Cooper St, Camden, NJ 08102
Office Phone: 856-225-2195