Les Engels
Phone: (215) 459-3973 706 Cottage Ave. Le207@scarletmail.rutgers.edu Lindenwold, NJ 08021
EDUCATION
Rutgers Camden, Prevention Science September 2024-Present
PhD Student
BA Rutgers Camden, Psychology May 2024
Honors College
Minored in English
AA Camden County College, Psychology and Environmental Science May 2023
Honors Program, President’s List
Temple University, Metals, Jewelry, CAD/CAM September 1995-July 2001
Education Minor
HONORS AND AWARDS
NJ Shade Tree Federation Conference Travel Award 2025
Given by New Jersey Tree Foundation
Rutgers University CURE Community First Fellowship 2025
Travel Award Society of Prevention Research National Conference 2025
Charles Kaden Memorial Award for Psychology 2024
Psi Chi 2024
International Honor Society in Psychology
Psi Beta President’s Scholarship 2023
Camden County College Honors Program Transfer Scholarship 2023
Macmillan Learning Emerging Researcher Award 2022
Psi Beta 2022
National Psychology Honor Society for Two-Year Colleges
Phi Theta Kappa 2021
National Honor Society for Two-Year Colleges
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Rutgers Camden, Department of Psychology September 2025-Present
Teaching Assistant: Method and Theory, Dr. Guannan Shen
Rutgers Camden, Department of Psychology September 2024-May 2025
Teaching Assistant: Method and Theory, Dr. Lauren Daniel
• Supported instruction in undergraduate research methods and theoretical foundations.
• Provided feedback on student papers, research proposals, and literature reviews.
• Graded assignments with focus on clarity, structure, and methodological accuracy.
• Led small-group discussions and guided in-class activities.
• Assisted with course logistics administration.
• Lectured on Research Methods and APA Style.
The Arboretum at UUCCH, Cherry Hill, NJ July 2018 to June 2021
Instructor: Sustainability and Horticulture
• Instructed environmental education classes to adults and underserved children.
• Maintained accurate student records and monitored their progress.
• Prepared curriculum and lesson plans for all coursework.
• Encouraged student participation through engaging lessons focused on Connection with Nature in their local environment.
Temple University, Tyler School of Art, Elkins Park, PA May 1998 to August 2001
Teaching Assistant: Metals, Jewelry, and CAD/CAM
• Assisted in the instruction of the course 3D Design.
• Supervised students during class times, ensuring a safe and inclusive learning environment.
• Maintained accurate student records and monitored their progress.
• Assisted in the preparation and organization of class materials.
PRESENTATIONS AND INVITED LECTURES
Engels, L, Colbert, M, Meloni-Scavuzzo, A. (2023, August 4). To Believe or Not to Believe?
How Major and Psychology Course Experience Affect Scientific Views of Psychology. [Poster
Presentation] 2023 National American Psychological Association. Washington D.C.
Engels, L. (2022, April 9). Developing Stewardship Through Disrupting Trends Away from Urbanization
and Towards Environmental Education and Green Spaces. [Conference
Session] 2022 Northeast Regional Honors Conference, Philadelphia, PA
PROFESSIONAL TRAINING
CITI Research Study Design (2025)
• Training in methodological planning, ethical considerations, and study implementation.
CITI Essentials of Research Administration (2025)
• Training in compliance, grant management, and regulatory responsibilities.
CITI Data & Specimen Only Research Investigators (2025)
• Training in ethical and regulatory requirements for data and biospecimen research.
CITI Human Subjects (2023)
• Learned the core ethical and regulatory foundations for conducting human subjects’ research.
QPR Gatekeeper Training- Blackwood, New Jersey (2023)
• How to Question, Persuade, and Refer someone who may be suicidal to a professional
• How to get help for yourself or learn more about preventing suicide
• The common causes of suicidal behavior
• The warning signs of suicide
• How to get help for someone in crisis
Our Whole Lives Sexuality Education Certification- Cherry Hill, New Jersey (2020)
·Taught to equip participants with age-appropriate information on human development, relationships, personal skills,
sexual behavior, sexual health, and society and culture.
·Learned how to help participants make informed and responsible decisions about their sexual health and behavior.
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
Community First Fellow, Y-Plan June 2025-Present
Rutgers – Camden, Center for Urban Research and Engagement
Principle Investigator: Dr. Stephen Danley
• Trained in community-engaged pedagogies
• Reported on the progress of vacant lot “activation” projects, which allowed increased usage, social interaction,
and community engagement through creative design elements, programming, and participatory initiatives.
• Worked with stakeholders and funders to address concerns from both parties, which ensured a positive outcome
for the community.
Research Assistant, Growing Up with Guns Project 2024-2025
Rutgers School of Social Work, Center for Research on Ending Violence
Principal Investigator: Dr. Victoria Banyard
• Conducted literature reviews and synthesized findings concerning bystanders involved with Gun Violence Exposure.
• Participated in research meetings and collaborated on project planning.
• Contributing to literature review, data analysis, and writing on trauma-informed bystander response post
Gun Violence Exposure.
Research Assistant, The Decision Lab 2023-2024
Rutgers Camden, Department of Psychology
Principle Investigator: Dr. Sean Duffy
• Assisted with survey development and data cleaning in the NJ Offshore Wind Energy Project.
• Supported laboratory studies examining the regulation of automatic imitation.
• Directed lab activities and guided participants through study protocols during research sessions.
Psi Beta National Research Project 2022-2023
Camden County College
Advisors: Michael Colbert PsyD, Alison Meloni PhD
• Surveyed participants to gather data for an annual research project on “Psycholgy as a Science.”
• Coded data in SPSS.
• Analyzed data to establish correlations.
• Generated Graphs through SPSS for use in a research project.
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
American Psychological Association 2022-Present
APA Campus Ambassador 2023-2024
Society for Prevention Research 2023-Present
National Prevention Science Coalition to Improve Lives 2023-Present
COMMUNITY SERVICE
Rutgers Master Gardener 2020 -Present
Camden and Burlington County
Prevent Child Abuse New Jersey 2021-Present
Camden County
Free Book Project 2019-Present
Camden County
Environmental Commissioner 2017-2022
Borough of Lindenwold
Green Team Member 2017-2022
Borough of Lindenwold
LANGUAGES
English: Native Language
Spanish: Intermediate Listener, Novice Speaker, Basic Reading, and Writing
SKILLS
Applications: SPSS, R, Adobe Creative Suite, Microsoft Office Suite, Stata, Nvivo