Aspiring Leaders Cohort 2026-27

Dr Brown is an Associate Professor in Rehabilitation and Movement Sciences, Doctoral Program in Physical Therapy. She is responsible for teaching Applied Kinesiology and Movement Analysis, Musculoskeletal I, Running Injury and 2-D Analysis and acts as a small group facilitator for Clinical Inquiry III. Dr Brown’s research interests are in the field of biomechanics, specifically biomechanics of the cervical spine as it relates to sports related concussion risk and recovery as well as biomechanics of running injuries in the high school and collegiate runner. She has published several articles and presented nationally on these topics. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Physical Therapy from The University of Vermont and a Master of Arts in Pathokinesiology from New York University. She then received a PhD in Physical Therapy from Temple University.

Amanda D Allen is approaching 20 years of experience as an ally and advocate for faculty applying for research funding. With both pre and post award expertise she has drafted policies, developed tools, and reduced the administrative load for her grant seeking colleagues. While navigating bureaucratic processes is a special skill, Amanda is very values-driven. In 2019 she was drawn by the mission of the Rutgers School of Public Health and has since been energized by the important work and inspiring people here. As the Preaward Grants Manager for the school she facilitates the submission process and liaises both internally and externally to ensure compliance and competitiveness for SPH projects.

Angelica Costa is the Program Supervisor for the Department of Physician Assistant Studies and Practice at Rutgers University, where she oversees staff operations, admissions and recruitment, onboarding, and accreditation support for the PA program. She has prior experience in higher education admissions and has worked extensively in student recruitment, application review, and onboarding throughout her career. Angelica earned a Master of Arts in College Student Personnel Administration from Seton Hall University and a Bachelor of Arts in English from Siena College. She also has an interest in higher education research and professional development, and she is actively engaged in service through the Physician Assistant Education Association, including the Administrative Professionals in PA Education Special Interest Group and its PA Program Administrative Handbook Task Force.

Caroline E.S. Harris serves as the Interprofessional Programs Coordinator in the Office of Interprofessional Programs at Rutgers Health. In this position, she coordinates interprofessional education (IPE) programs and events for students and faculty across Rutgers Health’s schools, acts as the primary staff liaison to the Rutgers Health Interprofessional Education Faculty Advisory Council and its subcommittees, and supports the Vice Chancellor for Interprofessional Education in advancing the Office’s overall mission. In addition, she contributes to a variety of interprofessional initiatives that foster collaboration among health professions. Through her prior academic and community-based nonprofit experience, Caroline has developed a passion for improving health care access among underserved communities and expanding collaborative learning opportunities across disciplines. She earned a Bachelor of Arts from Douglass College, Rutgers University and a Master of Public Health from the Rutgers School of Public Health.

Chintan Dave, a pharmacoepidemiologist and health services researcher, is an Associate Professor of Pharmacy and Epidemiology at Rutgers University and the Director at Center for Health Outcomes, Policy, and Economics (HOPE). He received his pharmacy degree from St. Louis College of Pharmacy (2012), his Ph.D. in Pharmacoepidemiology from University of Florida (2017) and post-doctoral fellowship training from Harvard Medical School (2019). He has conducted several observational studies on the safety, effectiveness, and disparities relating to medication use and outcomes. More broadly, his work leverages large real world databases and applies advanced statistical and causal inference methods to derive estimates of medication risks and benefits. He has led projects that have culminated in publications in leading journals like NEJM, Annals of Internal Medicine, Circulation, Diabetes Care, JAMA: Internal Medicine, and JAMA: Neurology. He is the PI to over $13 million in NIH and industry funding, including two R01 awards from NHLBI and NIDDK, and a research award from Breakthrough T1D (formerly JDRF).

