Meet the RAP Team
We are doctoral level researchers with expertise in both quantitative and qualitative research; statisticians experienced in multivariate modeling, time series, survival curves, matching procedures, and other computation-intensive techniques; and Tableau software certified data visualization experts.
Alicia Nystrom, Program Technician
Alicia Nystrom provides data visualization and reporting support to the RAP team. She designs and maintains quality assurance processes, designs staff training manuals, and assists with DCJ’s state and grant reporting requirements. Alicia came to RAP in 2012. Prior to that, she worked in the healthcare sector. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Oregon State University. Alicia is currently learning Swedish with plans to visit Sweden in 2018.
Corie Michaels, Data Visualization Designer
Corie Michaels is the Data Visualization Designer for RAP. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Laguna College of Art and Design, and has a background in graphic design, illustration, community development, and teaching K-12 students as an Artist in Residence. She has operated a side business painting residential and commercial murals since 2003. Corie enjoys camping, floating, and relaxing on Oregon's river beaches with her family.
David Schwager, Statistician
David Schwager is the RAP team's resident statistician and SQL expert. He received a B.S. in statistics from Cornell and an M.S. in statistics from PSU, and has worked for a local market research company and a world leader in electron microscope manufacturing. He enjoys long, complicated board games and playing with his cat.
Debi Elliott, Research Evaluation Scientist
Debi Elliott is the Research Evaluation Scientist for RAP. Dr. Elliott received her PhD in clinical child psychology from The Ohio State University. She has been working in research and evaluation since 1992 in the areas of substance abuse treatment and recovery, mental health treatment, juvenile/criminal justice, supportive housing, crime victimization, and survey research. At RAP, she oversees a number of federal and state research grants, as well as projects that support DCJ. She also has expertise in research ethics and served on the Portland State University Institutional Review Board for human subjects protection. Outside of work, she loves to bake, garden, and knit when she's not enjoying time with her two wonderful grandsons.
Kelsey Mattick, Senior Data Analyst
Kelsey Ravindren is a Senior Data Analyst for the Research and Planning Unit. She holds a Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Cincinnati, with a focus in corrections. She previously worked as a coach and project manager for the Effective Practices in Community Supervision (EPICS) model and as the Juvenile Operations Fidelity Specialist for the Juvenile Services Division. Outside of work, Kelsey is an avid baker and Green Bay Packers fan who loves spending time with her husband, son, and two cats.
Kevin Nyberg, Senior Data Analyst
Kevin Nyberg serves as a technical liaison between DCJ and other jurisdictions within Oregon, with over 10 years of experience in the public sector. He provides project management and data validation and visualization services.
Meagan Zurn, Data Analyst
Meagan Zurn is a Data Analyst for the Research and Planning unit of the Department of Community Justice. She completed her PhD at the London School of Economics, and specializes in establishing data collection processes, evaluation design, and qualitative research methods. Her recent work has been with the DCJ Gang Unit, establishing and evaluating culturally specific treatment programs.
Miranda Sitney, Research & Evaluation Analyst Senior
Miranda Sitney earned her doctorate in applied community psychology at Portland State University in 2020. Her research has centered around juvenile delinquency, juvenile sexual offending behaviors, and callous-unemotional traits in young people. She began on the RAP team as an intern while in graduate school and has remained on the team ever since. Her primary projects include the evaluation of the Gresham Service Coordination Team, managing the Statewide Data Dashboard Initiative, and working with the Juvenile Services Division on a variety of projects related to the success of young people involved in the criminal justice system. In her free time, she enjoys gardening, finding new podcasts to listen to, and hiking with her dog.