Jeffrey A. Butts is the director of the Research and Evaluation Center. His work focuses on policies and programs for at-risk and disconnected youth, especially those involved with the justice system. Previously, he was a research fellow with Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago, director of the Program on Youth Justice at the Urban Institute in Washington, DC, and senior research associate at the National Center for Juvenile Justice. Jeff is a graduate of the University of Oregon and he earned the Ph.D. in sociology and social work from the University of Michigan.

Sheyla Delgado is a research analyst in the Research and Evaluation Center. During 2012-2013, she was a Rudin Fellow in Applied Justice Research and a second year student in the M.A. program in criminal justice at John Jay College, specializing in criminology & deviance. Sheyla is interested in working with vulnerable hard to reach populations, including justice-involved youth. She is currently working on research projects focused on efforts to reduce gun violence. She graduated from Florida State University in 2008 with a B.A. in criminology and a B.A. in international affairs.

Kendra Gentry is the research director for the Fellowship Program at the Research and Evaluation Center. She is currently a doctoral student in the criminal justice program at John Jay College of Criminal Justice. Her dissertation focuses on electronic device theft within public transit systems. Kendra holds a M.S. in criminology from the University of Pennsylvania and a B.S. in journalism from the University of Florida.

Evan Misshula is a statistical analyst with the Research and Evaluation Center. His work focuses on establishing causality with empirical data. He has published work on the impact of incarceration on HIV transmission, the structure of methamphetamine markets in New York City, and social position and the risk for suicide. His work has been supported by grants from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. Cyberchallenge, and the Steve and Elly Hammerman Foundation. Evan is a graduate of Yale University and a Ph.D. candidate at John Jay College and the City University of New York.

Laura Negredo is a research analyst with the Research and Evaluation Center and a masters student in the International Crime and Justice program at John Jay College of Criminal Justice. Originally from Spain, Laura worked for the Spanish National Penitentiary Administration for seven years. She worked as a correctional psychologist in several national prisons, and was the Head of National Probation Services in Spain from 2008 to 2011. She earned a Masters in Clinical, Legal, and Forensic Psychology from the Complutense University in Madrid and a Masters in Forensic and Criminal Psychopathology from the Camilo Jose Cela University in Madrid.

Rhoda Ramdeen is the managing research assistant at the Research and Evaluation Center. Prior to joining the Center staff in 2010, she was an assistant to the director of the Business and Finance Department at John Jay College. Before that, she held positions with the Nassau County (NY) Court, the New York State Assembly, and New York City’s Investigation, Revenue & Enforcement Administration. Ms. Ramdeen holds a BA in forensic psychology from John Jay College of Criminal Justice, where she is currently pursuing a masters degree in public administration.

Kathleen Tomberg is a research analyst, project director of the YouthBuild USA quality assessment project, and IRB Officer (Institutional Review Board) for the Research and Evaluation Center. She also worked on an evaluation of a therapeutic program for incarcerated adolescents, the creation of a youth reentry directory, and the study of sexual abuse of minors within the Catholic Church. Kathy is a graduate of Furman University and she earned the masters in forensic mental health counseling from the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, City University of New York.