Denise L. Epps serves as the Assistant Director of Education Services and Support in the Offices of Education and Student Affairs at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School (NJMS). With more than 35 years of dedicated service to NJMS, she has spent most of her career in student-focused departments, supporting learners and contributing to their academic success. Most recently, Denise secured funding through an IDEAS Grant to establish the Rutgers New Jersey Medical School Leadership Development and Mentoring Academy, a program designed to support and develop NJMS student organization leaders. Her longstanding commitment to fostering an inclusive, supportive, and student-centered environment was recognized in 2025 when she received the Rutgers Health Chancellor’s Inclusive Culture and Impact Award. Denise is widely respected for her dedication to education, student support, and advancing a culture of excellence, leadership, and belonging within the NJMS community. Denise holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management with a concentration in Human Resources from Bloomfield College (1996). She later earned a Paralegal Certification from Essex County College (2015) and completed her Executive Master of Public Administration (EMPA) at Rutgers University–Camden in 2019, further strengthening her expertise in administration, leadership, and organizational management.

Haoqian Chen, PhD, serves as Director of Sponsored Research for the Center for Pharmacoepidemiology and Treatment Science (PETS) within Rutgers’ Institute for Health, Health Care Policy and Aging Research. She provides strategic and operational leadership for a diverse portfolio of real-world evidence studies by advancing data governance, regulatory compliance, and cross-functional collaboration to enable high-impact scientific research. Dr. Chen joined Rutgers in 2017 as part of the founding team that launched PETS. Since then, she has played a central role in developing the Center’s research infrastructure, strengthening research administration and operational support, expanding secure research data capabilities, and enabling the successful execution of large-scale sponsored programs. Before joining Rutgers, Dr. Chen earned a bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from Princeton University and completed research training at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) as a Postbaccalaureate Research Fellow. She went on to earn both a master’s and a doctoral degree in Biomedical Engineering from Columbia University before transitioning into research administration and operations.

Dr. Huaye Zhang received her Bachelor of Science degree in biology from the University of Science and Technology of China. She then obtained her PhD in cell biology from the University of Virginia, working with Dr. Rick Horwitz. She completed postdoctoral training in Dr. Ian Macara’s laboratory at the University of Virginia, supported by a John Douglas French Alzheimer’s Foundation Fellowship, an Alzheimer’s and Related Diseases Research Award Fund, a NARSAD Young Investigator Award, and a K99/R00 Pathway to Independence Award from NIH. Dr. Zhang is currently a Professor and Vice Chair of the Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology at the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. The main focus of her lab is on the role of Par polarity proteins in synaptic plasticity. She has also extended her studies into the mechanisms of neurodevelopmental disorders and neurodegeneration, in particular the pathogenic mechanisms of autism spectrum disorders (ASD), Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and neuro-immune interactions. Her laboratory has been able to collectively publish extensive analyses of the role of Par polarity proteins in various neurodevelopmental and degenerative processes including dendritic spine plasticity, AD pathogenesis, and neuroinflammation.

Kiley Edward Trott, MD, is an Assistant Professor of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery in the Division of Pediatric Otolaryngology at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and an attending pediatric otolaryngologist at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital. His clinical and academic work focuses on pediatric airway, otologic, and aerodigestive disorders, with particular interests in multidisciplinary care, simulation-based education, patient safety, and quality improvement. He is active in national educational and professional service through the American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, the American Society of Pediatric Otolaryngology, and the International Society for the Study of Vascular Anomalies, and he has contributed to trainee development through lectures, simulation courses, mentorship, and research supervision. Dr. Trott earned his Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences from Stanford University and his Doctor of Medicine from Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. He completed his residency in Otolaryngology at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, followed by fellowship training in Pediatric Otolaryngology at the Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin/Medical College of Wisconsin. Before joining Rutgers in 2024, he served on the faculty at Yale University School of Medicine, where he also held leadership roles in quality and safety within the Department of Surgery.

Mackey R. Friedman, Ph.D., M.P.H., is an associate professor for the Urban Global Health Department at the Rutgers School of Public Health. Dr. Friedman has spent more than ten years of community-based public health practice in Minnesota and Pennsylvania. Dr. Friedman’s research examines the social and behavioral drivers of infectious and chronic disease outcomes. He has built a research agenda integrating social, infectious disease, and chronic disease epidemiology. His work has been published in top academic journals, including the Lancet, AIDS, and American Journal of Public Health. He currently serves as co-chair of the Psychosocial and Behavioral Working Group for the MACS/WIHS Combined Cohort Study.

