2025 Participant Biographies

Tess Olsson (they/them) is a nonbinary trans person currently working as a Project Coordinator at NJCRI, a comprehensive community-based organization in Newark, NJ. They supervise NJ GURRRLS (Garnering Urgent Recommendations, Resources, & Research to Lift up Sisters), also known as NHBS-Trans Newark, a CDC- and NJDOH-supported bio-behavioral study aiming to learn more about the health and resource needs of trans women and transfeminine people living in the Greater Newark area. In 2023, they received a Master of Public Health in LGBTQ+ Health from the Rutgers School of Public Health. Tess’ research career centers the health promotion of queer and trans communities and their topics of interest include barriers and facilitators to gender-affirming healthcare for trans individuals and communities, the impact of legislation on LGBTQ+ health and wellness, and the unique health needs and experiences of trans people who menstruate. In their free time, they enjoy playing video games, obsessing over Star Wars and Marvel, forest bathing, and reading any queer book they can get their hands on.