Lab Members

Juan Rios holds a Bachelor of Social Work (Southern Connecticut State University) and Masters of Social Work (Rutgers University), and a Doctorate degree in Social Work (Rutgers University).He is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Certified Sex Offender treatment specialist, Certified Hypnotherapist, EMDR therapist and TEAM CBT therapist. He also holds a certificate of Non-profit Leadership (Fordham University) and Certified Mental Health First Aid Instructor. Dr. Rios is currently a full-time faculty professor at Seton Hall University. He has served as the Director of the Master of Social Work program at Seton Hall University. Prior to joining Seton Hall University, he was a part time lecturer at Rutgers University and ranked adjunct lecturer at New York University.His engaged scholarship has focused on the trauma narratives of Latinx migrant women. He has conducted research with undocumented children in the United States around the effectiveness of Mindfulness in the classroom. He has facilitated international research intervention with migrant children in schools in China and authored various publications on the positive effects of holistic interventions in classroom. He has also served as a research fellow at the Huamin China Foundation at Rutgers University and provided trainings and lectures nationally and internationally on philanthropy, social justice, trauma, men and masculinity and mindfulness. His research has studied the traumatic effects of migration and issues surrounding masculinity and depression. Most notably, his publications on Mental Health and Policing have reached national platforms and raised important questions around wellness and safety.

Dr. Amml Hussein is the Director of Research at the Council on Social Work Education where she promotes quality in research curricula across methods and paradigms in undergraduate and graduate programs. A seasoned social worker, educator and researcher, Dr. Hussein brings more than 13 years of service experience in diverse practice domains including teaching research methodology, instructional design, private group practice, utilization management, and psychiatric crisis stabilization. Dr. Hussein serves as a peer mentor for the National Science Foundation and has served on numerous diversity, equity, and inclusion panels.
Some of her research interests include integrating anti-oppressive and empowerment models into curriculum, social and emotional predictive models, developing mentoring models to support early-stage faculty and researchers, and pathways for diverse faculty to tenure lines in academia. Dr. Hussein has experience chairing conference symposia and teaching paper panels for the Eastern Psychological Association. Dr. Hussein also lectures at Rutgers School of Social Work where she teaches Undergraduate and Graduate students in several courses including Research Methods and Human Behavior in the Social Environment.
Dr. Hussein earned her doctorate in educational leadership and administration at East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania. Her master’s degree in clinical social work was completed at the Rutgers School of Social Work with a certificate in violence against women and children. Dr. Hussein graduated from the honor's program with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and media studies and social work and a minor in psychology from the Rutgers School of the Arts and Sciences. Her work has been recognized by the United States Senate and General Assembly with a Citation for Leadership and Academic Excellence.

Priscilla Carmona is co-owner of SCORES Reentry and will has graduated from the School of Social Services at Fordham University in December 2019. Currently, she is a Licensed Social Worker and has dedicated her life to service those impacted by incarceration and addiction. SCORES Reentry was created on the basis of second chances, providing each individual impacted by incarceration and addiction with services that include employment, mentorship, case management and advocacy. Priscilla understands firsthand the impact of being involved in the criminal justice system, and when she was 19 years old faced insurmountable consequences of being an unsupervised, delinquent and abandoned youth. One particular detective advocated strongly for her, helped her get back into school and firmly mentored her, even when she did not think she wanted it. Priscilla is an advocate on both micro and macro levels, providing direct client services as well as collaborating with political and community stakeholders for laws that will change the face of reintegration. In all, Priscilla is proud and honored to be a voice for those who are not heard. She believes in the power of the human family, as we are each called to protect the human rights and social justice of all.

Evan Collier is an accomplished compliance professional with a diverse background spanning law, sports, mental health, and wellness. He currently serves as Chief of Staff for an elected official of the General Assembly in Union County, directing the progression of 41 bills through the New Jersey legislature to become state law. Collier has set the record for his Assembly member in the ’22-’23 legislative session with the most bills written and signed into law by any freshmen legislator in history. 

Concurrently, he is pursuing his Juris Doctor degree as a first-year law student at Massachusetts School of Law. Following his high school graduation, Collier earned a football scholarship to Assumption College, where he excelled in Division 2 football before transferring to Southern Connecticut State University, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. He later obtained his Master’s degree from Fordham Law School, specializing in Corporate Ethics and Compliance. 

Resia Cooper, MSW is a macro social worker with a passion for student success and bridging the gap between social work students and professionals. Resia’s current 9-5 role is at the National Association of Social Workers New Jersey and Delaware chapter as an Engagement Coordinator.  Resia is also the founder of Social Work Student Success Solutions a consultant firm that supports future and current social work students from application to graduation. A New York native and Fordham Graduate School of Social Services Alum Resia prides herself on promoting human rights, justice and access to all. A key goal of Resia as a social worker is to provide a safe learning environment in and out the classroom that is conducive to supporting all learning styles. Resia’s hobbies include collecting perfume and recording videos for her YouTube channel faith, family and social work intersect. Resia is certifications include Dare to Lead and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the workplace.  As a teacher by nature, she is also a Google I AM Remarkable facilitator and offers free empowerment webinars.