With more than 17 years of service at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Mercedes Padilla-Register has developed extensive expertise in academic medicine administration, student affairs, and institutional operations. Serving in a director-level leadership role, she oversees key student support initiatives, leads cross-departmental collaborations, manages staff and major institutional processes, and drives operational improvements that enhance both efficiency and student success. Mrs. Padilla-Register’s background combines leadership in higher education with a strong commitment to student development and well-being. Her experience includes managing pathway programs, supporting faculty development initiatives, contributing to grant-funded projects, and advancing programs that promote student achievement. Supported by a counseling degree and doctoral studies in Organizational Leadership in Higher Education, she brings a holistic, student-centered approach and a passion for creating environments where students can thrive academically and personally.

Dr. Do is the assistant director of the pediatric emergency medicine department at the Bristol-Myers Squibb Children’s Hospital and was recently promoted to associate professor for Rutgers University/Robert wood Johnson middle school. As the administrative assistant director, Dr. Do, supports the department head in clinical academic and research missions. Dr. Do, is also actively involved in mentoring medical students who rotate through the pediatric department as well as pediatric residents and masters degree candidates. He also acts as a pediatric director for our Robert Johnson / Barnabas health EMS in New Brunswick, and is also the director of the pediatric EMS elective and the pediatric procedure elective. Dr. Do earned his bachelor degree in biochemistry at the university of California in Los Angeles, he earned his medical degree at the Chicago medical school part of the the Rosalind Franklin university, he completed his pediatric residency at Rutgers/Robert Wood Johnson in New Brunswick, fellowship in pediatric emergency medicine at the University of Rochester and his master of clinical investigation also at the university of Rochester. He’s an active member and Fellow of the American Academy of pediatric

Omayra Mercado serves as the Special Assistant to the Executive Vice Dean at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School (NJMS), providing executive-level support and managing projects and initiatives that advance the mission and operational goals of the medical school. She also serves as the Department Administrator for the NJMS Department of Family Medicine, where she provides strategic oversight of the department’s administrative, operational, financial, and human resources functions. In partnership with the Department Chair, she supports the department’s clinical, academic, and strategic priorities, including financial planning, faculty affairs, practice operations, and community initiatives. Her expertise includes project management, operational planning, contract administration, and organizational effectiveness. She regularly collaborates with faculty, staff, and institutional leaders across the medical school to support key priorities and advance organizational goals. Omayra is committed to fostering collaboration and supporting efforts that strengthen the core missions and goals of NJMS. She holds both a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science degree, which complement her professional experience.

Rashida Callender-Nelson is the Institutional Administrator for Graduate Medical Education (GME) at Rutgers Health, where she supports educational quality, accreditation, and compliance across residency and fellowship programs. She is passionate about developing healthcare education professionals and fostering environments that support learner success. Through her work, Rashida contributes to shaping the next generation of healthcare providers while advancing the mission of Rutgers Health. She holds bachelor’s degrees from Binghamton University (SUNY) and Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology, and a Master of Healthcare Administration from Seton Hall University.

Tracy Louisse S. Chacon is a seasoned higher education professional with more than a decade of experience in academic operations, enrollment management, and student success. As Director of Enrollment Services at Rutgers School of Dental Medicine, she oversees student registration, academic records, and institutional policy compliance. She collaborates across academic and administrative units to streamline processes, improve operational efficiency, and enhance the student experience from matriculation through graduation. Prior to joining Rutgers, Tracy held several leadership roles at Saint Peter’s University, where she spearheaded initiatives that improved student retention, strengthened academic advising, and contributed to securing approximately $7 million in grant funding. Her work has consistently focused on creating systems and policies that promote student success while advancing institutional goals. Tracy holds a Master of Arts in Education and a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Saint Peter’s University and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Education (EdD) in Leadership and Innovation at Purdue Global University. She is passionate about advancing student success through data-informed leadership, strategic planning, and continuous process improvement. Tracy remains actively engaged in the higher education community through university committees and professional organizations.