Educator Is Named Director of Research Development at Rutgers School of Nursing

In a newly created role, Alexandria Carey will support translational research and workforce development through partnerships across Rutgers and beyond

Alexandria Carey, an educator, nurse scientist and leader in translational research workforce development, has been named director of research development and assistant professor in the Division of Nursing Science at Rutgers School of Nursing.

Carey, who starts on July 1, brings more than 26 years of experience in clinical practice, nursing education and training and academic leadership and scholarship to the newly created role. Before joining Rutgers, she was the assistant director of translational workforce development and research navigation at the University of Florida Clinical and Translational Science Institute.

She also served as the associate dean of nursing and an assistant professor at Rasmussen University College of Nursing. Her experience in health care settings spans clinical research nursing, emergency and trauma care and nursing education and workforce development.

"We are delighted to welcome Dr. Carey to Rutgers School of Nursing," said Angela Starkweather, dean and professor. "She joins a school with strong research leadership, accomplished faculty scholars and highly dedicated students. Her experience and expertise will help us build on that foundation to advance research that supports nurses and improves health outcomes for patients, families and communities across the state."

At Rutgers School of Nursing, Carey will play a crucial role in expanding translational research - work that turns evidence into practical improvements in care - through partnerships that unite academic and health care institutions, researchers, nursing faculty, students and clinicians.

She will serve as the school's representative to the New Jersey Alliance for Clinical and Translational Science (NJ ACTS), a Rutgers-led partnership that supports interdisciplinary research to improve the health of patients, communities and populations.

In collaboration with NJ ACTS, Carey will lead efforts to develop and implement a formal workforce development model to expand translational research training for nurses and interprofessional research teams, strengthening their ability to design, conduct and apply studies that can be used in practice.

Carey will work closely with Charlotte Thomas-Hawkins, professor and associate dean of the Division of Nursing Science and Leorey Saligan, professor and vice dean of research.

"This new role is essential to expanding our school's scientific footprint and strengthening the research infrastructure," Saligan said. "Dr. Carey will help research teams better navigate university-wide resources and develop robust lines of support for research programs, training and workforce development. By leveraging the expertise, initiatives and clinical partnerships already in place across Rutgers, Rutgers Health, NJ ACTS and our broader networks, we can accelerate collaborative, practice-informed research that improves care and health outcomes."

Dr. Carey will help research teams better navigate university-wide resources and develop robust lines of support for research programs, training and workforce development.

Leorey Saligan

Professor and Vice Dean of Research

Carey holds national credentials as a certified nurse educator, certified emergency nurse and certified pediatric emergency nurse. She maintained an active practice as a clinical research nurse at the University of Florida, where she earned her doctoral degree in nursing with a research focus on implementation science and digital health innovation.

Carey's honors include the 2025 Excellence in Research Award from the University of Florida College of Nursing doctoral degree program and Nightingale national and regional awards from Rasmussen University.

"My vision is to advance nursing programs and practices through the integration of academic, clinical and research systems," Carey said. "I see a unique opportunity at Rutgers to strengthen nursing through translational workforce development and support excellence in teaching, scholarship, service and practice."