Hello!

My name is Bradley Susskind, and I’m a first-year medical student at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School. I’m writing to express my interest in getting involved with research through the Rutgers Addiction Research Center (RARC).

I have a strong and growing interest in addiction psychiatry and addiction medicine, particularly research focused on the clinical, behavioral, and psychosocial dimensions of substance use disorders and related mental health outcomes. Prior to medical school, I worked in clinical research at NYU Langone for three years, where I gained experience supporting ongoing studies and collaborating with multidisciplinary research teams.

I’m open to different types of projects and roles and would be excited to contribute in any capacity that’s helpful. As an MS1 currently in the organ systems curriculum, I’m mindful of balancing academics, but I’m very motivated to stay engaged and am looking for opportunities that offer some flexibility.

If any faculty or research groups within RARC are looking for medical student involvement, or if there are projects where my background might be a good fit, I would love to connect (bs949@njms.rutgers.edu) and learn more. Thank you for your time!!

My name is Theodore (Teddy) Koide, and I graduated from Bates College in 2023 with a degree in Biology, Chemistry, and Public Health. I am currently a postbaccalaureate IRTA fellow at the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) at the NIH, where I conduct clinical research in Dr. Vijay Ramchandani’s Human Psychopharmacology Laboratory.

My work focuses on the pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and genetics underlying risk for alcohol use disorder, as well as neurobehavioral traits such as impulsivity and reward sensitivity. Through this role, I work closely with participants undergoing intravenous alcohol administration and rehabilitation protocols and contribute to behavioral assessment, study coordination, and data analysis. These experiences have strongly shaped my goal of becoming a future psychiatrist focused on addiction.

I am seeking a full-time role as a research assistant, coordinator, or lab manager for the next year while I apply to medical school. As a New Jersey native, I am especially excited about the opportunity to return home and continue contributing to alcohol and addiction research at Rutgers.

I would greatly appreciate the opportunity to discuss whether my background may be a good fit for your lab. I can be reached at teddykoide@gmail.com. I have attached my CV for reference. 

Thank you very much for your time and consideration.

Hello,

My name is Shey Barooah, and I’m a graduate student in the Master of Applied Psychology program at Rutgers GSAPP. I’m currently looking to build sustained research experience in addiction and co-occurring mental health conditions, particularly in clinically oriented and treatment-focused research.

My interests include substance use and its intersection with anxiety, trauma, emotion regulation, maladaptive coping, treatment engagement, and other co-occurring psychopathology. I’m especially interested in research that helps clarify why certain behavioral patterns develop and how those findings can inform more effective assessment and intervention.

My clinical experience includes crisis intervention as a Crisis Counselor with Crisis Text Line and recent work in an intensive behavioral program for children and adolescents with selective mutism, where I gained experience with exposure-based strategies, behavioral observation, and collaborative clinical discussion. Through my graduate training, I’m also continuing to strengthen my skills in research design, quantitative methods, and data analysis.

I’m interested in contributing to a Rutgers lab in either a volunteer or paid research assistant capacity. Ideally, I’m looking for a role where I can contribute consistently, develop progressively greater responsibility, and build substantive research skills over time.

I’d be happy to share my CV and discuss whether my background might be useful to any current or upcoming projects. Please feel free to contact me through the forum or at my Rutgers email (sb2330@scarletmail.rutgers.edu).

Thank you for your time and consideration!

Hi! My name is Valentina Castrillon, and I graduated from Rutgers University–Newark with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in Cognitive Neuroscience. I later received my Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Fairleigh Dickinson University and currently work as a substance use and mental health therapist. During my time at Rutgers, I had the opportunity to serve as a research assistant in two different labs. These experiences fostered a strong and lasting interest in research and its role in advancing both clinical practice and professional development. I am currently seeking opportunities to become involved in research in any capacity where my academic background and clinical experience may be valuable. I am preparing to apply to PhD programs in Clinical Psychology for Fall 2027 and am particularly interested in gaining additional research experience prior to this. I would greatly appreciate the opportunity to contribute to any ongoing or upcoming research projects that may align with my academic and professional background. I am open to a variety of roles and would be eager to learn, contribute, and further develop my research skills. Thank you for considering my inquiry. I would be grateful for the opportunity to connect and learn more about any potential research opportunities. You can reach me at valens2297@gmail.com