Hongyi "Bruce" Yu is a candidate for the MSU program at New York University's (NYU) Silver School of Social Work. He completed his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology from Michigan State University (MSU), where he also worked as an undergraduate teaching assistant in the Psychology department. Upon graduation from MSU, Bruce enrolled in the NYU New York-Shanghai Program and accepted his clinical training as a clinical Social Worker Intern at United Family Hospital during his first year in Shanghai. After moving to New York, Bruce shifted his focus to the macro perspective of social work and is currently serving as an administrator and research assistant in public policy research at Rio's lab.

Alli Joseph is a seasoned journalist, content producer, documentary filmmaker, and family historian with many years of creative agency experience.  She has been a contributing senior editor and supervising producer for Salon.com, and worked for networks like NBC, CBS News, Vh1, Time Inc., and Food Network. A McCormick Tribune Foundation Fellow, Poynter Institute Fellow and consulting faculty member of the Maynard Institute for Journalism Education, Alli also teaches primary school to post-graduate entrepreneurial journalism. Alli is Chair of the Council of Advisors for the Association on American Indian Affairs, one of the oldest Native American advocacy organizations in the US and produced the PBS documentary CONSCIENCE POINT (Independent Lens).  A graduate of Vassar College and an MSW candidate at Seton Hall University, Alli holds an advanced certificate in executive media management from Northwestern University's Medill and Kellogg schools. As a Native New Yorker, Alli is a citizen of the Shinnecock Indian Nation; she is further developing her research skills through the RIOS Lab, to better serve her Indigenous community in mental and physical health care.

With over 25+ years’ experience working with vulnerable and marginalized communities. Edna is a compassionate leader with extensive theoretical and hands-on experience working in high-risk and high-stress environments with individuals experiencing complex and intersectional needs. They hold excellent understanding of and commitment to risk assessment, with strong mitigation skills, resource knowledge, and trauma informed care. They are an avid supporter of intersectional and anti-oppression practice, which aligns with their framework of non-violence and meeting individuals where they are, objectively and equitably.
Edna's client-centered, humanistic, culturally based harm reduction approach and risk reduction is grounded in their innate values, cultural beliefs, and human rights justice laws. Edna holds a strong background in consulting and senior management. They are an excellent communicator, with a proven history of building strong relationship with professionals and community to support various program developments & deliver equitable services. Edna Simmons’ work is rooted in the humane and compassion treatment of others. Their work is driven by equity.

Shayne Simmons is a dedicated candidate for the Master of Public Administration (MPA) program at Seton Hall University. He also serves as a Graduate Assistant for the MPA department. Shayne holds a dual bachelor’s degree in political science and environmental studies, reflecting his strong commitment to understanding the intersection of policy and sustainability. As an active member of the Faculty Senate Sustainability Committee, Shayne works on initiatives aimed at reducing the campus's carbon footprint and addressing food insecurity in local communities. His leadership in these efforts demonstrates his passion for environmental justice and community welfare.

In addition to his academic and professional pursuits, Shayne is a student-athlete on Seton Hall’s swim and dive team, showcasing his dedication to both his studies and personal growth. His future goals include continuing his education and pursuing a career focused on building sustainable, resilient communities in underprivileged areas. Through his involvement with the RIOS Lab, Shayne aims to deepen his research experience, contributing to meaningful projects that drive systemic change and uplift marginalized populations.

Elijah Suk hails from Northern Virginia and is an incoming freshman aspiring to attend the College of William & Mary. He has found his passion in psychology, hoping to help people reach their fullest potential mentally and emotionally. After completing an AP Research project about mental health and perspective-taking in the high-achieving school environment, he took his research a step forward and presented his findings at EPA’s 2024 Conference. With the RIOS Lab, Elijah hopes to expand his perspective, contribute to meaningful research, and seek a greater understanding to solve the world’s problems.

Marcus Santiago is a driven Cyberpsychology major at the New Jersey Institute of Technology, where he is engaged in the intersection of human behavior and technology. Being from Newark, NJ, Marcus is not only committed to his academic pursuits but also to making a meaningful difference in his community through his work. His journey in the field of Cyberpsychology is fueled by a profound curiosity about what motivates people's reactions, beliefs, and ideologies, especially in the context of digital environments. Beyond his studies, Marcus actively seeks opportunities to contribute to his community and make a positive impact. Marcus is excited to engage in research and eager to be a part of the RIOS lab team.

Allyssa Ghans was born in Newark, New Jersey but spent most of her formative years in Virginia Beach. Throughout her adolescence she always felt that the hardships she would encounter would prove to be instrumental in her future and knew it would help others going through similar situations. Her purpose in life was cemented in her mind to help others and stopped at nothing to achieve her goals. As an avid lover of animals, she initially felt her calling was to become a veterinarian as she understood the unique connection between people and their pets. While a Freshman at Radford University she changed her trajectory to Anthropological Sciences where she would find her calling in forensic sciences. With this change she wanted to be able to give a voice to the voiceless and help solve criminal cases to help families find their peace. During her senior year of her undergraduate degree, the world would face unprecedented times as the deadly Covid-19 virus wreaked havoc around the globe.  She would receive her final call to action: Social Work.As a current Master of Social Work student at Seton Hall University, she continues to impact the lives of others. Her area of expertise is currently focusing on the mental and behavioral health of adolescents with an emphasis on intellectual and developmental disabilities. With a background of anthropological sciences, she has conducted and presented prior research projects and is excited to continue doing research at the Rios Lab.