The Rutgers School of Nursing has officially announced the appointment of Alexandria Carey, an experienced nurse scientist and educator, as its first-ever director of research development and assistant professor in the Division of Nursing Science.
Carey steps into this newly created role to bolster the school’s translational research capabilities and lead workforce development initiatives. Her appointment is expected to significantly strengthen the school’s ability to bridge the gap between academic research and real-world clinical application.
Carey joins Rutgers from the University of Florida, where she served as the assistant director of translational workforce development and research navigation. At Rutgers, she will play a pivotal role in expanding translational research—the process of turning scientific evidence into practical improvements in patient care—by fostering new partnerships across the university and the broader health care community.
A key component of her responsibilities includes representing the school in the New Jersey Alliance for Clinical and Translational Science (NJ ACTS). In this capacity, Carey will develop and implement a formal model to train nurses and interprofessional teams, equipping them with the skills to design and conduct high-impact studies that inform daily clinical practice.
“This new role is essential to expanding our school’s scientific footprint and strengthening the research infrastructure,” Leorey Saligan, vice dean of research at the Rutgers School of Nursing said. “By leveraging the expertise, initiatives, and clinical partnerships already in place… we can accelerate collaborative, practice-informed research that improves care and health outcomes.”
With over 26 years of experience in the field, Carey brings a wealth of expertise spanning clinical research, emergency and trauma care, and academic leadership. Her background includes serving as associate dean of nursing at Rasmussen University College of Nursing, as well as maintaining an active practice as a clinical research nurse.
“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.”
Carey holds multiple national credentials, including as a certified nurse educator and a certified emergency nurse. She earned her doctoral degree in nursing from the University of Florida, where her research focused on implementation science and digital health innovation. Her accomplishments were recognized most recently with the 2025 Excellence in Research Award from the University of Florida College of Nursing.
Dean Angela Starkweather welcomed the appointment, noting that Carey’s expertise aligns perfectly with the school’s mission to improve health outcomes for patients, families, and communities across New Jersey.
