I’m Les Engels, a PhD student in Prevention Science at Rutgers University–Camden and a Rutgers Camden, Center for Urban Research and Engagement, Community First Fellow with the Y-PLAN initiative. My research centers on how urban greening can serve as an intervention to build resilience, strengthen social support, and foster collective efficacy in communities, with a secondary focus on the health impacts of gun violence exposure, especially its overlooked link to chronic pain.

Before pursuing research, I built a creative foundation through writing and art, which continues to shape the way I connect science with people’s lived experiences. I’ve taught courses in psychology, environmental education, and design, and I’m committed to making research collaborative and accessible.

Outside of academics, I’m a Rutgers Master Gardener and longtime volunteer in Camden and Lindenwold, where I’ve worked on environmental commissions, free book projects, and child abuse prevention efforts. I also find balance through music, art, the Phillies, and spending time with my beagle, Lord Percival, who keeps me grounded.

At the heart of my work is a belief that research should not only generate knowledge but also help communities heal, grow, and thrive. I hope to help be a part of that, one tree at a time.